In response to Chas' post: I know I can't use FCP3 on an iMac and yes I'm using FCP2 - which is perfectly adquate for my needs and in no way "outdated" It is exactly the same as FCP3 except for some FX and real-time features which I don't care about anyway.
Thanks for your other advice but, gee, I was a bit taken aback. Obviously I am not using the best possible machine/system for this sort of work - but if I could afford a G4 etc I would be using it!! Just because it is a professional project doesn't mean there is much money involved - you've probably never worked in the arts if you think that ;-) I am trying to get this to work as well as I can with the resources I have available at present. I just thought the list might have a suggestion as to how to minimise difficulties! This set up falls within the recommendations for FCP2. No, it doesn't meet the requirements for Final Cut Express (Mac OS X v10.2) but I'm not using Final Cut Express. FCP2 requires a 300MHz or faster G3 or G4 processor Mac OS 9.1 or later. As for needing a larger monitor... Well, I have a second monitor set up. And anyway, that's rather a personal decision - personally I manage just fine with a smaller screen. Sure it be lovely to have a massive monitor or two but I don't think it's so appaling to make do with what one has. A big screen is a luxury, not a necessity . Well, thanks anyway - certainly I will take this advice board when I can afford a G4. And thanks Jack for your response too. Briony > > Can anyone give me an opinion on using an iMac for video editing - > > specifically Final Cut Pro? > > You'd be better off with Final Cut Express or iMovie if you're using an iMac. > > I am using an iMac400 (128 RAM and an 80gig firewire hard drive). > > I am just about to install 256 more memory, as I obviously won't be > > able to > > go much further without it . IIRC you can go up to a gig on that model. > But can anyone tell me exactly how much memory I should have to run > > Final > > Cut Pro as well as possible on this machine? Any other tips for > > avoiding > > trouble???? > First off, you CAN'T run Final Cut Pro (version 3 anyway) because it requires a G4 and the iMac you describe is not one. I must assume you are running FCP2. I really can't offer you much advice. You are using outdated software on a poor choice of CPU for such a project. > > I am working on a professional project so I really need to set it up as > > reliably as I can. Oh, yes, and I am running 9.1 (with FCP2) because > > that > > was all I have, but can change to 9.2 soon. Would it be significantly > > better with a later system??? > That could be the understatement of the year on this list. > > Short answer: if this really is a professional project, GET YOURSELF > SOME PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT. > > You need a tower (say a dual 500MHz or better, or AT LEAST a 17" G4 > iMac), you need a LARGE monitor, and you need either FCP3 or Final Cut > Express (depending on your needs -- see apple.com for help deciding > which is best for you). Oh, and a Superdrive or some other way to > produce your finished work!! > > Your present equipment doesn't even match the minimum spec required of > Final Cut Express. > > It's not impossible to use FCP2 on an iMac, of course, but it's pretty > painful and godawful slow, which is going to make your > efficiency/productivity very bad indeed. Please consider my advice: the > cost of an updated system will pay for itself before you've even > completed the job. You owe it to your clients to give them your best. > FCP2 on a 15" G3 iMac 400 just ain't gonna cut it. > > _Chas_ > Come to ... The CHASbah! > http://thechasbah.blogspot.com > -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
