NLE Mac / Final Cut questions from 2004

Tom Aellis · September 22nd, 2004, 10:51 AM

Murph,
Lumiere HD website states that only FCP Pro is required (4.0)
for the plug-in to work.

I'm sure I'm missing something but have to make sure before I spend
so much money.

Thax again.
Tom

Christopher C. Murphy · September 22nd, 2004, 11:47 AM

You mentioned the HD version, so that's what I thought you wanted to know about. If they say 4.0 then of course that's accurate.

Murph

Tom Aellis · September 22nd, 2004, 11:52 AM

Thanks Murph.

So I am assuming that simply upgrading the the FCP HD ver from
my current FCP Pro is just not enough, correct?
Then I have to ask, what is the advantage of the HD ver over the
Pro ver is any?

Thanks again

Mark Sloan · September 22nd, 2004, 12:49 PM

Find out if they have a special rate for storing "fragile" cargo on their planes. Not sure if this particular airline does it, but many do. You have to pick up your "luggage" at a special terminal.

If not, I would wrap the box in another box with more popcorn to prevent punctures from getting to your computer and to absorb more shock. But overall, it should be fine unless they really abuse it. Can you insure it?

Jeff Donald · September 22nd, 2004, 01:39 PM

What OS are you using and what hardware, ram etc?

Steve Mims · September 22nd, 2004, 01:59 PM

G5
dual 2GHz processor
2.5 GB DDR SDRAM

os 10.3.5

Boyd Ostroff · September 22nd, 2004, 02:11 PM

It should be exactly the same as standard DV, but just check the anamorphic 16:9 checkbox.

Donie Kelly · September 22nd, 2004, 05:55 PM

Hi all

Wa trying to export a video clip today for playback on a pc. I found it almost impossible to get decent quality using a codec that windows would playback natively.

I used compressor but found that any of the codecs and compression schemes i used would not playback on pc (windows 2000) without attempting to download a codec (which failed)

I then used FCP itself using Export | Using Quicktime compression which was better but I'm still not sure which codec I should use to get max quality at a reduced resolution, say 320x200 at a small size.

Ideally I'd like to not have to download a codec on the pc as the people I give it to may not be connected to the net when viewing.

If anybody has good settings for a codec to use I'd be intrested in trying it out.
Many thanks
Donie

Glenn Chan · September 22nd, 2004, 07:36 PM

Quicktime:

sorenson3 for video. The codecs you pay for give much better quality.

audio:
mpeg4 is excellent, but requires QT6 instead of 5.
qdesign gives compression, but sounds bad.
IMA 4:1 is lossless in nearly all cases, but doesn't give much compression.

If you have space to burn, MPEG1 will give very good compatibility. Make a autorun.ini so it autoplays on PCs. Roxio Toast can do this I believe, or you could just create the file. check videohelp.com

If you have a PC, export a DV AVI to it (or print to tape and capture on PC). Use Windows Media Encoder (free). Excellent quality if you use the newer codecs, but those require a codec download.

Yohann Kouam · September 23rd, 2004, 01:34 AM

i don't know if i can insure it... but most of people say the box thing should do so i think you're right i might go for that and ask the company aabout this fragile item thing. thanks

Kevin Crockett · September 23rd, 2004, 06:58 AM

I'm in the market for a new machine. My budget is tight so I'm leaning towards the refurb G5 but now i'm wondering if i shouldn't go the Imac route.

I'm striclty DV Cam/mini DV right now and I'll be using FCE but would probably upgrade to FCP sometime in the future.

How does the Imac compare to the regular G5 when running FCE, FCP, DVD Studio Pro?

Thanks for the comments.

Evan Fisher · September 23rd, 2004, 10:55 AM

Go for the G5.
The iMac is good, but when you get into FCP, you want to be able to use firewire 800 drives. I don't believe you can put a card that will do this into an iMac. Also, if you want multi monitor functionality which makes your editing workspace twice as large, the iMac won't allow this either. Do yourself a favour, when it comes to crunching picture/video files, get the biggest, baddest machine you can afford.

Evan Fisher · September 23rd, 2004, 11:01 AM

With the 4:1:1 color space in DV, my composites have not exactly been perfect. I have read about some devices that supposedly upconvert or soften the DV image into a 4:2:2 colorspace but for this I would require and SDI capture card. Supposedly, Vegas and Avid have a codecs or filters that can help in this regard. Is there a filter or codec for FCP that can help make my comps cleaner?

Jeff Donald · September 23rd, 2004, 11:53 AM

Dual processors is a big boost to productivity. Get the PowerMac if your budget can stand it. Refurbs offer a very good value and carry a full warranty. Apple Care is also available if your interested in a longer warranty.

Glenn Chan · September 23rd, 2004, 05:38 PM

The tower will give you...
dual monitor video card (I think- might want to research this)
space for internal store. Internal drives are cheaper, faster, and more problem-free (a number of FCP users report dropped frames when capturing to firewire drives). Internal drives aren't that portable.

