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Mac Pro Setup

Macpropro80 said:
Thanks, I saw your set up and I was like oh no, I have some old NTSC monitors but I don't use them with my work, Im doing it wrong. Would you consider an 30inch ACD good enough for checking HD? Also is it true that NTSC stands for never the same color? I didn't believe it but I dont know.



My Amiga is tons of fun! It has the highflyer expansion top which adds way more imputs and out puts, 2 power supplies, and 4x 120MB hard disk drives. :) And I got it all for free! Got to love schools not knowing anything about computers!
Click to expand...


GOT to love free! If you ever tire of it you could bring in a little $$ on eBay for that rig. I remember playing with Imagine back when it was Amiga only, what an amazing piece of software. Of course it would take all night to render a simple scene! :D
 
Nothing too exciting (besides OctoMac of course...), but I do love my HP LP2475w, awesome S-IPS panel for $550 shipped, tons of inputs. I'm hoping that by the time the 4850 arrives (in 6 weeks :eek:) there will be a Mini Display Port to Display Port cable, would be nice to utilize that input on the HP.

Picked up the Logitech G9 mouse at the Circuit City liquidation for $40. The accuracy/smoothness is fantastic.
 

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Macpropro80 said:
can u put up a link to that keyboard, thats looks sooo cool!


Also to all the editors out there: Are NTSC monitors really needed? 1 monitor costs more then my entire set up :eek: I have 2 NTSC monitors for my commodore, should I hook them up to my pro instead?
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It's just the standard apple keyboard but I put a zCover keyboard protector on top ( http://zcover.com/zCover_index_for_Keyboards.htm ), iskin also makes one ( http://www.iskin.com/product_kbrd_wired.html?cart=1237149605283467 ).

It's definitely more style over functionality because the protector makes the keys feel stiffer therefore typing is slowed (although I can plug in another keyboard if I have a lot of typing to do). The other draw back is the fact that since the buttons are now black it's pretty much impossible to see the buttons in the dark so I picked up a USB LED light (I got mine at "The Source" up here in Canada http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Prod...line&category=Computer+Lights&product=6311705 but you can find these USB lights at most computer stores/sites, newegg has one for $2.99).

And the mouse pad is a macpadd ( www.macpadd.com ) basically an aluminum mouse pad.
 
McShizzel said:
It's just the standard apple keyboard but I put a zCover keyboard protector on top ( http://zcover.com/zCover_index_for_Keyboards.htm ), iskin also makes one ( http://www.iskin.com/product_kbrd_wired.html?cart=1237149605283467 ).

It's definitely more style over functionality because the protector makes the keys feel stiffer therefore typing is slowed (although I can plug in another keyboard if I have a lot of typing to do). The other draw back is the fact that since the buttons are now black it's pretty much impossible to see the buttons in the dark so I picked up a USB LED light (I got mine at "The Source" up here in Canada http://www.thesource.ca/estore/Prod...line&category=Computer+Lights&product=6311705 but you can find these USB lights at most computer stores/sites, newegg has one for $2.99).

And the mouse pad is a macpadd ( www.macpadd.com ) basically an aluminum mouse pad.
Click to expand...

How do you like that macpadd? I need to replace this lame-o dell pad with something, would like it to have a nice smooth mousing surface etc.... appreciate any feedback you can give.
 
Tom Sawyer said:
How do you like that macpadd? I need to replace this lame-o dell pad with something, would like it to have a nice smooth mousing surface etc.... appreciate any feedback you can give.
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PROs: it matches with the whole Mac Pro aluminum look, it's durable, recyclable, mouse glides smoothly, and easy to clean.

CONs: it's a little small (9” x 6” x 1/4”), it feels cold during the winter (only because my house is cold), and it makes a "scratching" noise (not too bad but some may not like the noise, try gliding your mouse on top of an aluminum mac laptop and you'll know of the sound I speak of)

Overall I like it, at first I didn't like the fact it made the "scratching" sound but over time got use to it. The pad doesn't slide around much because of a foam like coating underneath but I would say it stays in place like any other mouse pad.
 
