Go to post-production

[DusanE]

Hi everybody,

After fifteen years of studio work as a producer, sound engineer, music arranger, etc. .. I would like to enter the world of postproduction. A lot of things I already clear, but would you still ask for advice from your rich experience.

My current setup is:

- PT HD2 8.03cs2 /
- 192 I / O analog 16.ch out
- ICON D - Command
- Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz, Memory: 6 GB, 4x4TB HD
- Apple Cinema HD Display (30 "flat panel)
- ATC SCM20ASL (Stereo) + Sub

What I need to add? Is it enough to start, for a little less demanding projects, one computer? I suppose that would have to change graphic card? Which?
Or is it mandatory to have two or three machines (PT HD, Video satelite, Dubber)
I wonder also what you use and how much Display, two, three or more?

In advance, I thank you for your time and answers.

Dusan

[reichman]

HD2? Then you have room for a Blackmagic Card to send picture to a separate screen.

[DusanE]

Yes, one PCIe slot is free. Which card you recommend?

Best, Dusan

[reichman]

I love my Blackmagic Intensity Pro because it has a breakout cable that provides I/O to a number of ancient and modern connections. It's very inexpensive, and performs well. Blackmagic has higher-end cards as well. Check Avid's compatibility page for details. My card is not officially approved, but since it uses the same driver as the approved cards, it works perfectly.

Read "Pro Tools Video Output Options Compendium":

DTS needs to make this a sticky: http://duc.digidesign.com/showthread.php?t=260631

Best,

Nathaniel Reichman

[DusanE]

Thank you for your comprehensive answer. Can I stay in one display (Apple 30 "HD) or it is necessary to have multiple display? If there are multiple display, all display is powered by a Blackmagic Intensity Pro? I would like to keep the Apple 30" Display in the middle of the eyes height, so I'm thinking to hang center speaker over the Display. Maybe some advice here.

Best, Dusan

[reichman]

If you do stay in one display, you don't need to buy the BM card. I've seen some composers and editors who tolerate having a Quicktime window open on their main computer screen. I can't work that way, and I often do use the Apple 30", and even with that amount of screen space, it's frustrating to have the QT movie on the same screen.

If you have clients in the room, you must have a separate video display.

The Blackmagic card does not run "extended desktop", meaning that your standard display card that is driving your 30" screen will stay, and you will add the Blackmagic card in another PCIe slot. You will not see the Finder on the BM screen, only Pro Tools' movie output.

Although there are many posts on this list that support or dispute my experiences, I've had the best luck with Aurora and Blackmagic cards. I also regularly use VVTR which is terrific (and I'm sure Video Satellite is even better, haven't tried it yet). I don't like the performance or ease-of-use of the Canopus boxes, or extended desktop solutions.