1.25GHz eMac Fast Enough for video editing?

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Hello everyone, I have just recently order a 500MHz iBook with mac panther installed. I feel completely in love with it and I really do not want to use a Windows computer again. However, while 500MHz is good for word processing, listening and listening to cds, I want a little more now. So I have ordered a newer but still rather dated eMac with the following specifications.


Emac
Processor: G4 1.25GHz
RAM: 384 MB DDR 2700 SDRAM
40 GB HD
CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Mac OS X Tiger 10.49

This Mac should be much faster than my previous one, however I have different needs for it. I have a camcorder and since it comes with iMovie, it would be nice to make my own movies with my digital camcorder. What I would like to know if this config is powerful enough to do so, if not what can I do to make it faster? Thanks. :)
 

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I have done some editing with Final Cut Express on my Mac Mini G4 1.25Ghz and it was very useable. One thing you must do though is up the ram. 384 Megs is no where near enough for tiger leave alone any video work like that.

It will take 2 GB of RAM actually. Check this URL. It tells a lot about the machine and how to upgrade RAM and other things and the specs. If you can go to at least 1GB. I have that in the G4 mini and its fine.


http://www.lowendmac.com/imacs/emac2004.html
 
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Definitely add some more RAM and it should perform quite well for video editing... you'll want a larger external harddrive though. That model has USB 2.0 as well as Firewire, so you can get either kind.
 
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Okay thanks very much. I will look in to that, thanks again. If I place in a 1gb DDR 3200 module would it work?
 
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Hi I am sorry to double post, but my Mac takes DDR 2700, but the only RAM I can find is DDR 3200. However, the manufacture claims it its compatible with DDR 2700. But the very idea of having a DDR 2700 module with a 3200 one in the same Mac seems like it could mess it up. Can some one help me please?
 
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The faster RAM will work, it will simply be clocked down by the logic board to match the other stick.
 
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Thank you very much, so it will be 1.25GHz matched by 1.25gb or DDR RAM. One more thing if any of you guys and girls know, now I am trying to get an external hard drive will any work or do I need special one for my Mac?
 

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Hi I am sorry to double post, but my Mac takes DDR 2700, but the only RAM I can find is DDR 3200. However, the manufacture claims it its compatible with DDR 2700. But the very idea of having a DDR 2700 module with a 3200 one in the same Mac seems like it could mess it up. Can some one help me please?

The PC3200 will work, but I have found a lot of PC2700 on www.newegg.com

Since the eMac you have seems to have USB 2.0 and Firewire 400, Any external will work. I would go for one with Firewire though for doing large videos. It will speed things way up!! I just bought an Mad Dog USB 2.0/FW 400 case today from Circuit City. Works great with Firewire.
 
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I'd make sure the drive has USB 2.0 as well though...
Most DV cameras connect via Firewire, so that port will be blocked for the duration of your import.
 

dtravis7


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I'd make sure the drive has USB 2.0 as well though...
Most DV cameras connect via Firewire, so that port will be blocked for the duration of your import.

Agreed. I always get drives with both. At one point I almost bought that little LaCie with just FW but felt it would get in the way down the road. Glad now that I went with a drive with both.
 
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Thanks everyone, I just received the eMac today it appears to be a education version, but anyway how do you upgrade the memory?
 

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Thanks everyone, I just received the eMac today it appears to be a education version, but anyway how do you upgrade the memory?

The eMac was designed for the education market (hence the 'e'); and later released to the public. Out of interest is there anything that differentiates your "education" version from the publicly released modles?
 
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I believe some versions of the eMac with a CD-ROM drive were only available to educational customers...
 

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Great! Good to hear. Enjoy that eMac!!
 

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