September 22nd, 2004, 10:51 AM	#1306
Tom Aellis Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 29	Really? Murph, Lumiere HD website states that only FCP Pro is required (4.0) for the plug-in to work. I'm sure I'm missing something but have to make sure before I spend so much money. Thax again. Tom __________________ Tom Aellis ONA Imaging Inc. Martial Arts Photography By Martial Artists ONA Large Format Printing

September 22nd, 2004, 11:47 AM	#1307
Christopher C. Murphy Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,707	You mentioned the HD version, so that's what I thought you wanted to know about. If they say 4.0 then of course that's accurate. Murph __________________ Christopher C. Murphy Director, Producer, Writer

September 22nd, 2004, 11:52 AM	#1308
Tom Aellis Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 29	Thanks Tons Thanks Murph. So I am assuming that simply upgrading the the FCP HD ver from my current FCP Pro is just not enough, correct? Then I have to ask, what is the advantage of the HD ver over the Pro ver is any? Thanks again __________________ Tom Aellis ONA Imaging Inc. Martial Arts Photography By Martial Artists ONA Large Format Printing

September 22nd, 2004, 01:39 PM	#1310
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	What OS are you using and what hardware, ram etc? __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 22nd, 2004, 05:55 PM	#1313
Donie Kelly Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 159	FCP: Exporting for pc playback? Hi all Wa trying to export a video clip today for playback on a pc. I found it almost impossible to get decent quality using a codec that windows would playback natively. I used compressor but found that any of the codecs and compression schemes i used would not playback on pc (windows 2000) without attempting to download a codec (which failed) I then used FCP itself using Export \| Using Quicktime compression which was better but I'm still not sure which codec I should use to get max quality at a reduced resolution, say 320x200 at a small size. Ideally I'd like to not have to download a codec on the pc as the people I give it to may not be connected to the net when viewing. If anybody has good settings for a codec to use I'd be intrested in trying it out. Many thanks Donie __________________ Macbook Pro 2.0Ghz and Canon XL2

September 22nd, 2004, 12:49 PM	#1309
Mark Sloan Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 346	Find out if they have a special rate for storing "fragile" cargo on their planes. Not sure if this particular airline does it, but many do. You have to pick up your "luggage" at a special terminal. If not, I would wrap the box in another box with more popcorn to prevent punctures from getting to your computer and to absorb more shock. But overall, it should be fine unless they really abuse it. Can you insure it?

September 22nd, 2004, 01:59 PM	#1311
Steve Mims "I saw 'em" -- Hiwayne Suggs Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 52	G5 dual 2GHz processor 2.5 GB DDR SDRAM os 10.3.5

September 22nd, 2004, 02:11 PM	#1312
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	It should be exactly the same as standard DV, but just check the anamorphic 16:9 checkbox.

September 22nd, 2004, 07:36 PM	#1314
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Quicktime: sorenson3 for video. The codecs you pay for give much better quality. audio: mpeg4 is excellent, but requires QT6 instead of 5. qdesign gives compression, but sounds bad. IMA 4:1 is lossless in nearly all cases, but doesn't give much compression. If you have space to burn, MPEG1 will give very good compatibility. Make a autorun.ini so it autoplays on PCs. Roxio Toast can do this I believe, or you could just create the file. check videohelp.com If you have a PC, export a DV AVI to it (or print to tape and capture on PC). Use Windows Media Encoder (free). Excellent quality if you use the newer codecs, but those require a codec download.

September 23rd, 2004, 01:34 AM	#1315
Yohann Kouam Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: sevilla Posts: 116	i don't know if i can insure it... but most of people say the box thing should do so i think you're right i might go for that and ask the company aabout this fragile item thing. thanks

September 23rd, 2004, 06:58 AM	#1316
Kevin Crockett Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: FL. Posts: 71	New Imac 1.6 vs Refub G5 1.6 I'm in the market for a new machine. My budget is tight so I'm leaning towards the refurb G5 but now i'm wondering if i shouldn't go the Imac route. I'm striclty DV Cam/mini DV right now and I'll be using FCE but would probably upgrade to FCP sometime in the future. How does the Imac compare to the regular G5 when running FCE, FCP, DVD Studio Pro? Thanks for the comments.

September 23rd, 2004, 10:55 AM	#1317
Evan Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 137	Go for the G5. The iMac is good, but when you get into FCP, you want to be able to use firewire 800 drives. I don't believe you can put a card that will do this into an iMac. Also, if you want multi monitor functionality which makes your editing workspace twice as large, the iMac won't allow this either. Do yourself a favour, when it comes to crunching picture/video files, get the biggest, baddest machine you can afford. __________________ Fisher Media Productions

September 23rd, 2004, 11:01 AM	#1318
Evan Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 137	Question Re: DV Compositing in FCP HD With the 4:1:1 color space in DV, my composites have not exactly been perfect. I have read about some devices that supposedly upconvert or soften the DV image into a 4:2:2 colorspace but for this I would require and SDI capture card. Supposedly, Vegas and Avid have a codecs or filters that can help in this regard. Is there a filter or codec for FCP that can help make my comps cleaner? __________________ Fisher Media Productions

September 23rd, 2004, 11:53 AM	#1319
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Dual processors is a big boost to productivity. Get the PowerMac if your budget can stand it. Refurbs offer a very good value and carry a full warranty. Apple Care is also available if your interested in a longer warranty. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 23rd, 2004, 05:38 PM	#1320
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	The tower will give you... dual monitor video card (I think- might want to research this) space for internal store. Internal drives are cheaper, faster, and more problem-free (a number of FCP users report dropped frames when capturing to firewire drives). Internal drives aren't that portable.