November 20, 2023

A question I get asked almost daily is: "What Mac should I buy and how should I configure it?" While there is no configuration that is perfect for everyone, some options are better than others; especially if you are on a budget. 

Let's start with RAM. One of the key benefits of Apple silicon systems is the use of Unified Memory. But… what is Unified Memory, why is it important, and how much do we need for our work? The answer is my lead story this week.

Link: The Benefits of Apple Unified Memory

Next is storage. Storage capacity and speed are more important - by far - than the speed of your computer in improving performance during editing. But how much storage do you need and how fast does it need to go? As Adam Wilt once wrote: “Fast is much faster than Slow, but Darned Fast isn’t much slower than Darned Fastest.”

Link: Speed Requirements of Storage for Video Editing

And, as a quick answer to frequent questions, no, I haven't upgraded to macOS Sonoma yet. I'm waiting for the 14.2 upgrade - which is currently in beta - to be released. I'll upgrade about a week after Apple releases it.

In the news:

BorisFX announced a pivotal shift in strategic direction with the 2024 release of Continuum 2024 and updates to CrumplePop audio tools, becoming one of the first in the industry to integrate AI-driven effects into a visual effects plugin. I interviewed CEO Boris Yamnitsky to learn more.

Link: BorisFX Launches New AI-Driven Updates and Plugins

Intelligent Assistance released Picture This... Imagine clicking a button and having a high-quality, AI-generated image appear directly in your Final Cut or Premiere Pro timeline. It exists. I interviewed CEO Philip Hodgetts to learn more.

Link: Picture This… AI Images for Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro

Time in Pixels released a new version of Nobe OmniScope, the extensive video scope application favored by colorists around the world. The updated application and plugin supports Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro, and other video editing and color grading applications. 

Link: https://timeinpixels.com

Ssemble is an online, AI-based video editing software. Designed for social media and casual editors, this combines a number of basic editing features with powerful AI effects. It won't replace what you already use, but it is worth knowing about.

Link: https://www.ssemble.com

AJA announced the DRM2, an all-new rack-mount frame that can house and power up to 12 AJA Mini-Converters of any kind or combination.

Link: AJA Announces DRM2 Frame

Webinars return Dec. 6. As always, I'm interested in your thoughts on what we should cover. Please email me.

Bill Rabkin asked an interesting question: "How I can sync an out-of-sync Zoom recording for a multicam project in Apple Final Cut Pro?" The answer is fairly simple, but not obvious. Here’s how to do it.

Link: How to Manually Sync a Multicam Clip in Apple Final Cut Pro

At the top of this newsletter, I discussed two key computer configurations that directly affect editing performance. Over they years, I've assembled a collection of small tips and tricks about storage that are not long enough to spin into a full article, but too important to ignore. So, to help you become the star at your next party, here they are.

Link: Key Factors that Affect Computer Storage Performance

Like you, I'm drowning in files. Many I need to keep, but don't access very often. I currently have an aging (seven-year-old) server and I'm debating whether I want to replace it with an new server, or a stand-alone hard disk simply for archives, or ... what? 

LTO tape would be my first choice, but the price is just too expensive. (This, I've learned, is due to the extremely high cost - and limited success rate - of manufacturing the tape heads.) I also know that, for archiving, spinning hard disks hold more and cost less than SSDs. My preferred drive these days is the Seagate IronWolf 7200 rpm series.

I'm looking at servers from Synology, TrueNAS and OWC, as well as RAIDs from OWC and Promise Technology. Since this is for archiving, performance is less important than capacity and price. I hope to pick something before the end of the year. I'll let you know what I decide.

Until next Monday, stay healthy, stay hopeful and edit well.

TUTORIALS & REVIEWS

» The Benefits of Apple Unified Memory (Tutorial)

  » What is Unified Memory, why is it important, and how much do we need?

» Speed Requirements of Video Editing Storage (Analysis)

  » Maximize performance without breaking the bank.

» Key Factors that Affect Computer Storage Performance (Analysis)

  » Interesting trivia on hard disks, SSDs, servers and LTO drives. 

» How to Manually Sync a Final Cut Pro Multicam Clip (Tutorial)

  » The answer is fairly simple, but not obvious. Here’s how.

» BorisFX Launches New AI-Driven Updates (News & Interview)

  » BorisFX pivots strongly into AI; includes an interview with Boris Yamnitsky.

» Picture This… AI Images for FCP or Premiere (News & Interview)

  » Royalty-free AI images directly into the timeline; with Philip Hodgetts interview. 

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