http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: Mac Pro - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:47:07 +0000 http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newby-herewhat-do-i-need#post-73479 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:02:14 +0000 Rocky 73479@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <ul> <li>Ashley, some suggestion to prioritize on the basis of the work you propose.</li> <li>Audio is as important as video: Suggest UHF wireless lavs and a long cord mic</li> <li>Lighting is important: Suggest camera mounted LED with adjustable light </li> <li>Monopods are great for on the move: but a sturdy Manfrotto tripod with fluid head would be required for extra smooth pan shots and long speeches/lectures</li> <li>Camera brand is what gives you quality results, works best for you and you are comfortable with. Personally I use a small HD Sony HVR-A1 camera with on camera stereo mic and 2 x XLR inputs for weddings and interviews as I have found it's much smaller size has proved to be less intimidating in interview &amp; close up situations etc </li> <li>Seems you are set on a Mac with FCP which most professionals in this line of work choose however I settled for a PC with the Adobe Premiere CS4 suite. Once again a matter of preference and what you are comfortable with. </li> <li>The only other thing I might mention is your editing suite, try to make it as workable as possible, comfortable, presentable for customers, isolated from outside noise and distractions. </li> <li>Editing I consider is the most difficult in videography, one never stops learning. I found the easiest way to learn, was to do editing work (at the obligatory reduced rate) for production companies etc.. On each and every one of these edits I learnt something different in the way of tips, what to do and what never to do things that you won't find in books, that all goes into making a the final product, professional. Plus I still read whatever I can get my hands on. Think about it this way, if you shoot whatever and give that same footage to 6 different editors you would most likely end up with 6 completely different final results. </li> <li>On the surface it appears you have sufficient hardware for editing, any upgrading or additional hardware can be added as the business progresses.</li> <li>Agree with Vid-e-o-man keep shooting and practicing. Why not offer you services to an wedding videography to get on hands experience in the first instance, who knows, later on when he's busy you may get more work</li> </ul> <p>Trust the above helps        </p> <p>Good luck with the new business. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newby-herewhat-do-i-need#post-73474 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:37:05 +0000 David Forrester 73474@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi Ashley:  I agree with Videoman - keep shooting.  I have both a Sony Z5 dedicated camera as well as the Canon 5D Mk 2 and the Hn4 recorder (+++).  Let me give you the benefit of experience.  A DSLR is NOT a good choice for video.  You are plagued with far too much work, constant focusing due to the very shallow depth of field at wide open apertures and audio issues.</p> <p>The sound quality is no good on them unless you invest in a Beachtek or similar and even then, it is marginal due to poor pre-amps on the camera. With a separate recorder, you have to push 2 record buttons and then sync the sound afterwards - it is a pain - but you get terrific sound this way.  You have an enormous amount to do at the recording session without<br /> adding additional work load - unless you can bring along a dedicated<br /> audio guy.  That I highly recommend if you stick with your Canon. </p> <p>To offset focusing issues, a separate monitor with peaking is sorely needed.  A marshall 5 or 7" will do a superb job.  I tell you, i have lost soooooooooo much footage due to focusing issues.  When I do night shots as f1.4 or 2 at 2500 ISO, the depth of field is razor thin and if there is any fore and aft movement, you either move the camera or move focus. It is a pain.  Don't know about autofocus on your camera, but this is a huge issue.</p> <p>Now another problem surfaces - noise - especially at night.  The 5D is remarkable, but at 2500 iso, noise starts.  At 5,000, it is no good.  Ideally is 640 tops - not powerful enough for night.  I try to max out at 1250, but sometimes I am forced to 2500.  Then noise.  rats!</p> <p>A dedicated camera does everything - I mean everything either automatically or manually or in combinations.  You can add any sort of mic system, line input, phantom power and so on.  You will not get shallow Depth of field, that is the only downfall and that is where the DSLR wins big time. And you will not get the best of night shots either - again noise.  But the 5D is better - much better.</p> <p>The Canon will need a moderate telephoto lens. I use a 28-85 zeiss zoom from my Contax line and I swear by it.  All manual of course. but it is not good at night as it is only f 3.3. Night shots are always f1.4-2.  Even my f2.8 28mm is too dark.</p> <p>You must have a darn good tripod with a great fluid head.  I have Manfrottos and quite pleased with them.  Non-negotiable.  Get a rather hefty one with a long control arm. Nothing looks so good as a steady shot on a tripod.  Jerky motions scream amateur.</p> <p>If you get a dedicated camera which I highly recommend, get a 20X zoom, dual XLR inputs.  The cameras that you are looking at in this league of those 2 options will give you everything you will ever need.  Don't get caught up in the trap of a gear head, but get shooting every darn thing you can.  And you will find out soon enough what your real needs are.  </p> <p>Best of luck. Dave</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newby-herewhat-do-i-need#post-73467 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:14:29 +0000 vid-e-o-man 73467@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Ashley, in my previous post I didn't address your inquiry about equipment, sorry. After googling the camera that you presently have, it appears that it should be adequate for video shooting. The only initial suggestion that I have is some sort of equipment to get audio. I recommend some sort of on-camera microphone (stereo?) that can plug into the microphone input on your camera or some wireless setup (VHF or better still UHF)&nbsp;or a freestanding audio recorder (H1, H2, etc.). Other than this equipment, I think that you have all the basic stuff that you will need to make great video. If you search this forum you will find suggestions and feedback about the equipment that I have suggested. Once again I suggest that you keep shooting and making video, you have enough stuff to make great video. All that you need is experience and practice. Keep shooting.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newby-herewhat-do-i-need#post-73466 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:49:13 +0000 vid-e-o-man 73466@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>&nbsp;Ashley, welcome to the Videomaker forum. You mentioned that you are a newby ('newby, but actually been compiling...over the past year'). My suggestion to you would be to continue shooting and making videos. Shooting landscapes, family gatherings, events, real estate tours, etc. Get to know your equipment and the process of creating video outputs (DVD, Blurays, you tube, etc). As you progress in your experience and talent at this, you will be better able to decide what additional equipment might be needed. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/newby-herewhat-do-i-need#post-73436 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:13:12 +0000 Ashley Peery 73436@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I say I'm a newby, but I've actually been compiling some things over the past year.  I am starting a videography buisness this coming year and hope to be transitioning out of my job as a therapist sometime mid to late 2012.  My question is..."I have a lot of equipment right now and know that I am either lacking, or could upgrade, in various areas.  What do you think would be a good way to start spending my money in regards to equipment purchases? (ie, back-up harddrives, faster computer, better camera, etc).  Here is a list of what I have so far...</p> <p>Canon t2i, Sigma 28mm 1.4, Tamron 10-24mm 3.5-4.5, Neewer viewfinder, Manfrotto 561BHDV-1 monopod, a couple 16gb class 10 cards, homemade steadicam &amp; slider, 3y/o 24in iMac, 1y/0 15in Macbook Pro (i7 dualcore w/ 8gb ram), using FCPX &amp; Motion 5, LaCie 1TB external HD, another 500gb for Timemachine, and probably some small things I forgot to mention, but that's the big stuff.</p> <p>So should I look at investing in a Drobo for storage, a Canon 5D MkII, a 8-12core Mac Pro (preowned), more memory cards, Zoom H4N, wireless lavs, etc? How do you suggest I prioritize?  I will be shooting events (weddings and other events, as well as real estate property tours).  Any help would be very much appreciated!  </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72309 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:49:49 +0000 EarlC 72309@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thx Rob, that's what I wanted to know. The real-time conversion sounds useful as well. Appreciated.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72303 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:39:57 +0000 robGRAUERT 72303@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Oh, sorry. I read your post way early this morning after working late last night.</p> <p>Here's what the Intensity Pro does:</p> <p>- monitor HD video on an HDTV (also SD on an SD monitor)</p> <p>- real time down conversion so you can monitor HD video on an SD monitor. This is nice if you know you're going out to DVD.</p> <p>- real-time conversion to ProRes, DNxHD, and Uncompressed if you're capturing tape.</p> <p>- Tape output and real-time downconversions for that task too. </p> <p>Other than that, not much else. That's why it's only $200</p> <p>If you get a more expensive model, you get real-time up conversion and cross conversion for tape capture, tape output, and monitoring. If you do documentaries, you might need that.</p> <p>More expensive models may also have RS-422 which gives you deck control. That's more reliable than using firewire to capture video, capture audio, and control the deck.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72297 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:05:21 +0000 EarlC 72297@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Rob, my question wasn't the validity or professional level of production, it was what, in addition to (if anything) specifically the Blackmagic card you mentioned, benefits it offers and what else can/does it do? OR, is the output to a production monitor the ONLY thing it does, however well?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72293 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:06:47 +0000 robGRAUERT 72293@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I've always read the most accurate thing you can do is send video to a broadcast monitor via I/O card.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72289 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:25:30 +0000 Charles Schultz 72289@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Rob, would not a Spyder monitor calibrator do the same thing. Just asking because I don't know for sure.