1. Which platform is preferred - Mac or PC?
2. What is/are the popular packages for filmmakers?
3. What are the hardware considerations for this type of set up?

Short and quick is good - a point in the right direction, or links to online resources would help.

Thanks.

2. Macbook Pro with Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite to start.

3. Hardware in terms of video recording? If so, a video camera (DSLRs are great for video and photo, especially for short films etc.) Many more equipment depending on final project.

Software works on either model (13,15 and 17). I have recently bought a 13 to be my main mobile editing machine and I love it. Usually people recommend the 15" because its small enough to move and big enough to get a clear display and work either video editing or graphics in the screen. Of course, you can connect an external monitor to get more screen space if you need it.

And I never recommend deciding on a computer because of hard drive space as you can easily and economically buy external drives.

BasketballJones wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:1. Mac

2. Macbook Pro with Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite to start.

3. Hardware in terms of video recording? If so, a video camera (DSLRs are great for video and photo, especially for short films etc.) Many more equipment depending on final project.

How about things like RAM, processor? Do we have to max out everything on the Macbook, or can we make do with a standard configuration? In choosing between a faster processor and more RAM, which would you recommend? Also I'm sure the 17" screen is best, but can you work with the software on the smaller 15" or 13" screens?

Thanks for the help.

Max out the specs on RAM, CPU, etc. It's not a requirement, but it will give a longer life to your investment for relatively small bump in price. VERY worth the expense for the improvement in your workflow/productivity.

I always thought of it as a major selling point. You can use Final Cut on the Mac OS, and still have a computer to run the PC apps you are using for non-filmmaker purposes. Best of both worlds.

BasketballJones wrote:

Paladin55 wrote:Folks always forget that Macs with Intel processors using OSX 10.5 (Leopard) and newer have been able to have a Windows/PC partition on the computer, which allows you to run PC programs that you might normally have lost when changing over to a Mac (assuming that you have a Windows based OS to put on the "Bootcamp" partition.

I always thought of it as a major selling point. You can use Final Cut on the Mac OS, and still have a computer to run the PC apps you are using for non-filmmaker purposes. Best of both worlds.

Or use Parallels to run Windows in a VM.

Put Parallels on the girlfriend's computer... nice to be able to move back and forth without a restart.

Have not ever used it, but I think a program called VMware Fusion is another similar program.

I have always preferred the Mac OS systems since the original MacOSX came out, and the ability to have a Windows partition is just another reason to go with a Mac, IMO.

On the other hand, they have "Hackintosh" operating systems which allow you to put a Mac OS on certain PCs. Have never tried it, but I hope to see it on a PC someday. Don't know how compatible it is with a high end video application like Final Cut Pro, though.

Video likes at least 4 cores. You might look into a refurb Mac Pro w/ 6 to 12 cores. Apple also offers educational discounts, but truth be told, if you buy mail order out of state (macmall, clubmac, etc,) the savings in sales tax will beat it.

I don't know the video landscape well enough to know if you really need to go Mac (vs PC). But if you do decide to go that route you'll probably want a Mac Pro. I wouldn't say so if we were talking about anything less demanding than video, but being what it is the cost of bringing anything else up to spec would probably yield diminishing returns.

Edit: On second thought, that's for a demanding pro environment. Students probably don't require state of the art, and size and convenience might outweigh speed.

nykshaknbake wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:1. Mac

2. Macbook Pro with Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite to start.

3. Hardware in terms of video recording? If so, a video camera (DSLRs are great for video and photo, especially for short films etc.) Many more equipment depending on final project.

If you were a filmmaker you'd probably want a dedicated video camera. Dslrs can't change focus automatically which is huge especially if you change the zoom and distance of the subject.

A cheap alternative which is AWESOME is the Sony HX100v, which is a point and shoot, but has great image quality in it's video mode. You get 1080/60p!!! There's a manual focus ring too. but you can't change lenses. The lens is a good one tho. Zeiss 27mm-810mm zoom.

As for the Mac or PC. Get a Mac!!!! The main reason is that you get the best of both worlds. In fact you can load any OS you want on it. Linux, Umbuntu, MacOS, Windows. I've had Macs for 20 years and they all still work! My G4, G5, Mac Pro, Imacs all in service no issues. I use them at MAX Load all day everyday. The thing is get as much ram and Processor as you can afford. Don't buy the ram from Apple and you can save a ton. Get highly rated ram from a reseller that can help you select the best match.

nykshaknbake wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:1. Mac

2. Macbook Pro with Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite to start.

3. Hardware in terms of video recording? If so, a video camera (DSLRs are great for video and photo, especially for short films etc.) Many more equipment depending on final project.

If you were a filmmaker you'd probably want a dedicated video camera. Dslrs can't change focus automatically which is huge especially if you change the zoom and distance of the subject.

Depends on the project you want to make and the budget. Great video cameras for filmmaking are really expensive. Of course they are the way to go, but DSLRs have grown in popularity because of the interchangeable lenses and also because for people looking for multitasking its great to have a camera that offers you great photos and videos.

For a student filmmaker, there are great options at camcorders with 24p options for the cinema feel. DSLRs are still a great alternative and many filmmakers are using them now so they are certainly an option, especially for controlled situations like in filmmaking when manual focus is used instead of autofocus.