FCE HD and intel iMac
 

Has anyone practical experience using an intel iMac for editing HDV? I currently use FCP3 on a dual 800 G4 for DV25 and want to have an HDV capability. I do low end corporate/training stuff, not a lot of compositing. I curently use Firewire HDDs. I started editing when we could hold the film up to the light and see the pictures so think I have one more change left in me

Thanks

Ned

Sorry, no experience yet on the Intel Macs. But another option you might consider would be upgrading your copy of FCP 3 to the full Final Cut Studio suite which costs $700: http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/

This would be a big improvement over FCP3 on your current hardware (you might need to upgrade to a new version of MacOSX though). But it's also a universal application which would work on the new Intel Macs if you purchased one later.

Personally I would go this route instead of FCE which costs $300. For $400 more you get a lot more capabilities plus DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack Pro and Motion.

Thanks for the info, the question is; is my current G4 Mac up to handling HDV? I assume it will need substantially more RAM than my current 1 GB?

Thanks

Ned C

Oh - sorry I wasn't thinking about HDV specifically. I don't know how well that will work on your G4. You are probably a little underpowered for that.... my only experience with HDV is on a dual G5/2.5ghz.

HD should be fine if you upgrade the ram to 2GB, assuming the audio and video tracks are not to intensive. Several tracks of video and audio should be fine, but extreme numbers of either may cause difficulties.

Hello,

I am using Final Cut Studio with an Intel Mac..And have been edting HDV, it is working great.. No problems to report..I have 2 GHZ Duo Core Imac with 1.5 of ram..And an external 250 gig Accomdata Firewire drive..So far Its great..

Mike Moncrief

Same here.