new to Macs

[Paul Bisceglia]

I am seriously looking into getting a power-mac G5. I am currently a PC user and have been for quite a while (don't hate me!). I have some questions that I haven't been able to find answers to, yet. First of all, I plan to use the Mac G5 strictly for video editing. I have always been told that Macs are fantastic for doing just this. So, which video card would you recommend for inputting both analog and digital video? I am currently using, for my PC, an ATI All-In-Wonder (AIW) 9700 pro. Will I need another AIW for the Mac, or will another type do just as well? Second, can I install the DVD burner that I am using with my PC into the G5, or does it need one that utilizes serial ATA? I must admit that I am totally ignorant about macs, but I want to learn as much as possible. If I cannot use the PC version DVD burner, then can any recommend one that will work for the G5, or should I order the one that Apple is selling with the G5? My friends all tell me that I am going over to "The Dark Side", by buying a Mac, but I don't care. I only want the best for what I plan to do.

Thanks!

 

[witeshark]

Macs are perfect for video editing. Macs were used in the making of several of the latest animation movies.. The super drive and video cards that come with a G5 tower would do vastly better then any PC hardware. I would not even try running the PC DVD burner you have now. But if your serious about editing you need to get RAM. With the advent of OS X, Mac is an evolution in computing IMO

 

[Paul Bisceglia]

Thanks! That's what I figured myself. I read on another thread that someone thought that the SuperDrive burner that is offered is in reality a Pioneer DVR-A07, but I am not sure. Now all I have to do is scrape up enough dough to make the purchase!

 

[WilliS]

The cable for the serial ata is waaaay different than your normal IDE cable that you find in your average pc. You will have to use what they give you. As for digital video, the cards that the G5 are equipped to come with will not handle input of video.

I recommend using the superdrive, it serves its purpose, i burn dvds all the time (currently burning one now...)

the superdrive is a pioneer, sorta . the superdrive *can* be a pioneer..just as much as it can be a sony, or whatever other company apple buys a large shipment of dvd burners from. the drive in itself will play dvd/burn dvd/read and write cd-r/rw

i dont really think you can opt to have your G5 come without a drive at all... although im not sure... and your better off just getting what comes with it, and avoid whatever problems you might have by tampering with the internals of the G5 (its designed for airflow perfectly)

and as whiteshark said... load up on ram.. but! i would suggest doing some homework before ordering it from apple... its more expencive through apple to get ram than to order it from a company who distributes ram.

im still in thought about what to do with digital video...im not sure i understand what you mean...

if you mean from a video camera, most video cameras come with firewire ports now...and the g5 has 2 firewire 400 ports, and 1 firewire 800

also, if you are really looking to do loads of work with it, and "Money is no object" get the dual over single processor... it will help i own one, and loooove it

good luck...stop by and shoot a question...we are all more than happy to respond

 

[Paul Bisceglia]

Thanks for all the info. You're probably right that I should get what Apple offers, rather than trying to reconfigure it myself (that's the PC person in me trying to get out!). You're also right about Apple's ram being quite expensive. I have found a couple of sites for mac ram. About the video card,...I have an old analog video camera which does not use firewire, and an old digital video camera which does not have a firewire port. But, I do have a new video camera which does have firewire capabilities. So, I need some way of inputting video into the computer for the analog camera. This is why I had the AIW video card. Also, I'm looking at purchasing the G5 DP 1.8 machine, instead of the single processor. Thanks again. You've been a great help.

 

[witeshark]

Use - if you can identify it - the most reputable RAM sources, bad RAM has a nasty way of destabalizing the Gibraltar stable Mac. Remember this OS X is based on a uniquely sweet kernel (Darwin) and BSD Berkely Software Design. I say it don't get much better then that - not even in Linux which rocks!

 

[WilliS]

there are boxes that you can get, they are multimedia boxes that accept numerous port types, and input them via firewire or usb....

i dont have time to find you the cheapest or best for your purposes, but this is an example of one

http://www.synchrotech.com/product-1394/analog-dv-converter_02.html

 

[ApplejustWorks]

Video Editing

Well for video editing I'd go with the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro....Def. Dont buy until they release the updates though....unless you cant wait until WWDC(July 28)

At WWDC They may release new video cards (up to 256 MB VRAM).....so...I'd definitley wait!

 

[Paul Bisceglia]

Well for video editing I'd go with the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro....Def. Dont buy until they release the updates though....unless you cant wait until WWDC(July 28)

At WWDC They may release new video cards (up to 256 MB VRAM).....so...I'd definitley wait!

Thanks! I think I can wait till July.