G4 1.25GHz with ATI Radeon 9000 Pro ready for Motion?

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Level 2

461 points

G4 1.25GHz with ATI Radeon 9000 Pro ready for Motion?

Hi there,
I'm looking into an unexpensive way to give Motion 2 a trail, since it won't install on my old faithful G4 dual 500. Should the above configuration be enough? I have an opportunity tu buy the single processor, Airport Extreme equipped version (there were several versions produced the same year).

G4 Dual 500 - 2GB RAM - Cinema 22 - OS9.2.2, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Aug 20, 2006 10:55 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 20, 2006 11:09 AM in response to alpshiker

On my G5 Dual 2.0 with the Radeon 9850 SE it can be a frustrating experience at times, especially when a project gets slightly complicated. With that processor and especially that video card, I would not expect much. This program is a lot of fun to use and it's easy to see what your composite is doing even when it drops to 17-20 fps. When it falls to 5 or 6 it's painful.
Lenny

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Answer 2

alpshiker Author

Level 2

461 points

Aug 20, 2006 11:33 AM in response to Lenny Dodge

Ouch! It seems to be a very demanding task for a computer to run that app. What I want to do shouldn't be very complicated I think. Its a slide show project with zooming and paning into the frames, and fade transitions plus sound, that's all. The kind of presentation that Roxio Motion Picture HD makes, with perhaps a few refinements. Is this something Motion handles well, and should the G4 manage?

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Answer 3

Aug 20, 2006 11:34 AM in response to alpshiker

AFAIK, the 9000 is a PCI gfx card and incompatible with Motion. Unless you have an AGP slot, I don't think Motion will work for you. And I think your CPU is below minimum requirements...

http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs.html?motion

sorry,

Patrick

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Answer 4

alpshiker Author

Level 2

461 points

Aug 20, 2006 12:37 PM in response to Patrick Sheffield

It seems indeed that this configuration is below the minimum requirements as reported on the Motion page. The Powerbook G4 is the only G4 that supports it?

Thanks!
Paul

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Answer 5

Aug 20, 2006 1:11 PM in response to alpshiker

Well, no - I have a Dualie 1Ghz Mirror door model that runs Motion just fine. You could run an ATI 9800 in something like that and get started in Motion. The Graphics card is key to Motion's use - it does all the heavy lifting. For years I had an ATI 9600 in my G4, I've just recently upgraded to an X800 (flashed from a PC version) and it's great - 3 times faster than before.

What were you thinking of putting the 9000 pro in?

Patrick

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Answer 6

alpshiker Author

Level 2

461 points

Aug 20, 2006 1:50 PM in response to Patrick Sheffield

What were you thinking of putting the 9000 pro in?

Well, no it's just that I had an opportunity to buy an inexpensive 1.25GHz equipped with that card. Of course, if I have to upgrade that machine with an expensive graphic card, this makes no sense, and I should rather save my money for a more recent machine.

Thanks!

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Answer 7

Aug 20, 2006 3:00 PM in response to Patrick Sheffield

FYI the 9000 is a AGP (the 9200 is the PCI card)

the 9000 is lacking pixel shaders (where Motion gets it power)

I ran Motion 1 and Motion 2 since it came out on my dual 1.25 with a 9800 and it FLEW
better then a G5 with a 5200 or 9600

with this card (under $260)
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ATI%20Technologies/100435058/
you can run motion very well for now on your system

(that page BTW pat is talking about the Standard video card not after market ones)

DAVE

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Answer 8

alpshiker Author

Level 2

461 points

Aug 20, 2006 3:03 PM in response to Patrick Sheffield

For years I had an ATI 9600 in my G4

Would the ATI 9600 let Motion2 install?

Alternatively, what about a dual 1GHz G4 with GeForce MX 64MB? (I have no further indication of the model)

thanks again!

Paul

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Answer 9

Aug 20, 2006 3:02 PM in response to alpshiker

either the SP 1.25 or the dual 1 with the 9800 video card I linked to above should be fine
the 9000 and the MX card will NOT run Motion

DAVE

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Answer 10

alpshiker Author

Level 2

461 points

Aug 20, 2006 3:10 PM in response to David Slater

Thanks David,

BTW, the DVI-I port on that card is different than the DVI on my ATI Radeon where my older Apple Cinema 22 connects (square angles versus rounded angles and longer size). Is it possible to use a connector adapter, or is this a newer standard that won't support the old 22" Apple Cinema?

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Answer 11

Aug 20, 2006 3:30 PM in response to alpshiker

yes, you can get a ADC (the rounded one) to DVI connector

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/AddLogix/MCADVIADC/

DAVE

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Answer 12

alpshiker Author

Level 2

461 points

Aug 20, 2006 3:35 PM in response to David Slater

David, thanks!

Two more question:

Would the ATI 9600 allow Motion2 to install? (not talking on yields)

Is Motion a good way to build a slide show, with zoom and pan, or is it not really designed for that? (never seen it in action)

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Answer 13

Aug 20, 2006 3:38 PM in response to alpshiker

yes the 9600 will let motion install however the speed difference between the 9600 and the 9800 is like walking and driving

yes you can build a slide show with it
DAVE

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Answer 14

alpshiker Author

Level 2

461 points

Aug 20, 2006 3:48 PM in response to David Slater

The reason I ask is because some used G4 are readily equipped with the 9600, but if I have to purchase a new card, no doubt that I would go for the latter.

Thanks for all the fine advice!

Paul

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Answer 15

Aug 20, 2006 4:20 PM in response to alpshiker

New Discussions Responses
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Patrick

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