why is protools so spoiled in terms of it's OS enviroment and hardware profile ?

[Wango]

Originally Posted by Vegadark

So, I have a question, and maybe it's been answered before, but I didn't see it anywhere.

What exact system specs does Digidesign use for their testing machines? Like for instance, what specific motherboard, processor, HD's, bios and windows settings, etc on an actual real machine is known to work 100% in the Digidesign "labs" on specific versions of protools?

I know you don't want to sound like you prefer any brand of any component or specific component part number over another, and that's probably why specifics like this are not listed, but it would most definately be extremely useful information. I'm actually kind of curious how up to date these machines are, and what kind of real performance they get out of them (in terms of protools RTAS plugin counts and track counts and system overall responsiveness.)

Is this info actually listed somewhere? If so, I have never seen it. I have read the compatability page who knows how many times, but it is very unspecific.

Digitech has mentioned they can't post this for liability reasons.
It's understandable and correct - people will sue for pretty much anything.

What a wonderful world....

Although they do say what chipsets etc. they've tested on and work.

****
Err my bad, its the user systems they won't publish for liability reasons.
Carry on and ignore Wango plz...

[Vegadark]

Originally Posted by Wango

Digitech has mentioned they can't post this for liability reasons.
It's understandable and correct - people will sue for pretty much anything.

What a wonderful world....

Although they do say what chipsets etc. they've tested on and work.

Thats really too bad, but yet what I figured. To think how much irritation could be saved if this info were to be "released".

[mano111]

Originally Posted by Vegadark

Thats really too bad, but yet what I figured. To think how much irritation could be saved if this info were to be "released".

You will find this info on the DUC. read the first page of the 'best core 2' and 'best core i7' threads.

[epu]

So what cards could we buy (sans the HD) to improve performance, and stop these interrupt messages? Any such card also exist for laptops?

[Vegadark]

Originally Posted by mano111

You will find this info on the DUC. read the first page of the 'best core 2' and 'best core i7' threads.

But no where does it say by Digidesign "this is what we use here at Digidesign", which is what I am referring to.

[TOM@METRO]

It seems like I remember them listing tested MoBo and CPU combos up to the Quads coming out. Then nothing on them.

[guitardom]

The Pro Tools engine is based on TDM architecture, which is all real-time. It's sensitive because interruptions to real-time threads throw everything out of sync, and errors occur. Other apps aren't as sensitive to this as they are based on 'highest priority' threads and they're willing to make other compromises to avoid errors.

On Windows this is especially problematic (real-time threading) because there are SO many variables and much less rigorous driver testing on the part of manufacturers. Everything from the motherboard BIOS to the sound card or NIC drivers to the video card driver can all have an effect on real-time threads by interrupting them. I won't even get into the havoc caused by all the background apps that typical PC's have running.

Originally Posted by filosofem

If given a choice would you base the Pro Tools engine on real-time threading or highest priority?


Regards.
filosofem

quite an interesting read isnt it filo?? i wonder if other audio apps are meant in the "other apps" phrase or just apps in general. kind of brings some pc issues into perspective. so could pro tools be a better app if it wasnt based on real time due to the tdm arhcitecture for le users?? what sacrafices would have to be made to make it "high priority"??

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by TOM@METRO

It seems like I remember them listing tested MoBo and CPU combos up to the Quads coming out. Then nothing on them.

as far as we could tell they never touched the opterons and not sure of anything once intel introduced the "q" series processors. another factor that has been mentioned is they were all intel in house. that was found by little issues we would get on amd's that would have to be resolved with cs updates.

[phobia]

Originally Posted by Wango

Digitech has mentioned they can't post this for liability reasons.
It's understandable and correct - people will sue for pretty much anything.

What a wonderful world....

Although they do say what chipsets etc. they've tested on and work.

****
Err my bad, its the user systems they won't publish for liability reasons.
Carry on and ignore Wango plz...

Why not publish and put a disclaimer (or what the english word is) - don't try this at home - or whatever.

Just publish it - information and knowledge keeps things progressing ????

Cheers,
- J

[Shan]

Originally Posted by phobia

Why not publish and put a disclaimer (or what the english word is) - don't try this at home - or whatever.

Just publish it - information and knowledge keeps things progressing ????

Cheers,
- J

The computer build stickies in the forums are pretty much exactly that. Making these stickies are saying, "We know these work, we support the builds...but we cant give them technical support or be liable for them"

The computer build stickies have saved Digi a ton of resources over the years. The stickies are also responsible for selling alot of PT hardware over the years.

Shane