First post here, I've been checking in daily for any new rumors on the iMac release for the last couple months. Anyways, the reason I'm posting is because I have a few questions about the iMac (bare with me, I'm only slightly tech smart).
I do a lot of video editing (partly as a hobby, occasionally as a job) and my old Mac Pro G5 (about 7-8 years old, before Intel) just isn't doing the job anymore. It takes forever for HD footage to render, convert, etc. and quite often Final Cut flat out crashes on me. With that being said I want my new iMac to shred through HD footage. The type of things I edit usually have very frequent cuts and transitions and multiple layers. So my questions are:
1. What would you recommend for a system? I'm thinking of getting a 27" and just maxing everything out, but is that needed? Are there things that won't really make much of a difference? Should I still expect waiting for rendering, freezing/dropped frames during playback, etc.?
2. I've read a lot of people recommending upgrading the RAM yourself. How hard is that for the average schmuck that's never worked on a computer? Does it void your warranty?
3. For anyone who uses Final Cut X, I was watching the video that shows how you can edit while the footage is rendering, etc (I was in heaven). Does it work as well/easy as it shows? Is there any lag while rendering? Should I still expect waiting for rendering, freezing during playback, etc.?
Obviously a lot of the questions in number 1 are up in the air until the refresh happens, but let's just say based on the current models to make things easier. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer my onslaught of somewhat stupid questions.
I do a lot of video editing (partly as a hobby, occasionally as a job) and my old Mac Pro G5 (about 7-8 years old, before Intel) just isn't doing the job anymore. It takes forever for HD footage to render, convert, etc. and quite often Final Cut flat out crashes on me. With that being said I want my new iMac to shred through HD footage. The type of things I edit usually have very frequent cuts and transitions and multiple layers. So my questions are:
1. What would you recommend for a system? I'm thinking of getting a 27" and just maxing everything out, but is that needed? Are there things that won't really make much of a difference? Should I still expect waiting for rendering, freezing/dropped frames during playback, etc.?
2. I've read a lot of people recommending upgrading the RAM yourself. How hard is that for the average schmuck that's never worked on a computer? Does it void your warranty?
3. For anyone who uses Final Cut X, I was watching the video that shows how you can edit while the footage is rendering, etc (I was in heaven). Does it work as well/easy as it shows? Is there any lag while rendering? Should I still expect waiting for rendering, freezing during playback, etc.?
Obviously a lot of the questions in number 1 are up in the air until the refresh happens, but let's just say based on the current models to make things easier. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer my onslaught of somewhat stupid questions.
