FCP system at DVinfo.net

Dror Levi · March 23rd, 2009, 01:28 PM

If I wanted to move to FCP from Sony Vegas.
What will be the less i have to spend on a system that will give me real time preview?

Robert Lane · March 23rd, 2009, 04:29 PM

That really depends on the type of project you're working on, how many streams (video tracks) are in your timeline, how deep the layers of effects are and whether or not you're working on a laptop or desktop machine.

Tell us more about what type of work you intend to do, how you plan to output your projects and your approximate budget and those who have time can make suggestions for you.

Dror Levi · March 23rd, 2009, 10:03 PM

I am shooting and editing HDV weeding events.
Most of the time 2 cameras.
I usualy around the 5 video tracks and 3 maybe 4 audio tracks.

Declan Smith · March 24th, 2009, 06:06 PM

I too am looking for an upgrade. Currently running on PC with Sony Vegas, Boris Red, Magic Bullet, Combustion, and Cubase. My main desire is to have a system that can render more or less in realtime when using MB or other color correction tools. Also, from a compositing point of view, render times are important (whether that is with shake or combustion).

Do MAC's provide significant performance gains over PC's ? Is it worth the switch?

All I know, is that I have to wait & wait for render times on the PC, especially when using magic bullet to sweeten the image (if FCP has equivalent filters that are faster, all the better)

FYI - All video work I do is in DV / HDV

Brian Luce · March 24th, 2009, 06:52 PM

I can't see why Macs would be any faster inherently than PC's -- since they're using the same hardware.

I've also recently switched from Vegas to FCP. I think you'll be glad if you make the switch. However I still love Vegas and think it's the easiest, most intuitive, and best value of any of the NLE's.

Noah Kadner · March 24th, 2009, 06:58 PM

I'd start be going to an Apple Store- play with the hardware. You can get away with something as simply as an iMac all the way up to a full Mac Pro.

Noah

Sean Seah · March 29th, 2009, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Luce

I've also recently switched from Vegas to FCP. I think you'll be glad if you make the switch. However I still love Vegas and think it's the easiest, most intuitive, and best value of any of the NLE's.

I'm also looking to make the switch. Waiting for FCPS4..?? How did u find yourself coping with the changes? I understand the concept is a little different for the 2 NLEs

Brandon Freeman · March 29th, 2009, 11:00 AM

I also jumped from Vegas on PC to FCP on Mac, simply to escape Windows.

I just spent $1,000 on a refurbished 20" iMac, 2.66 Ghz Intel Duo Core 2, 2 GB of RAM (max is 4), and Final Cut Studio (as well as Logic Studio for my music needs), and it runs smooth and clean. Not entirely perfect when effects are applied to an HDV clip, but better than my PC.

I still love Vegas, but am gaining appreciation for FCP and, actually, starting to prefer it. Which is shocking to me, a longtime Vegas lover.

Declan Smith · March 29th, 2009, 05:54 PM

I have made the decision to swap for these reasons.

1. Stop using windows - A pathetic excuse of an operating system, now won't have any windows PC's, just Linux and OS X.
2. Most of my applications are supported on Mac platform (Combustion, Cubase, Magic Bullet, Boris Red)
3. Final cut workflow, for the most part, seems logical and intuitive. Although I like vegas, and can do most things, it lacks in some areas and can be frustrating and a bit clunky.
4. Media apps in general seem to have increasing support on Mac platform.
5. I think the Apple selling point of Apple software for Apple hardware should ensure better compatibility and performance tuning between upgrades.

I have opted for the Mac Pro dual 4 core. A beast of a machine, that should mean that I can render in one app whilst still being able to work in others. This also provides a level of future proofing with regards to memory.

Brian Luce · March 29th, 2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Seah

I'm also looking to make the switch. Waiting for FCPS4..?? How did u find yourself coping with the changes? I understand the concept is a little different for the 2 NLEs

I'm the wrong person to ask because software doesn't come easy to me. That's why I used Vegas in the first place. I have a creative partner committed to Mac so since it represents more of an industry standard, it made sense for me to switch and not her.

