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Home: Video University Forums: Mac Video:
A Few Questions for Mac Fanatics

BobRamage
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Jan 16, 2008, 11:44 PM

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I was taking a look at the Mac Pro on Apple's web site, thinking my next computer upgrade might well be a switch to a new platform. Even discounting the excellent OS, the Mac Pro is a lot of machine for a pretty good price. I'm very happy with Adobe's Creative Suite CS3 so I'd probably just do a crossgrade upgrade to the Mac version with the next update.

I have a couple of questions though. I didn't notice any option for eSATA. Does this mean you're restricted to firewire or USB for external drives? The absence of the much faster eSATA strikes me as odd for such an advanced machine.

Also, how does one deliver HD to clients? I was very surprised to see that there still isn't an option for a blu-ray burner. I've got clients asking for it this year and from what I could tell I would be hard-pressed to deliver with a Mac-based system. Are there any good 3rd party burners available for the Mac Pro?

ivey
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Jan 17, 2008, 12:47 AM

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Re: [BobRamage] A Few Questions for Mac Fanatics [In reply to]	Can't Post

There is a PCIe card for eSata HERE

---Lisa---

Macs, cause they work

Kenneth
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Jan 17, 2008, 1:16 AM

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Lisa is right about the card. I think the reason Apple doesn't include it is because of the lack of peripherals and they really want people to adopt Firewire 800.

LaCie sells a Blu-Ray burner for Mac but it is currently back ordered.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

gl
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Jan 17, 2008, 1:57 AM

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There are a number of eSata options for the MacPro but Lisa pointed out a good one.

Burning HD optical media is still not there yet on the Mac. You can get a Bluray burner that will work and Encore CS3 would allow you to author and burn but, I am not certain how solid it is since there is no OS level support.

-gl

BobRamage
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Jan 17, 2008, 2:34 AM

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Thanks to everyone for the info. Looks like eSata would be easy to implement but blu-ray is still a work in progress. Hopefully Apple will add OS support and drives soon.

Kenneth
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Jan 17, 2008, 3:13 AM

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In Reply To

Thanks to everyone for the info. Looks like eSata would be easy to implement but blu-ray is still a work in progress. Hopefully Apple will add OS support and drives soon.

Don't count on it. Apple joined the Blu-Ray consortium but hasn't really done anything to help Blu-Ray gain support. I would expect them to remain neutral, either by supporting neither or both. Microshit is supporting HD DVD, and believe it or not their relationship with Microshit is still important, much more so than with Sony.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

BobRamage
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Jan 17, 2008, 11:18 AM

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HD DVD is dead. It just doesn't know it yet. I suspect that Apple's foot-dragging has more to do with their desire to have Apple TV and movie downloads via iTunes succeed.

I checked out the videoguys.com site and saw that they have a Mac workaround for the Pioneer blu-ray burner. I'd be interested to know how well it works with Encore.

BobRamage
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Jan 17, 2008, 12:09 PM

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Re: [Kenneth] A Few Questions for Mac Fanatics [In reply to]	Can't Post

Found this:

http://fastmac.com/slim_bluray.php

David L
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Jan 17, 2008, 12:12 PM

Post #9 of 21 (1251 views)
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In Reply To

HD DVD is dead. It just doesn't know it yet. I suspect that Apple's foot-dragging has more to do with their desire to have Apple TV and movie downloads via iTunes succeed.

That's a perceptive point ... after all, the Apple TV is going to be competing with blu-ray players for a share of the rental movie market ...

Kenneth
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Jan 19, 2008, 9:03 AM

Post #10 of 21 (1229 views)
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In Reply To

HD DVD is dead. It just doesn't know it yet. I suspect that Apple's foot-dragging has more to do with their desire to have Apple TV and movie downloads via iTunes succeed.

That's a perceptive point ... after all, the Apple TV is going to be competing with blu-ray players for a share of the rental movie market ...

The digital download market is still a small fraction of the overall market. Those who have taken to it really like it, but the masses will just go from SD DVD to Blu-Ray because it's more familiar. There are people who are still afraid of computers.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

Dave Williams
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Jan 20, 2008, 12:47 AM

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Re: [Kenneth] A Few Questions for Mac Fanatics [In reply to]	Can't Post

Apple TV doesn't need a computer

Kenneth
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Jan 20, 2008, 3:57 AM

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I love my Apple TV. It's great to listen to music, watch Youtube, watch a few movie or TV files, but seriously....the movie studios will catch on if this thing becomes a hit and they start offering catalog titles for rental through the cable companies. And the HD through the cable box will be much better quality than the 720p that the Apple TV can show.
......................................................................
Philadelphia Wedding Video
The Kenneth Stillman Blog
Philadelphia Trash the Dress

Timothy Harry
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Jan 20, 2008, 10:44 PM

