Make an AMV. Buy a Powerbook.

Madzack · Post by **Madzack** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 3:25 am

I'm considering getting an Apple Powerbook. I'd want to know:

Is it a wise choice for making AMVs?

Is it the same thing as Mac, other than being portable?

Considering I am getting a Powerbook:
What're the recommended softwares to make an AMV?
How do you rip clips from a DVD in a Powerbook?

Is there anything else I should know about Powerbook and making AMVs?

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 3:43 am

The PowerBook line is essentially just a portable G4 Macintosh (sans-Dual processors). In terms of sleakness and style, there's nothing that beats the Powerbook. And if you're gonna go all out, the <a href="http://www.apple.com/powerbook/index17.html">17" display</a> version is just breathtaking. For this laptop, power really isn't gonna be a problem. In most real world computing scenarios, the G4 out-performs the fastest consumer AMDs and Intel's (though I must admit I haven't seen the benchmark comparisons in a few months and AMD and Intel have put out new chips since then).

The only thing that you'll have trouble adjusting to (if youve been using Windows machines) is the new OS and new software. OS X is very functional and VERY stable (its built on BSD. Though of course, it's not exactly CRASH-PROOF, but nothing is if you're feeding it crap). Though while it may be a great OS, it's still gonna be a little hard to get used to if youre only accustomed to Windows. But, give it a few weeks, and you should be finely adjusted.

As for video software, they just released <a href="http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/">Final Cut Pro 4</a>. Since it's brand new I can't say I've used it, but FCP 3 was friggin AWESOME. Much better than Premiere 6 in my book. And it would be safe to assume that FCP4 is even better. As for DVD ripping, here's a <a href="http://www.dawnload.net/alternative_pla ... ">tutorial site</a>.

The only thing about Macs that keeps me from buying one, is the cost. I just can't justify spending that much money on a computer like that. Though if I were given one, I would be absolutely overjoyed.

Hope this helps.

jbone · Post by **jbone** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 6:50 am

A Powerbook is simply a tool. It is no better than a PC at doing anything in general, and you will only get out of it what you are able to put into it.

G4 processors run cooler than x86 CPUs, so you get the same CPU in a Powerbook as you do in a Mac desktop PC.

If you are used to PCs, you should use a Mac before deciding to buy one. The Apple stores have various computers around, and you should use one without a salesperson's "help." Play around on it, see if you like the interface - make sure you like it before you buy it.

(I'm quite familiar with both Macs and PCs. Many people will tell you that "you'll live the Mac once you get the hang of it," but the truth is that it's not for everyone. I prefer the PC for many reasonable reasons, not the least of which is that I've never quite loved any version of MacOS's GUI.)

TekkaRepliroid Zero · Post by **TekkaRepliroid Zero** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 10:42 am

Macs, after getting used to them, are simpler to use, and they have more power WITH ANYTHING INVOLVING GRAPHICS! That of course includes AMVs, and yes, FCP is definately a friendlier program than Premiere, and is at least equal to and probably surpassing the power of Premiere. One thing to remember about the Mac is that it is a taylored tool. Making it do everything, as a PC is good at, isn't easy, but what it does do it does superbly, which a PC doing everything doesn't (simply because it tries to do everything, it has to suffer some).

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 12:55 pm

AtomX wrote:In most real world computing scenarios, the G4 out-performs the fastest consumer AMDs and Intel's (though I must admit I haven't seen the benchmark comparisons in a few months and AMD and Intel have put out new chips since then).

Very untrue. First off though, let me iterate that it's very difficult to even compare Apple's architecture to that of x86, so this is really apples and oranges. However, although it hard to compare, Athlons (and Intel for that matter) have twice the frequency (yeah freq. isn't everything that's why you need to keep reading) AND a compareable (if not better) architecture.

Also, it must be noted that Apples use different programs, can't really compare Windows performance to that of OS X and so on. In fact, Windows sucks balls and if you blame that on the processor, I hate to break it to you guys, but that's more of badly implemented software (software+hardware = performance to users). I guess you could compare software that is native to both like Premiere, but at the same time they are coded and tweaked to the specific OS.

Also related, but there were rumors that Apple was going to give up on Motorolla designing there PowerPC chips (b/c it is known in the computer community they suck) and going to go with AMD or Intel processors. If they had a better processor why would they even think about this? It's obviously only a rumors, but there was enough to substantiate that they were thinking about it (like inside letters and whatnot).

As for the first question, as much as Apples aren't as "good" as their x86 counterparts, I am actually for Apples for video-editing. It is known among most professional video editors that Final Cut Pro is a FAR superior program that Premiere. It is more stable, implemented more efficiently (uses memory better, etc.) and is just plain better. If you want a machine purely for editing and can get your other things like games, etc. on a PC or don't care, go with the powerbook.

Madzack · Post by **Madzack** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 5:36 pm

What about ripping DVDs? How do you rip clips from DVDs in a Powerbook? What kind of software?

The reason, BTW, I ask about the Powerbook is that I already own a PC and it'll be quite a waste of space, if not money, to buy a total Mac. Besides, my room is too small for another PC.

TommyRude · Post by **TommyRude** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 6:35 pm

From my own experience on the subject, I think that while Mac's are betta' for comercial video production an' editing original video, their' not nearly as good for AMVs since a lotta the tools that make AMVing so cool on PC jus' aren' available.
Also, unless you got a ton of cash or a hookup for Mac software, y'gonna be stuck wit I-Movie, which isn' a whole lot betta, than Windows Movie Maker.
I could be wrong, maybe there are DVD rippers an' mpeg2 compatable frameservers for mac, but I haven' heard of any. An' Premiere's native mpeg2 support sucks even on the mac version.

the Black Monarch · Post by **the Black Monarch** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 7:18 pm

I have used iMovie, and it has things that even Premiere doesn't have. I can't imagine what Final Cut Pro is like.

That having been said, Apple's stuff is horribly overpriced, and for the cost of a Powerbook, you could get twice as much computing power in a PC.

Perhaps the biggest issue is that EADFAG is written from a PC perspective, and Mac users might be SOL in a few places.

NME · Post by **NME** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 8:36 pm

Zerophite quote: "A widescreen flat Mac monitor. It's like seeing Jesus... naked!"

I was with him, sitting, eating pizza when he said it at a pizza hut. Pork products shot out of my nose and hit pie in the eye.

madmallard · Post by **madmallard** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 12:11 pm

aesthetics are more paramount to a mac product than overall functionality. products usually prioritise from what i can tell:

1:uniqueness and exclusive-ness
2:visual appeal
3:useability
4:stability
5:performance

as opposed to pc tech:

1:faster
2:cheaper
3:bigger
4:more efficient
5: repeat 1

--

now that being said. . .arent the g4s still similar to PCs in overall implementations?

Like i heard their core bus speed is still a single data rate 133mhz for the newest, and been 66 for a long time before that. . .and g4 dont have much cache at all.