Looking for Video Production System

[bobsentell]

I'm very familiar with Windows systems, so I'm not looking for a PC/Mac comparison.

What I would like to know is which Mac system/software would you suggest for using as a video production system?

My Requirements:
1080p input
Video Production Software
Audio Production Software
Titling Software
Blu-Ray output (I know I'll need an external Blu-ray...not an issue)
DVD output
YouTube output

I will continue to use PCs for my day to day office operations, but I am considering using a Mac for my Video production system.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[spinnerlys]

What do you mean with "1080p input"? How do you acquire your footage and ingest it?

An iMac might be ideal, but the Mac Pro might be needed, depending on that "1080p input".

[bobsentell]

What do you mean with "1080p input"? How do you acquire your footage and ingest it?

An iMac might be ideal, but the Mac Pro might be needed, depending on that "1080p input".

Sorry, I meant 1080i.

[zedsdead]

Top of the line iMac (2.93 Core i7, + SSD Drive), w/ Final Cut Studio. If you need more audio support than Soundtrack Pro, get Logic Studio as well.

You also need a hard-drive RAID for the media. OWC makes some great systems, connect via Firewire 800.

As the poster above said, should you need really high performance, such as eSata or other connections, then you need a Mac Pro.

[bobsentell]

Top of the line iMac (2.93 Core i7, + SSD Drive), w/ Final Cut Studio. If you need more audio support than Soundtrack Pro, get Logic Studio as well.

You also need a hard-drive RAID for the media. OWC makes some great systems, connect via Firewire 800.

As the poster above said, should you need really high performance, such as eSata or other connections, then you need a Mac Pro.

Had to Bing OWC. Thanks for that. I'll add that link to my IE8 bookmarks.

[spinnerlys]

Sorry, I meant 1080i.

What I really meant, what kind of footage from what kind of camera or what kind of medium do you work with?

Do you want to work with uncompressed HD? I'm just asking this, as the iMac is limited to FW800, which is the fastest port on there, with 65-75 MB/s.

As you write "video production system" it is not very clear what formats you use and where you deliver to. As HD is quite storage space intensive and can have really high data rates, FW800 might not be enough.


Apple Intermediate Codec data rates

http://i31.tinypic.com/33usfvk.png


http://i28.tinypic.com/33cwx2h.png

And have a look at Final Cut Studio, as it offers quite a good package for that price. Btw, what editing systems and applications are you used to?

[bobsentell]

I've used DVC with AVID on PC. That is what I am most familiar with. I'm looking into upgrading to HD. I'm in the very early stages of research. So, any help is greatly appreciated.

[zedsdead]

You mention you are going to use HD formats, but which ones? Are you shooting in AVCHD, DVC ProHD, HDV, etc...there is a huge difference.

OWC is also a great place to get RAM. Do not buy from Apple, their RAM is overpriced.

[bobsentell]

You mention you are going to use HD formats, but which ones? Are you shooting in AVCHD, DVC ProHD, HDV, etc...there is a huge difference.

OWC is also a great place to get RAM. Do not buy from Apple, their RAM is overpriced.

I was going to use HDV.

[zedsdead]

I was going to use HDV.

In that case an iMac is great for the job!

[bobsentell]

In that case an iMac is great for the job!

Thank you very much.