MBP Travel System

	MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 24, 2009 at 7:52:41 pm Can anyone recommend an efficient, affordable and relatively trouble-free MBP system that you use for travel? I'm assuming I'd need a MBP, a AJA or Matrox I/O and external drives. Any suggestions? Thanks. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Shane Ross on Aug 24, 2009 at 8:15:46 pm MBP, then G-RAID mini or Caldigit VR mini. Done. Unless you need to capture from tape on the road too, then you need to include the MXO2, MXO2 mini, AJA IOHD or IOHD Express. The MXO line is lighter, but the IOHD has better capabilities is some areas, like hardware convert to ProRes, unlike dependence on the computer for encoding, like the MXO2 does. Although I have captured to ProRes on my MBP with the MXO 2 and have yet to have an issue, it just isn't officially supported. But...this is just for EDITING and CAPTURE. YOu cannot color correct unless you add a monitor to the mix. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Wayne Carey on Aug 24, 2009 at 8:33:45 pm [Shane Ross] "YOu cannot color correct unless you add a monitor to the mix." Not entirely true. BUT... Yes, it is ALWAYS a good idea to color correct with a proper monitor, but if you learn how to read your scopes, you'll be dead on every time. Learn how to read a vectorscope, waveform and the parade scopes. It's not that difficult and you'll have an easier time outputting your projects properly for broadcast. This works with FCP and Color. _______________________________ Wayne Carey Schazam Productions http://web.mac.com/schazamproductions schazamproductions@mac.com Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Shane Ross on Aug 24, 2009 at 8:36:09 pm [Wayne Carey] "but if you learn how to read your scopes, you'll be dead on every time. " ACCURATE...yes. But will RED look like you want it to look? Is that blue blue enough? Scopes won't tell you that...that is up to your eyes. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 24, 2009 at 8:42:26 pm I agree. I'd rather trust my eyes. Are you referring to an Apple monitor or an NTSC monitor? With the configuration you mentioned, it's not possible to preview video unless there's an AJA or Matrox product somewhere in-line. What do you recommend in terms of RAM? 6-GB or so? How does the P2 workflow work with the MBP? Thanks! Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Shane Ross on Aug 24, 2009 at 8:47:56 pm [Rick DeSalvo] "Are you referring to an Apple monitor or an NTSC monitor?" NTSC...Computer monitors aren't good for CC. If you have the original MXO they will do a pretty decent job, but without...ugh. And the later MXO models don't go out to computer monitors. [Rick DeSalvo] " it's not possible to preview video unless there's an AJA or Matrox product somewhere in-line. " ON an NTSC monitor...no. You need a capture device to do that properly. [Rick DeSalvo] "What do you recommend in terms of RAM? 6-GB or so?" On a LAPTOP? Can you get to 6GB? 4GB is plenty.... [Rick DeSalvo] "How does the P2 workflow work with the MBP?" Sucks. The only way to get P2 into the computer is via a Duel Systems adapter, and they are flakey. Or to use the camera, but that means you lose the camera for shooting while you offload. But if you rent or buy an HG10 or HG20 (P2 Gear) and use that to offload...then you are set. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Jeremy Garchow on Aug 24, 2009 at 8:55:36 pm [Shane Ross] "Sucks. The only way to get P2 into the computer is via a Duel Systems adapter, and they are flakey." There's also the PCD20 from Panasonic that is a 5 card reader. The P2 workflow is good on an MBP. We do it a lot. It's even better now that AVC-I is native to FCP. Jeremy Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Shane Ross on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:03:02 pm I tried P2 with my MBP, but the Duel kept flaking. This is why I still have my Powerbook G4 with the built in PCMCIA slot. Offload to that, THEN work on the MBP. Can't afford the Panasonic gear yet. Yeah, success with it is sporatic...works for some, not for others. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:06:57 pm I have a AJ-PCS060 I use to offload P2 from a HPX 500. It's a single-card reader but it's better than using the camera. So to reiterate: MBP 4-gig ram RAID storage MXO or AJA I/O NTSC Monitor Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Jeremy Garchow on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:09:23 pm [Rick DeSalvo] "I have a AJ-PCS060 I use to offload P2 from a HPX 500." Perfect. What else do you need this system to do? Is it only p2? Will you need to downconvert, edit, capture from tape, output to tape? If so, what format are you outputting to? What is your RAID storage? How does it connect to your computer? Jeremy Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:17:54 pm I'll need to ingest/output to/from DVCAM mostly. I plan on using my Sony HVR-M25U via FW for that. I'll also need to suck in video from sources other than P2...NTSC DVD players, etc. so I will just loop it through the M25 to ingest if I don't get an I/O. It needs to be versatile: Jack of all. