Who makes AMVs with a MAC? (Film Cut)

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Who makes AMVs with a MAC? (Film Cut)

Postby HurQlez03 » Tue Sep 21, 2004 2:53 pm

I already posted this topic in General Video but I thought I could get a response here.

I am in a dilemma. My old gateway laptop is wearing down and I need to get a new one. My sister says for video editing I should get a MAC, Powerbook. But I have never used MAC before, or even the video editing program Film Cut that comes with it. Is there anyone out there who knows about MAC? Is there anyone out there who use Film Cut? Please tell me if etting a MAC is a good idea and the steps on how to start making a AMV project with Film Cut. I dont want to get this Powerbook and be bummed out because I dont have the right stuff to make AMVs again.
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Postby Nekoboy Sal » Tue Sep 21, 2004 3:17 pm

I would read these niffty thingys.

Software list
Final Cut I havn't herd of Film cut, but iMove comes with Mac.
PowerBook

I use Macs occatinally and I have to say, I realy like them. My first computer (well after that Tandy) was a Mac Plus 1988. Its left an impression on me. If I had computer purchaing power I would get a Mac (G5 duel proccessor).

Also Mac has been using OS X since 2001, I have to agree with Paul. OS X is sexy. Its the rebirth of the failed Copland project. If Mac had gotten the Copland project launched with its schedual, Microsoft may not be near as big as it is now. But Apple was to far ahead of its time to get things together.

Mac=Good I'm just being computer racisted now. And stupid.

This yammer isn't helping much is it, but I hope I helped a bit.
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Postby LantisEscudo » Tue Sep 21, 2004 3:19 pm

I don't do much editing on Macs yet, though when my new machine arrives, that will change.

There are a number of different choices for editing video on Macs, including:
  • iMovie - Free and included on every recent Mac with OS X, there's a guide for it in the Guides section.
  • Adobe Premiere - Now discontinued, I'm given to understand it operated pretty much the same as the Windows version. The last version available was 6.0, I believe.
  • Final Cut - Comes in Express, Pro, and Pro HD versions, and is probably the most popular editing program that Mac editors use. I don't think there's an Org guide for FCE or FCP yet.

There's more options, including the beyond overkill AVID, but these three are the most common ones you'll find. My Mac editing has been limited to iMovie and playing with our local Channel 15's AVID rig, so I can't speak to the merits or drawbacks of the Final Cut family.

On a semi-related note, does anyone know if there an OS X build of Cinnerella available?
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Postby Zero » Tue Sep 21, 2004 4:16 pm

I did make/cut videos with a Mac and personaly, I'm against it. There are alot of general conceptions about Mac and how they're suposedly the superior OS. First of all, are there really any games that are popular out there that work for Macs? *Shrugs* I can't name any. Second, That thing in the upper right VS. the Taskbar: Taskbar is faster for me and quite effective when I need to change between AIM windows, projects and other things. I multi-task alot and I don't feel Macs do that for me. Another thing is the too specialized functions and hardware. Going back to the game part above, there are less people running a Mac computer than a Windows computer, so software and hardware companies generaly won't manufacture and spend time and resources to add Mac compadibility unless there's a strong reason. Finaly I personaly like to say from my background with computer repair that troubleshooting with Macs takes longer and is generaly more confusing than a Win32 or even WinNT based. Not to mention if you accidentaly delete a file using Windows, you can almost always get it back (using DOS).

I'm trying to be objectionable and not "Bash" the Mac, so I will say some good things about it.

For example: The ability to render 3D graphics and movies is better for a Mac. The speed and effectiveness may seem unoticeable, but sometimes you'll see it. Secondly, they are less likely to be "Malled" (infected with Malware, which consists of Spyware, Adware, Viruses, Trojans, Worms, etc.) because it would deal less damage on a widespread basis. Final Cut Pro is also good to work with and a powerful editor, but it will set you back some hefty cash. (From what I know, it's about $2,000)

Personaly, I've been a Windows person since ever and that's what I recomend, but if the only thing you're goning to do on your laptop is video editing, the Mac is a better bet.

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Postby HurQlez03 » Tue Sep 21, 2004 6:37 pm

Zero Serenity wrote: First of all, are there really any games that are popular out there that work for Macs? *Shrugs* I can't name any, there are less people running a Mac computer than a Windows computer, so software and hardware companies generaly won't manufacture and spend time and resources to add Mac compadibility unless there's a strong reason.


Dont worry. I am not the kind of guy who plays CD-Rom games like Warcraft or one of those space games. But what about using macromedia shockwave? Can I still get that? Or how about Divx?

Zero Serenity wrote:Final Cut Pro is also good to work with and a powerful editor, but it will set you back some hefty cash. (From what I know, it's about $2,000)


maybe Ill ask the Apple people to install it into the laptop for me. Oh and BTW you were right it wasnt Film Cut, it was Final Cut.

