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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

New Macbook Pro Retina, 2.7Ghz, 16gb ram impressions

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Sergio Perez

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Hi all,

Just received the new Retina Macbook Pro and am doing some simple tests. No Rocket. Already downloaded Redcine-X Pro 14. Software available for test is Redcine X Pro FCP (7 and X) and CS 5.5 (not installed yet) . Any tests you would like please ask. However, cut me a break since I don't do high end post, I leave this to the specialists. This is a "director's" editing machine.

Very first impressions so far:

Love the screen. The Glare is noticeable less to previous non mate Macbook Pro's and are quite workable in artificial light environments. Still haven't tried outdoors. Weight is significantly reduced from previous generation. Boot up is incredibly fast, much faster than my 2009 Macbook Pro with a 3rd party SSD.

Redcine X initial impressions: Transcoding to Prores is a bit faster than my 2008 Macpro, and playback works well at 1/4 quality for 5K footage. User interface, however, just looks too small in this 15" screen. Maybe a new layout configuration can be provided by Red to take advantage of this beautiful screen? I certainly miss the 17" size for basic image manipulation. Right now, the Redcine X UI just doesn't suit very well this small screen. Exported a 2K clip to see it in playback and it looks gorgeous. Still haven't tried exporting a 4K clip to see how it performs. Will report back in a couple of hours or in the next few days, if time and work permits. All in all, very happy with the purchase.

Will have to place an order to the Sonnet Expansion box to put my rocket pretty soon. Since this Macbook Pro is outperforming my Macpro, I might go full mobile until the next generation Macpro comes.
 
Thanks Sergio. Please do keep us informed as to how your Sonnet expansion box works out!
 
Sergio are you using any Firewire/eSATA drives with your new system?
Im hoping Apple would release the FW>TB cable soon.
Would like that before plunging in :)
 
Eric Santiago said:
Sergio are you using any Firewire/eSATA drives with your new system?
Im hoping Apple would release the FW>TB cable soon.
Would like that before plunging in :)
Click to expand...

Don't forget that Sonnet also has an Echo Thunderbolt adapter that lets you connect an Expresscard 35 interface to it. In combination with a Sonnet Expresscard34/Firewire800 adapter or Expresscard34/eSata adapter, you should be able to connect those already.
 
Sergio the model you did your test on is it 8 gig model or 16. Was thinking about purchasing but haven't decided on 8 or 16gig model . I'm aware there's no upgrade path after purchase will be using solely for redline x and adobe premiere
 
Mathieu Ghekiere said:
Don't forget that Sonnet also has an Echo Thunderbolt adapter that lets you connect an Expresscard 35 interface to it. In combination with a Sonnet Expresscard34/Firewire800 adapter or Expresscard34/eSata adapter, you should be able to connect those already.
Click to expand...
Thanks Mathieu but that one is costly compared to a 40 dollar converter (regards to FW). We will keep it in mind for eSATA. Our Uni as old as 2009 are still handling things well on the field :)
 
when the belkin TB hub comes out that should solve a lot of missing ports issues (if it's not a piece of junk)

one hub with fw800, more usb ports, ethernet, and daisy chain for TB. pretty slick. honestly I only use fw 800 for quick mobile drives like lacie ruggeds quick stuff, and downloading audio. it's nice you'll have some modularity now to have the slimmest setup when you don't need the extra stuff, and you can build it up when you need it.

matrox is coming out with something similar as well with a dvi port, but no second TB port for daisy chain on prelim specs. total deal breaker there if that's the case.
 
Don Whitley said:
Sergio the model you did your test on is it 8 gig model or 16. Was thinking about purchasing but haven't decided on 8 or 16gig model . I'm aware there's no upgrade path after purchase will be using solely for redline x and adobe premiere
Click to expand...

Don - I was thinking the same thing - but Sergio put it in his title - its 16GB!

:))
 
Sorry for the late reply everyone :)

So I've been using the Macbook Pro for some time now. Tried exporting a 5K HD 96FPS clip to prores 444 4096x 2304. It plays back almost 100 smooth using quicktime. I don't know if I've selected the best aspect ratio for 4K HD, but it definitely holds up in playback. The images just look absolutely stunning on the retina. COmpared to a 3K HD clip I shot converted to 1080P, the difference is incredible.

I'm using 16GB of RAM by the way, and I suggest going this route because there's no possibility of future upgrading the ram! It is working beautifully.

I also use TONS of firewire drives and esata ones (mainly Lacie- never failed me contrary to many horror stories out there. In fact, when something fishy was happening, it was usually due to the bad power cable design in the early years). WIth this Macbook Pro I tried USB2 and have a Lacie Rugged 1TB with USB3. WIll test this later, 7 hours from now.

Definitely an improvement on the sound. They are not "bose quality" monitors, but still much better than my early 2009 Macbook pro.

Haven't tried the scaling settings in control panel since they say it influences performance, but will definitely have a look later on this.

Aperture works amazing with this Macbook Pro, definitely a must for Photographers for touch up.

Still haven't installed my copy of CS5.5 but will as soon as possible.

I'm definitely going to purchase the Sonnet TB hub. Lets hope it doesn't require external ac power or it would be a deal breaker. Elgato already showed its possible with TB HDD, Belkin should too! (provided there's enough power in the port, that is!)
 
Sergio Perez said:
Sorry for the late reply everyone :)
I'm definitely going to purchase the Sonnet TB hub. Lets hope it doesn't require external ac power or it would be a deal breaker. Elgato already showed its possible with TB HDD, Belkin should too! (provided there's enough power in the port, that is!)
Click to expand...

I believe that it does require AC power - I might be wrong but I think it does.

:((
 
David Ibbitson said:
The next release of RCX will take advantage of the Retina display.

~ David
Click to expand...

Brilliant!! You guys just don't stop, do you?? :) Honestly where can One find this kind of support and care for the costumer?

The transcode is definitly NOT realtime to 4k 444, its faster than on a 2008 Macpro. I'll do a quick transcode and compare time/performance next.
 
Mathieu Ghekiere said:
how long does it take you approximately to convert a R3D file to Prores 4444? ...x realtime?
Click to expand...

Transcoding 4K (not HD) | 52:19sec Clip | 1/2 Premium Debayer

RETINA MACBOOK PRO 2.7Ghz = 5:53min
MACBOOK PRO (early 2011) = 8:36min
 
Can someone please comment on the possibility of hooking up other monitors or screens via thunderbolt to gain greater screen "real estate"

What would would be the issues etc. what do you need to make it happen, is it possible with CS 6?

Like this pic apparently Avid on 15 " Retina display with thunderbolt displays.

Dualscreens.jpg
[/IMG]



Apologies for my ignorance this is all way over my head coming from Mac Pro land currently configured with dual screens.
 
Last edited:
The picture shows FCP X, not Avid.

I think it's very 'possible', you just need the screens, and the rest depends on the graphic cards, how fluently it can pull everything (this seems good news in that aspect: http://9to5mac.com/2012/06/20/retin...eshed-airs-get-dual-external-display-support/) and the multi-screen possibilities of the software. I think CS 6 also works with different loose panels in the software that you can put where-ever you want (like the old FCP 7), so I would suppose it's possible.
 
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