Buying first computer for show control
- Thread starterEvans Poulos
- Start date
Chris Rigby
Member
ratthepoodle
Member
Evans Poulos
Active Member
Thetechmanmac
Active Member
If you really need to be able to run windows, I would look into parallels desktop. It's around $80 for the year. AND they have a free trial!!!
You can use it at the same time as you are running OSX, just like you would run any other program. I use it all the time for windows only offline editors when I need to make changes. Bootcamp can be a little bit of a hassle because you have to shut down, boot up in wondows, the vce versa to get back to mac. Plus, if you have odd network settings parallels takes network right from OSX, so you don't have to configure in windows. Don't forget (if you decide to do bootcamp or parallels) that you still have to buy a windows license (if you don't already have a disc).
You can use it at the same time as you are running OSX, just like you would run any other program. I use it all the time for windows only offline editors when I need to make changes. Bootcamp can be a little bit of a hassle because you have to shut down, boot up in wondows, the vce versa to get back to mac. Plus, if you have odd network settings parallels takes network right from OSX, so you don't have to configure in windows. Don't forget (if you decide to do bootcamp or parallels) that you still have to buy a windows license (if you don't already have a disc).Evans Poulos
Active Member
So isn't parallels basically the reverse of running osx in VMware?
Thetechmanmac
Active Member
Exactly, except It's going to be way more stable.
Evans Poulos
Active Member
So I'm looking at this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2TS-0008-00036
Adding generic usb kb and mouse. generic monitor (maybe 2 screens?)
Something along this line to output to our projector and be able to upgrade the projector when the time comes.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2400548&cm_re=mac_mini-_-12-400-548-_-Product
Add on optical drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=mac_superdrive-_-9SIA1PU0T22524-_-Product
Looking at Qlab, and I can't decide if I should pop for the pro video license or not. Currently the features we use are audio out linked to midi control of the light desk. would like the ability to add projections to the mix without a separate operator. So that would require the Basic Video License AND the Basic Audio License? I find the chart a bit confusing but it may simply be that I've only had three cups of coffee today so far!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2TS-0008-00036
Adding generic usb kb and mouse. generic monitor (maybe 2 screens?)
Something along this line to output to our projector and be able to upgrade the projector when the time comes.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2400548&cm_re=mac_mini-_-12-400-548-_-Product
Add on optical drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=mac_superdrive-_-9SIA1PU0T22524-_-Product
Looking at Qlab, and I can't decide if I should pop for the pro video license or not. Currently the features we use are audio out linked to midi control of the light desk. would like the ability to add projections to the mix without a separate operator. So that would require the Basic Video License AND the Basic Audio License? I find the chart a bit confusing but it may simply be that I've only had three cups of coffee today so far!
Thetechmanmac
Active Member
If you think you may need the video capabilities in the future and have the budget to get the video license, get it.
It really depends on what exactly you'll be doing. Despite MIDI cues being listed as only available on the basic audio or above licenses, I have found that the free version of QLab 3 will allow you to use MIDI cues without any issues.
The pro bundle only saves you $50 over buying the Pro Audio and Pro Video Licenses separately, so if it were me, I wouldn't pull the trigger on it.
Depending on how you run your projections, even the free version might be enough. For example, if you only ever need to play back pre-generated video files on a single projector, you could get away without buying a video license.
The great thing about QLab is that you can always add the licenses later, so you don't necessarily have to decide right now if you're guessing on your future needs. Figure 53 also gives you the ability to rent licenses for a small fee/day, so if you might occasionally need some of the more advanced video features, you could just rent them. Qlab has a demo mode that will unlock all of the features for a limited time, so you could play around with it once you're set up before you decide to buy anything, too.
The pro bundle only saves you $50 over buying the Pro Audio and Pro Video Licenses separately, so if it were me, I wouldn't pull the trigger on it.
Depending on how you run your projections, even the free version might be enough. For example, if you only ever need to play back pre-generated video files on a single projector, you could get away without buying a video license.
The great thing about QLab is that you can always add the licenses later, so you don't necessarily have to decide right now if you're guessing on your future needs. Figure 53 also gives you the ability to rent licenses for a small fee/day, so if you might occasionally need some of the more advanced video features, you could just rent them. Qlab has a demo mode that will unlock all of the features for a limited time, so you could play around with it once you're set up before you decide to buy anything, too.
Evans Poulos
Active Member
Quick Question on the Mac Mini purchase. Have any of you got an opinion whether I should spring for the fusion drive? bearing in mind that i do very limited projections and (so far) only a single sound track for shows at this time.
I'm leaning towards not spending the extra 150 some odd dollars on this option.
I'm leaning towards not spending the extra 150 some odd dollars on this option.
We run ours off of a mechanical hard drive, and haven't had any issues with multiple sound files and simple projections being run simultaneously.
Also, you always have the option of upgrading the hard drive to a SSD in the future, should you so desire. Right now you can get a good 500GB SSD for around $150, and those prices should continue to drop with time.
Also, you always have the option of upgrading the hard drive to a SSD in the future, should you so desire. Right now you can get a good 500GB SSD for around $150, and those prices should continue to drop with time.
ratthepoodle
Member
I would recommend just using a mechanical hard drive. I have used regular old hard drives and have had no problem. To confirm what Joe said above, the Figure 53 website says something along the lines of its not recommended because data can be shuffled between the two drives during a show and mess stuff up during a show.
Evans Poulos
Active Member
Ok. Scratched the fusion drive!
Ordered the mini and a generic I7 based pc from IT this morning!
Ordered the mini and a generic I7 based pc from IT this morning!
Mark Harris
Member
Nothing's changed at Apple, but you could try running Darwin on a PC... yeah, maybe not for mission critical stuff ;-)
NickVon
Well-Known Member
If you'll ever want to fade in/out video or static JPEGS. It's a must. If that level of fine design control is not needed or you have the time and software to to tern things like static images into short movies with built in fades then don't worry about it. But just the ability to fade in/out opacity for smooth transitions I find a must even with 95% of time using a single video output.
Evans Poulos
Active Member
Well I haven't been back to this for a while. Thought I just touch base and let everybody know that the Mac Mini is installed. USB midi connection is working great! Q lab with basic video is working great! Headphone jack sucks eggs...
Used it for SFX play back this weekend and programming a show on it next week.
Used it for SFX play back this weekend and programming a show on it next week.
The language in the license says "Apple labeled computer." Some in the OSX86 (hackintosh) community considered their machines "Apple labeled" if they put the decals from the OS X retail box on the case of their machine. But seriously if you want to run OS X in a production environment, get Apple hardware. Hackintosh might be fun for a hobby computer, but not worth the headaches when something goes wrong at the worst time.