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72287 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:50:59 +0000 robGRAUERT 72287@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Earl, I/O cards send send a true video signal to your broadcast monitor or TV. It allows you to know <strong>exactly</strong> what your video really looks like (as long as your monitor is calibrated). </p> <p>An HDTV connected to a GPU only puts you in the ball park. Maybe that's enough for you. </p> <p>Personally, I think if you're making money, then you have to have the right tools. You wouldn't want a construction worker to eyeball his work and say, "yea, that looks straight." No, he needs to use a level. Video professionals need to know exactly what their video looks like.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72175 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:23:13 +0000 Eventvideoguy 72175@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have a 22" Samsung and a 22" Gateway connected to mine.  Both DVI.  Dual monitor (or more if you have the video cards handy) is the way to go. You can connect any DVI monitor but it's best to get two of the same monitor so that colors match up.  I did not have that luxury when I first got my mac.  I didn't buy my second monitor until 1 year after the first and the same model I already had was not being sold so I just got the best that I could afford.  </p> <p>Both have very good refresh rates and color ratios.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72163 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:24:19 +0000 EarlC 72163@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Rob, what other benefits beyond HDTV with HDMI output does that $200 BlackMagic Intensity Pro offer? Is it something I've been getting by without that I really should incorporate into my system?</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72117 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:49:23 +0000 robGRAUERT 72117@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If you're looking to accurately monitor your video, connecting an HDTV to a GPU is not the right way to go about it - even if the GPU has an HDMI connection.</p> <p>Get two of those Acer monitors Earl suggested. I use those too, and having two screens is much better than one in FCP.</p> <p>Get a BlackMagic Intensity Pro ($200). This allows you to send the true video signal to your HDTV. Ideally, you'll want an HDTV with HDMI or Component connections if you're going with the Intensity Pro.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/macpro-or-macbook-pro-for-video-editing-and-comping#post-72065 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:09:39 +0000 Ron Johnson 72065@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I think that your desktop would be best, but you can use your Pro.  I think that everything <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/best-mac-monitors">Apple</a> is quality and you cannot go wrong.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-advice-re-mac-monitors-for-video-editing#post-72064 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:07:57 +0000 Ron Johnson 72064@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Im glad you asked because I have a great <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/best-mac-monitors">Apple</a> site that you will love.  This site tell your what to look for in a good monitor and what to avoid.  Let me know what you think.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/upgrade-or-buy-new-mac-pro-or-imac#post-71692 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:52:09 +0000 Charles Schultz 71692@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Sorry, instead of he I meant She. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/upgrade-or-buy-new-mac-pro-or-imac#post-71691 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:51:30 +0000 Charles Schultz 71691@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Rob, the new Mac Pro's do not need a raid card, it is right on the board now. I just got one about 3 months ago and it is really simple to do. One problem I can see from his current system is that he only has two gig of ram. If he goes to <a href="http://www.crucial.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.crucial.com</a> it can scan his system and see how much he can cram into it. </p> <p>Also a few 1.5 terabyte hard drives could be in order, they are getting cheaper every day. Get another 250 gig hard drive and then you can set the two 250's to raid 1 and the 1.5's to raid 0 and you could be rocking and rolling. </p> <p>One question, are those Intel processors or are they another brand. If they are Intel you may also be able to plug in a graphics processing card, if FCP accepts them that is. I use Premiere and love the Mercury Play Back engine as it helps to speed up the rendering process. </p> <p>Hope this helps.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/upgrade-or-buy-new-mac-pro-or-imac#post-71684 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:31:59 +0000 robGRAUERT 71684@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have a Mac Pro with that same processor. I never sit around wishing it was faster, so I'm wondering if the problem your media management. You only listened on hard drive - the 250GB drive. Is that the only drive in your computer and the only drive you use for video editing? If so, then yes your computer will be very slow and it will be more cost effective to by the proper storage devices.</p> <p>But if you are handling your media correctly and still need a faster computer, buying new Mac Pro will last longer because they're expandable and they stuff more processors in them. So it takes longer for them to be perceived as "slow."</p> <p>If you upgrade to the new FCP, you're stuck with FCP X, which doesn't open old projects. I think Apple is still offering FCS (FCP7), but there's a catch to it or something.</p> <p>And as for backup, well, you need to have a hard drive (or preferably a RAID) dedicated to your projects and a hard drive dedicated to backing up the memory cards that your camera records to (if you've made the leap to solid state recording). Then you need to back up both of those drives. G-Tech is a good source for RAIDs and hard drives.