I want to render videos FASTer !

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Level 1

8 points

I want to render videos FASTer !

I shoot alot of action video of my kids and then like to use iMovie to make a viewable project on Apple TV.

Problem - 45 minutes of video takes 9 hours to render. And of course, ties up the iMac forever.

I have tried using iMovie on the iPad2 and it is alot faster. - just harder (for me) to customize.

My iMac is a 2006 model - so time for upgrade ! (not sure of details - core dual or dual core- whichever was first Intel & latest software)

What is most important for video rendering? - processor/ memory? video card?

Wait for new 2012 iMac? or ????

Just for fun - if money no object - what is best to get ???

Thanks,

Mike

imac 5.1, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 18, 2012 9:13 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 18, 2012 9:25 AM in response to Meg's Dad

Rendering typically uses the CPU, so a faster CPU is the answer to faster rendering. But having a good GPU will benefit you in other aspects of your work.

The model you have is very obsolete. If money were no object I would say a current model Mac Pro with dual 6-core processors (12 cores) and as much RAM as you can afford to add but at least 8 GBs. Select the ATI 5870 GPU card.

The next best option is the top of the line 27" iMac. Or a less equipped Mac Pro.

The future of the Mac Pro is unknown. Rumors have suggested that the Mac Pro line will be killed. No word from Apple so we don't know what the future of the Mac Pro will be. Hopefully, that may be resolved later this year if Apple announces a new line of Macs with newer Intel processors.

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Answer 2

Apr 18, 2012 12:34 PM in response to Meg's Dad

It is a mix of processor speed and memory.

First I would get the highest processor speed you can afford, because it is vey difficult to upgrade the processor later on. You can add memory or external drives later on.

I would say get any current model of iMac, and you will get much better performance than your 2006 model.

Personally, I got a 27" i7 iMac with 256GB SSD and 2TB internal drive. I added aftermarket memory to bring it up to 16GB of memory, and it works great with Final Cut Pro and with iMovie. I use Firewire attached external drives for video. If price is no object, or if you are a professional video shop, then you would go for thunderbolt external drives. If you are using consumer AVCHD, Firewire is fine, and USB will work (because the processor and the memory are the binding constraints). If you are using Pro formats, a Raid 0 or Thunderbolt attached Raid is the way to go.

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