Scott Winterle1

Q: Processor or Video Card for better HD Video in the Canvas?

I use a Mac Pro (Early 2008) 2x3.2 GHz Quad Core Intel Xeon. I purchased it used from a computer store.

The video card is NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT 512MB.

My Memory is 20GB 800MHz etc etc.

I am on Yosemite 10.10.5, Using FCP 6.0.5 (Final Cut Studio 2)

 

I shoot HD 1920x1080.

I am noticing that playing back in the Canvas looks really choppy if I have used the computer for any other applications previous to using FCP.

It is smooth only when I first use FCP after booting the computer. Sometimes when I reboot, it will be smooth but soon starts to get choppy again.

 

I am unsure if this is because my computer is not fast enough? strong enough? Do I need a faster processor or better video card?

I am guessing Memory is not the issue after reading other topics. But I haven't found a topic that discusses this issue.

Advice appreciated. Thank you.

Posted on May 25, 2016 11:59 AM

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Q: Processor or Video Card for better HD Video in the Canvas?

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  • by Shane Ross,Helpful

    Shane Ross Shane Ross Jun 1, 2016 10:49 PM in response to Scott Winterle1
    Level 8 (42,999 points)
    Jun 1, 2016 10:49 PM in response to Scott Winterle1

    20GB is an odd number. Your RAM should be installed in multiples of 4. 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB.  Although I don't know if that matters much. You have plenty of RAM, because FCP only uses 4GB max.

     

    The issue might be the fact that you are running FCP 6 on an unsupported OS.  The last OS that supported FCP 6 was 10.5. FCP 7 last supported on 10.6.8....since then all OS updated don't take into account legacy FCP working into account.  You are 5 OS versions past the full supported version, so the application won't run as smoothly as it would on a supported OS.

     

    Now...you say you shoot HD 1920x1080...do you convert that when you bring it into FCP? What codec is it when you are cutting it? And what drive is this stored on? Connected how?

  • by Scott Winterle1,

    Scott Winterle1 Scott Winterle1 May 25, 2016 8:09 PM in response to Shane Ross
    Level 1 (114 points)
    Video
    May 25, 2016 8:09 PM in response to Shane Ross

    Well. I used to shoot not that long ago in mini-dv and never had issues like this on the same system. So that is why I am guessing maybe my system isn't proper enough for HD(?).

    Screen Shot 2016-05-25 at 11.07.30 PM.pngScreen Shot 2016-05-25 at 11.07.16 PM.png

  • by Shane Ross,

    Shane Ross Shane Ross May 25, 2016 8:46 PM in response to Scott Winterle1
    Level 8 (42,999 points)
    May 25, 2016 8:46 PM in response to Scott Winterle1

    The demands of ProRes HD are much MUCH greater than DV.  DV is compressed SD.


    What hard drive are you playing this back on? Connected how?

  • by Scott Winterle1,

    Scott Winterle1 Scott Winterle1 May 25, 2016 8:58 PM in response to Shane Ross
    Level 1 (114 points)
    Video
    May 25, 2016 8:58 PM in response to Shane Ross

    It is a separate internal drive inside the Mac Pro. FCP is loaded on the boot drive. and my project is on another drive. I do this so if the boot drive fails, I won't lose the project. I would purchase FCP10 but just don't have the budget right now. Even though it is practically cheap I suppose. Cost of living just doesn't support many upgrades.

  • by Scott Winterle1,

    Scott Winterle1 Scott Winterle1 Jun 1, 2016 10:52 PM in response to Shane Ross
    Level 1 (114 points)
    Video
    Jun 1, 2016 10:52 PM in response to Shane Ross

    Hi Shane. Your comment on 20GB RAM being an odd number made me wonder. I had 2 pairs of 1GB chips and 2 pairs of 4GB chips in my system, totaling 20GB. You had mentioned unmatched pairs. So I took out the 2 pairs of 1 GB chips, leaving only the 2 pairs of 4GB chips, and since then I have not have a video stuttering issue in my canvas. Not to say it won't happen eventually, but so far, so good. Thank you!