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/upgrade-or-buy-new-mac-pro-or-imac#post-71678 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:28:02 +0000 Kristina 71678@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I edit film with FCP and I have reached a point where I need a better computer. The Mac Pro I have now dates from 2006/2007 and is way to slow for my needs. The question now is: should I upgrade the computer I have or should I buy a new iMac or Mac Pro. I would appreciate any advice! I'm of course looking for the most cost effective solution. </p> <p>This is what I have today:</p> <p>Mac Pro</p> <p>2 x 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon</p> <p>2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM</p> <p>Hard-disk: 232,44 GB</p> <p>I might also have to upgrade my Final Cut Pro as it is as old as the computer: FCP 5.1.4 What would you recommend here?</p> <p>I need a computer to edit film (possibly HD) and also a good way to do my back-up. My internet connection isn't very fast...</p> <p>Thank you in advance!</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-help-purchasing-mac-for-video-editing#post-63955 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:43:24 +0000 EarlC 63955@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Your basic Mac Pro configuration is fine out of the box. You can always use more RAM, so that might be a consideration. The current iMacs are also pretty potent editing machines. Folks might like and enjoy the portability of using a Mac Book Pro, but unless portability and on-site editing is some mandatory thing, they are priced higher for less expandability than a desktop IMHO.</p> <p>The speed of a dual quad, eight or 12 core is cool, but again not mandatory if you're trying to keep your costs down. There is, as I suspect you already know, a place on the Apple website where you can find refurbished units with a warranty and save a few bucks. They go fairly fast, though.</p> <p>FCP, Mac Pro, some healthy capacity hard drives in the three internal bays, along with the 350 GB or other size system drive (I use Hitachi 1TB capacity drives for my other three slots for plenty of project capacity, and a 350 GB external Seagate for a graphics and music storage system) should put you in an excellent starting position to perform just about ANY editing task, or acquire just about ANY editing gig you could want.</p> <p>Also, as you are probably aware, if you're a student there are some healthy student discounts available for hardware and software purchases. If you do not already have FCP, and want to get started the free iSeries programs that come with a Mac, while not all that and a bag of chips, can still accomplish some fairly sophisticated editing assignments.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/need-help-purchasing-mac-for-video-editing#post-63951 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:14:32 +0000 esparra 63951@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hi Everyone</p> <p>I am new to this. I need help purchasing a mac for video editing with FCP. I'm an aspiring video editor so befoe I invest in classes/training I need to get the equipment.</p> <p>I was looking online for refurbished macs due to budget reasons however I didn't now whether or not to get mac pro or mac book pro.</p> <p><strong>what "specs" would be the best for editing and running FCP Studio 3?</strong></p> <p><strong>Also what other things would I need to be efficient and productive as a freelance video editor?</strong></p> <p>Thanks in advance for your help!</p> <p><strong><br /></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/mac-pro-specs#post-62015 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:14:14 +0000 phatpencil 62015@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>rob,</p> <p> </p> <p>your information has been so helpful! I have a production company in boulder, colorado.  we just switched from standard def to high def with 2 panasonic hmc 150's so dealing with not only high def isues but avccam as well. my mac is not intel based so upgrading there.  we are trying to create a work flo that makes sense without adding to the already broken babk - here it is :</p> <p>1. transfer native files from cards to our old WD hard drives (usb 2.0 so uselesss for editing  hd) for storage only</p> <p>2. create project file on #1 g-raid external hard drive connected to our macs</p> <p>3. filter through native clips and download only the clips we need into the fcp project file</p> <p>4. edit project and store on #1 g-raid extrnal hard drive </p> <p>5. back up on #2 g-raid</p> <p> </p> <p>your thoughts? </p> <p>our concerns are continually running out of space on our g-raids, so how to deal with that and how fast do our macs need to be to be efficient with this set up?</p> <p> </p> <p>thank you so much rob for sharing your knowledge!</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recent-macpro-versus-new-imac#post-61171 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:19:32 +0000 robGRAUERT 61171@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Sorry, wasn't trying to imply that you dont think the Mac Pro isn't a good machine.</p> <p>You just seem to suggest that buy an iMac is better because Apple abandons hardware. Really though, for video, Apple doesn't even make hardware. Apple probably wouldn't even make FCP if it were for companies like AJA and Matrox. </p> <p>And making your purchasing decisions based on the idea that Apple will abandon it's old processors just isn't a good move. Of course things will be abandoned. Why would they support a G5, they're so old at this point and aren't even ideal for ProRes.