What complete editing suite right now: Late April 2009

[FredrikL]

I know there are a lot of threads on this topic, but it seems to be a landscape in rapid change and it might have changed since I last checked...NAB2009...etc.

I need a machine and a monitor to edit RED - material. Finish at 2K. I'd like to use Final Cut as I have been using this since it first came out and know it well.

Is the choice this simpel?

Package - configuration:

The new 8 - Core nehaleem

ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB

Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor

FCP

Cardreader (which one? is it already on in the new Mac Pro?)

Anything more?

Will this allow me to at least a descent start?

Sincerely,

Fredrik

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

If you are on a tight budget I would suggest to add at least another monitor (& calibrator) and bunch of HDD's in RAID. It's not a much larger investment but it will make a huge difference.

 

[Uli Plank]

Yes, you'll need a calibrated monitor for any color grading. And get more RAM, at least 2 GB per (physical) core.

 

[FredrikL]

Hi Hrvoje and hi Uli, thank you both,

well - I wish we were loaded, unfortunately we have a few limitations concerning budget...but I do understand the advantages with investing properly to begin with also...HDD/raid, but I thought perhaps with respect to storage one could start out with a few 1 or 2 TB LaCies, and then expand later to RAID-solutions...? But I suppose getting a raid to begin with ends up as the best price in the long run...

1. A calibrator and a calibrated monitor? Which one? Tips? Prices?

What do you think of the Dell - monitor? I read here it could work - and it is decently priced...

2. Uli: At least 2 GB per (physical) core: I get it that equals 16 Gb RAM? How pricey is 16 GB ram really? (I suppose its stupid to buy it from overcharging Apple?)

Where can one get more reasonably priced RAM?

Thanks anyway, for enlightening a sligthly lost soul guys - I know a whollelotta few things about editing, but getting an overview of all the machinery going along with the RED - workflow equation seems a bit daunting...I simply want a descent computer and for the most complex and high end of colouringsolutions etc. I will rent help, I just want to be able to do descent lighting and simple - cut editing; no special effects. Speed: nor am I in a hurry either!

Fredrik

 

[Uli Plank]

Try Other World Computing for RAM, and you might be OK with 6 Gb if speed is not much of a concern.

If you don't do your own grading, just editing, you'll be fine with any monitor, but serious monitoring for cinema can't be done on a Dell. Maybe you should outsource grading once you want to go to film?

 

[Gordon Breckenridge]

Yes, you'll need a calibrated monitor for any color grading. And get more RAM, at least 2 GB per (physical) core.

the new mac's prefer ram in 3's
So 3GB per core is ideal.

This is why they ship with 6GB to start.

 

[FredrikL]

Thanks alot Gordon,

I wasn't aware of that - I thought the best invesment for the future was getting max pr. slot - so starting off building with 4GB's...? That way maximise each slot instead of having to get entirely new RAMs, if one, say, wanted to be slightly more cheapskate and start out with 2 GB's.

I know not enought on computerarchtecture, so,

thanks very much indeed.

Luckily haven't bought ram yet.

Still OWC best buy?

Fredrik