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QuatermassX · Feb 5, 2001, 06:47 PM

I'm wondering if the new G4 is really worth roughly $4000 (AirPort card and taxes) OR if I should just slap a G4 upgrade ($500) into my Blue and White G3/350/DVD and get the Firewire CD Cyclone DVD-R/CD-RW and buy DVDStudioPro with the extra $1000!

Any thoughts?

mitchell_pgh · Feb 6, 2001, 01:34 PM

For digital video, I would get a 533 Duel Processor! Don't even bother with the 733... When OSX comes out and everyone wants to start using it for editing and everything else, you will thank me time and again.

QuatermassX · Feb 6, 2001, 02:26 PM

However, I don't want to get a new box AND the external DVD-R drive :-)

$2600 for a properly config'd dual 533 ... and then another $1000 on top of that for the Firewire DVD-R/CD-RW? $3600 plus tax!

If I can wait, I'd have a tricked-out G4/733 with the DVD-R for @$3500 plus tax ...

Yeech ... the difference in price is negligible ... ! I can't imagine the performance of the G4/533 is that much better than the 733 (considering the latter chips advanced features as well)

mitchell_pgh · Feb 6, 2001, 07:09 PM

The whole trick about getting a tricked out machine is to buy the bare bone system and sell off all the unnecessary pieces. I purchased a duel 500, sold the hard drive, purchased a larger, faster drive, and purchased Ram at a quarter of the price Apple was selling it for.

The upgrade path is a dangerous one... My advice, save and buy new...

jeffrone · Feb 6, 2001, 11:21 PM

I won't buy a new Desktop Mac till it comes preinstalled with OSX. Simple as that. Also the only reason why Apple doesn't have G4 MP's across the line is Moto can't make them fast enough. The new drive you are talking about won't be shipping for sometime, but neither will the 733mhz system if you order it now.

Also iDVD sucks. I've used it a few times and hate it. You can't make a movie with it first off, the DVD-R drive is a DVD-G drive meaning General, if you want to make DVD movies im quantity, you need a DVD-A drive, Authoring. Also iDVD has many limitations. It all comes down to what you plan on using the machine for. Mass producing DVD's with FCP or Media 100, or making iMovies that the kids can see. I would wait on getting a new desktop.

Also something to look into is the upgrade card you choose. Most cards won't be supported by OSX, Newer Tech has gone out of business for this and other reasons. Make sure your card supports OSX.

If you do buy a new system don't buy from Apple go with smalldog or someone else the Apple Store is evil.

jeff

osiris · Feb 8, 2001, 11:52 AM

I'd wait until OS X is pre-installed on systems. Hopefully by spring we'll see the return of dual processor G4s - like dual 800s/900s or something. That would be powerful. If you can't wait for whatever reason I'd go for the G4 733. I'm not sure if you're doing pro work, but from what I've read, there are limitations to iDVD and the Pro version. You can't make DVD masters for duplication, and your DVD can't be over an hour. (Thank the bastids at MPAA for that)

Hold out if you can - these are exciting times for the Mac world and things will only get better (and at a much quicker pace!)

peace!

QuatermassX · Feb 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

The G4 will indeed be used for cutting commercials, promos, and (to pay them bills) weddings ... I'm finding my poor G3 just gagging on DV anymore.

I'm not really hampered by the DVD-limitations. The production house I work with will simply take my DVD and burn a new master (isn't that what happens in professional CD duplication anyway?) ...

Delivery times for the 733 are still 7 to 10 weeks (meaning, what, sometime toward the end of April, start of May) before I get my lovely new box.

After batting this around and around ... If Apple doesn't announce anything new at Tokyo, I just **might** get the dual 533 and studio pro to get started on my work ... then pick up the external burner once they ship ...

Any other suggestions/thoughts?

osiris · Feb 8, 2001, 01:25 PM

If your DV work seems slow, maybe all you need is a new hard drive (IBM 75GXP in a 60gb version goes for $229-300) I love this drive, it is easily twice as a fast as the built in Western Digital. I'm working on a feature documentary and this drive solved all my space/speed problems. As for the DVD duplication, I'm not sure anymore. iDVD and DVD Pro does not create professional DVDs for mastering, only for general use. What that means and the work arounds are another issue that we'll see written up when these babies become available. Good luck!

QuatermassX · Feb 12, 2001, 08:56 AM

I have two 40GB Maxtor 7200rpm drives ... I'm finding the computer's response to be sluggish ...

Alas, the external SuperDrive won't be out until May now ...

Hmmm ... hell, why not get the 733 and wait now :-/

osiris · Feb 12, 2001, 06:30 PM

Those drives sound great - so I guess your machine does needs help.... The G3's at this studio I do IT for seem to be showing their age too. You might want to try G3 Cache Throttle (www.versiontracker.com) to squeeze every last drop of speed. Other than the usual System Folder Extentions trimming, rebuilding the desktop with extentions off, defragging with Norton, try sacrificing a Wintel on the Alter of Steve. Good luck!