egafd.com

I'm thinking about trying Final Cut Express with an Apple I mac with a 2.6ghz Intel processor, for editing HD in both normal and AVCHD formats.

My big question is: As you are dragging HD material accross the timeline, can you view the output on an HD Monitor, connected to the computer via component cables ie RGB & sync or does the computer have an HDMI output. Either way can you view your HD material in real time as you edit?

Not on an iMac, there's no facility for a second/external monitor, its an out of the box computer. You'd need a Mac Pro to work with more than one monitor (I'm not familiar with FCE, so don't know about the HD bit.)

It's all about your graphics card, and RAM you'll need lots oh and another hard drive for footage.

Also if AVCHD cannot be natively read expect to have to convert it and the file size may be upto 4 times bigger.

You are probably better off asking on a Mac forum than on here.

If you want 1920 x 1080, you'll need Final Cut Pro, Express only does 1440 x 1080.

My brother knows a lot imacs as i have one myself, so i'll ask him about it when he comes in from work.

Thanks everyone for the help. I've been using Adobe Premiere for years, but the twats still haven't got an AVCHD plugin for the programme, so I am being forced to look at Macs and Final Cut.

If the monitor has a dvi port that means that it can HD, as final cut pro if you have the latest version of it then it should wotk and should have no problems.

All iMacs (and Macbooks) have a mini DVI output port for which you need a converter cable to connect a standard DVI (or VGA) plug.

The current iMacs only support a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 on an external display i.e. 23" Apple Cinema Display but not the 30".

If you want a higher resolution screen then you need a Mac Pro (or Macbook Pro) to drive it. All Mac Pros come with a Dual Link DVI graphics card which will allow you to run 2 displays side by side.

Any suitable display will work with a Mac - you don't have to buy the Apple ones (which aren't cheap). I have mine connected up to an HP monitor and it works just fine.

You will most likely need Final Cut Studio rather than Express.

If you can get to an Apple store, go and have a play around and ask for some advice direct. Stores even offer individual tution, so you can learn how to use the software as well, although you will have to bring "safe" content !wink!

Mr Slip!!

Make that jump to Mac mate! I was converted a few months ago and honestly I would never go back! I am just so amazed at what I have been missing and also there little mac geniuses you find in the apple stores are really super brains when it comes to anything apple-orientated.

I used windows on a friends computer the other day and it just seemed sooo ancient!

Also final cut pro studio 2 really is the amazing!

Good luck with your choice,

Keni

I was the same way too, i used to use pc's and it wasn't until my brother recommended getting a G5 imac and i haven't looked back since. I am thinking about upgrading to a intel imac soon hopefully.