Protools HD7.2.1 & Mac Pro?

[Durka]

I am confused about Universal binaries. Is Protools 7.2.1 a (UBV)? If not then how does this version run on the new MacPro computers? Does it only run under Rosetta on the new MacPros? I see that the plugin updates say that they are(UBV)for MacPro, So I am assuming Protools V-7.2.1 is as well! Please enlighten me! Thank's

[Avid]

Pro Tools HD 7.2.1 is a native Intel-based Mac application, not a universal binary, or an application that needs to run under Rosetta. It won't run on a PowerPC-based Mac.

If you do a "Get Info" on the Pro Tools HD 7.2.1 application, at the top under General, it says this:
Kind: Application (Intel)

An application for PowerPC-based Macs would say this:
Kind: Application (PowerPC)

And a Universal Binary would say this:
Kind: Application (Universal)

[Durka]

So when is Digidesign planning on releasing a (UBV) version of Protools? Also how will that version differ from the 7.2.1 version that is out now for the MacPro. I thought an application running on a new Macpro (Intel) had to be written as a (UBV) to run properly on this new platform under OSX?

[Durka]

Also anyword when Protools V-7.2.1 will be qualified to run under Mac OS10.4.8? I really don't want to downgrade a new computers OS with a fresh install of 10.4.8 to 10.4.7 So I was just curious if this will be supported shortly?

[Avid]

We have been testing with Mac OS X 10.4.8 since it was released less than a month ago, and expect to finish qualification soon (within the next couple of weeks) for all current Pro Tools versions, including Pro Tools HD 7.2.1.

Although it is not officially qualified yet, I'm not aware of any known issues with Pro Tools with 10.4.8 compared to 10.4.7. But we will not know for certain until testing has been completed.

Of the 3 types of applications that I listed above, only a Universal Binary is written for both PowerPC-based Macs and Intel-based Macs. The other 2 types only run natively on one or the other. To work on an Intel-based Mac, an application needs to be written as either as a Universal Binary or as an Intel native application. Pro Tools HD 7.2.1 is the latter.

Future versions may be Universal if that makes sense for a particular release for both platforms, rather than writing separate PPC and Intel versions. But the 7.2.1 release was only for Mac Pro, so a Universal Binary was not needed.

[Durka]

Ok, I am getting it now. (UBV) just means that the software code written in (UBV) format for an application such as Protools will run not only on Intel but also PowerPC as well! So (UBV) is then dual platform from one installer correct?

[Avid]

Correct.