</p> <p> If I bought a Mac today, I'd buy the necessary accessories for video that work with my Mac today. Do that and your computer will continue working forever. This is what people did with Avid - they got what they needed to make everything work, and then they didn't upgrade for a lot time...didn't need to.</p> <p>of course, it all depends what you're doing, which you implied when you mentioned your decision to buy laptops.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recent-macpro-versus-new-imac#post-61170 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:54:35 +0000 Don 61170@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Rob, I deliberately avoided saying the mac pro isn't a good machine. It is a good machine.</p> <p>I just know that if I had bought the power pc tower when I bought my first mac, I'd have had to replace the whole thing anyways by now, to upgrade to an intel version... and if I had bought the first intel version, instead of two macbooks, I'd have lost money if it had broken down on me (remember how excited I was when Apple replaced a failed logic board for me, free, even though it was out of warrenty?)</p> <p>bang for the buck, I'd have been worse off, and further behind the curve in terms of software.</p> <p>Now if I had a business where editing in the feild wasn't happening, where employees were doing the editing for me, and the machine stayed in the studio, along side one or two other mac pros as part of a network of mac pros all hooked up to 30" cinema displays, then yes I'd be happy to own three of them.</p> <p>We're small, our budget is small and Imacs and macbooks fit better, for us. Heck our kids use our machines for school work when I'm between jobs.</p> <p>Apple abandons older hardware every few years.</p> <p>I got Leopard and Aperture to run on an Imac g5 but both those software packages had to be hacked to install them as both said the machine wasn't supported. Snow leopard will not support power pc macs in any way shape or form, which means neither will <strong>any </strong>mac software made for 64 bit snow leopard.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recent-macpro-versus-new-imac#post-61169 Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:33:12 +0000 robGRAUERT 61169@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>D0n,</p> <p>Your experience doesn't appear to include the use of a Mac Pro. Had you bought a Mac Pro, you would realize that once you buy an I/O card, a RAID, and some RAM, you won't have to upgrade anything for a VERY long time. </p> <p>The Mac Pro is a better choice for video because it offers more options for proper monitoring of your video (you should never be juding your image by what you see on a computer screen), and you have many more options for storage, which are also better options depending on what format of video you're working with. </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recent-macpro-versus-new-imac#post-61168 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:38:48 +0000 Don 61168@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I can also switch machines if one is busy or broken, no down time..... time is money.</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recent-macpro-versus-new-imac#post-61167 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:34:47 +0000 Don 61167@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I won't hazard a guess what would be best for you.</p> <p>I would like to point out something I've observed about Apple.</p> <p>Having bought an early emac that came with os9 classic and the first version of osx, then an Imac g5, then two intel macbooks...</p> <p>here is what I believe is the best decision for me:</p> <p>The imac.</p> <p>and here is why:</p> <p>an upgradable tower works in the pc world (not factoring in the difficulties with mixing and matching various components with varying success) is reasonably priced.... big market, lot's of venders...</p> <p>Apple on the other hand has a track record of releasing new hardware, then software to utilize the hardware, leaving legacy systems behind. There are always compromises and limited choices when upgrading. That translates into higher pricing.</p> <p>it is easier and safer (in terms of hardware/software integration) to just buy a new system every few years than to try and get the latest technology to work with legacy systems.</p> <p>Here's my experience:</p> <p>Emac - shooting professional photos, using j-peg and 6 mp d-slrs ran fine. Too slow to run aperture and shoot RAW. Edited dv footage but slow rendering for dvd.</p> <p>Imac g5 worked fine with aperture and cs2, hdv and dv ran fine. Too slow for avchd... shooting 14 mp RAW files with D-slr's</p> <p>macbooks  fast enough for avchd (and once imported the g5 can edit) but the latest aperture 2 runs slower.</p> <p>Now knowing how fast my photography and video cameras are being upgraded and looking to the future with 3D, and anticipating red styled RAW HD footage, and 18-22 mp d-slr's I'm guessing the next gen Mac will run circles around the current ones, and since you'd get ALL the latest OSX benefits, Latest connectivity (ie usb3, Sata, wi-fi etc..) I'm betting that upgrading the mac pro will wind up costing almost as much money as the next gen Imac.</p> <p>For a small business like mine, I'd rather go the easier route and get a new machine with warranty.</p> <p> </p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recent-macpro-versus-new-imac#post-61165 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:16:26 +0000 robGRAUERT 61165@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>You're better off with the Mac Pro</p> http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recent-macpro-versus-new-imac#post-61159 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:53:38 +0000 NewMacEditor 61159@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Derek, Thank you.</p> <p>Does that mean that for the timebeing you see the systems as fairly equal?</p>