Zero Serenity wrote:Personaly, I've been a Windows person since ever and that's what I recomend, but if the only thing you're goning to do on your laptop is video editing, the Mac is a better bet.
-Zero


I also plan to use Instant messanger, watch DVDs, listen to music (and mp3 files), surf Internet Explorer, and open up directories in "my Computer". will MAC hinder any of these? Anyway thanks for your opinion.






Oh and AbsoluteDestiny, if you see this, do you know where I can find a guide to making AMVs with Final Cut?
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Postby Zero » Wed Sep 22, 2004 1:48 pm

HurQlez03 wrote:Dont worry. I am not the kind of guy who plays CD-Rom games like Warcraft or one of those space games. But what about using macromedia shockwave? Can I still get that? Or how about Divx?

Shockwave and DivX can be done, though DivX I've had a little trouble with.
HurQlez03 wrote:I also plan to use Instant messanger, watch DVDs, listen to music (and mp3 files), surf Internet Explorer, and open up directories in "my Computer". will MAC hinder any of these? Anyway thanks for your opinion.

No. It will work fine. But not having right click can be annoying. (I think you have to hold control to simulate the effects)

Good luck my friend.

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Postby Psygnius » Fri Sep 24, 2004 12:10 am

All those mentioned are great ones, but I use Media 100 for my choice. Costs a great bundle, unless you find a deal on eBay. I hear Avid is another good one to look into, but haven't tried it out myself yet. Macs are definitely the best for video editing.
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Postby Nekoboy Sal » Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:37 pm

Even on my Windows system I'm Shift Clicking, Control Clicking, and Alt Clicking al the time. you don't need to use the default mouse that comes with your mac either. I'm pretty sure that a 5Button mouse is suported by defalt. I had a guy over resently and he had a new iBook. So he got a mouse for it. Wireless Infared mouse with 5 buttons. He just turns it on and the builtin BluTooth picks up the mouse and of he goes.
You will have an extra button to contend with. The Option button. It much handyer than the Control+Alt methode for inputing "exotic characters", I only get accented characters and the Euro button with Control+Alt, but The option button has something on every key to keep me from traveling to a webpage to find that CopyRight symbol or that tm mark.

Bla bla bla.

Go MAC! And get the New G5! I doubt that the software is more expensive than the computer.
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Postby Zero » Tue Sep 28, 2004 5:02 pm

Nekoboy Sal wrote:Even on my Windows system I'm Shift Clicking, Control Clicking, and Alt Clicking al the time.

Alt clicking doesn't do anything. (Unless you're using some program I've never heard of.)
Nekoboy Sal wrote:you don't need to use the default mouse that comes with your mac either. I'm pretty sure that a 5Button mouse is suported by defalt. I had a guy over resently and he had a new iBook. So he got a mouse for it. Wireless Infared mouse with 5 buttons. He just turns it on and the builtin BluTooth picks up the mouse and of he goes.

Mac doesn't support a mouse with more than one button. Actualy, I take that back. Usualy the second button is a DC shortcut and the wheel never works. And show me this five button mouse please.
Nekoboy Sal wrote:You will have an extra button to contend with. The Option button.

The what button?
Nekoboy Sal wrote:It much handyer than the Control+Alt methode for inputing "exotic characters", I only get accented characters and the Euro button with Control+Alt, but The option button has something on every key to keep me from traveling to a webpage to find that CopyRight symbol or that tm mark.

With Windows it's just Alt+(Four Numbers) not control as well.

It prompts me to ask, have you read the topic or have used a Mac? He clearly asks for a laptop and it seems there's some gaps in information there.

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Postby HurQlez03 » Tue Sep 28, 2004 6:59 pm

Oh I guess I should have posted that I have made my decision.

I ordered a MAC laptop at last. I got a 17" Powerbook, 1.5 Ghz PowerPC G4 with 128MB of Graphics Memory, 1GB of main memory, 80GB Hard Drive @ 5400 RPM, MAC OS X with backlit keyboard, Airport Extreme Card, .Mac Internet essentials, warranty, JBL Creature II speakers, an HP 5740 printer, a standard Apple mouse, the Production Suite Academic Package (Final Cut Pro HD, Motion, and DVD Studio Pro 3), and a free IPOD. (I aint tellin you how big it burned the hole in my pocket!!). So thanks to all who helped me make the final decision.

But since this topic is still in the air, I think we should continue it by talking about how to use Apple computer and making AMVs with a MAC. Or maybe Ill start a new topic about it. whaddya say?
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Postby Zero » Wed Sep 29, 2004 1:49 pm

I think a new topic in Software would make more sense. This isn't really a hardware thing.

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Postby Nekoboy Sal » Thu Sep 30, 2004 3:22 pm

Zero Serenity wrote: doesn't do anything. (Unless you're using some program I've never heard of.)

