New Macbook Pro with 32GB Ram can't edit 4k multicam

[Leo21]

Hey everyone,

So I just purchased the new Macbook Pro, 15 inch, with 4gb graphics card, 32 gb ram and a 1tb SSD (top range i7) as my 2016 Razer Blade laptop was really struggling with 4k footage. I decided to upgrade so i wouldn't have to wait for proxies to be created for my 4k footage as this takes hours after some shoots.

To my surprise when editing 4k footage, even from a iPhone in 4k, when i try to do a multicam edit with 2-3 clips, it really struggles and is unworkable. So I am again creating proxies, sitting here wondering why I should keep it after dropping so much money on a new machine, if I still have to use proxies.

Am I missing something here? Are processors still not powerful enough on laptops to edit multiple 4k files in one go?

Should I switch to using a more powerful processor on a custom built PC rig instead? and then in a year wait and see how new processors handle the footage?

Any input would be welcome.

 

[Ma2k5]

Truthfully, if it was too much for your Razer Blade laptop (even a 2016 4 core vs current 6 core), it'll be too much for any MacBook Pro. You need to either change your workflow or use a desktop.

 

[Leo21]

Truthfully, if it was too much for your Razer Blade laptop (even a 2016 4 core vs current 6 core), it'll be too much for any MacBook Pro. You need to either change your workflow or use a desktop.

The Razer has a 7700HQ processor, so i think it may actually be 2017.

So if i use a desktop, i assume you mean with a different more powerful processor than what is available on macs?

I know everyone says i should use PC for Premiere Pro, but the amount of Blue Screen crashes i have had and issues with laptops (my razer, for example, has been replaced 4 times in a year), i wanted the reliability of mac, but seems i may not have much of a choice.

 

[iMacDragon]

4k without hardware acceleration still uses a lot of grunt, and afaik, only one of the hardware acceleration engines is used in laptop, despite there being two available. ( both cpu and dgpu have encode/decode engines, but afaik mac only uses the CPU one )

 

[Leo21]

So if we take the i7 8700 for example, it will do more in a full-size tower than in a laptop, is this correct?

 

[iMacDragon]

So if we take the i7 8700 for example, it will do more in a full-size tower than in a laptop, is this correct?

In terms that it will be less thermally constrained, so can feasible keep at full turbo constantly if properly cooled, yes.

And desktop cpu's in general are rated to run at higher wattages with more heat as a result.

 

[Leo21]

Thank you for the help. My worry is, would that be enough to edit multicam 4k without using proxies ? or is that still a year or two away.

 

[John-117]

Hey everyone,

So I just purchased the new Macbook Pro, 15 inch, with 4gb graphics card, 32 gb ram and a 1tb SSD (top range i7) as my 2016 Razer Blade laptop was really struggling with 4k footage. I decided to upgrade so i wouldn't have to wait for proxies to be created for my 4k footage as this takes hours after some shoots.

To my surprise when editing 4k footage, even from a iPhone in 4k, when i try to do a multicam edit with 2-3 clips, it really struggles and is unworkable. So I am again creating proxies, sitting here wondering why I should keep it after dropping so much money on a new machine, if I still have to use proxies.

Am I missing something here? Are processors still not powerful enough on laptops to edit multiple 4k files in one go?

Should I switch to using a more powerful processor on a custom built PC rig instead? and then in a year wait and see how new processors handle the footage?

Any input would be welcome.

When you switched to the MacBook Pro from the Razer Blade, did you also switch NLEs? FCPX performs substantially better on OSX than Premiere does.

 

[Leo21]

When you switched to the MacBook Pro from the Razer Blade, did you also switch NLEs? FCPX performs substantially better on OSX than Premiere does.

I did try final cut, it is the same, it struggles and the frame rate is terrible when doing a multi-cam edit. On Premiere export time is much faster, but again, if i need to use proxies, might as well buy a much cheaper machine.

 

[Ma2k5]

The Razer has a 7700HQ processor, so i think it may actually be 2017.

So if i use a desktop, i assume you mean with a different more powerful processor than what is available on macs?

