Any one have any experience transcoding with MBP Retina (top of the line)?

[Will Rodgers]

Hello, i was wondering if anyone had any experience transcoding with a top of the line Mac Book pro Retina.
I am interested in buying one for on the go shoots.

im looking to get this model
2.8Ghz
16Gb Ram
768Gb SSD

would like to transfer from eSATA/USB 3.0 to comp, and thunderbolt to G-Raid for storage.

if anyone has any input on how this system will work please let me know.
thanks

 

[Bob Gundu]

Yup. With a red rocket card though.

 

[paul schefz]

i have been working on this model (actually the 2.7ghz) for a while, thought i would use my top of the line imac (3.4ghz, 32ram...) but don't anymore...only use it as a monitor via thunderbolt (and for backup and as printserver)...i use fcpx and editing (in 4k i only have a scarlet) is great...the screen is amazing and the system is really zippy....i don't really time when i transcode....it takes some time...
the new iMacs with the 2gb GPU should be a little faster but i doubt the difference would be really noticable....output/transcoding is obviously not real time....
the funny thing is that with these systems storage and connections are a bottleneck...i can't even imagine using FW, esata....even usb3 seems to lag....the built in SSD (seems like i still have the samsung, the newer ones use sandisk) and thunderbolt (i use pegasus) help dealing with files and editing in real time....fcpx with the red plug in is so smooth it is crazy....
hope this helps....if you have specific questions i will try to answer...but this is pretty much the fastest mac system you can buy right now (the imac might be 5-10% faster which won't make a difference in use and i don't care if i have to wait for 20 or 21 minutes to output a project)...it is super portable, the screen rocks and if you hook up a portable rocket, it takes care of the transcoding anyway....
btw: i would seriously look at the pegasus 12TB....you can run a raid 5 which is bigger, faster and safer then what g raid can offer...macmall in santa monica has refurbs right now...12TB for 1799.....600mb/s R/RW

 

[Will Rodgers]

awesome, thanks for the info Paul.
ill defiantly look into the FCPX plug in even though ill be mainly editing in FCP 7.
ill also look into those other RAID systems. the budget only calls for the G-Raid at the moment but down the line that may be an option.
looks like i am going to commit to this system.
but what do you mean it is a bottleneck with connections other than thunderbolt. is it just too slow or is it a hassle to deal with that many wires?

thanks.

 

[paul schefz]

awesome, thanks for the info Paul.
ill defiantly look into the FCPX plug in even though ill be mainly editing in FCP 7.
ill also look into those other RAID systems. the budget only calls for the G-Raid at the moment but down the line that may be an option.
looks like i am going to commit to this system.
but what do you mean it is a bottleneck with connections other than thunderbolt. is it just too slow or is it a hassle to deal with that many wires?

thanks.

i just meant that now, with thunderbolt, storage speed is finally not an issue anymore....i can't believe i ever worked with FW400 or even FW800! and of course thunderbolt really opens portables up to expansion....

 

[Will Rodgers]

Ok. Great to know.

thanks for all the help Paul.