DV editing workstation

Ken Tanaka · January 22nd, 2002, 01:03 PM

Vic,
Yes, this is a difficult but enjoyable decision. I used Premiere on my Dell Precsion 610 workstation (dual processors, 4-drive raid storage, etc.). But since getting my first Mac G4 DP and FCP, Premiere has been dormant.

Dell makes fabulous systems for many other tasks but the Mac wins with no contest when it comes to video. FCP is, in my opinion, not really over-hyped because it delivers on its promises.

But, certainly, you can have great success with any of several tools. My advice to anyone would be to pick an' stick. That is, choose as wisely as possible, learn the NLE tool as well as possible and then concentrate on learning EDITING rather than techno-futzing. Editing skills will be much more fulfilling and rewarding in the long-run.

Ozzie Alfonso · January 22nd, 2002, 01:12 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by the graphics guy :BTW, if any of you out there are schoolteachers, I wonder if you know...you can get FCP (now version 3) for $300!!! -->>>

I'm told the same is true of bonafide students. Worth checking out.

Wait a minute, my wife is a teacher! Just retired but still working. Hummm......

Mike Butler · January 22nd, 2002, 01:22 PM

There's a funny saying around: FCP has a great titler, it's called Photoshop! (actually what I use is Photoshop PSD files and I can play with the layers in FCP)

Mike Butler · January 22nd, 2002, 03:39 PM

If the idea is to "cut to the chase scene" (literally) and concentrate on the editing rather than "techno-futzing" (Love that term!) then I agree w/Ken & Vic that FCP is pretty near ideal, and not just because I am partial to the Mac platform.

Now for those who are computer engineers or hobbyists who may dabble in editing as a side-issue, then other solutions may be preferable.

Bob Zimmerman · January 23rd, 2002, 03:02 AM

Do any of you Mac owners have problems with the computer getting to hot? Locking up ect?

Bob Zimmerman · January 23rd, 2002, 03:06 AM

How do you get Final Cut Pro at that price? My wife is a student right now(part time).

John Locke · January 23rd, 2002, 04:34 AM

When I was a student I got a student discount from Apple by purchasing my computer through the University Center. They had to order it, but it only took about a week to process. Not sure how you go about it with regular retailers, but with the University Center all I had to do was show my ID.

John Locke · January 23rd, 2002, 04:35 AM

Zimvg304,

My old G3 powerbook used to get pretty hot, but not enough to lock up. Haven't had any heat-related problems with my G4.

Mike Butler · January 23rd, 2002, 10:07 AM

http://www.apple.com/education/pricelists/

My wife is a public school teacher, her school is actually listed in the K-12 section of the Apple website. But others are also eligible:

http://www.apple.com/education/k12/homepurch/eligibility.html

says:

The Apple Education Individual Purchase Program now offers expanded eligibility.
Now eligible*:

Any employee of a nonprofit (public or private) K-12 and Higher Education institution
Student currently attending a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States
New student accepted into a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States
School board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members
PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers

Mike Butler · January 23rd, 2002, 10:09 AM

Oh yeah, and as for the heat thing, I keep my G4 running 24/7 at the jobsite and ditto at the home studio, and it's no problem.

Bob Zimmerman · January 23rd, 2002, 10:20 AM

I think I'll get the power book 550MHz 512MB Ram 30 hard drive.
So once I decide to get the Final Cut Pro 3, I'll just have to down load the software? No cards?

Bob Zimmerman · January 23rd, 2002, 10:23 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by the graphics guy : http://www.apple.com/education/pricelists/

My wife is a public school teacher, her school is actually listed in the K-12 section of the Apple website. But others are also eligible:

http://www.apple.com/education/k12/homepurch/eligibility.html

says:

The Apple Education Individual Purchase Program now offers expanded eligibility.
Now eligible*:

Any employee of a nonprofit (public or private) K-12 and Higher Education institution
Student currently attending a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States
New student accepted into a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States
School board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members
PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers -->>>Thanks for the website

Ken Tanaka · January 23rd, 2002, 10:27 AM

"Cards"? We don' need no stinkin' "cards"!

The Powerbook has a built-in 6-pin Firewire (1394) port. Plug an' chug. I don't know that Apple offers a downloadable version of FCP...maybe so. But I heartily recommend that you get the CD's. They can come in handy later.

Mike Butler · January 23rd, 2002, 10:51 AM

>>>>"Cards"? We don' need no stinkin' "cards"! <<<<
LOL! I love it!
It's true...that's one of the great things about the Mac platform, every (new) machine has got Firewire! Just plug & play!

As for the software, I can't imagine it would be since it comes on 2 CD's plus a separate disk for Cleaner5EZ and one for PeakDV, PLUS it includes a 3-inch-thick manual in addition to the little tutorial book. Get it shipped "rush"

If the machine arrives before the FCP disks get there, you can wing it by using iMovie which is included free with the machine...it's pretty cheezy but very easy, I actually used it to cut video for work when I was feeling lazy...just don't try using iMovie on any complicated project, it'll wind up actually being harder.

Mike Butler · January 23rd, 2002, 10:53 AM

Ooops!
Meant to say " ...I can't imagine it would be downloadable since it comes on 2 CD's..."

Yeah, that's the shiznit.

