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Power Book Purchase Video Editing

K

kimbermatic

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 28, 2004
15
0
I have worked both in the MS world and Linux. My one hobby is digital video editing. I have always heard about the great editing abilities that exist in the Apple world. I have been looking at a powerbook and not a G5 because the job has me travelling quite abit these days and I would like to edit some movies.

My question is will the power book meet the needs of my video editing? What sort of configuration would I need.I have been debating the 12" (1+gig of memory), or the 15".
 
The power of either computer is more than adeqate. I'd be concerned about screen size. If you're just going to use iMovie (not that there's anything wrong with iMovie, you can do amazing things with iMovie) then it really isn't an issue. 12" would be okay. If you were going to use Final Cut, on the other hand, you'd probably want a bigger screen just for all the toolbars.
 
I'll leave it up to the video editing experts to give you some advice on which software to buy - but I do know that Macs do a wonderful job of it. Final Cut Pro is supposed to be exceptional.

Between the 12" and the 15", I'd definitely say the 15" due to the additional screen resolution. between the 17" and the 15", I'd again say the 15" due to a more reasonable size for travelling.
 
As for software if you have done simple home movies in the past iMovie is great and full of features. But if you have used either avid or adobe premier in the past for more professional type projects you will want either Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express. Both of wich will run nicely on the PB but if you want blazingly quick renders get a G5 because it is so fast and will also last you a long time and will also make great friends with OS X 10.4 Tiger (64-bit)

EDIT: I forgot to mention that you should go to an apple store to check out the hardware/software before making any purchases. Also I forgot to mention look at the pricing for the software:
iMovie - FREE
Final Cut Express - $299
Final Cut Pro - $999 or $699 for Final Cut Express Upgrade

So, I would say get final cut express then if you need more get the upgrade.

Anyway have fun :D
 
I'll put it this way. I produce and edit professional level training, instructional, promotional, and commercial video projects with a Powerbook. It's a 17" 1.5 Ghz G4 with 1GB RAM, a 5400RPM HD and the 128MB Radeon 9700. Everything from weddings to my current project for the Animal Planet is done one my Powerbook. Will I be getting a G5? Well of course, but I can certainly do everything on my Powerbook. And nothing beats Final Cut Express/Pro. Not even a $60,000 Avid Suite...sorry Avid Editors.
 
filmmaker2002 said:
I'll put it this way. I produce and edit professional level training, instructional, promotional, and commercial video projects with a Powerbook. It's a 17" 1.5 Ghz G4 with 1GB RAM, a 5400RPM HD and the 128MB Radeon 9700. Everything from weddings to my current project for the Animal Planet is done one my Powerbook. Will I be getting a G5? Well of course, but I can certainly do everything on my Powerbook. And nothing beats Final Cut Express/Pro. Not even a $60,000 Avid Suite...sorry Avid Editors.
Click to expand...

I take 1 minute porn movies by the same actress and put them together to form one really big one.

And I do it all on my PowerMac G4 DP800 and quicktime pro!

I'm an under appreciated artist.. :(
 
slughead said:
I take 1 minute porn movies by the same actress and put them together to form one really big one.

And I do it all on my PowerMac G4 DP800 and quicktime pro!

I'm an under appreciated artist.. :(
Click to expand...


I use kazaa and limewire, and trust me, i greatly appreciate your efforts :D :eek: ...


errr....kidding, of course
 
If you plan to use an ext hd while dv-editing, remember the 12" only has one fw400 port and no fw800.

-tb
 
I do a ton of editing (on a g5 with a 19 inch monitor) and I'm less concerned about the processor you choose than the screen size. The 12" I would say is not an option for you. You will be uncomfortable editing at that size on anything other than imovie. A 15 would be passable (I have done it on an older PB) but a 17" would be best as far as laptops go. The wider aspect ration really makes a difference when timeline editing.
 
FCE

Final Cut Express is only $99 pre-installed by Apple. This deal's good 'til Sept. 25. Check out the web store for info.
 
I use FCP for video editing on my 15" PB (very recently purchased) 1.5 1 gig ram, ext FW 800 drive for media. It's quite speedy as well as being portable. I have it hooked up to a 20" LCD display (which just arrived today) and while the powerbook 15" screen was sufficient (it's actually surprisingly roomy for a laptop screen) I can't wait to keep my tools on the laptop screen and use the big one for the video files.

I recently took a trip with it and it worked fine for travel, just fit on the airline tray thingy. it's a tiny bit "slab-like" (compared to my old Pismo) and just the slightest bit unwieldy for that reason but that's really no big deal. BUT I can't even imagine carrying around a 17", nor would I sacrifice the power in getting a 12" even though I have an external monitor so screen size not an issue (12" I believe has an inferior graphics card? also a bit slower, no FW 800 as someone mentioned, etc. For a power user those things add up).

I'd go for the 15" and max it out.
 
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