Flipsonic
Level 1 (8 points)
iLife

Q: 2009 iMAC For Video Editing

I have an old iMAC - 24" early 2009 2.66GHz dual core with 8G memory and El Capitan 10.11.4. Obviously it will not handle 4K clips very well due to GPU and slow processor. I have been able to create 1080p vids from 4K clips but editing is challenged and final quality (1080p) looks compressed through iMovie 9. I realize I need to upgrade for best editing and best vid quality. But before that, I'd like to ask for advice if there is anything I can do to upgrade my current setup. Thanks in advance.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Aug 1, 2016 7:29 AM

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Flipsonic

Q: 2009 iMAC For Video Editing

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  • by GeeD,

    GeeD GeeD Aug 1, 2016 9:25 AM in response to Flipsonic
    Level 5 (7,612 points)
    Video
    Aug 1, 2016 9:25 AM in response to Flipsonic

    You may be able to improve responsiveness by putting you iMovie libraries on an fast external drive (7200 rpm via Firewire 800) with plenty of empty space on it but this is not going to make a dramatic difference.  Note that your project may look poor when played in the timeline (because of limited processing power) but still be fine when shared.

     

    Have a look at my response to another poster in a similar situation:

    Exporting 4K clips In iMovie 9

     

    Geoff.

  • by trevor1414,

    trevor1414 trevor1414 Sep 2, 2016 4:19 PM in response to GeeD
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 2, 2016 4:19 PM in response to GeeD

    I have the late 2009 27" Core 2 Duo 3.06GH and I want to edit 4k videos. So far with gopro studio we have been able to edit 4k but the playback has obviously been choppy. Until now I never upgraded anything but now I think I have to as GoPro has upgraded their software and it wants more.

     

    GoPro software recommends a minimum of Dual Core CPU (i7 preferred), Intel HD Graphics 4000 or better with 1GB video RAM, 4 GB RAM for 4k playback.

     

    I plan to purchase 8 GB RAM for the 2 empty slots, I think 12 GB will be enough since 4 is the minimum. But I do wonder what I can do for the video RAM, and graphics card without spending too much. I have the standard ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256 MB. I'm struggling to find the ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics 512MB and wondering if there is a better option since they recommend 1 GB.

     

    I have never done surgery on a mac, so any soldering or real work would probably be too much. I did teach myself to install a headgasket in my Honda, but not with computers

     

    If I was a professional videographer I go all out and buy something new, but this is just for timelapses and short family videos mostly. I'm looking to spend a couple hundred bucks, not 2 grand.

     

    I am wondering if there are any other reasonable upgrades I can do for video editing.