Rob Collins
December 12th, 2007, 08:49 PM
This may belong in another forum, but I will be putting together a new Final Cut-based post system as a result of getting the EX1, so would appreciate any recommendations from this group.
I’m upgrading—finally—from a first generation DVX100. Lately I’ve been editing on a first generation Macbook (not pro) plus 20” second monitor, which I bought as a transition from my old dual-450 G4.
Now I have a job that demands 1080 HD, though not uncompressed—Blu-ray will be final destination. Otherwise I shoot local commercials, which soon around here will be broadcast in HD. A lot of stuff shot on the EX1 will end up SD too.
So in assembling a new editing system, my main concern is to have good—and affordable—external video, mostly for clients, but also of course to see on a TV rather than monitor. I don’t do a lot of detailed color grading. For broadcast output of commercials, I can send a data DVD to a post house for print to high-end tape, or print back to camera and bring to deck (I think), so I don’t need SDI on the computer.
My plan for the moment is to wait until mid-January for any upgrades to Mac Pro, then get that, Blu-ray drive (unless the new Mac Pros’s come with them!), 24 or 30” Dell monitor, a Blackmagic Intensity Pro card, and a Sharp Aquos 32” 1080p LCD. That’s around $7,000, about the limit of my budget. Since I’m staying compressed, I should be OK with Firewire 800 drives.
The only other option I can see in that range is the Matrox MXO with a Macbook Pro. That would allow me to use in field with Express Card slot, but since I already have a Macbook, I can just get the USB reader for transfers. This route also limits my editing workspace to 17”—also I’ve noticed in their forums that the MXO has issues with new Macbook Pro’s.
I’m grateful for any suggestions!
I’m upgrading—finally—from a first generation DVX100. Lately I’ve been editing on a first generation Macbook (not pro) plus 20” second monitor, which I bought as a transition from my old dual-450 G4.
Now I have a job that demands 1080 HD, though not uncompressed—Blu-ray will be final destination. Otherwise I shoot local commercials, which soon around here will be broadcast in HD. A lot of stuff shot on the EX1 will end up SD too.
So in assembling a new editing system, my main concern is to have good—and affordable—external video, mostly for clients, but also of course to see on a TV rather than monitor. I don’t do a lot of detailed color grading. For broadcast output of commercials, I can send a data DVD to a post house for print to high-end tape, or print back to camera and bring to deck (I think), so I don’t need SDI on the computer.
My plan for the moment is to wait until mid-January for any upgrades to Mac Pro, then get that, Blu-ray drive (unless the new Mac Pros’s come with them!), 24 or 30” Dell monitor, a Blackmagic Intensity Pro card, and a Sharp Aquos 32” 1080p LCD. That’s around $7,000, about the limit of my budget. Since I’m staying compressed, I should be OK with Firewire 800 drives.
The only other option I can see in that range is the Matrox MXO with a Macbook Pro. That would allow me to use in field with Express Card slot, but since I already have a Macbook, I can just get the USB reader for transfers. This route also limits my editing workspace to 17”—also I’ve noticed in their forums that the MXO has issues with new Macbook Pro’s.
I’m grateful for any suggestions!