on 12/26/04 1:50 PM, Dana Collins at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hello Colleagues. > Christmas was successful here, now I wish all of you a very Happy and > prosperous New Year. > > I need a little advice re: iMovie. My church asked me to bring up to snuff > (as best it can) a B+W G3 400mhz unit (Rev. 2) that had been used for > then-cutting edge DV editing. The issue is for someone (a trained volunteer, > no doubt) to use this for part time video editing, keeping the project > inexpensive until leadership personnel can determine if they want to invest > into a new Mac system to do this job. > The person I inherited this from was video-trained and bought what he could > with the resources then available, leaving me w/ the following: > * The G3 running OS 9.1, with three HDs, the scratch drive powered off of an > ATA-66 controller card > * A (then new) higher end Sony DV recorder, using DV-8 media > * A (imho) nice Sony DV bridge to convert composite (or S-VHS) in to > FireWire > * Adobe Premiere 6 registered, with unfortunately the install CDs lost > (and Adobe has none to avail a replacement purchase - plus I know > this will be an unavailable factor in the future equation) > * Enough RAM (I was told) to comfortably run OS X > > The goal is determine if this unit will be replaced with a PC or a new Mac, > specifically to do these video editing projects. So, no *significant* monies > are to spent at this time. I am hoping to demonstrate how easy this would > be, especially for volunteers, if a Mac-based solution was adopted. Once > that's determined, then a platform, a new camera, and a good software > solution can be obtained (the prior person wanted Avid DV Express, but it > was too expensive at the time). > > Here's what I could do: > A) salvage the Adobe software, update the unit to OS 9.2.2, and put the > Adobe software back in place > B) upgrade to OS 9.2.2, and use iMovie 2.x to accommodate the OS (and > put Premiere back on anyway) > C) upgrade to Panther, and use the accompanying iMovie version (3?), or > get iMovie 4 > > Question: I haven't followed the iMovie legacy at all, never needing to. > Considering the unit, what is the most optimum version of iMovie to use? > If it is the latest, how does one obtain this, short of purchasing the new > iLife CD/DVD (I was under the impression that iMovie alone was free). And, > once I convince my friends to go Mac, would Final Cut Express be worth the > investment (would the features be useable and learnable by volunteers)? > > Thank you very much for the consideration. Sorry for the long read. > Best regards, > Dana > I've tried video editing on both a PC and a Mac and by far my B&W using iMovie (Panther) out performed the GHz PC running XP and Adobe Premiere. Stick with the Mac. Upgrade the processor to at least a G4/500 (the faster the better), max out the RAM if possible or at least to 768MB.
Regarding ATA cards and the onboard firewire card it might be best to get a hard drive for the onboard ATA port and some recommend a firewire card. There have been issues with sound stuttering when using an ATA card and transferring the edited film back to the camera and the rev.1 B&W have had it's share of problems with the built-in firewire ports. Personally, (knock on wood) I've had no problems with my firewire ports, but I am using an ACARD 100+ATA card with my primary drives and I have experienced some sound stuttering when transferring long edited footage back to the tape. However I was still using a G3/450 processor and running 10.1. Currently I have upgraded my system to a G4/600 with 768MB of RAM, running Panther and I haven't noticed any stuttering when I've used my drive connected to the onboard ATA port. Not sure if this was just coincidence or a solution. Good luck! -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:g-list@mail.maclaunch.com> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com
