twin computers at DVinfo.net

Brian David Melnyk · May 18th, 2009, 08:18 AM

i have my MBP running smoothly in 10.5.3, with FCPS2, Protools, plugins and other app updates etc. i would like my iMac, currently running OS 10.4.9 without any updates, to mirror the MBP. Would there be a problem, logistically or legally, with backing up the iMac, wiping the drive, and then migrating the MBP drive over to it?
Basically, i'm looking for the easiest way to achieve a 'fresh' start for the iMac, without having to reinstall OS, programs, updates, etc from scratch, piece by piece.
is this just a bad idea???

Robert Lane · May 18th, 2009, 08:28 AM

You can easily clone your MBP image and migrate that to your iMac however some of the software such as FCP, Protools etc will not let the same serial number to be running concurrently on the same network. That means if both machines are turned on at the same time and share your home/office network then only one instance of these programs will be allowed to run. In some cases FCP simply won't start at all if it detects a same-serial number installation.

Those are your caveats.

Brian David Melnyk · May 19th, 2009, 12:55 AM

thanks for your response, Robert. i can live with that, as i keep the computers 'separate'.
on another note, thanks again for your NTSC HDV to PAL DVD compressor settings. i just finished a (13 hour!) transcode, full of titles, graphics, and CC, with lots of pans and zooms, and i had to triple check that it was truly transcoded to PAL- it looks great!
it was even 30f to 25f, and still looks smooth.
$500 for a XH A1 PAL mod???? i think not!

Gary Nattrass · May 19th, 2009, 02:17 AM

I have a macbook pro 17" 2.16g and an i-mac 24" 2.4g.

I am running final cut studio 2 and pro tools version 8 on both systems with no problems at all, they both have the same serial numbers entered.
OK I dont use both machines at the same time but they both accept all the software updates without any problems.

May 18th, 2009, 08:18 AM	#1
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	twin computers i have my MBP running smoothly in 10.5.3, with FCPS2, Protools, plugins and other app updates etc. i would like my iMac, currently running OS 10.4.9 without any updates, to mirror the MBP. Would there be a problem, logistically or legally, with backing up the iMac, wiping the drive, and then migrating the MBP drive over to it? Basically, i'm looking for the easiest way to achieve a 'fresh' start for the iMac, without having to reinstall OS, programs, updates, etc from scratch, piece by piece. is this just a bad idea???

May 19th, 2009, 02:17 AM	#4
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	I have a macbook pro 17" 2.16g and an i-mac 24" 2.4g. I am running final cut studio 2 and pro tools version 8 on both systems with no problems at all, they both have the same serial numbers entered. OK I dont use both machines at the same time but they both accept all the software updates without any problems. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

May 18th, 2009, 08:28 AM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	You can easily clone your MBP image and migrate that to your iMac however some of the software such as FCP, Protools etc will not let the same serial number to be running concurrently on the same network. That means if both machines are turned on at the same time and share your home/office network then only one instance of these programs will be allowed to run. In some cases FCP simply won't start at all if it detects a same-serial number installation. Those are your caveats.

May 19th, 2009, 12:55 AM	#3
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	thanks for your response, Robert. i can live with that, as i keep the computers 'separate'. on another note, thanks again for your NTSC HDV to PAL DVD compressor settings. i just finished a (13 hour!) transcode, full of titles, graphics, and CC, with lots of pans and zooms, and i had to triple check that it was truly transcoded to PAL- it looks great! it was even 30f to 25f, and still looks smooth. $500 for a XH A1 PAL mod???? i think not!