January 22nd, 2002, 01:03 PM	#46
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Vic, Yes, this is a difficult but enjoyable decision. I used Premiere on my Dell Precsion 610 workstation (dual processors, 4-drive raid storage, etc.). But since getting my first Mac G4 DP and FCP, Premiere has been dormant. Dell makes fabulous systems for many other tasks but the Mac wins with no contest when it comes to video. FCP is, in my opinion, not really over-hyped because it delivers on its promises. But, certainly, you can have great success with any of several tools. My advice to anyone would be to pick an' stick. That is, choose as wisely as possible, learn the NLE tool as well as possible and then concentrate on learning EDITING rather than techno-futzing. Editing skills will be much more fulfilling and rewarding in the long-run. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 22nd, 2002, 01:12 PM	#47
Ozzie Alfonso Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: New York, NY Posts: 355	<<<-- Originally posted by the graphics guy :BTW, if any of you out there are schoolteachers, I wonder if you know...you can get FCP (now version 3) for $300!!! -->>> I'm told the same is true of bonafide students. Worth checking out. Wait a minute, my wife is a teacher! Just retired but still working. Hummm...... __________________ *Ozzie Alfonso* www.ozziealfonso.com

January 22nd, 2002, 01:22 PM	#48
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	There's a funny saying around: FCP has a great titler, it's called Photoshop! (actually what I use is Photoshop PSD files and I can play with the layers in FCP) __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

January 22nd, 2002, 03:39 PM	#49
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	If the idea is to "cut to the chase scene" (literally) and concentrate on the editing rather than "techno-futzing" (Love that term!) then I agree w/Ken & Vic that FCP is pretty near ideal, and not just because I am partial to the Mac platform. Now for those who are computer engineers or hobbyists who may dabble in editing as a side-issue, then other solutions may be preferable. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

January 23rd, 2002, 04:34 AM	#52
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	When I was a student I got a student discount from Apple by purchasing my computer through the University Center. They had to order it, but it only took about a week to process. Not sure how you go about it with regular retailers, but with the University Center all I had to do was show my ID. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

January 23rd, 2002, 03:02 AM	#50
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	Do any of you Mac owners have problems with the computer getting to hot? Locking up ect?

January 23rd, 2002, 03:06 AM	#51
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	How do you get Final Cut Pro at that price? My wife is a student right now(part time).

January 23rd, 2002, 04:35 AM	#53
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Zimvg304, My old G3 powerbook used to get pretty hot, but not enough to lock up. Haven't had any heat-related problems with my G4. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

January 23rd, 2002, 10:07 AM	#54
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	http://www.apple.com/education/pricelists/ My wife is a public school teacher, her school is actually listed in the K-12 section of the Apple website. But others are also eligible: http://www.apple.com/education/k12/homepurch/eligibility.html says: The Apple Education Individual Purchase Program now offers expanded eligibility. Now eligible*: Any employee of a nonprofit (public or private) K-12 and Higher Education institution Student currently attending a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States New student accepted into a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States School board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

January 23rd, 2002, 10:09 AM	#55
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	Oh yeah, and as for the heat thing, I keep my G4 running 24/7 at the jobsite and ditto at the home studio, and it's no problem. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

January 23rd, 2002, 10:20 AM	#56
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	I think I'll get the power book 550MHz 512MB Ram 30 hard drive. So once I decide to get the Final Cut Pro 3, I'll just have to down load the software? No cards?

January 23rd, 2002, 10:23 AM	#57
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	<<<-- Originally posted by the graphics guy : http://www.apple.com/education/pricelists/ My wife is a public school teacher, her school is actually listed in the K-12 section of the Apple website. But others are also eligible: http://www.apple.com/education/k12/homepurch/eligibility.html says: The Apple Education Individual Purchase Program now offers expanded eligibility. Now eligible*: Any employee of a nonprofit (public or private) K-12 and Higher Education institution Student currently attending a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States New student accepted into a public or private Higher Education Institution in the United States School board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers -->>>Thanks for the website

January 23rd, 2002, 10:27 AM	#58
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	"Cards"? We don' need no stinkin' "cards"! The Powerbook has a built-in 6-pin Firewire (1394) port. Plug an' chug. I don't know that Apple offers a downloadable version of FCP...maybe so. But I heartily recommend that you get the CD's. They can come in handy later. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 23rd, 2002, 10:51 AM	#59
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	>>>>"Cards"? We don' need no stinkin' "cards"! <<<< LOL! I love it! It's true...that's one of the great things about the Mac platform, every (new) machine has got Firewire! Just plug & play! As for the software, I can't imagine it would be since it comes on 2 CD's plus a separate disk for Cleaner5EZ and one for PeakDV, PLUS it includes a 3-inch-thick manual in addition to the little tutorial book. Get it shipped "rush" If the machine arrives before the FCP disks get there, you can wing it by using iMovie which is included free with the machine...it's pretty cheezy but very easy, I actually used it to cut video for work when I was feeling lazy...just don't try using iMovie on any complicated project, it'll wind up actually being harder. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

January 23rd, 2002, 10:53 AM	#60
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	Ooops! Meant to say " ...I can't imagine it would be downloadable since it comes on 2 CD's..." Yeah, that's the shiznit. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."