Workstation Configurations - Discussion

[Willem Grobler]

Hi everyone...

Posted a way longer post in the REDCINE-X subforum, but I thought it might be better suited here, so I've just lifted the relevant bits, and also highlighted some questions I hope someone can assist me with. You can read the other thread here:

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread....874#post676874

SYSTEM SPECS

REDCINE-X (transcoding) system

Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro3,1
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 2,8 GHz
Number Of Processors: 2
Total Number Of Cores: 8
L2 Cache (per processor): 12 MB
Memory: 10 GB
Bus Speed: 1,6 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MP31.006C.B05
SMC Version (system): 1.25f4

Final Cut Pro (editing) system

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2,66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: MBP61.0057.B0C
SMC Version (system): 1.58f16

Both systems are running the latest updated versions of Mac OS X 6.5



STORAGE SOLUTION

Pro AVIO RAID, mirrored RAID set, connected via two eSATA cables (3Tb storage space, for transcoding)
8 x G-Tech 2Tb drives, for 3 x backup of R3D source material and editing Prores proxies on FCP system (still speculating on this we may need more)

Now, the question:



QUESTIONS:

I wanna have the transcode work as efficiently as possible - so I require a good speed/safety ratio. The following questions all relate to this:

1) Will I see a performance boost running REDCINE-X build 348 (64bit) with Mac OS X 6.5 in 64bit mode? How is this different from running build 348 (64bit) 6.5 in 32bit mode? (Have read all kinds of reports on this, but wanna get some more opinions).

2) In which other ways can I tweak my system to optimize transcoding times? Clearing REDCINE-X's cache? Clearing the system's overall cache? Can anyone recommend any apps to assist with this, otherwise advise how to do it in the terminal?

3) In the event that we need to move locations, and use the MacBook Pro to transcode, will it be safe to transcode from the laptop's internal HDD to an external G-Tech 2Tb drive (via FW800)? Or should I daisy chain a Rugged Lacie (we'll get R3D source material from DIT on these drives) to the G-Tech? Which will be fastest/safest?

4) Since we're transcoding to Prores proxies with 1/2 Premium debayer, many shots often look soft or out of focus, while they're actually IN focus when you look at the R3D source material... I tried using Lanczos (sharper) vs. Mitchell (smoother) for my last transcode, but didn't see a marked improvement, and my transcode took just under 4 hours (and resulted in bigger file sizes) while my earlier transcodes (using Mitchell) were just under 3 hours with smaller filesizes... Any suggestions here?

5) Is it faster to (a) transcode from the RAID onto the RAID, (b) from the RAID onto the internal drives (SATA) or (c) from the RAID onto the external G-Tech drive (via eSATA)?

6) Does REDLine actually, REALLY make a difference in terms of speed? Does it hamper reliability?

***

Thanks!

[Jon B.]

This is probably the best place to ask this without starting a new thread...

I'm looking for a Mac Pro configuration at the $4.5K-$6K range (including monitors). Not much need for critical color monitor at the moment but one that can do a 'good' job, as in the bang4buck.

Any suggestions from the current line-up at the Apple store? Thank you for any guidance!

[Chase J. Carnahan]

Can we start a thread on RAID arrays optimized for large file sizes? (Such as RED footage)?

I'm thinking http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816111168

and filling it with 8 of these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136792

Thoughts? I'm looking for an inexpensive solution to massive amounts of data. Something I can have for at least 3 years and not have to worry about.

Chase

[Stephen Arthur]

Hello REDUser members, I am wondering if this hypothesis is correct,

I have an upcoming job with 2 red epics shooting 4k 8:1 mostly and we are going to a 2 RED SSD Readers, 2 external drives setup. I want to know if you guys think I would be able to talk to the readers and drives via usb and firewire, and then have 1 esata cable going from RED SSD Reader to External Drive per setup. This way I don't have to have any esata ports on the computer and I believe I will still get esata speeds for data transfer. Does anyone have any experience doing this?

Thank you!

[ericyoung]

Hello REDUser members, I am wondering if this hypothesis is correct,

I have an upcoming job with 2 red epics shooting 4k 8:1 mostly and we are going to a 2 RED SSD Readers, 2 external drives setup. I want to know if you guys think I would be able to talk to the readers and drives via usb and firewire, and then have 1 esata cable going from RED SSD Reader to External Drive per setup. This way I don't have to have any esata ports on the computer and I believe I will still get esata speeds for data transfer. Does anyone have any experience doing this?

Thank you!

This won't work - the computer is the intermediary between source and destination media for both control AND data.

There are software solutions (R3D Data Manager, ShotPut Pro are popular) for copying one source to multiple destinations, but haven't heard of any ( except Finder/Explorer, but they are not checksum verified ) that will copy more than one source to independent destinations (except having two computers). I would be interested in such a solution though!

[Stephen Arthur]

Ok, So then I need to have 4 esata ports. I am running a mac mini 2011 2.5ghz i5, I am looking at buying the LaCie thunderbolt to esata box, but that only gives me 2 ports. I've searched all over for a way to turn these 2 ports into 4 but I can't find anything. any suggestions guys?

[Rusty Ruthven]

Ok, So then I need to have 4 esata ports. I am running a mac mini 2011 2.5ghz i5, I am looking at buying the LaCie thunderbolt to esata box, but that only gives me 2 ports. I've searched all over for a way to turn these 2 ports into 4 but I can't find anything. any suggestions guys?

The 2 eSata ports will give 3gb/s. that's 6gb/s over the TB port max. So you could get another TB to eSATA hub and daisy chain them.

My 2c

[Paul Ellington]

Dear Jeff, any news on the macbook pro retina running Mountain Lion for mobile rocket use?

Thanks.

Regards.

- Paul