New IMAC with Quad Core and Workflow

[Jeremy Drake]

So me and a buddy are editing a feature he just shot and were using FCP3 on a decked out Mac Pro. But were looking to get another computer to do basic editing with ProRes files imported into FCP. My question is: Although I'm sure the new Quad Core IMAC can handle the 2k files for basic editing... what else could it handle?

I'm not privy or up to date on current graphic cards or processors so I was wondering if the Quad Core IMAC, with a few upgrades, could handle some timing in Color and shot repo from mistakes in camera operation.

And if you care enough I'd like to hear some ideas for workflow when editing on two computers.

Thanks!

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

There's a few threads around here discussing it already. The new iMacs are wonderful machines with one big limitation. There is no good way to attach any fast external storage to it. Your options for connectivity are USB2, FW800 and gigabit ethernet. The latter two will top-out at about 80MB/s or what a decent 1TB 7200rpm HDD will sustain these days.

There are other hacks such as pulling out the optical drive and using a 2.5" HDD in its place for your boot drive and using the 3.5" HDD space for a work drive. Then you can connect an external optical drive via USB2 or firewire when needed. I suppose that's the major design flaw with the iMac and always has been. Apple should've included an ExpressCard slot or a couple eSATA ports and life would be a lot better.

 

[Christian Edwards]

Come on usb3 :tongue_smilie:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/asus-usb-3-0-equipped-p6x58d-premium-motherboard-now-available/

 

[Yannick Sadler]

I totaly agree that it would be nice indeed, but I think this flaw is more a business decision. I think Apple want the pro market to go for the Mac Pro (and give the extra $$$). They did the same with the MacBook, only the 17" model has an ExpressCard slot.

 

[Tim Fassnacht]

yannick makes a good point. I was bummed when they pulled the espresscard slot from the 15"... wouldn't hold my breathe on eSata in an iMac. Not yet anyway...

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Yes, I think there is a bit of intentional crippling of the iMac going on. It's been that way for a while.

As for the removal of the EC slot from the 15" MBP, I think that is more due to Apple not understanding the market as well as they should. That change was a huge blow to a lot of people. Not so much to our community here... some of us do prefer the 15" form factor over the 17", but the move to a 17" isn't a big deal since most of us on these forums tend to go for the more powerful configurations and getting a 17" is only like $200 more and adds extra screen real estate and a little bit of size. However, this change was a huge hit to a few clients of mine. Now suddenly that entry-level 15" MBP for $1600 doesn't have the EC34 slot you need, you have to buy the $2500 model -- oh shit. And if you're a purchasing manager that has to justify the purchase of 20 notebooks at a price increase of $900 over the prior year and also try to explain to a bunch of corporate suits why you need to buy the bigger 17" model just for an expansion card interface... One of my clients in this situation was able to round up enough prior-generation 15" models to fit their needs for a while. Another client dropped Apple notebooks in favor of HP units with Linux. I'm sure their employees would've loved the 17" MBP's, but the budgets don't allow. IMO, if Apple couldn't really fit the EC34 slot into the 15", they really should consider a lower-spec'd 17" option that is under $1750 as an alternative.

And I have now successfully derailed this thread.

 

[Harva Raj]

I'm kinda late for the party.

If you are shooting red and finishing for web or SD, the new imac is 'kinda' great.

You can daisy-chain Motu V4HD and harddrive to firewire 800 port and have a fast storage and a ability to monitor your footage in HD monitor.

Motu V4HD link: http://www.motu.com/video-products/v4hd/laptop.html