Transition to Final Cut Pro

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Trying to make the transition to Final Cut Pro and I need a little help deciding which type of computer to get. I've always been a PC user so I never used a Mac before, one of the main reasons why I'm making the transitions is I plan on hiring several people to come in and do special FX, Color Corection and other things with this film I'm editing. Almost everyone I've talked to uses Fiinal Cut. I figured the process would be a lot easier if I edit the film in Final cut.

And plus, my PC has run its course and I thought about upgrading to another PC, but figured in the long run a Mac would be better for the things I want to do. At the moment, I'm still using my DVX100a and plan on editing 24p SD footage. I was looking at an iMac, Macbook Pro & a MacPro. Though at the moment the footage I'm editing is quite simple, I want something to be able to use when I start editing HD or more complicated material. From the 3 choices below, the obvious best choice is the iMac performance wise, but I really wanted the MacPro but had to skim down on performance for it to meet my budget. And the Macbook Pro is just sweet. Any advice. Thanks


27-inch iMac($2,399.00)

2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x2GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
8x double-layer SuperDrive
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) and User's Guide
Country Kit

17-inch MacBook Pro($2,899.00)

2.66GHz Intel Core i7
8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X4GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
MacBook Pro 17-inch Hi-Resolution Glossy Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
Accessory kit

Mac Pro($2,589.00) Apple LED Cinema Display (24" flat panel)$899.00

One 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
3GB (3x1GB)
640GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512MB
One 18x SuperDrive
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) and User's Guide
AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi Card with 802.11n
Country Kit
 
i would go with the iMac 27" personally. The Xeon series is about to be replaced, and the MPB resale value drops so drastically, and is not upgradeable; maybe go with the aforementioned suggestion and buy a used MBP for a mobile solution if you need to; they are always available cheap on the used market.
 
Zissou said:
The MPB resale value drops so drastically, and is not upgradeable
Click to expand...


?

Out of all of the computers the MBP actually holds more value then the imac, macpro and mac mini.

Second saying you cannot upgrade a MBP and implying that an Imac you can makes no sense as they are essentially the same when it comes to being upgradable.
Now to answer the OP, if you can wait a while longer get the new Mac Pros as they should be updating real soon.

One of the main advantages I can think of for the MBP and MP over the iMac is that you can use an eSata which at this current moment is faster that firewire and usb. Ultimately though firewire 800 is fin on the iMac and you shouldn't have any problems.


Regardless though whether you get a MP, IMAC or MBP you will have a great computer for years to come. I am currently editing 1920x1280 footage on a 3 year old MBP and outside of some issues it works flawless.
 
If you plan on using this just for editing, then I would go with the mac pro. You will get much more mileage out of it in the long run with the ability to customize more than the others. You can save yourself some money by going with a non-apple monitor. There are a lot of great monitors out there much cheaper.

If you need the portability, then the Macbook Pro is a solid choice as well.

But I'd also look more into your original statement of "I figured the process would be a lot easier if I edit the film in Final cut." I'd do a little more research in to if it actually will be any easier. Chances are you could be just fine with a new PC and PC based editing and graphics software. I wouldn't just assume Final Cut and a Mac would be better just because other people seem to use it.
 
Thanks all, it seems like either way I go I can't go wrong. I guess I need to make a decision. As for the Monitor, I thought the Mac's only work with Apple Monitors, that I did not know. Maybe I'll save a couple of hundred bucks that way.

And the reason I say it would be easier is the process of getting footage to my Colorist and FX guy. I know it can be a pain transfering footage from one NLE to another, I just don't want the headache, and plus I actually want to learn final cut, it's just the timing is perfect with this new film.
 
Without knowing what codec and frame size you're planning to work with and how much footage you're expecting, it's impossible to give a useful answer.

That said, if you're looking to work with Red or 1080P, I'd get a Mac Pro with 8 cores and the biggest, fastest drive array you can afford. Also get a Kona card and a decent HD monitor.
 
Cieloent said:
?

Out of all of the computers the MBP actually holds more value then the imac, macpro and mac mini.

Second saying you cannot upgrade a MBP and implying that an Imac you can makes no sense as they are essentially the same when it comes to being upgradable.
Now to answer the OP, if you can wait a while longer get the new Mac Pros as they should be updating real soon.

One of the main advantages I can think of for the MBP and MP over the iMac is that you can use an eSata which at this current moment is faster that firewire and usb. Ultimately though firewire 800 is fin on the iMac and you shouldn't have any problems.


Regardless though whether you get a MP, IMAC or MBP you will have a great computer for years to come. I am currently editing 1920x1280 footage on a 3 year old MBP and outside of some issues it works flawless.
Click to expand...

i dont mean upgrade as in just ram and HDD; the iMac would be easier to work on, larger screen etc.

resale value of computer hardware was not on my mind. i forgot the eSata on the iMac tho; that is a very good point.
 
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