XDCAM and Mac at DVinfo.net

Gregory Seymour · April 12th, 2007, 03:43 PM

We currently have 2GB of RAM in our dual-core Intel G5. Would we see substantially faster render/export times from our XDCAM timelines in FCP if we increased that amount? How much is recommended for optimum speed? Any info would be greatly appreciated as we are experiencing some pretty grueling render/export times.

Nate Weaver · April 12th, 2007, 03:53 PM

RAM effects real-time previews, and how fast FCP loads long timelines and complex projects...and how well it behaves with those.

It doesn't effect exports or renders.

Edward Carlson · April 12th, 2007, 06:10 PM

A faster processor and faster hard drives will speed up the render/export, albeit the processor's speed has a greater influence than the hard drive speed. You said you have an "Intel G5" which is an oxymoron (maybe?) because Motorola made the PowerPC (G3-5) chips, and Intel makes the new Core Duo chips. What is you processor and its speed? How long does it take to render your video?

Alister Chapman · April 13th, 2007, 08:27 AM

On my quad Intel macpro I cannot max out the CPU's with FCP as the RAM always max's out first. FCP can only address 4Gb at the moment so not much point going over that.

Jay Lee · May 2nd, 2007, 02:05 PM

When using FCP with the XDCAM HD, do you need to have a 3rd party board like an Aja? If the workflow is primarily ingesting through firewire, and that's the only you really need to do it (closed loop system, not post house for external clients) I'm not sure how much value the cards add. Please enlighten me!

Tim Allison · May 8th, 2007, 09:08 PM

...to provide you with a HD signal to send to your HD monitor. If you are shooting HD, then you really do need to monitor HD while you edit.

Here's the question I have: if you have the PDW-70 deck that allows an HD-SDI input, can't you simply play the edited program into the record deck without having to do one of those "grueling" render/export times?

April 12th, 2007, 03:43 PM	#1
Gregory Seymour New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 5	XDCAM and Mac We currently have 2GB of RAM in our dual-core Intel G5. Would we see substantially faster render/export times from our XDCAM timelines in FCP if we increased that amount? How much is recommended for optimum speed? Any info would be greatly appreciated as we are experiencing some pretty grueling render/export times.

April 12th, 2007, 03:53 PM	#2
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	RAM effects real-time previews, and how fast FCP loads long timelines and complex projects...and how well it behaves with those. It doesn't effect exports or renders. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

April 13th, 2007, 08:27 AM	#4
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	On my quad Intel macpro I cannot max out the CPU's with FCP as the RAM always max's out first. FCP can only address 4Gb at the moment so not much point going over that. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

May 2nd, 2007, 02:05 PM	#5
Jay Lee Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 57	3rd party boards When using FCP with the XDCAM HD, do you need to have a 3rd party board like an Aja? If the workflow is primarily ingesting through firewire, and that's the only you really need to do it (closed loop system, not post house for external clients) I'm not sure how much value the cards add. Please enlighten me!

May 8th, 2007, 09:08 PM	#6
Tim Allison Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Starkville, MS Posts: 96	You will need some sort of card..... ...to provide you with a HD signal to send to your HD monitor. If you are shooting HD, then you really do need to monitor HD while you edit. Here's the question I have: if you have the PDW-70 deck that allows an HD-SDI input, can't you simply play the edited program into the record deck without having to do one of those "grueling" render/export times?

April 12th, 2007, 06:10 PM	#3
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	A faster processor and faster hard drives will speed up the render/export, albeit the processor's speed has a greater influence than the hard drive speed. You said you have an "Intel G5" which is an oxymoron (maybe?) because Motorola made the PowerPC (G3-5) chips, and Intel makes the new Core Duo chips. What is you processor and its speed? How long does it take to render your video?