FCP4 and Mac Mini

Jerrod Francis · June 21st, 2007, 02:55 AM

When I try to launch FCP4 on this new Mac Mini I get a configuration error:

This software requires certain hardware or software which is missing.
*AGP Graphics Card

Is there a workaround for this? I need to pick up on this project I'm in the middle of and I *assumed that the Mac Mini was compatible with FCP4.

Are there any external hardware boxes that I can use as an AGP video card? Something not too expensive like under $200. This isn't going to be for high end stuff at the moment, just sideline projects.

Here's my computer info:

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: Mac mini
Model Identifier: Macmini1,1
Processor Name: Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 1.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 2 MB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B08
SMC Version: 1.3f4
Serial Number: YM63xxxxxA

Intel GMA 950:

Chipset Model: GMA 950
Type: Display
Bus: Built-In
VRAM (Total): 64 MB of shared system memory
Vendor: Intel (0x8086)
Device ID: 0x27a2
Revision ID: 0x0003

Thanks,
Jerry

Alex Gilliard · June 21st, 2007, 08:26 AM

No boxes to upgrade from the integrated graphics, But the thing I would suggest is boost the ram, to 2GB If your going to edit video the more ram the better. Here is a discusion thread on apples website http://discussions.apple.com/thread....35688&#3535688

It basically said that it is not supported on any intel mac and to upgrade to the latest version. Have you looked into FCE instead? I would upgrade to at least a iMac before upgrading to FCP6 though.

Boyd Ostroff · June 24th, 2007, 07:25 AM

Jerrod, FCP 4 is not going to run on any of the Intel machines because it's a Power PC program and is not supported in emulation mode (Rosetta).

FCP 4 is getting really old and you will find a number of issues even with G4 or G5 computers. And the AGP error message is just one of them. When Apple released FCP 4, AGP graphics cards were the fastest type and only the newer Macs had them. But later Apple came along with PCI Express and other methods of accelerating graphics. Unfortunately FCP4 didn't understand these new things and just quit, assuming you had an old unsupported card.

Somewhere there used to be a program to "patch" this problem, but this was several years ago and I don't know if it will still work properly with newer system software. Regardless, it won't help you on an Intel machine. You need either a G4/G5 mac or a new(er) version of FCP....

June 21st, 2007, 02:55 AM	#1
Jerrod Francis New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Arlington, Tx Posts: 16	FCP4 and Mac Mini - Needs AGP Card? When I try to launch FCP4 on this new Mac Mini I get a configuration error: This software requires certain hardware or software which is missing. AGP Graphics Card Is there a workaround for this? I need to pick up on this project I'm in the middle of and I assumed that the Mac Mini was compatible with FCP4. Are there any external hardware boxes that I can use as an AGP video card? Something not too expensive like under $200. This isn't going to be for high end stuff at the moment, just sideline projects. Here's my computer info: Hardware Overview: Model Name: Mac mini Model Identifier: Macmini1,1 Processor Name: Intel Core Duo Processor Speed: 1.66 GHz Number Of Processors: 1 Total Number Of Cores: 2 L2 Cache (per processor): 2 MB Memory: 512 MB Bus Speed: 667 MHz Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B08 SMC Version: 1.3f4 Serial Number: YM63xxxxxA Intel GMA 950: Chipset Model: GMA 950 Type: Display Bus: Built-In VRAM (Total): 64 MB of shared system memory Vendor: Intel (0x8086) Device ID: 0x27a2 Revision ID: 0x0003 Thanks, Jerry Last edited by Jerrod Francis; June 21st, 2007 at 03:52 AM.

June 21st, 2007, 08:26 AM	#2
Alex Gilliard New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 10	No boxes to upgrade from the integrated graphics, But the thing I would suggest is boost the ram, to 2GB If your going to edit video the more ram the better. Here is a discusion thread on apples website http://discussions.apple.com/thread....35688&#3535688 It basically said that it is not supported on any intel mac and to upgrade to the latest version. Have you looked into FCE instead? I would upgrade to at least a iMac before upgrading to FCP6 though.

June 24th, 2007, 07:25 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Jerrod, FCP 4 is not going to run on any of the Intel machines because it's a Power PC program and is not supported in emulation mode (Rosetta). FCP 4 is getting really old and you will find a number of issues even with G4 or G5 computers. And the AGP error message is just one of them. When Apple released FCP 4, AGP graphics cards were the fastest type and only the newer Macs had them. But later Apple came along with PCI Express and other methods of accelerating graphics. Unfortunately FCP4 didn't understand these new things and just quit, assuming you had an old unsupported card. Somewhere there used to be a program to "patch" this problem, but this was several years ago and I don't know if it will still work properly with newer system software. Regardless, it won't help you on an Intel machine. You need either a G4/G5 mac or a new(er) version of FCP....