I think my iMac is too outdated for FCPX at DVinfo.net

Scott Brooks · May 12th, 2012, 09:24 PM

I've been wondering why my iMac just didn't seem to be playing nice with FCPX. I've been searching the internet and have finally found what could explain my problems with AVCHD files. Apparently my graphics card is not listed as being compatible. I have the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256MB. Here's the list I found this evening. Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4: Graphics card compatibility

Basically I have an iMac from mid 2007.
2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Graphics card ATI Radeon HD200 Pro 256 MB

I only do stage events these days with either single or two cameras and run several digital recorders for audio, so I don't think going to a Pro would be needed. I like the smaller footprint of the iMac. Since I know ZERO about all the info above except that more RAM is good ... would picking up a new iMac pretty much take care of me?

William Hohauser · May 12th, 2012, 10:05 PM

Before you get a new iMac, try converting a few AVCHD files to ProRes and see if you experience the same problems. If you get consistently better behavior from FCPX then consider installing more RAM. Unfortunately the ProRes files will be at least three times the size of the original video files so you will need a good external drive. Perhaps a new iMac is for the best, all the new ones work with FCPX.

Scott Brooks · May 12th, 2012, 10:09 PM

Thanks William ... that's actually one of the things I tried and it was still slow and stuttered. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why things were getting so jammed up.

This might explain why I've corresponded with some that say they have no problems at all.

Craig Seeman · May 13th, 2012, 09:07 AM

What are you playing the files back from?
The system drive running OSX and Applications should be avoided when playing back files while editing. You may want to try a Firewire drive that's at least 7200rpm.
Your graphics card will be a problem though. Also your CPU (Core2Duo) is on the weak side by today's standards but it should handle ProRes just fine.

The top of the line Built To Order iMacs are faster than several of the MacPro which were last updated in 2010 and don't have Thunderbolt. You'd definitely be better with a top of the line iMac with two Thunderbolt ports.

Try a Firewire 7200rpm drive. If you do move to a new Mac you'll still be able to use it. You can expand your RAM to 8GB but it that doesn't do the trick, you won't be able to use it in a new machine.

Scott Brooks · May 13th, 2012, 10:08 AM

All files play back from external firewire drives ... all 7200.

Normally I would try and read Apple's mind as to when they might bring out the new iMac, but if I need it then I need it.

Craig Seeman · May 13th, 2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Brooks

All files play back from external firewire drives ... all 7200.

Normally I would try and read Apple's mind as to when they might bring out the new iMac, but if I need it then I need it.

Given your iMac's GPU/CPU it's time to upgrade but . . .

It's strange state at the moment. MacPro 2010 is still for sale yet it's surely EOL. My hunch is something will replace it, but what.

Will it be a Xeon base iMacPro or a box with a new case design?
I'd hold off until WWDC, now only a few weeks away.
New Xeons were announced by Intel in March and new Thunderbolt controllers were announced at the end of April. My own guess is something new is a few weeks away and, at that point, we'll see the MacPro in its current form, go away.
Also considering Mountain Lion is coming soon, it may be that Apple will release new machines when the whole package is ready.

May 12th, 2012, 09:24 PM	#1
Scott Brooks Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 231	I think my iMac is too outdated for FCPX I've been wondering why my iMac just didn't seem to be playing nice with FCPX. I've been searching the internet and have finally found what could explain my problems with AVCHD files. Apparently my graphics card is not listed as being compatible. I have the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256MB. Here's the list I found this evening. Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4: Graphics card compatibility Basically I have an iMac from mid 2007. 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4 GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM Graphics card ATI Radeon HD200 Pro 256 MB I only do stage events these days with either single or two cameras and run several digital recorders for audio, so I don't think going to a Pro would be needed. I like the smaller footprint of the iMac. Since I know ZERO about all the info above except that more RAM is good ... would picking up a new iMac pretty much take care of me?

May 12th, 2012, 10:05 PM	#2
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: I think my iMac is too outdated for FCPX Before you get a new iMac, try converting a few AVCHD files to ProRes and see if you experience the same problems. If you get consistently better behavior from FCPX then consider installing more RAM. Unfortunately the ProRes files will be at least three times the size of the original video files so you will need a good external drive. Perhaps a new iMac is for the best, all the new ones work with FCPX. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

May 12th, 2012, 10:09 PM	#3
Scott Brooks Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 231	Re: I think my iMac is too outdated for FCPX Thanks William ... that's actually one of the things I tried and it was still slow and stuttered. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why things were getting so jammed up. This might explain why I've corresponded with some that say they have no problems at all.

May 13th, 2012, 09:07 AM	#4
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	Re: I think my iMac is too outdated for FCPX What are you playing the files back from? The system drive running OSX and Applications should be avoided when playing back files while editing. You may want to try a Firewire drive that's at least 7200rpm. Your graphics card will be a problem though. Also your CPU (Core2Duo) is on the weak side by today's standards but it should handle ProRes just fine. The top of the line Built To Order iMacs are faster than several of the MacPro which were last updated in 2010 and don't have Thunderbolt. You'd definitely be better with a top of the line iMac with two Thunderbolt ports. Try a Firewire 7200rpm drive. If you do move to a new Mac you'll still be able to use it. You can expand your RAM to 8GB but it that doesn't do the trick, you won't be able to use it in a new machine.

May 13th, 2012, 10:08 AM	#5
Scott Brooks Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Charleston, IL Posts: 231	Re: I think my iMac is too outdated for FCPX All files play back from external firewire drives ... all 7200. Normally I would try and read Apple's mind as to when they might bring out the new iMac, but if I need it then I need it.