G4 MDD: Which video cards are best for Final Cut Studio's Motion?

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Level 1

15 points

G4 MDD: Which video cards are best for Final Cut Studio's Motion?

We have Power Mac G4, PowerPC G4 (2.1) Dual 1GHz, 1.5 GB RAM. Display card is Apple-supplied AGP ATI Radeon 9000 Pro Dual-Display 64MB DDR Video Card.
Apple Final Cut Studio's Motion will not install with the Radeon 9000 video card.
What are two or three optimum dual display video cards to use with Motion that will run well in this G4 (1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice)? We need dual DVI digital outputs for flat-panel monitors.
I hope this is enough information. Thanks for your help.

Power Mac Power PC G4 2.1 Dual 1GHz, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Apr 24, 2006 2:11 PM

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Answer 1

Brian Moyer Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 25, 2006 10:06 AM in response to Brian Moyer

Perhaps my original question is answered. I think I have found the correct video card, but that raises questions about the power supply.

I did lots of research and find that the ATI Radeon 9600 Pro PC & Mac Edition graphics card should do the job. It has dual DVI outputs, 256 MB memory, fits AGP slot.

A big wonder-out-loud is about the computer's power supply. The existing PS is a AcBel API1PC36, listing +5.0V = 20A & 3.3V = 17A @ 108W Max, but the bottom of the PS label says 400W total.
ATI says the Radeon 9600 requires a 300W power supply. I guess I need to replace the PS?

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Answer 2

Brian Moyer Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 25, 2006 11:29 AM in response to Brian Moyer

So, I think my question is answered.
I found the graphics card question more or less answered under Final Cut Studio - Motion with someone suggesting ATI Radeon 9800. That only has one DVI and one VGA output.
I need two DVI outputs -- that appears to be the ATI Radeon 9600 Pro PC & Mac Edition.

The power supply question was finally answered by Apple phone support (THANK YOU Apple!). I told the tech that I need to replace present PS with 300W. He said the power supply is designed for 360W. So the the power supply's AcBel Model API1PC36 means 360W.

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Answer 3

FangSuede

Level 4

2,195 points

Apr 26, 2006 9:23 PM in response to Brian Moyer

Hi,
You've been doing a lot of research and finding answers. Looks like I'm late to the party.
A dual DVI card is difficult to find for your uses, the ATI 9600 PC/Mac Edition does have those features.

But I must warn you that these 9600's have had difficulty in some G4's. In some Mac's like yours they work fine, in other's - a blank screen. It's worth a shot, just as long as you can return it.
This ATI Support Document tells the story:
https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894
Then type 737-21888 into the 'search' window, hit Enter.

Edit: If for some reason that link won't work, I'll insert what it says:

737-21888: Radeon 9600 PRO PC & MAC Edition list of supported system configurations
The information in this article applies to the following configurations:
Radeon® 9600 PRO PC & MAC Edition
"Quicksilver" Power Mac G4 model
"Quicksilver 2002" Power Mac G4 model
"Digital Audio" Power Mac G4 model
The Radeon 9600 Mac & PC Edition is not compatible with the "Quicksilver", "Quicksilver 2002" or the "Digital Audio" PowerMac G4. If a Radeon 9600 Mac & PC Edition board is installed in one of these systems the result is a blank display.
For assistance in differentiating Power Mac G4 models, please refer to Apple Article 58418.

Let me know what happens.
Regards,
Dave

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Answer 4

miniblog

Level 1

145 points

Apr 28, 2006 10:10 PM in response to FangSuede

I have been using the ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (Mac+PC Edition) 256MB RAM since late Feb/06 and never occurred any problem on my G4 FW800.

Since I bought the Apple 17-inch Studio Display (ADC) with my dual 1.25Ghz PowerMac G4 (FW800) back in Feb/2003, I had to purchase the Apple DVI to ADC adapter in order to use the same display.

However, it's a little bit pricey on the card itself.

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