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Jeremy Garchow on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:24:39 pm [Rick DeSalvo] " It needs to be versatile: Jack of all." Then no doubt, the ioHD. What kind of straoge do you have right now? FW, SATA? Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:29:13 pm I don't have any storage for the system yet. I'm building it from the ground up. Do you think the MXO2 mini would be a decent option for a travel system with VR-Mini, as Shane suggested? Not sure how that connects to the MBP. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Jeremy Garchow on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:38:01 pm I don't think the MXO mini is not going to do it for you. There's no deck control. I have an MBP, an ioHD, and a Sonnet F2 for my mobile unit. It works great, but it's not the cheapest solution you will find. If you are going cheap, then you can shop on price alone. If not, the system I have has been a solid and stable solution. Jeremy Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Shane Ross on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:44:43 pm AJA IO HD connects to the computer via FW800 the MXO2, MXO2 mini and IOHD Express connect via the Express34 slot...only available on the current 17" MBP. The 15" lacks this. With the IOHD, you can use eSATA drives connected via Express34, but with the others, you are limited to FW800...but that works fine with ProRes. As for Versatility...the MXO 2 is more versatile as it allows you to work with ProRes, or DVCPRO HD, or uncompressed formats. IOHD is ProRes only. But ProRes might be all you want. Just saying... But the Mini won't be the best option. No deck control. Get the MXO 2 or IOHD. I use the MXO2 and G-Drive mini or Caldigit VR for most of my remote work. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:22:15 pm Anyone use the MXO2 for I/O? Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Shane Ross on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:25:42 pm [Rick DeSalvo] "Anyone use the MXO2 for I/O?" Yup...I do. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 24, 2009 at 9:37:34 pm Thanks for your help, guys. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 25, 2009 at 3:01:50 pm Thanks. That sounds like what I'm looking for. I assume you can monitor via HDMI if the display has that capability. What about the performance/speed of the MBP? Can you get jiggy or are you forced to stay simple because of a lack of processor speed? I'm under pretty tight deadlines on the road and need something that rocks pretty hard, is portable (one case or laptop bag) and reliable. I'm asking for a lot, I know. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 25, 2009 at 10:06:25 pm So can you create a timeline with several layers (four or so) of DVCProHD footage with this configuration or are you limited to two or three? The new MBP offers a 3.0 GHz processor that may help achieve it. What have you found? Thanks for your help. Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Shane Ross on Aug 25, 2009 at 3:43:38 am ONly computer monitors with HDMI in. Not many have that option. Shane GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD...don't miss it. Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Wayne Carey on Aug 24, 2009 at 8:57:08 pm [Shane Ross] "But will RED look like you want it to look? Is that blue blue enough? Scopes won't tell you that...that is up to your eyes." Very true... Specific looks do require that you have a color correction monitor. But again, using FCP is much like getting your pilot's license. You'll have to learn to fly by instruments before you can get your license. I once had a college professor say that monitors lie, scopes do not. If creating a specific color effect, know your scopes and how the colors translate to it. This will keep you broadcast legal. _______________________________ Wayne Carey Schazam Productions http://web.mac.com/schazamproductions schazamproductions@mac.com Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rafael Amador on Aug 24, 2009 at 10:54:22 pm For storage I'll recommend you to have a look to the LaCie LiitleBigDisk. rafael www.nagavideo.com Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Rick DeSalvo on Aug 27, 2009 at 12:05:25 pm I guess, for old-time sake, you could give me an alt version that way. But let's revel in the bright, shiny light of new technology. I'm goin' for it, Eric. I actually have a Mac Pro with Final Cut Studio 3, but need to replace the "roadie". Thanks...stand by on rendering that TGA sequence! Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: MBP Travel System by Mario Rubertis on Aug 27, 2009 at 3:50:02 am Rick, I am very happy with my MXO2, just recently picked up a MBP and they rock together. BTW, read this... "editing out of a bag" http://library.creativecow.net/articles/wiggins_peter/MXO2.php Hope this helps. An Artist At Heart. Life is made of moments... Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index