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Editing HD Video on 11" Air

Yes, if the footage is properly transcoded to an editing format (FCP X does that for you, if you want), but 1366 x 768 pixel might be a bit small for a video editing application.
 
Yes, using Final Cut Pro.

If you are going to be doing editing using an 11" Air, I would recommend a external monitor, as the screen is dreadfully small to be doing anything other than web browsing, word processing and e-mail.
 
My 13" i5 4gb/256gb MBA runs my older version of FCP 6 just great. Editing full 1080p XDCAM-EX footage is very snappy, much better than the 2008 15" MBP that it replaced. Get the biggest SSD you can afford; you will see a substantial speed increase if you can keep your current project(s) on it.

USB 3.0 and the option for 8GB RAM should make the 2012 MBA even better for video than my 2011 model.
 
I have a 13 inch 2011 MacAir i5 with a Thunderbolt external drive and monitor.

I have edited numerous web/corporate/event videos as a professional.
It works like a dream in both FCP and Avid.
Just make sure you transcode files.
I have had clients motion to the Air and ask me,
"Did you edit everything with that?"
I answer, "Yup. Is there anything I left out"?
"No- it looks great."

Exporting to h.264 takes a bit longer- but I do that at the end day and walk away- so no big deal.

I sold my 2010 Mac pro for $4,500 and use the MacAir.
Do not regret one bit.
 
Sounds Good said:
What if it's AVCHD video? Would that make a difference?
Click to expand...

If not properly transcoded, it will be CPU intensive. But FCP X gives you the option to properly transcode the footage during import or after.

Video Compression
Why It Matters & How To Make The Most Of It
 
So other than AVCHD (which most consumer camcorders seem to use) what video format is recommended for editing on the Air? I might want to consider a new video camera if AVCHD is going to be such a problem.
 
Sounds Good said:
So other than AVCHD (which most consumer camcorders seem to use) what video format is recommended for editing on the Air? I might want to consider a new video camera if AVCHD is going to be such a problem.
Click to expand...

AVCHD is an okay recording format, just know, that during import, it is best to let FCP X transcode the footage properly.
And only a very small number of cameras record its digital video in a format made for editing, and those cameras cost more than a car.
 
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