Macbook Pro adequate workstation?

Michael Javorka · April 15th, 2008, 01:27 PM

I'm currently shooting the new Sony XDCAM EX-1 Cinealta, but have my Red on order, a serial number secured, etc. I spoke to Red yesterday and was happy to hear them project sometime June for my delivery (serial #2500-something). And yep... the Scarlet looks like it's in my future as well.

As I choose an upgrade from my pre-Intel Mac Powerbook, I was assuming I'd go with a well-equipped Macbook Pro, which will allow me to shoot and edit as I travel internationally. Given that I will be working in FCP ProRes, is this going to work? Or do I really need a Mac Pro instead of the laptop? I will not be editing finished programs, but rather, mastering my stock footage material prior to shipping it back to my agent.

I don't want to under-purchase. Yet the portability of the Macbook makes it the choice of logic if it will handle my needs.

George Kroonder · April 16th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Hi Michael,

You ask an very general question so it is difficult to give you an exact answer, but I'll try as noone else has ventured to do so.

In general terms a MacBook Pro (MBP) is not suitable as an editing station, but since you are now using a powerbook, it may be enough for you.

That is not to say that rendering will be as fast on a MBP as it would on a Mac Pro, but you would gain the mobility and if you only do format conversions and basic cutting you should be ok.

Red does support th MBP as configuration. Best to get 4GB RAM (but at least 2GB).

By July the Matrox MXO2 will also be available offering you the possibility to capture EX1 HD-SDI directly to ProRes422 on your MBP (or to a fast external drive). Some stock houses qualify the EX1 as HDV because of the MPEG2 Long GOP codec; this would overcome that. It also gives you better 'outs' and can get you much closer to a reference display for grading (never trust a notebooks display for that).

Make sure your MBP is not an 'Air' and has a PCIe slot as well as Firewire 800. That will ensure you have a flexible configuration.

George/

P.S. If you record full raster HD @ 29.97, ProRes422 HQ will run at ~1.65GB per minute, so get a large harddrive (a fast external FW800 should do also).

April 15th, 2008, 01:27 PM	#1
Michael Javorka New Boot Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20	Macbook Pro adequate workstation? I'm currently shooting the new Sony XDCAM EX-1 Cinealta, but have my Red on order, a serial number secured, etc. I spoke to Red yesterday and was happy to hear them project sometime June for my delivery (serial #2500-something). And yep... the Scarlet looks like it's in my future as well. As I choose an upgrade from my pre-Intel Mac Powerbook, I was assuming I'd go with a well-equipped Macbook Pro, which will allow me to shoot and edit as I travel internationally. Given that I will be working in FCP ProRes, is this going to work? Or do I really need a Mac Pro instead of the laptop? I will not be editing finished programs, but rather, mastering my stock footage material prior to shipping it back to my agent. I don't want to under-purchase. Yet the portability of the Macbook makes it the choice of logic if it will handle my needs.

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April 16th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#2
George Kroonder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Utrecht, NL \| Europe 3rd Rock from the Sun Posts: 583	Hi Michael, You ask an very general question so it is difficult to give you an exact answer, but I'll try as noone else has ventured to do so. In general terms a MacBook Pro (MBP) is not suitable as an editing station, but since you are now using a powerbook, it may be enough for you. That is not to say that rendering will be as fast on a MBP as it would on a Mac Pro, but you would gain the mobility and if you only do format conversions and basic cutting you should be ok. Red does support th MBP as configuration. Best to get 4GB RAM (but at least 2GB). By July the Matrox MXO2 will also be available offering you the possibility to capture EX1 HD-SDI directly to ProRes422 on your MBP (or to a fast external drive). Some stock houses qualify the EX1 as HDV because of the MPEG2 Long GOP codec; this would overcome that. It also gives you better 'outs' and can get you much closer to a reference display for grading (never trust a notebooks display for that). Make sure your MBP is not an 'Air' and has a PCIe slot as well as Firewire 800. That will ensure you have a flexible configuration. George/ P.S. If you record full raster HD @ 29.97, ProRes422 HQ will run at ~1.65GB per minute, so get a large harddrive (a fast external FW800 should do also).