I know everyone says i should use PC for Premiere Pro, but the amount of Blue Screen crashes i have had and issues with laptops (my razer, for example, has been replaced 4 times in a year), i wanted the reliability of mac, but seems i may not have much of a choice.

With desktops, CPU's generally they a much higher TDP rating (95W+, compared to 45W) coupled with their cooling, they generally are able to keep at their turbo boosted frequencies indefinitely, so tasks that are taking you hours should definitely happen a lot quicker.

 

[mdnz]

It sounds like you just need a workstation because of the reasons mentioned before. Also note that in a workstation you can put in a proper GPU (way faster than offered in the MBP) which can help you with render / edit speed.

 

[Leo21]

It sounds like you just need a workstation because of the reasons mentioned before. Also note that in a workstation you can put in a proper GPU (way faster than offered in the MBP) which can help you with render / edit speed.

So i tried monitoring the GPU used during my edit and it is never above 40% while the CPU is at 100% pretty much the whole time. I guess my only concern is build a workstation only to still not be able to edit 4k multicams without first creating proxies.

 

[burgman]

So i tried monitoring the GPU used during my edit and it is never above 40% while the CPU is at 100% pretty much the whole time. I guess my only concern is build a workstation only to still not be able to edit 4k multicams without first creating proxies.

Not knowing where you live, I will throw this out. I have taken external SSD’s to my local Apple store and ran my workflow on Imacs And IMac Pros to verify it works, before purchasing.They had no problem and helped with the setup. This is in the US and I buy a lot of stuff there. I wouldn’t even think to try to do what you are attempting on any laptop.

 

[Leo21]

Not knowing where you live, I will throw this out. I have taken external SSD’s to my local Apple store and ran my workflow on Imacs And IMac Pros to verify it works, before purchasing.They had no problem and helped with the setup. This is in the US and I buy a lot of stuff there. I wouldn’t even think to try to do what you are attempting on any laptop.

Thank you for the reply. I guess i was just sold on the marketing. Reading the specs i assumed it would be no problem. On the Razer for example, i checked and it thermal throttles at 20-30% of the CPU power when doing anything on AE or Premiere that is intensive. I guess i wanted the best of both worlds and that just wont be possible. So maybe i get a Macbook air, whenever they refresh it, for simple work and build a tower for the more intensive stuff. I just personally wanted to be sure i wouldn't have the same issue before i go and order 10 parts, just to be left with the same type of performance. Hopefully not, i will make sure to report back here for those that are interested.

 

[northernmunky]

I just got the MacBook Pro 2018 as well, the core i9 with 32Gb RAM. Its an incredible machine, and outperforms my 3 year old desktop with a Core i7 4790k 4.4Ghz CPU (which is the fastest CPU I can get on my socket type). But heres your issue..

Your CPU power is there, but your GPU power is not, and if you want to run multicam 4k footage on it, you need a beefy GPU to drive it and laptop GPUs are still severely lacking in the grunt department. Which is why Apple released the Blackmagic eGPU.

Although I wouldn't buy that, get your own eGPU shell, and stick in your own graphics card and you've got yourself a mobile editing rig that will rival most desktops.

Theres plenty to choose from:
Akitio Node Pro
Razer Core X (which was the one I was going for but it was a little on the pricey side.

I just settled for the HP Omen Accelerator Shell, I managed to bag one for £199, it has an Ethernet port, and 4 USB 3.0 and 1x USB-C.

Apple recommends AMD GPU's (since they bundle the drivers and therefore thats all apple will support), but I'm using NVIDIA.

Performance also depends on a whole ton of factors, some codecs can be GPU accelerated, other aren't, some editing applications make massive use of GPU power, others don't. I hear Premiere Pro is good with using GPU when it can, Davinci Resolve has some incredibly good support for eGPU's, it can even leverage the power of multiple connected GPUs simultaneously to make renders faster.

 

[Fishrrman]

For 4k, I think you're going to need proxy media.

And you really need a higher-spec'd iMac.

Repost your question in the digital video forum.

Perhaps "JoeMA" will answer -- he's an expert at this stuff.