So far, I still prefer Vegas, more intuitive and seems like way less rendering. But, keeping a pc running always seems like juggling swords in that you're always waiting to get impaled, which pc's always did to me. I also like being able to browse the web during a render without worry that some guy in Namibia is going to infect my system. But I hate the disruption FCP has caused with my Firestore workflow. So I'd say I like Macs way better than PC's but I still like Vegas a bit better than FCP though over time I'm sure I'll get used to it.

It's nice too how much support is out there for FCP, even on youtube.

Also I used to be dismissive of people that say Mac "Looks better" than a PC. There's something to that though. What would you rather have? An ugly girlfriend or a hot one? Looks matter.

March 23rd, 2009, 01:28 PM	#1
Dror Levi Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines FL Posts: 331	FCP system If I wanted to move to FCP from Sony Vegas. What will be the less i have to spend on a system that will give me real time preview? __________________ www.nostalgicFrames.com

March 23rd, 2009, 10:03 PM	#3
Dror Levi Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pembroke Pines FL Posts: 331	I am shooting and editing HDV weeding events. Most of the time 2 cameras. I usualy around the 5 video tracks and 3 maybe 4 audio tracks. __________________ www.nostalgicFrames.com

March 24th, 2009, 06:06 PM	#4
Declan Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Gloucestershire, UK Posts: 187	Same sort of question I too am looking for an upgrade. Currently running on PC with Sony Vegas, Boris Red, Magic Bullet, Combustion, and Cubase. My main desire is to have a system that can render more or less in realtime when using MB or other color correction tools. Also, from a compositing point of view, render times are important (whether that is with shake or combustion). Do MAC's provide significant performance gains over PC's ? Is it worth the switch? All I know, is that I have to wait & wait for render times on the PC, especially when using magic bullet to sweeten the image (if FCP has equivalent filters that are faster, all the better) FYI - All video work I do is in DV / HDV Last edited by Declan Smith; March 24th, 2009 at 06:39 PM.

March 29th, 2009, 11:00 AM	#8
Brandon Freeman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 226	I also jumped from Vegas on PC to FCP on Mac, simply to escape Windows. I just spent $1,000 on a refurbished 20" iMac, 2.66 Ghz Intel Duo Core 2, 2 GB of RAM (max is 4), and Final Cut Studio (as well as Logic Studio for my music needs), and it runs smooth and clean. Not entirely perfect when effects are applied to an HDV clip, but better than my PC. I still love Vegas, but am gaining appreciation for FCP and, actually, starting to prefer it. Which is shocking to me, a longtime Vegas lover. __________________ Canon EOS 7D, Final Cut Studio 2

March 23rd, 2009, 04:29 PM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	That really depends on the type of project you're working on, how many streams (video tracks) are in your timeline, how deep the layers of effects are and whether or not you're working on a laptop or desktop machine. Tell us more about what type of work you intend to do, how you plan to output your projects and your approximate budget and those who have time can make suggestions for you.

March 24th, 2009, 06:52 PM	#5
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	I can't see why Macs would be any faster inherently than PC's -- since they're using the same hardware. I've also recently switched from Vegas to FCP. I think you'll be glad if you make the switch. However I still love Vegas and think it's the easiest, most intuitive, and best value of any of the NLE's.

March 24th, 2009, 06:58 PM	#6
Noah Kadner Better than Halle Berry Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 435	I'd start be going to an Apple Store- play with the hardware. You can get away with something as simply as an iMac all the way up to a full Mac Pro. Noah

March 29th, 2009, 05:54 PM	#9
Declan Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Gloucestershire, UK Posts: 187	I have made the decision to swap for these reasons. 1. Stop using windows - A pathetic excuse of an operating system, now won't have any windows PC's, just Linux and OS X. 2. Most of my applications are supported on Mac platform (Combustion, Cubase, Magic Bullet, Boris Red) 3. Final cut workflow, for the most part, seems logical and intuitive. Although I like vegas, and can do most things, it lacks in some areas and can be frustrating and a bit clunky. 4. Media apps in general seem to have increasing support on Mac platform. 5. I think the Apple selling point of Apple software for Apple hardware should ensure better compatibility and performance tuning between upgrades. I have opted for the Mac Pro dual 4 core. A beast of a machine, that should mean that I can render in one app whilst still being able to work in others. This also provides a level of future proofing with regards to memory.