Windows 8

[#DarkBlu]

Is ProTools MP9 and the Fastrack Ultra compatible with Windows 8, which is releasing in a few days? I haven't found anything on these forums or the AVID website indicating that Windows 8 is compatible. If it's not, I need to know, because I will not upgrade to Windows 8 if my Pro Tools MP9 isn't compatible and there won't be Fastrack Ultra drivers at launch.

[albee1952]

Test at your own risk. I expect it to be at least 4-6 months before Avid gets through testing.

[YYR123]

Oh yeah - 4-6 sounds like a good time frame

If its working now just run with it - b/c in the case if win 8 u still have to take into account all of the indigenous bugs that will be present within the o/s itself

Then avid will have a poke at - compatibility

[dave911]

As far as I can make out without a touch tablet Windows 8 has nothing to offer and will probably run PT slower than 7.

Looks like they took W7 and slapped a new layer of stuff on top that wants to update constantly from the internet.
I wonder how hard it will be to turn off all that background updating.

Really hope I'm wrong on this, but it looks like Apple has driven Microsoft insane.

[Benoni]

Originally Posted by dave911

As far as I can make out without a touch tablet Windows 8 has nothing to offer and will probably run PT slower than 7.

Looks like they took W7 and slapped a new layer of stuff on top that wants to update constantly from the internet.
I wonder how hard it will be to turn off all that background updating.

You can turn Metro off with a reg hack. I had PT9 running on Windows 8 Preview, and it ran alright, just took alot longer to start up.

Originally Posted by dave911

Really hope I'm wrong on this, but it looks like Apple has driven Microsoft insane.

HA! That's the funniest thing I've read in a while, almost made be spit my coffee out!

[dave911]

Did you see anything worth updating for?
I didn't do the preview so I'm going on the reviews and they are pretty negative for desktop machines.

[Benoni]

Originally Posted by dave911

Did you see anything worth updating for?
I didn't do the preview so I'm going on the reviews and they are pretty negative for desktop machines.

Well, yes and no.

There is absolutely no reason to upgrade to W8 if you what to have support from Avid.

From my experience with the Preview, PT9 ran relatively well, save for a longer PT boot up time. PC boot up time was cut in about half however (which is about 20 seconds instead of 40) Of course this was all on the preview, I am expecting better performance from the official release, which is out today by the way (download it directly from M$ for just $39.99)

After I do the W8 Pro update I'll better know if there is anything really worth updating for, but there is probably not, unless you just like to use new stuff and don't mind not having any official support.

I would not do the upgrade unless you are proficient in doing your own troubleshooting, and have an image of your working boot ready to reinstall in case of a SNAFU.

[dave911]

OK, Thanks.
The only general improvement I've seen is supposed to be some improvement in memory handling. Whatever that means.

[Benoni]

Originally Posted by dave911

Looks like they took W7 and slapped a new layer of stuff on top that wants to update constantly from the internet.
I wonder how hard it will be to turn off all that background updating.

I know I responded to this earlier, but I didn't address this specifically.

As i said you can easily turn off the Metro screen all together and have the same functionality as Windows 7, but you can also easily just turn off LIVE UPDATE to the tiles you are referring too. Simply Right Click and turn Off Live Update. You can also unpin them from the Start Page or uninstall them all together.

The new Start page is actually very intuitive and is a quicker way to find and launch the programs you use. You can pin any program or app to the Start Page, you can create Groups and name the groups, move groups or single apps or programs, its actually very nice. I'm up'ing all my PC's to 8

Just be warned that it is not supported by Avid, so only upgrade if you are fine with not receiving any help from Avid, and know there is a possibility that something may go wrong with PT or a plugin. Always have that working Image handy to avoid downtime and lost revenue.

[#DarkBlu]

Thanks for the replies.

I just used the Windows 8 Upgrade tool to see what was and wasn't going to work with Windows 8. Pro Tools 9 didn't show up in either the yes or no columns. I'm not jumping on Windows 8. It can wait. When AVID supports it on Pro Tools 9 officially, I'll update. Till then, Windows 7 will due.

Thanks again!!