Maybe you didn't double click. It brings up the properties of a file.

Zero Serenity wrote:Mac doesn't support a mouse with more than one button. Actualy, I take that back. Usualy the second button is a DC shortcut and the wheel never works. And show me this five button mouse please.

Maybe that guy tricked me. Regardless, he still used a 5 button mouse with the odviouse sligle click and he used the wheel (I could have sworn he used the wheel).

Zero Serenity wrote:
Nekoboy Sal wrote:You will have an extra button to contend with. The Option button.

The what button?

I forgot they don't have the windows button, and the I used my Aunts Lap last week so It had the Fn key.
I don't have a keyboard infront of me, but from left to right on the bottom of the keyboard:
Fn (laptops only) Control Key, Option Key, Apple Key...
Now that I think about it, didn't they change the name to Alt Key?
Now I'm realy confused.

Zero Serenity wrote:With Windows it's just Alt+(Four Numbers) not control as well.

Yeah, thats right. I still can't figure out how to use that properly. Maybe I have the Contol + Alt because I have English (Ireland) as my language.

Zero Serenity wrote:It prompts me to ask, have you read the topic or have used a Mac? He clearly asks for a laptop and it seems there's some gaps in information there.

I can easialy miss anything you ask me.

In short, I am an ideot.


This topic should not be posted in again from here on. Unless its realy important or still on topic.
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Postby mantlepicture » Wed Jan 19, 2005 8:41 am

First, read this thread:

http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/v ... hp?t=44889

Macs are definitely the best at editing, but I would recommend a PowerMac G5. I haven't tried a powerbook, but editing is intensive and laptops tend to have heat problems.

Also, Final Cut does NOT come with it, so do not purchase it under that assumption. It comes with iMovie, or you can get Final Cut Express for about $99.

A guide to Final Cut is far too extensive for me to write in this forum, but there are plenty of tutorials. But rest assured, with a Mac, you will be able to do anything you need to do. But consider looking at the PowerMacs(read the thread I linked).

The best editing program you can get on any platform(and it runs best on Mac) is Avid Xpress Pro. It is by far the most popular program among professional editors, and it's nearly impossible to get a job if you aren't skilled in it. You can get it with a student discount for $300. Pricey, but worth it if you want top of the line. But Final Cut, or even iMovie will be fine. Final Cut is great, it's just a more kiddy version of Avid.

First of all, are there really any games that are popular out there that work for Macs? *Shrugs* I can't name any. Second, That thing in the upper right VS. the Taskbar: Taskbar is faster for me and quite effective when I need to change between AIM windows, projects and other things. I multi-task alot and I don't feel Macs do that for me.


Yes, but that wasn't his question. He wants something for editing, which Mac is superior to. If you want something for games, go PC.

As for the upper-right thing, we have the same thing in Windows. The only difference is that Apples is attached to the desktop, while Window's is attached to Windows. The dock menu isn't all that different from the task bar(though I do wish Macs would give you something more like the taskbar).

there are less people running a Mac computer than a Windows computer, so software and hardware companies generaly won't manufacture and spend time and resources to add Mac compadibility unless there's a strong reason.


But this is balanced by the fact that the maker of the OS also makes the computers. So everything is compatible, unlike a lot of PCs. Macs strong point is that they work great right out of the box, while PCs vary in quality.

Finaly I personaly like to say from my background with computer repair that troubleshooting with Macs takes longer and is generaly more confusing than a Win32 or even WinNT based.


Well, that's true. Troubleshooting on PCs is a lot easier. After all, us Windows users have had a TON of practice...

But yeah, I am pretty even in this whole thing. For everyday use, I love PCs. But when it comes to editing, Macs just have more to offer.

I also plan to use Instant messanger, watch DVDs, listen to music (and mp3 files), surf Internet Explorer, and open up directories in "my Computer".


Not at all. There is no "my computer", though. All the drives appear on your desktop. So it's just as easy. And yes, Mac has AIM, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and just about anything else you have become used to. Probably the most annoying thing is that the close button is in the left side on the window in Mac. This can take some getting used to. Also, Macs only ship with a mouse with one button and no wheel. But you can always get another. Also, control is not the same thing on Mac. As a rule of thumb, just use the command key in place of everything you used the control key for on Windows(command is where the Alt key is on a Windows keyboard.) Example: Command+S=Control+S=Save. Same goes for copy, paste, etc.

As for the option button, it's kind of like a shift key, but not quite. It's very useful, but you would need to use Mac OS to understand. It's not really better, just different.

...Hmm, I've been writing this as I read through the thread, and I see now that you have already made your purchase. I will keep everything here for reference for other people(plus I don't feel like deleting it).

Let me know if you notice any heating problems. I've been curious about how a PoweBook would hold up for a while.
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