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brodown · Mar 27, 2008, 12:07 PM

Hello everyone, ive used this forum in the macbook pro section before and found everyone very helpful, so thank you in advance. I just got a Mac Pro 2.66GHz, I got it used and the guy used it for music i think because it had pro tools on it and some m-audio stuff. I am going to be using it for video editing only and give my macbook pro a rest. It has 2gb ram, and I got the 20" cinema display. The display doesnt look as sharp as I expected and i'm thinking its because I need an upgraded video card. I dont even know how to check which one i have right now. Also i am having touble changing the computer name to my name it still has the previous owners name on it, I reset the password and the log in name, but the computer name doesnt change. Also what kind of ram should I get and where should i buy it from? also hard drives? it only has 1 250gb HD i want at least another 500gb where can i buy one for the best price and what kind should i get? also i want to try to install this stuff myself any tutorials? thanks again

bearcatrp · 01:29 PM

Personally, if you have all the install disks for the software that came with it, I would reinstall the OS and the apps to your liking. What do you plan on using for video editing? iMovie or FCE/FCP? 4GB will do but you might want to shoot for 8GB which is what I have on mine. Very little page outs (virtual memory usage). I buy mine from mac sales (OWC). Definately want another hard drive for a scratch disk. For home use, you really don't need raid at this time. Probably another disk for your backups too. Check OWC and newegg for the drives. Just grabbed a 1TB for 250 bucks with a 30 dollar rebate but thats over now. Will you be editing standard definition or high definition? I use a sony SR100 (hard disk) so I have to convert the mpeg2 files to DV befor I import. I use a free program called mpeg stream clip. Works great. If you do big clips, suggest you get smc fancontrol to keep it cool by adjusting the fans. A good web site for editing video is Camcorders - Independent Camcorder Reviews, Ratings & Comparisons. Alot of info.
Randy

brodown · Mar 27, 2008, 01:53 PM

Thanks. I do not have the install discs, is that the only way to do that? i have a copy of leopard though. I will be using FCP and Adobe AE mostly. I was going to go to 6gb ram but i can do more if you recommend it. I shoot standard definition 3ccd Sony dcr-vx1000 all of my clips are small, i would say the longest clip i would capture would be 2mins at the most. i didnt know a 1tb was so cheap $250 isnt bad really.

bearcatrp · Mar 27, 2008, 02:26 PM

Clone it to another drive using CCC or superduper. After you reinstall, try dragging the app to your new set up. If it works, delete whats on the other drive and us it as the scratch. If not, keep it as a second drive and boot into it when needed. Try the 6GB but keep an eye on your page outs. If more than 10% of page ins, bump up the ram. One regret I have is I bought 1GB moduals so all my slots are filled. Try to use 2GB moduals if you can so you can grow to 16GB if needed without the need to get rid of 1GB moduals. The hard drive prices are dropping so 1TB would ensure plenty of space for storage. Video takes up alot of space.

mduell · Mar 27, 2008, 03:26 PM

A new video card won't improve the sharpness of the display.

Newegg has memory and hard drives for your machine.

brodown · Mar 27, 2008, 05:51 PM

how can i find out what video card i have now? and what should i get as an upgrade if i need one?

chris v · Mar 27, 2008, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by brodown

how can i find out what video card i have now? and what should i get as an upgrade if i need one?

Apple menu (top left) > About this Mac, Then hit the More Info... button.

Rename the computer in the Sharing PrefPane.

Also, make sure you're running the monitor at its native resolution. LCDs look horrible when they try to interpolate anything but the native resolution. The system profiler will tell you the resolution of any connected displays, then you can double-check in the Displays PrefPane to make sure that's the resolution hat's selected.

brodown · Mar 31, 2008, 11:40 AM

that was a big help!!! thank you!!! I checked my video card and i have an nvidia 7300 is that good or should i upgrade to something else? if so what should i upgrade to? thanks

bearcatrp · Apr 2, 2008, 07:36 AM

I use the 7300 in my pro and works fine for video editing. Memory, hard drive and a decent monitor is what you need to concentrate on. What video editing program will you be using?

brodown · Apr 4, 2008, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by bearcatrp

I use the 7300 in my pro and works fine for video editing. Memory, hard drive and a decent monitor is what you need to concentrate on. What video editing program will you be using?

That is good to hear!!! im using final cut pro studio HD, and adobe after effects, some other various programs, but those are the 2 main ones. I have the apple 2-" cinema display it seems to be fine for me. I only have a 250gb hard drive and 2gb RAM now, but i'm about to add 4gb RAM to it and a 500gb hard drive. My clips are very small so they don't take up too much space. So I think that will be fine for now, sound good? thanks