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sorry, just saw this thread. I have the cal-digit card, and love it to death. Cal-digit offers the ability to do 10 bit uncompressed work with a 5 drive system run through a single cable also known as superlane or port multiplication (the ability to connect 5 drives via 1 cable) I have the complete system, but tests by barefeats indicate that the ability to get this performance dont come from their enclosures, rather it comes from the card. This is why I spent the extra money to put the same card in my mac pro that I had in the G5. If I remember correctly it ran about 300 bucks, but it screams like a madman, and I would definitely say it was worth it.

http://macgurus.com/...CalDigitFastA-4e.php

Tim Harry

Bandwagon Media
Odessa, TX

BobRamage
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Jan 20, 2008, 11:15 PM

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Thanks for the info, Tim. I went ahead and ordered the new Mac Pro yesterday. I'll definitely be adding an eSata card, once I've had a chance to decide which one works best with the new bus on the Mac. The cal-digit looks like a good one, but as you say it's pretty expensive.

MLiebergot
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Jan 21, 2008, 11:34 AM

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Re: [Timothy Harry] A Few Questions for Mac Fanatics [In reply to]	Can't Post

Tim, did you just purchase the card or both card and tower with drives?

In Reply To

Michael

Cameras: I do use them.
Audio: Yes, it does come with audio if you like.
Software: I am learning...
Support: I need all that i can get.
Computer: MAC BABY!

Timothy Harry
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Jan 21, 2008, 5:21 PM

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have done both....originally purchased the tower with drives and the card for my G5, ran it afew months until we were forced by a client to upgrade our edit bay. then i just bought the card to go in the new mac pro.

Tim Harry

Bandwagon Media
Odessa, TX

KevinShaw
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Jan 24, 2008, 10:31 AM

Post #17 of 21 (1072 views)
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Apple TV is a niche product compared to Blu-ray and won't be as relevant for delivery of paid video projects. Hopefully Apple will announce better Blu-ray support at NAB, as they must be able to see by now that's something desirable to do.

P.S. I got my first good look at the latest version of Final Cut yesterday. Good stuff...I may really have to consider buying a Mac once they get Blu-ray going.

Ron Priest
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Jan 24, 2008, 10:43 AM

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In Reply To

Thanks for the info, Tim. I went ahead and ordered the new Mac Pro yesterday.

Hey very cool! Welcome! I was getting tired being the new kid on the block, asking all the questions, now you can be the new kid! A little tip for ya, there is no eject button on the computer for your disk drive. You have an eject key on the keyboard. Wink

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BobRamage
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Jan 24, 2008, 2:50 PM

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Thanks, Ron. I'm really looking forward to getting the new machine! When I saw the specs for the Mac Pro in January I was very impressed. The competition has nothing like it. Makes me think that Apple has struck up a very cozy relationship with Intel. It'll also be nice to work with a Unix-based OS. Unfortunately, I have to wait a few more weeks as I requested the NVidia 8800 GT video card which is apparently in short supply.

Also, I didn't have your negative experiences with Premiere so I'm going to give the CS3 Mac version a whirl. Adobe is going to send it to me as a replacement for the Windows version and all I have to pay is the shipping.

Ron Priest
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Jan 24, 2008, 3:10 PM

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Gosh Bob, that will be a "hard" wait. Let me know if I can help ya, I've got all the latest training materials from Apple on FCS and highly recommend them. I've learned things that even Premiere has that I didn't know about and I have been using it for years. My secret is to go about it as if I didn't know anything about editing. I'm taking the books lesson by lesson starting at the front of the book to the back, and not overlooking a single paragraph or skipping a single step in a lesson.

Here is the link if you want to get a head start!

http://www.peachpit.com/promotions/promotion.aspx?promo=135631&redir=1

Oh but wait... was it you that said your going to be using Premiere on your Mac?

Oh well in any case, feel free to ask me newbie questions if you want. Us newbies have to stick together! Wink

Keep us posted! .... 8 core!! Man that thing is going to rock!!
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BobRamage
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Jan 24, 2008, 4:49 PM

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I'm hoping the wait won't be too long Ron, but the rumour mill says the Mac Pro won't be shipping with the NVidia cards until mid to late February. Guess I'll just have to be patient. I really didn't want to settle for the "standard" ATI card as it is pretty mediocre.

FCS looks excellent but I don't really have a compelling need to switch from Premiere. I really like the CS3 integration between apps, and particularly After Effects. Encore also offers blu-ray authoring and burning. I have to deliver blu-ray to a number of clients this year so that is a must-have feature for me. I'd probably be more inclined to look at FCP if was sold as a separate app, but I just can't justify the $1300 expense of switching to FCS. I'll look again once both suites are upgraded to the next version.

Thanks for the peachpit link. I'll have to start getting up to speed on the new OS!