SilentPanda
Moderator emeritus
They usually have called me in the past but I wouldn't count on it as your fallback. Just make sure you buy Applecare within a year.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I have $5,000 and need an HD editing rig
- Thread starter Zillax0rz
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
They usually have called me in the past but I wouldn't count on it as your fallback. Just make sure you buy Applecare within a year.
dkoralek
macrumors 6502
They'll usually remind you (since it is obviously something they hope to make money on). You also don't need to buy it from Apple directly (it can be chaper elsewhere, I've heard).
cheers.
hayduke
macrumors 65816
There are only 4 internal drive bays, so you might as well drop one of them. I would definitely get the 1900XT. It has performed flawlessly for me.
Oh they do that alright! 😀 Every time you called AppleCare with a question during the first 3 months I got a sermon that started something like" Do you know that you only have XX days left of free support". I finally went ahead and bought AppleCare just so I wouldn't have to go through this silly routine 🙂
tuartboy
macrumors 6502a
Never reminded me...
As for the machine: You need to be very careful about your raid arrays when dealing with important data. If you put those 3 (or 2) drives in a raid 0, you have doubled or tripled your chances of unrecoverable failure. You lose any 1 of those drives and all data on the entire array is hosed.
The easiest way to solve this is to backup the important files to an external drive of some kind. The next would be to mirror the drives in a raid 0+1, but you would need 4 drives to do that. The last, but most elegant solution, is to set up a raid 5 which would only require a minimum of 3 drives but still provides redundancy. 3 x 750Gb drives would give you 1.5Tb of usable, redundant storage space. The downside is that you would have to purchase a raid card as OS X does not support software raid.
I have 2 * 500Gb drive in a raid 0 for my aperture library and I just vault it over to an external drive over FW800. It works well and when one drive fails (all drives eventually fail) I will just replace it and update back on to the array from the vault. This works for me, but you would probably benefit from a live system.
killr_b
macrumors 6502a
This is an excellent choice. But you still forgot software. Maybe you have that covered, but I still haven't seen any mention of what your plans are. edit: *Never mind- saw your post*
Seriously though, I would drop down to 4GB RAM and get the apple 23" instead. I've seen way to may over saturated, low gamma videos where white was corrected to pink because of what home-boy saw on his Dell when editing. Please. Apple display.
And I see from your link that the Sony cam does do 1080/ 30p. I guess I didn't pay very much attention during the demo. 🙄 Oops. 😛
P.S. Don't bother with the X1900. I have one. It isn't all that when you're editing video. If you were gonna do a lot in Motion, then get it. But if you're only gonna do one or two things, you don't need the cost.
solvs
macrumors 603
If you can get the dual 3 it might be worth it, as you can always add RAM and hard drives later. Same with the AppleCare, and a new graphics card if the 7300 isn't great and/or if you get into 3D. 4GB from OWC or Transitl ($408 for 4GB Apple Spec here) to add to the 1GB should be fine for now. 2x 750GB at Fry's ($220 right now, plus Tax and S/H) or 1 750 with a TB added later. The Dell monitors are fine, but not great. Apple's are nice, but much more expensive. I've heard good things about the GateWay 24" ($599 right now), but it's GateWay, so who knows.
dartzorichalcos
macrumors 65816
Maybe you should look at this one:
Refurbished Mac Pro Quad 3.0GHz Intel Xeon
Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors
2GB (4 x 512MB) memory (667MHz DDR2 fully-buffered DIMM ECC)
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200-rpm hard drive
16x SuperDrive (double-layer)
ATI Radeon X1900 XT graphics with 512MB memory
Save 15% off the original price
Original price: $3,849.00
Your price: $3,299.00
You could always upgrade the hard drive and ram later.
Refurbished Mac Pro Quad 3.0GHz Intel Xeon
Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors
2GB (4 x 512MB) memory (667MHz DDR2 fully-buffered DIMM ECC)
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200-rpm hard drive
16x SuperDrive (double-layer)
ATI Radeon X1900 XT graphics with 512MB memory
Save 15% off the original price
Original price: $3,849.00
Your price: $3,299.00
You could always upgrade the hard drive and ram later.
I'm a bit confused as to what you refer to the dual 3.
Definitely dropping AppleCare and swapping it for the X1900.
I've seen Dell monitors and liked 'em and they're the same panels as the ACD, I've read, so really it's nothing but aesthetics, it sounds like. Plus, I'm now looking at the monitoring solutions where I don't need to worry too much about how it looks on the monitor. Specifically, the Blackmagic Design DeckLink HD.
