My 3k editing setup: ideas and suggestions

[Peter Osinski]

Hello,

I have an early 2008 model Mac Pro with the following specs:

2 x 2.8ghz Quad Core Xeon Processors
2 GB 800 MHz DDR2 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT 512MB Video Card ( 2x DVI output)
Proscan 40" 1080p LCD TV
Adobe Production Premium CS4

My plan would be to initially buy 8GB (2x 4GB) of additional RAM from Kingston bringing me 10GB total, which I would eventually bring up to 32GB in 2x4GB chunks. But for a while it would be just the 10GB.

I plan on using one of my DVI outputs to run this monitor which I would use for Premiere, AE, or whatever else:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009173

And then I would use the 40" LCD as a preview monitor connected to the other DVI port and calibrate both of the monitors using something like this

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TN096ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTA4NjQ3MjY&p=1&s=topSellers

Using that product to calibrate all the monitors would I be able to use them for accurate color work?

and lastly I was going to install this card:

http://www.newertech.com/products/esata_cable.php

so that I can connect an esta external raid which I still need help deciding on. I was thinking about something like this

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=621


would this be sufficient for editing 3k REDcode natively in Premiere Pro CS4 from Scarlet? Any other suggestions? let me know

 

[Alex MacLean]

Are you planning on using your setup for color correction? If so, the huey is not sufficient. I own a huey pro, and it works great, but thats not what you want for calibrating your monitor(s) for video (YUV). The huey is made for print work (CMYK) and only can calibrate your monitor for that color space.

If you would like to be able to monitor your video accurately, I recommend getting either a matrox mx02 or a mx02 mini.

http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mxo2/

http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/mxo2_mini/

This will allow you to calibrate your hdtv with blue-only through HDMI. I have a mx02 mini and it works great.

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

2GB of RAM?
The OS would eat some and you wouldn't have free 2GB for the softwares.

Put more RAM!

 

[Peter Osinski]

well yeah, i said I was gonna load it up with ram

 

[Stephen Gentle]

I don't know if 10GB of RAM would work - RAM tends to be quite picky about the combinations of sizes you use... Although I've only tried it with older machines so it might be somewhat better now. But in my experience, with some combinations the computer just won't boot. At best, you'll still probably mess up the dual channel setup...

 

[Paul Jay]

For Color i would advice the ATI4870 graphics card.

Also 2xdvi out ( with a minidisplayport adapter )

decklink or AJA output card

 

[James Press]

Consider getting Red Rocket to speed up the transcoding process--HIGHLY recommended.

We have an almost identical set up, but with 8GB ram (same graphics card etc); 2 Apple 23" displays; and a JVC CRT 17" monitor for CC. Works great.

 

[Peter Osinski]

Consider getting RED Rocket™ to speed up the transcoding process--HIGHLY recommended.

We have an almost identical set up, but with 8GB ram (same graphics card etc); 2 Apple 23" displays; and a JVC CRT 17" monitor for CC. Works great.

I actually wasn't planning on transcoding anything. Premiere Pro has native red footage editing. I've been able to easily mess around with 4k clips by taking the resolution down to one 16th resolution. I want to be able to edit the 3k clips at a half resolution (1.5k?) which should be just under 1080p (1.9k) which will be my final delivery format..... Oh and I totally can't afford it.

I am a run and gun kind of guy. I will only be shooting either to the solid state drive module or to flash cards and dumping to a laptop in the field.

I will post a new editing set up purchase list based on everyone's suggestions so you all can tell me if I got it.

P.S. - Thanks so much to everyone for all the help

 

[Jay Voutour]

Consider getting RED Rocket?? to speed up the transcoding process--HIGHLY recommended.

We have an almost identical set up, but with 8GB ram (same graphics card etc); 2 Apple 23" displays; and a JVC CRT 17" monitor for CC. Works great.

To the OP: Minus the RR (for budgetary reasons), add a RAID setup (and the necessary I/O card to drive the JVC) and I think you'd have a pretty decent, affordable workstation based around these few things.

It's hard to make any suggestions without knowing what your budget is for all of this, but I can tell you what I'd do if I was in your situation.

1. More RAM - With total being 8GB or 16GB in paired 2GB sticks, or 16GB or 32GB(overkill, IMO) in paired 4GB sticks (just google 2008 mac pro and optimal ram setup to see how to set up the RAM). It also might be a good idea to get decent (branded) RAM, and not to mix'n'match brands.

2. Better Storage - That WD MBS2 4TB drive is probably a little on the slow side. Personally, I would rather go with a 4-bay (or 6- or 8-bay) that has hardware RAID built-in. It's not as ideal as a RAID card, but they can usually be had for less $ (maybe something like this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101083). Speaking of which, the 3rd link you posted was not a PCIe card, just extension cables, which might not work with a 4-, 6-, or 8-bay enclosure, let alone RAID . IDK, someone else might want to chime in here on whether or not the 2 eSATA ports on the mobo would work like this. You more than likely would just need an eSATA PM card.

3. Monitoring (CC) - It's probably best to use an I/O card over that 2nd DVI port (if budget allows and to use a second computer display). Since you want to use the 40" LCD, I think I'd have to suggest using the MXO2 Mini to connect/calibrate it (I've never used the MXO2 Mini, but I assume it works just as well as the MXO). Don't be surprised though, if you're footage looks a bit more green or magenta-ish on other people's LCDs/Plasmas. Another low-cost option would be to get an older SD CRT. They're generally cheaper than cheap, but have really good color representation IMO. Just get someone to calibrate it for you and make sure that the I/O card you use in conjunction with it can handle the media you'll be monitoring.

4. Monitoring (Computer) - The bigger the better (usually). Most prefer (I would assume) to use a dual-display setup for editing. The brand doesn't matter, IMO, as long as you can work off of them (or game or watch movies or...whatever else you'll be doing) and they fit within your price range. Personally, I would avoid ACER monitors, as I've had warranty issues with them in the past (a long time ago, they said 1 dead pixel was okay, not enough to warrant repairs/replacements... not sure what it's like now). Performance-wise, they were okay.

Hope this helps. I left out a lot of details (monitors (sound)? I/O cards? etc), but it'll definitely help you understand these things better if you do some more research on your own.
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[James Press]

Good suggestions here.

Possible cheap I/O would be AJA Io Express...

 

[Peter Osinski]

2008 model Mac Pro:

2 x 2.8ghz Quad Core Xeon Processors
8 GB 800 MHz DDR2 RAM (2x4GB - More Later)
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT 512MB Video Card ( 2x DVI output)
Blackmagic Design - DeclinkHD extreme
2 x Acer 23" 1920x1080 Editing Monitors (NVIDIA card via DVI)
Proscan 40" 1080p LCD TV Preview Monitor (Blackmagic Card via HDMI)
Adobe Production Premium CS4

I have never had a problem with Acer Monitors, but I will look into the warranty's based on your advice. I assume the 40" will be good as a CC monitor because I will be using the HDMI on the BlackMagic Card.

I will deal with sound later. As things are now I can easily play back audio and edit it. I just want to make sure I have the video covered. I will probably go with some m-audio speakers though.

I am continuing to research into external raids, and additional calibration needed for the 40" in addition to connecting the Black Magic Card via HDMI (if I won't need any let me know).

If you see any flaws in what I have listed let me know. i have tried to combine your advice with my research and need to keep costs down to make this list.

As things stand right now my production and post production equipment savings are almost dried up due to recent unemployment so I have plenty of time to save/plan.

thanks again