Editing AVCHD on Macbook Pro at DVinfo.net

Barry Hanson · October 29th, 2008, 08:59 AM

I have a Canon HF100 and am considering purchasing a new Macbook Pro. Question: Would the upgraded model offer any significant benefits for editing AVCHD? The upgraded model has a 2.53 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz processor. Both have the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, although the upgraded model has a 512 MB cache vs. 256MB. If both models are going to be equally bad (and I need to be using a desktop with more power), I will probably just get the base model. I'm a newbie and haven't yet tried to do any editing. Thanks for any input!

Steve Mullen · October 29th, 2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Hanson

I have a Canon HF100 and am considering purchasing a new Macbook Pro. Question: Would the upgraded model offer any significant benefits for editing AVCHD? The upgraded model has a 2.53 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz processor.

All OS X NLEs convert AVCHD to another codec (AIC or ProRes) so the computer power only helps the speed the conversion process.

What editor will you use? I fell in love with iMovie 08 so much I wrote a book about it. It is the first leap ahead in editing video in a decade. So big a leap that it seems to confuse folks who use traditional software. It really works great with AVCHD!

Barry Hanson · October 29th, 2008, 09:41 PM

I am planning to use iMovie 08. Sounds like this should be good/sufficient for home movies and such? In terms of processing power, will both of the Macbook Pro models do an adequate job?

Steve Mullen · October 30th, 2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Hanson

I am planning to use iMovie 08. Sounds like this should be good/sufficient for home movies and such? In terms of processing power, will both of the Macbook Pro models do an adequate job?

Both fine will be fine.

Tom Cadwalader · October 30th, 2008, 08:22 AM

Barry,
We have a MacBook Pro2.4 GZ and it works fine. I do most of my stuff on a iMac with a 2.0 GZ Intel duo. Both use Imovie 08 and HD fine. I did max out the ram on both Macs.
I use a Sony SR11 and both Macs handle the AVCHD.
As Steve said both would be fine, and you might want to look at his books. I found them to be helpfull.

Barry Hanson · October 30th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Thanks for the info. One more question...Will editing on the Mac, along with the conversion to AIC, result in any loss in quality as compared to editing on a Windows program such as Nero? I'm wanting to be able to play back on a 50" HDTV. Thanks again.

October 29th, 2008, 08:59 AM	#1
Barry Hanson Tourist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3	Editing AVCHD on Macbook Pro I have a Canon HF100 and am considering purchasing a new Macbook Pro. Question: Would the upgraded model offer any significant benefits for editing AVCHD? The upgraded model has a 2.53 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz processor. Both have the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, although the upgraded model has a 512 MB cache vs. 256MB. If both models are going to be equally bad (and I need to be using a desktop with more power), I will probably just get the base model. I'm a newbie and haven't yet tried to do any editing. Thanks for any input!

October 30th, 2008, 08:22 AM	#5
Tom Cadwalader Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cheboygan, Michigan Posts: 79	No Problem Barry, We have a MacBook Pro2.4 GZ and it works fine. I do most of my stuff on a iMac with a 2.0 GZ Intel duo. Both use Imovie 08 and HD fine. I did max out the ram on both Macs. I use a Sony SR11 and both Macs handle the AVCHD. As Steve said both would be fine, and you might want to look at his books. I found them to be helpfull.

October 29th, 2008, 09:41 PM	#3
Barry Hanson Tourist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3	I am planning to use iMovie 08. Sounds like this should be good/sufficient for home movies and such? In terms of processing power, will both of the Macbook Pro models do an adequate job?

October 30th, 2008, 10:09 AM	#6
Barry Hanson Tourist Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3	Thanks for the info. One more question...Will editing on the Mac, along with the conversion to AIC, result in any loss in quality as compared to editing on a Windows program such as Nero? I'm wanting to be able to play back on a 50" HDTV. Thanks again.