Editing HD Video on iBook

[Dorothy Engleman]

Does anyone know how iBooks handle HDV editing?

Dorothy

[Meryem Ersoz]

it depends on the iBook. if you have one with the fastest G4 processor and maximum RAM, you should be able to edit HDV, but it will be a very sloooooow and painstaking process. for example, the iBook processor maxes out at 1.42 ghz and has "up to" 1.5 gb memory (meaning, you will still need a base memory upgrade). i edit HDV (output from an FX-1) currently on a 2ghz/2gb G5 processor, and all logging and capturing happens at 1/2 speed, not in real time. rendering is painfully slow, playback is stuttery, at times. but doable. you will probably have a similar experience with the fastest iBook.

the FX-1/iMac G5 combo was my interim solution to upgrading to support HDV. i have yet to encounter a client who needs or asks for anything i can't deliver faster with my XL2. so it was more about getting my ya-yas out about being able to work in HDV.

i'm waiting until more kinks are worked out to upgrade anything. Apple and the new line of HD cameras need to be more synchronous before i upgrade camera/hardware/software systems from what i have. because when i do, a new camera, an Intel-based Mac system, and software upgrades are going to set me back a pretty penny.

Mac's conversion to Intel probably had a lot to do with being able to support this new range of cameras at the middle end of their product line, which the older iBooks (and my older Powerbook) do not....

hope this helps....

[Dorothy Engleman]

Originally Posted by Meryem Ersoz

it depends on the iBook. if you have one with the fastest G4 processor and maximum RAM, you should be able to edit HDV, but it will be a very sloooooow and painstaking process. for example, the iBook processor maxes out at 1.42 ghz and has "up to" 1.5 gb memory (meaning, you will still need a base memory upgrade). i edit HDV (output from an FX-1) currently on a 2ghz/2gb G5 processor, and all logging and capturing happens at 1/2 speed, not in real time. rendering is painfully slow, playback is stuttery, at times. but doable. you will probably have a similar experience with the fastest iBook.

the FX-1/iMac G5 combo was my interim solution to upgrading to support HDV. i have yet to encounter a client who needs or asks for anything i can't deliver faster with my XL2. so it was more about getting my ya-yas out about being able to work in HDV.

i'm waiting until more kinks are worked out to upgrade anything. Apple and the new line of HD cameras need to be more synchronous before i upgrade camera/hardware/software systems from what i have. because when i do, a new camera, an Intel-based Mac system, and software upgrades are going to set me back a pretty penny.

Mac's conversion to Intel probably had a lot to do with being able to support this new range of cameras at the middle end of their product line, which the older iBooks (and my older Powerbook) do not....

hope this helps....

Hi Meryem,

Thanks alot for your helpful insights!!

Would you know whether the Apple Intel laptops are fully compatible with the Sony HVR-A1U which I would like to purchase?

If not, as an interim solution, I may get an iBook to use with my Canon Optura SD camcorder if Apple offers the iBooks for attractive discounts when the new Macbooks are launched this week.

Dorothy