Best Option for HD Viewing/Editing with FCP at DVinfo.net

Will Boggs · November 6th, 2007, 08:04 PM

I recently shot a doc and edited offline by converting the HD footage to SD DV. The project was shot with the HVX200 in 1080 24PA. I want to re-edit online in 1080 HD but am on a limited budget.

Any advice on setting up my system for HD editing. I am using FCP 5.0.4 on a Mac G5 Dual 2.0 with 1.5 GB RAM. I also have one of the older 20" ADC Cinema Displays and am running OS 10.4.10.

What will I need in terms of RAM, storage, full rez HD output for accurate monitoring/color correction? Can I use another Apple cinema display via some kind of DVI connection or would it be better to go with an HDMI output?

I want something bullet-proof and relatively inexpensive. Tell me about the Matrox MXO, BlackMagic cards, etc. for monitoring if you know about them.

What storage will I need plus additional RAM to run smooth?

Anything you all can tell me is really appreciated.

David W. Jones · November 6th, 2007, 08:39 PM

The first thing I would consider would be to update your version of FCP.

Robert Lane · November 6th, 2007, 09:03 PM

Will,

First let me recommend that you spend some time searching this forum for relative answers; 99% of what you're asking about has been asked many times over. To give you a complete answer would fill an entire page.

But some quick simple advice can be given; first of which you can't do any on-line HD editing with the existing hardware/software setup you have and you're looking at a minimum of about $4k between both hardware and software purchases to get it done. If you're budget can *start* at the $4k point then you're in the game, if not then you'll need to continue your off-line edit mode until the finances catch up with your desires.

November 6th, 2007, 08:04 PM	#1
Will Boggs Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ada, Oklahoma Posts: 92	Best Option for HD Viewing/Editing with FCP I recently shot a doc and edited offline by converting the HD footage to SD DV. The project was shot with the HVX200 in 1080 24PA. I want to re-edit online in 1080 HD but am on a limited budget. Any advice on setting up my system for HD editing. I am using FCP 5.0.4 on a Mac G5 Dual 2.0 with 1.5 GB RAM. I also have one of the older 20" ADC Cinema Displays and am running OS 10.4.10. What will I need in terms of RAM, storage, full rez HD output for accurate monitoring/color correction? Can I use another Apple cinema display via some kind of DVI connection or would it be better to go with an HDMI output? I want something bullet-proof and relatively inexpensive. Tell me about the Matrox MXO, BlackMagic cards, etc. for monitoring if you know about them. What storage will I need plus additional RAM to run smooth? Anything you all can tell me is really appreciated.

November 6th, 2007, 09:03 PM	#3
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,788 Images: 15	Will, First let me recommend that you spend some time searching this forum for relative answers; 99% of what you're asking about has been asked many times over. To give you a complete answer would fill an entire page. But some quick simple advice can be given; first of which you can't do any on-line HD editing with the existing hardware/software setup you have and you're looking at a minimum of about $4k between both hardware and software purchases to get it done. If you're budget can start at the $4k point then you're in the game, if not then you'll need to continue your off-line edit mode until the finances catch up with your desires. __________________ Robert Lane Producer/Creator - Bike Pilots TV

November 6th, 2007, 08:39 PM	#2
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	The first thing I would consider would be to update your version of FCP.