MacPro 8 Core Workflow

[Chad Bonanno]

Just sharing some info I have shared with Kevin at RED regarding the workflow I am currently using. I have about 400 clips total to process , so I am using Redline. Initially, I was doing clip by clip until I finally figured out how to get them into the terminal. So I decided to do some testing and here is what I came up with.

Using 1 terminal Window running Redline seems to fly, but my activity monitor was telling me I had TONS of more resources that could be used. so..


Secondly, I tried running 8 terminal windows at once, batching about 5 clips each. Now, this didn't DESTROY my machine ( I was still able to work in RedAlert and correct clips as I rendered) , But it seemed that the processors were sharing a large amount of thread numbers. So when one Processor would get a burst of threads, (32 for instance, while the others are around 10-16), you could see the burst of frames that particular window would create.


FINALLY, I have tried 2 terminal windows, which works GREAT , allowing me to work in RedAlert AND After Effects (since I will be doing all my final CC in After Effects, I kept having to cross the frames back and forth.)



I am going to try 3, and there is no doubt that it will work, but I seriously doubt I can get AE to run, along with RedAlert and have consistent quick renders.


Here are my specs:

FOOTAGE EXPORT:
Debay at High , Quicktime Output to DVCPRO720 , Stretch 1280x720 Gauss

MACHINE:
Mac Pro Dual 2.8 Quad 6 Gigs of Ram


Hope this helps and if anyone else has anything to add, or is trying out Multiple queues in Redline, please share!


Thank you for reading and also a HUGE thank you to the guys at RED, they are outstanding when it comes to problem solving!



Chad Bonanno
Design+Direction
www.chadbonanno.com

 

[Alex Carr]

Redline works great, just as you say you can one light clips batch them and load your cpu's. You are only using one machine, its the only way to Full / Half debayer a Batch... FCP and Redcine and Compressor/Proxies are not as fast and dont Batch with Debayer.

You have a good workflow, I use the same for high volumes of clips, or not! Or if I dont need one light then I'll just use Compressor, so Crimson will still work.

 

[Chad Bonanno]

You have a good workflow, I use the same for high volumes of clips, or not! Or if I dont need one light then I'll just use Compressor, so Crimson will still work.

Thank you! for that info, as well as the boost of confidence in my workflow :weight_lift:

I think I will try it (Crimson) if I make a short or something. Technically, the Music Video is a short, I just wanted to really test it out and see if it was going to take THAT long.


This workflow would be IDEAL for a commercial though =)



OH , I forgot to mention, I AM RUNNING LEOPARD!!!!!

 

[michael L]

chad,
can u estimate how long 400 clips take to export from redline

 

[Chad Bonanno]

chad,
can u estimate how long 400 clips take to export from redline

7 hours for 32 clips which run about 10 minutes total


My clip lengths are so inconsistant , I cant give you an overall, but that should be enough info, 7 hours per 10 min.

These are going to 1280X720 by the way