Will my PowerMac be able to edit HDV? at DVinfo.net

Mike Barber · January 29th, 2008, 12:51 PM

I have a PowerMac G4 dual-867 MDD with 768 MB of RAM. I've been humming along just fine for DV (FCP 5.1.4), believe it or not, but have a project that was shot on HDV that is about to be handed over to me.

If I max out my RAM, which means taking it up to 2 GB, would I be OK for working with HDV? Or do I absolutely need a processor upgrade as well?

I've been avoiding spending any money to upgrade this machine since I want to replace it with a Mac Pro, just waiting for the right job (that pays enough). ;-)

Rick L. Allen · January 29th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Mike,

I have an older MDD with upgraded Dual 1.42 dual processor and 2GB memory and a 9800 ATI graphics card. My MDD would edit HDV (in FCP 5.1) but it was sometimes a slow process. Unfortunately HDV needs processor speed and bus speed. The MDD is now my legacy Media100 machine.

Michael Carter · January 29th, 2008, 06:09 PM

Remember that processor upgrades in a G4 can be a real crap shoot... I've done it, had a lot of issues - the most common seems to be wake-from-sleep issues and problems with dual-monitor setups. It can be a frustrating experience.

On the other hand, used G5 Dual 2.0's are getting down around the thousand mark...

Andrew Kimery · January 29th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Cuts only could be bearable, but once you need to start rendering things you might want to have a book handy 'cause you won't be doing anything for a while. ;)

-A

Mike Barber · January 30th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Yeah… that's what I thought the case was going to be.

Thanks everyone!

January 29th, 2008, 12:51 PM	#1
Mike Barber Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 731	Will my PowerMac be able to edit HDV? I have a PowerMac G4 dual-867 MDD with 768 MB of RAM. I've been humming along just fine for DV (FCP 5.1.4), believe it or not, but have a project that was shot on HDV that is about to be handed over to me. If I max out my RAM, which means taking it up to 2 GB, would I be OK for working with HDV? Or do I absolutely need a processor upgrade as well? I've been avoiding spending any money to upgrade this machine since I want to replace it with a Mac Pro, just waiting for the right job (that pays enough). ;-) __________________ Mike Barber "I'm laughing to stop myself from screaming."

January 30th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#5
Mike Barber Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 731	Yeah… that's what I thought the case was going to be. Thanks everyone! __________________ Mike Barber "I'm laughing to stop myself from screaming."

January 29th, 2008, 05:33 PM	#2
Rick L. Allen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 535	Mike, I have an older MDD with upgraded Dual 1.42 dual processor and 2GB memory and a 9800 ATI graphics card. My MDD would edit HDV (in FCP 5.1) but it was sometimes a slow process. Unfortunately HDV needs processor speed and bus speed. The MDD is now my legacy Media100 machine.

January 29th, 2008, 06:09 PM	#3
Michael Carter Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 108	Remember that processor upgrades in a G4 can be a real crap shoot... I've done it, had a lot of issues - the most common seems to be wake-from-sleep issues and problems with dual-monitor setups. It can be a frustrating experience. On the other hand, used G5 Dual 2.0's are getting down around the thousand mark...

January 29th, 2008, 06:31 PM	#4
Andrew Kimery Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 352	Cuts only could be bearable, but once you need to start rendering things you might want to have a book handy 'cause you won't be doing anything for a while. ;) -A