Can I Edit Red Footage on a Dual 2 Ghz Power PC G5?

[Greg Merkes]

I read on a thread somewhere that the Red Codec only worked with the Intel processors. Could this be true? The FCP Studio II will still work with the power PC's so I am hoping that the Red codec will also work. Any information on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Andrew Walker]

Intel only.

[Greg Merkes]

Great!

[Greg Merkes]

For Sale: Power PC G5.

[Oskari Sipola]

If you can transcode the materials to other codecs, you could do your offline there. We transcoded to ProRes SQ 720p in RedRushes, and our editor used an old Powerbook. Brought it back to Intel Mac land for Crimson and Redcine online. Worked great.

[Scott Mason]

That is one of the main reasons I elect to transcode vs, using the proxies as all my legacy macs can still offline ;)

scott

[Jeff Kilgroe]

For Sale: Power PC G5.

Join the club... I've still got a G5 Quad that no one wants to buy.

But in the meantime. I typically transcode and go through a ProRes workflow for most of my stuff. So I do a lot of editing on that system while I use the Mac Pro systems for everything else.

[Greg Merkes]

Thanks for the info Jeff. Sorry but I am a little new to this. Could you give me a little more detail on what you mean by going through a ProRes workflow. Is this like off-lineing then on-lineing? If so -what quality is your off-line. If I am primarily using the red for DVD distro is this a good way to go so that I may not have to buy a Mac Pro? Thanks again for any info. . .
Greg

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Greg, you will need an intel system of some kind in order to make use of REDCODE files. The RED software, FCS plug-in and upcoming Adobe plug-in all require intel CPUs.

When I say that I typically go through a ProRes workflow, essentially I start on the Mac Pro and do basic, one-light color correction on the footage, possibly specify some in and outs, etc.. Then I batch process through RedRushes into ProRes HQ. I can then use any system that will handle ProRes, like my old G5 Quad, and I can edit with the ProRes files. This can be either an online or offline approach I guess. Because if I batched out to ProRes HQ 1080, I can continue on with that same set of files and finish out for broadcast, DVD, etc..

If I need higher quality, then I'll generate an XML, run that through Crimson Workflow so it can be pulled in by RedCine so it can output DPX or TIFF sequences. Once again, with Crimson and RedCine, we're back on the Intel Mac...

I don't care for working with the RED QT Proxies. The performance isn't all that great and no support for transitions, FX, etc.. So I often batch out to ProRes @ 720p non-HQ for an offline edit and then conform to DPX sequences wrapped with GlueTools (via Crimson Workflow / RedCine) or just conform to 1080 ProRes HQ files.

The old G5 Mac is really only good for editing ProRes or other supported codecs. I still use the system because I have not been able to unload it and I can often keep my Mac Pro systems (two of them) doing transcodes and other tasks while I edit. Once Apple releases new systems based on the i7 architecture (I'm thinking early next year, possibly around MacWorld in January), I'll be buying one of those and will retire the G5 for good and will probably fire-sale it on eBay with a $1 start price an no reserve.

[Brook Willard]

Join the club... I've still got a G5 Quad that no one wants to buy.

But in the meantime. I typically transcode and go through a ProRes workflow for most of my stuff. So I do a lot of editing on that system while I use the Mac Pro systems for everything else.

I also have a quad G5... the best worst Mac ever.

I even have the Quadro FX 4500... but not the part number that will work in Intel Macs as well. It's the shortest lived Mac I've ever owned.

[Thom Steinhoff]

I also have a quad G5... the best worst Mac ever.

I even have the Quadro FX 4500... but not the part number that will work in Intel Macs as well. It's the shortest lived Mac I've ever owned.

I, too, have a g5. One thing can be said for it--at least it keeps the room warm in the winter!!!

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I also have a quad G5... the best worst Mac ever.

I even have the Quadro FX 4500... but not the part number that will work in Intel Macs as well. It's the shortest lived Mac I've ever owned.

Oh, then you know my pain first hand. I have the FX4500 in mine as well. Too bad it was such a short-lived system, because it's still a kick ass system.

[Matthew Ward]

I have one as well. it is a good system

[Brook Willard]

Want an extra one, Matt? :)

[Lucas Wilson]

I've noticed this thread, and while I don't particularly need a G5... : )

There are a LOT of really good places to donate computers that also count as a tax benefit. Public school system computer labs will *always* take donations, as will women and childrens' shelters. Anything that can connect to the Internet is welcome!

If you guys are serious about offloading your systems for cheap, let me know. I regularly collect old computers from friends and act as a middleman for public schools, shelters, etc. I do *not* sell them or make money off of them - just have the connections for donating them so they will get used appropriately.

Lucas

[Ed Watkins]

I've got a G5 lying around too.

A while back someone on this forum mentioned that they had got a G5 to process R3D's using an emulator program, but I could never find the post again... any one remember it?

[Gunleik Groven]

I've got a G5 lying around too.

A while back someone on this forum mentioned that they had got a G5 to process R3D's using an emulator program, but I could never find the post again... any one remember it?

Running virtual PC with a Mac emulator on top, perhaps :)

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I hear ya, Lucas. I guess I'm just having trouble parting with the system because it was a rather expensive, yet short-lived, system. Actually, I think I'm going to sell the FX4500 card separate from the system as I can put the original 7800GT card back inside it. From there, I don't know... Will probably keep it for a while longer, I may just end up using it as a server for a while.

[Harva Raj]

since the big 3 automakers, banks and wallstreet 'begged' for a bailout of billions, i don't find 'begging' a real embarrassment anymore ....

well if someone got a G5 laying around unused.... you could probably send it to aspiring filmmaker like me ... i'll pay the shipment ....

but if you do not want to give away your stuff for free i could only pay $60 monthly on installment of 7 months.thats $420 for your G5 on gentlemen agreement.