Video Playback Question - PT Ultimate 2022 on MacBook Pro M1 Pro/Max

[sheinke]

Hi post professionals,

I became a commercial post freelancer a couple years ago, and am now finding I need to be able to work/revise audio post projects away from home more often. My old 13" Macbook Air isn't up to the challenge.

I'm looking at the base 16" Macbook Pro M1 Pro, at 16G, 10 core CPU/16 core GPU. My sessions are probably mid-level in terms of plugs and complexity.

Question - I'm pretty sure the above specs will be fine for the audio, but what's the video handling of the M1 Pro architecture? Most of my client-supplied videos are MP4 H.264 1920x1080. Is there a sizeable advantage to going to the M1 Max?

Any advice from peeps working with audio-to-video post on M1 Pro/Max would be greatly appreciated!

Steve Heinke
Snoqualmie WA

[npapaleo]

It is highly recommended that you convert your H.264 to ProRes or DNxHD. This is exactly my workflow on a M1 Pro MacBook Pro. I receive the video as H.264 from the video editor, convert to ProRes as a working file. Additionally, I bring along an iPad to use as a second monitor (via sidecar) for video playback when traveling. When I archive the project I only archive the H.264 to save some space. As to M1Pro vs M1Max, there’s no advantage when it comes to pro tools video playback/performance. However a I do recommend the maxing out at 64gb’s of RAM, 16 gigs is the bare minimum and you will quickly outgrow that RAM, since Ram is no longer upgradeable after purchase it’s something that must be decided at purchase.

[mikemixes]

Are you familiar with the difference between inter and intra frame codecs?
Never use h264 or mp4.
Most consistent video playback is with a video peripheral (Aja t-tap or BM Ultrastudio Monitor 3G0 into a proper tV that displays at the correct frame rate, not a computer monitor.