the new iMacs ..... faster rendering time?

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Level 1

15 points

the new iMacs ..... faster rendering time?

Would investing in a newer Mac (I have the 1.8 GHz Power PC G5, which is over three years old) increase the speed when rendering films? By how much?

iMac G5, 1.5 GB DDR SDRAM, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Apr 1, 2008 7:09 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 1, 2008 7:13 AM in response to ivanguy35

You are going to need to supply a little more information here. What kind of video? What does your setup look like? External drives? Heavy effects? and so on.

BTW, you are not rendering "film" you are rendering "video."

K

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Answer 2

ivanguy35 Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 1, 2008 2:11 PM in response to Ken-Summerall-Jr

Yeah, yeah .... "video." Thanks.

.avi video? I have .avi files that I'm using in Final Cut .... currently on an iMac G5 (see below for all specifications, as I previously listed) ... using an external hard drive with a USB 2.0 connection, no effects .... just video.

When I import .avi files, it has to render them just to use them in the Final Cut timeline, then any change I make, I have to re-render the entire thing .... and the wait can be up to 30 minutes for a 2-minute piece of film - er, excuse me .... VIDEO.

And I'm also asking about rendering time when putting in simple effects like transitions in Final Cut. How much faster would my new iMac be????

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Answer 3

2reverb

Level 3

600 points

Apr 1, 2008 2:23 PM in response to ivanguy35

why are you not using Streamclip or VisualHub to convert your files to something FCP can use without rendering?
--Bob

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Answer 4

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Apr 1, 2008 2:29 PM in response to ivanguy35

As noted by mr reverb, your work flow is totally non-standard.

Get a firewire drive for your external (usb is so not recommended) and convert the files to QT DV/NTSC or PAL (or the something that shows up in the easy preset list) and your old machine will feel like you just dropped in a new engine.

The manual has a good section on getting ready to edit. It's a useful read.

Good luck,

x

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Answer 5

ivanguy35 Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 2, 2008 6:39 AM in response to Studio X

Wow - thanks - well, I didn't know this! Will QuickTime files look as good on a regular TV or other viewing device as an .avi file?

And now .... I've tried lifting things using Streamclip, but when I drop it into the timeline of FCP, no image appears in the Canvas. NOW what gives?

And thank you in advance for your help!!!!

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Answer 6

ivanguy35 Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 2, 2008 7:14 AM in response to ivanguy35

oops! Don't answer that. I figured out why I had no image in the canvas.

See? I can help myself.

But I'm still curious about the image quality of QuickTime file. I'm making a reel for a friend .... a real, TV producer .... and I want the best quality. You think I can do it?

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Answer 7

2reverb

Level 3

600 points

Apr 2, 2008 7:23 AM in response to ivanguy35

Are you going back out to tape, making a DVD, delivering via the web? But in general, yes, the quality will be as good as your avi using high quality settings.
--Bob

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