Sorry for playing devil's advocate here all the time, but:
Even with only 3299 for your system (and I don't think 2GB RAM is enough for HD), you are still missing:
A) a RAID
B) a computer monitor
C) Editing software
D) if you want to be professional and care about color-accuracy, you need to get yourself a CRT broadcast monitor (or the professional plasma that is equally expensive) . A broadcast monitor that can handle HD will run you at least $2000.
Refurbs and AppleCare
I just looked at the Refurb section of the online Apple store and saw all three sizes of the current Apple Cinema Displays available as refurb units right now. Only the 23 and 30 inch models are HD capable, but you could use the 20 inch as an expensive secondary monitor. If you do decide to buy AppleCare and an Apple monitor along with the Mac Pro, be sure to buy all three at the same time so that you only have to spend $249 instead of $348 (before taxes) on AppleCare coverage for both the monitor and computer. I know someone mentioned the possibility of buying AppleCare cheaper elsewhere, but I don't know anything about it so I can't give any advice on that front.
I noticed someone mentioned getting the refurbished 3.0GHz Mac Pro that is available in the online Apple store right now, but you should keep an eye out in case the 2.66GHz Mac Pro shows up. It sounds like time is an issue here, so I wouldn't wait around for it. Who knows when one will show up again... but, if it does show up you can save a little over three hundred dollars off the usual base price after taxes. I've been using one of these refurb 2.66GHz Mac Pros for about month now without any problems. Although I'm not doing anything more intense than web surfing and watching DVD's, there are others in this forum who use refurb Macs and have good things to say about their experiences.
To see where the refurb units are, go here:
http://store.apple.com/
Click on the "Special Deals" link in white font, in the column on the left, about 3/4's of the way down the page. And then, on the new page, scroll down to the "Apple Certified Mac Pro" heading for the computer and to "Apple Certified Refurbished Displays" for the monitors.
Also, if you decide that you have no use for the 250GB drive that comes with the computer, you might be able to sell it on eBay to save a little extra money. Good luck!
- Mike
I just looked at the Refurb section of the online Apple store and saw all three sizes of the current Apple Cinema Displays available as refurb units right now. Only the 23 and 30 inch models are HD capable, but you could use the 20 inch as an expensive secondary monitor. If you do decide to buy AppleCare and an Apple monitor along with the Mac Pro, be sure to buy all three at the same time so that you only have to spend $249 instead of $348 (before taxes) on AppleCare coverage for both the monitor and computer. I know someone mentioned the possibility of buying AppleCare cheaper elsewhere, but I don't know anything about it so I can't give any advice on that front.
I noticed someone mentioned getting the refurbished 3.0GHz Mac Pro that is available in the online Apple store right now, but you should keep an eye out in case the 2.66GHz Mac Pro shows up. It sounds like time is an issue here, so I wouldn't wait around for it. Who knows when one will show up again... but, if it does show up you can save a little over three hundred dollars off the usual base price after taxes. I've been using one of these refurb 2.66GHz Mac Pros for about month now without any problems. Although I'm not doing anything more intense than web surfing and watching DVD's, there are others in this forum who use refurb Macs and have good things to say about their experiences.
To see where the refurb units are, go here:
http://store.apple.com/
Click on the "Special Deals" link in white font, in the column on the left, about 3/4's of the way down the page. And then, on the new page, scroll down to the "Apple Certified Mac Pro" heading for the computer and to "Apple Certified Refurbished Displays" for the monitors.
Also, if you decide that you have no use for the 250GB drive that comes with the computer, you might be able to sell it on eBay to save a little extra money. Good luck!
- Mike
killr_b
macrumors 6502a
I don't know who said a Dell 24" is the same panel as an Apple 23" 🙄 but I'm sure they must also not take the other aspects of flat panel production and color representation seriously.
That said, it's good you are looking into other color accurate monitors. 🙂
And also, you can replace the 2.66 processors with the quad core 3.0s to have your very own OCTO when you feel the need. 😀
dkoralek
macrumors 6502
I believe, though, that the 24" dell uses the same panel as the 24" iMac (well, depending on whether you win the dell lottery, i suppose).
cheers.
solvs
macrumors 603
I'm guessing he was looking more for 4 core 3ghz, or Dual dual 3ghz, or dual 2x3ghz, or maybe even dual duo 3ghz.
Actually, be careful. The dell displays dont have nearly the color saturation as the ACD which means your color accuracy will be off (you edit something white, someone puts it on their TV and it looks pinkish).
