MacBook for DV editing

9 replies [Last post]
Neon Films
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Joined: Aug 23 2000

Hi guys,

I'm looking into buying MacBook for editing DV projects at home (I use a Mac Pro at the office). I don't want to spend a great deal so I'm looking at a Refurbished MacBook 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - http://store.apple.com/uk/product/FC207B/A?mco=MTY1MDc1Mzg. This should be more than adequate to run FCP and edit DV footage but just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this MacBook or such like? I'm aware it doesn't have a Firewire socket but most of our stuff is recorded straight to CF card or digitised in the office.

Mark Smith

Leeds Media Services
Video Production in Leeds and Yorkshire

SimonMW
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Joined: Nov 16 2004

I currently use the 13" MBP for field editing, which is basically the same processor type and speed as the white MB you linked to. I edit EX footage on it with no problems, so DV footage will be handled very easily.

Neon Films
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Joined: Aug 23 2000

Hi Simon,

Thanks for the info. I've just placed the order.

Mark Smith

Leeds Media Services
Video Production in Leeds and Yorkshire

Neon Films
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Joined: Aug 23 2000

Actually, I have another quick question - does the Final Cut Studio licence agreement allow you to put the software on two systems? I know this is allowed with some software.

Mark Smith

Leeds Media Services
Video Production in Leeds and Yorkshire

PaulD
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Joined: Aug 31 2002

Hi
The FCS license allows use on one desktop Mac Pro, and one MacBook (Pro) - but not simultaneously.

MAGLINK
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Joined: Mar 8 2007

Hi Mark I appreciate that you may have placed an order but I would have thought that a firewire 400 port would be essential for video editing as this will allow you to hook up firewire drives which will be better than USB.

I have a four year old macbook pro with the same processor and it is OK for DV and HD editing but I need to have my media on a 7,200 rpm firewire ext drive as there is only 20gb space left on the system drive.

This machine may be a better long term bet and cheaper too :http://www.studiomacs.co.uk/macbook2.0ghzbla.html

Re FCP as Paul says you can have it on two machines and this is what I have with my mac pro and macbook pro.

Neon Films
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Joined: Aug 23 2000

Thanks for the info guys.

Gary - I know what you mean regarding the firewire port but in the 4 years that I edited using my laptop I never used a firewire drive, just USB and it always performed without problems.

Mark Smith

Leeds Media Services
Video Production in Leeds and Yorkshire

MAGLINK
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Joined: Mar 8 2007
Neon Films wrote:
Thanks for the info guys.

Gary - I know what you mean regarding the firewire port but in the 4 years that I edited using my laptop I never used a firewire drive, just USB and it always performed without problems.

That will be OK for DV but if you ever go to HD I think you will have problems due to the way USB feeds data in packets rather than a stream.

Just wanted to offer a bit of advice, I actually do any on-site DV jobs on a 800mhz powerbook G4 titanium hooked up to a firewire drive as I can plug and play the P2 cards, it runs FCP V5 and does most fast turnaround news jobs very well so that macbook you chose will be fine.

Neon Films
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Joined: Aug 23 2000

Hi Gary,

That's useful info re: the HD footage. It will just be DV footage that it will be used for though.

Mark Smith

Leeds Media Services
Video Production in Leeds and Yorkshire

Neon Films
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Joined: Aug 23 2000

It arrived yesterday and I had a quick test this morning and it seems to be fine. It actually feels quite slick and fast. I'll be giving it a proper run for its money tonight.

Mark Smith

Leeds Media Services
Video Production in Leeds and Yorkshire