Mac Pro 2010 with 3 displays, experiences?

[tklaavo]

Hi
Has anyone working in post tried the new 2010 Mac Pro with 3 displays running Pro Tools? Ideally one would be dedicated to full screen Quicktime video and two for Mix / Edit / plugin etc windows.
If it works with different codecs and resolutions, it would be just what I need, no need for additional hardware or another video card.

Regards,
Tuomas, Finland

[tom_lowe]

They're not Avid qualified yet, but in theory there shouldn't be any problems.

Really unsure why you think certain CODECs wouldn't work - it's just like playing a normal QuickTime movie, you have the component installed - it'll play.

[tklaavo]

What I mean is, that ANY solution that allows all codecs and resolutions with no exra HW is perfect for me, and this looks just like it.. If it works with PT.

Not much comments on the new Mac Pros here yet.

[nst7]

They just started shipping so it's unlikely very many people have them yet.

[Newpostguy]

I am on a 2009 Macpro and I use an HD TV (samsung) fed by the blackmagic intensity pro card. And then I have two edit screens both roughly 22 inch for editing. Everything is dandy. Planning on adding another graphics card and more screens soon.

In terms of codec and reso, we use ProRes 442 @ 720p
Hope that helps.

[mikevarela]

I run a 2007 mac pro with 2 monitor cards and three monitors, 2 for PT, one for an HDTV... looks great and works like a charm - plus, no weird issues with codecs as all that play in PT work.

[jeremiahmoore]

The new 2010 Mac Pros come standard with a video card with three outputs:
http://www.apple.com/macpro/features/graphics.html

The spec doc mentions the card requires two slots. Hopefully this does not mean we're giving up a PCIe slot.

I suspect it does not, but can anyone confirm?

It's the year for a new CPU around here, and time for a little due dilligence.

-jeremiah

[mikevarela]

Not positive, but if it's two slots then yes, you'd give up a pci slot, or rather a place to put it in. Happens all; the time with hardcore cooling fans attached to video cards - sucks though

[nst7]

From the Apple website:

"All four slots are PCI Express 2.0 for incredible performance. And since the graphics slot in the Mac Pro is double-wide, your graphics card won’t cover an adjacent slot."

Here's the link:

http://www.apple.com/macpro/design.html#graphics

[tklaavo]

Yes, the video cards in new MP have 2 mini-displayports and one DVI AND support for 3 screens. AND the PCI-E slot is wide, so you don't lose a slot -still 3 available. This is just perfect, and I started this thread to ask if anyone has set this up yet. Still waiting..

The bigger question is, does PT run on the new machines at all (no Avid support yet)