The new HP displays and the new Samsungs have 94% color accuracy, which is higher than that provided by either Apple or Dell, if you need a serious editing display, look there. The 30 inchers will run you about $1600 a piece.
The new HP displays and the new Samsungs have 94% color accuracy, which is higher than that provided by either Apple or Dell, if you need a serious editing display, look there. The 30 inchers will run you about $1600 a piece.
I can see how that could be a problem for wedding photo/videographers, what with pink on a bride having rather sinister implications 😉
mustang_dvs
macrumors 6502a
The best price on a 750GB Seagate 7200.10 SATA drive can be found at www.Provantage.com -- a very reputable source with warehouses around the US.
Purchasing AppleCare from Apple is uber-expensive. LA Computer Center (google their website) has MacPro AppleCare for $179, Provantage has it for $185 and SmallDog for $190, IIRC. I found my Mac Pro AppleCare on eBay (search for MA516LL/A) for $99 shipped, but it's definitely a case of caveat emptor (the seller I bought from was named "checkmark2015" -- very good experience).
I would probably suggest OWC for memory, due to their rebate offer, but www.DataMemorySystems.com is a reputable dealer with high-quality products, if their prices are better. Crucial's good in a pinch, but their sales practices steer me away, if I can avoid them.
The Radeon X1900 XT is a much better card than the stock GeForce, but in a pinch, the GeForce is adequate -- plus it can be eBay'd for ~$60-90. OEM Apple ATI cards do come up on eBay from time to time (around $250), but beware that the Retail "G5 Edition" does not work in the Mac Pro, nor does the standard PC retail card (you can flash the PC 512MB XT to the Mac firmware, but the MacPro has a proprietary 6-pin motherboard to X1900XT power cable is hard to come by -- though there are at least 2 US retailers that sell it online).
Lastly, you might be able to get away with a 'lesser' LCD, if you invest in a color calibration device, like the LaCie Blue Eye series.
Purchasing AppleCare from Apple is uber-expensive. LA Computer Center (google their website) has MacPro AppleCare for $179, Provantage has it for $185 and SmallDog for $190, IIRC. I found my Mac Pro AppleCare on eBay (search for MA516LL/A) for $99 shipped, but it's definitely a case of caveat emptor (the seller I bought from was named "checkmark2015" -- very good experience).
I would probably suggest OWC for memory, due to their rebate offer, but www.DataMemorySystems.com is a reputable dealer with high-quality products, if their prices are better. Crucial's good in a pinch, but their sales practices steer me away, if I can avoid them.
The Radeon X1900 XT is a much better card than the stock GeForce, but in a pinch, the GeForce is adequate -- plus it can be eBay'd for ~$60-90. OEM Apple ATI cards do come up on eBay from time to time (around $250), but beware that the Retail "G5 Edition" does not work in the Mac Pro, nor does the standard PC retail card (you can flash the PC 512MB XT to the Mac firmware, but the MacPro has a proprietary 6-pin motherboard to X1900XT power cable is hard to come by -- though there are at least 2 US retailers that sell it online).
Lastly, you might be able to get away with a 'lesser' LCD, if you invest in a color calibration device, like the LaCie Blue Eye series.
solvs
macrumors 603
It's cheaper at Fry's/Outpost.com. It was $220 with free shipping, but I don't know if the free shipping thing is still going on. And if this is for work, you want to stay away from eBay. No receipts.
LethalWolfe
macrumors G3
From what I've read the cheapest method for accurate HD monitoring on a budget is a 23" Cinema Display driven by a Matrox MXO. If you're final product is going to be in both HD and SD then you'll want an SD CRT b'cast monitor as well (which can also be driven by the MXO).
Lethal
Lethal
If you are doing anything serious to make money with the HD video you are shooting, you are definitely going to want to invest in an HD monitor and a card such as the AJA Kona 3 or AJA Kona LHe. Even if you are filming in HDV, you can not live preview the footage over firewire.
I like all your choices so far, but have one question:
How are you going to import the video from the Sony and Panasonic into your mac? Do you need a P2 reader or anything?
How are you going to import the video from the Sony and Panasonic into your mac? Do you need a P2 reader or anything?
LethalWolfe
macrumors G3
Also, for the formats you are using and your budget a RAID is probably an unnecessary additional cost. Something to think about though (if you haven't already) is the workflow for backing up media from P2 cards since you no long have a tape of the footage as backup.
Lethal
Lethal