FCP & CRT Video Monitors with 24" iMac

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Level 1

67 points

FCP & CRT Video Monitors with 24" iMac

I am considering the purchase of a 24" iMac with the optional 7600GT video card for video editing. I have read that the $19 Apple "Mini-DVI to Video Adapter" will give me audio and SVGA outputs to connect to a TV/CRT monitor. But I have read many user comments that claim the LCD display in the iMac suddenly changes resolutions when this Mini-DVI adapter is plugged into the iMac. But those comments don't say if it happens to every iMac (including the new 24") or just to older iMacs. I also wonder if the 7600GT video card makes any difference.

My intention is to edit video in FCP on this 24" iMac and I wish to view full resolution standard video on a CRT video monitor. But I would prefer it if the resolution of the iMac screen didn't change while I view the video on the CRT monitor. I want to see the iMac display at full resolution and the CRT video monitor at its full resolution, at the same time. Is this possible with a 24" iMac that has the 7600GT video card? Or am I forced to get a more expensive Mac Pro system to accomplish this feat?

Many thanks.

G4 Cube Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 27, 2006 4:45 AM

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Answer 1

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Nov 27, 2006 4:55 AM in response to JDW1

you should ask this in the iMac forum. regarding your last query, you'll find an expandable mac pro is always preferable to an iMac with regard to the endeavor with which you're embarking. you iMac has one firewire bus and a couple of ports. you'll need to hook up a tape machine, extra hard drives, and monitoring through that one bus.

the mini-dvi to video adaptor is not the way to get tv resolution out of your imac. the fcp manual has a very thorough section on machine connections and monitoring.

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Answer 2

Nov 27, 2006 6:49 AM in response to JDW1

I wish to view full resolution standard video on a CRT video monitor.<<</div>

As Zeb pointed out, your method is NOT the way to properly view FCP's output on an external TV monitor. To do it the right way, you'll first need to determine which video formats you'll be working with; all DV25 formats can be monitored via the Firewire output through a qualified DV device (camcorder, VTR or converter). All other formats will require the addition of a dedicated card, such as those offered by Kona and Decklink, or a box like the MXO by Matrox.

-DH

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Answer 3

JDW1 Author

Level 1

67 points

Nov 28, 2006 12:24 AM in response to David Harbsmeier

Gentlemen, thank you for your replies. Although the Mac Pro is faster and more expandable than the high end 24" iMac, it is would also put me over-budget for my video projects. The 24" iMac is in-budget and is still quite fast -- decent enough, I think for basic video editing.

The answer to my question was the "camcorder" tip (which I now see is also described in the FCP manual). Connecting a firewire cable from the Mac to the camcorder (which I have) and then cabling the camera outputs to the TV monitor (in addition to some "A/V Devices" settings in FCP) is all that is needed.

Thank you!

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