Editing in HD - FC6 or FC7 - Mac Mini?

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Level 1

90 points

Editing in HD - FC6 or FC7 - Mac Mini?

Hi Gang - Happy New Year

I'm proficient in Standard Def, (repair my own older G5's), using FCP Studio 6. Thinking about editing in HD 1080, upgrading cameras and equipment. I know I can open HD files in FC6 with a 20" Cinema Display, but it seems a little cumbersome. Looks like I'm gonna need a larger Display. What about FC7 vs. FC6 for HD? Opinions?

I picked up a nice used Mac Mini: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-2-duo-2.4-mid -2010-specs.html with 8GB's RAM. I realize I would need FCP7.

According to this article I can actually edit 'Light HD' booting off an external drive> http://www.macworld.com/article/1152228/macminimid2010.html?page=2

Thoughts?

Happy New Year!

Mike

Mac OS X (10.4.11), #3 Dual Core 2.0 G5 Desktops

Posted on Jan 1, 2014 12:35 PM

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Answer 1

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Jan 1, 2014 2:38 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

"Light HD?" What is that?

You can edit ProRes 422, LT, HQ just fine. Biggest issue will be the hard drive the footage is stored on, and how it is connected. Firewire 800 is good for 1-2 streams of ProRes (1 of HQ)...but Thunderbolt can handle more.

FCP 7 is better than FCP 6, for many reasons...least of which the ability to recognize more recent camera formats. FCP 7 is 4.5 years old...FCP 6 is 6.5 years old. THAT'S OLD! FCP 7 is the better bet, if those are the only options you are thinking about. Also look at Premiere Pro CC. It edits camera formats native, and many formats native without needing to transcode to ProRes.

I've been editing HD for years with FCP 4.5, 5.0, 5.1, 6, 7. You are just late to the game.

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Answer 2

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Jan 1, 2014 3:07 PM in response to Shane Ross

Shane - Happy New Year

"Mac Mini and Light HD Video Editing" < taken from the article here: http://www.engadget.com/discuss/mac-mini-and-light-hd-video-editing-1bp/

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see Thunderbolt as a provided port in the Mid-2010 - MC270LL/A Mac Mini: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-2-duo-2.4-mid -2010-specs.html

According to this article I can actually edit off an external drive> http://www.macworld.com/article/1152228/macminimid2010.html?page=2 The article goes on to say its a better move than spending the money on a bigger Mac Mini HD still being limited to 5400 RPM.

Yes, thank you, I 'get it' about FC7 as oppoesed to FC6. Premiere? No, no thank you. I know my comprehension capabilities.

Shane, what about these older Apple 20" Displays I have? I'm gonna need 23" for HD, Yes? Believe me know I've got some catching up to do. We're all not as fortunate as others; money, comprehension skills, etc.

Thanx

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Answer 3

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Jan 1, 2014 3:10 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

Always store media on an external drive. That's always the recommendation.

Get the new MacMini. The couple hundred bucks you save on a four year old model won't be worth it. A new Mini is $600. If the old one you are looking at is $200, that's only $400 difference. The issues you might face with an older machine aren't worth it. Get the new one.

What computer display you use doesn't matter. You are just using it to look at what you are doing. If you want to use a monitor as full screen playback, get an HDTV. The new Mini has HDMI out, and you can connect to that.

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Answer 4

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Jan 1, 2014 3:40 PM in response to Shane Ross

Shane, I totally understand external storage. Utilizing multiple enclosures exceeding 24TB's, I'm quite skilled. That's not the issue.

Let me be clear; finances are just NOT available here. I picked up a MINT MC270LL/A with 8GB's Ram for $125 vs. $600 PLUS for 4 GB's Ram new? It doesn't get any better than that. We're all not as fortunate as others.

Now referring to the article again and older Mac Mini's: "last year’s models performed better when booted from an external FireWire 800 drive than when booted from the internal hard drive"

http://www.macworld.com/article/1152228/macminimid2010.html?page=2

And I repeat my comment; The article goes on to say its a better move than spending the money to replace a bigger Mac Mini HD, still being limited to 5400 RPM.

If no other thoughts, perhaps I'll persue this option.

Thanx

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Answer 5

ENIGMACODE Author

Level 1

90 points

Jan 2, 2014 4:06 PM in response to ENIGMACODE

The current system/arrangement works great with the Mac Mini; (big improvement over an older G5 desktop).

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