2008 MP 2.8 x 8
2 x Dell 2005 FPW 20.1" Wide (1680x1050)
2Ghz Macbook
iPhone 2.5G 8GB
Airport Extreme
Cheap Canon Printer
Assortment of Squishies
Solid Cherry 2 Piece Desk courtesy of Craigslist ($100)
Ikea Moses Chair ($30)
MacPro on nightstand older than me

The under desk option didn't work well with this setup, cables were too short to have the MacPro in a good spot, and if I put it where the cables would reach it was a burden to access it. I actually quite like having it right there.

unculturedswine_macpro_setup.jpg
 
wheezy said:
2008 MP 2.8 x 8
2 x Dell 2005 FPW 20.1" Wide (1680x1050)
2Ghz Macbook
iPhone 2.5G 8GB
Airport Extreme
Cheap Canon Printer
Assortment of Squishies
Solid Cherry 2 Piece Desk courtesy of Craigslist ($100)
Ikea Moses Chair ($30)
MacPro on nightstand older than me

The under desk option didn't work well with this setup, cables were too short to have the MacPro in a good spot, and if I put it where the cables would reach it was a burden to access it. I actually quite like having it right there.

unculturedswine_macpro_setup.jpg
Click to expand...

LOL I noticed we have similar tastes, both mac lovers, big desk, and surefire lovers!

I have a surefire 6pled and my all time favorite light in the world, a surefire e2dled defender!
 
Tom Sawyer said:
2X on that! My first 'real' computer was the Amiga... started with a 500 in '90, moved up to the A1200 in '92. Still one of the most impressive OS's to date... the thing would boot in 10 seconds flat with a 33mhz 68030 and 8mb ram!! True preemptive multitasking way back then.

Now I just run my Amiga stuff via Emulation, it's ridiculously fast.

Here is a crazy screenshot for you... An Emulated Amiga running WB 3.1 on Windows XP MCE which is a VM inside of Fusion running on the Mac:
Click to expand...

Yup! I had a huge Startup.sequence on the 68040/40 and it booted consistently (every time) in 12 seconds.

Of all the OS's I had used up until then (OS2, OS2 Warp, OS9, Sharp Human, VAX, Unix, IRIX, Dr. DOS, Geos, DOS, Windows, Mac OS, GEM, Next Step, Solaris, ummm...) Amiga OS was by far the best. The serial I/O chip was getting long in the tooth and it was in need of some multi-user conventions but had Commodore not been sabotaged by that guy they hired from IBM I suppose that would have been addressed in the A5000 or whatever was to come next. I still talk to Carl Sassenrath, Dave Haynie, Bob, and a few of the others from time to time. I worked for NewTek recently too. That was a good experience!

That's a rad screenshot...! Is there not a good emulator on the mac???


.
 
Until i can get a screen for my commodore it is useless. Anyone know how to use one of the outputs as the main computer screen?
 
Tesselator said:
Not sure what you're asking here... Can you rephrase?
Click to expand...

The computer has out puts for video editing monitors. Both S-video and Analog outputs. But I can't get the desktop to be displayed on any of those monitors, I think that the desktop can only be displayed on the monitor that is plugged into the port labeled monitor. I wanted to see if there was a work around that.
 
Tom Sawyer said:
Nothing too exciting (besides OctoMac of course...), but I do love my HP LP2475w, awesome S-IPS panel for $550 shipped, tons of inputs. I'm hoping that by the time the 4850 arrives (in 6 weeks :eek:) there will be a Mini Display Port to Display Port cable, would be nice to utilize that input on the HP.

Picked up the Logitech G9 mouse at the Circuit City liquidation for $40. The accuracy/smoothness is fantastic.
Click to expand...


May I ask where you purchased your HP LP2475W? I'm thinking about purchasing one in the next few days. The reviews have been very favorable for that display although I have yet to see one in person. Have you experienced any problems with it? Thanks.
 
McShizzel said:
PROs: it matches with the whole Mac Pro aluminum look, it's durable, recyclable, mouse glides smoothly, and easy to clean.

CONs: it's a little small (9” x 6” x 1/4”), it feels cold during the winter (only because my house is cold), and it makes a "scratching" noise (not too bad but some may not like the noise, try gliding your mouse on top of an aluminum mac laptop and you'll know of the sound I speak of)

Overall I like it, at first I didn't like the fact it made the "scratching" sound but over time got use to it. The pad doesn't slide around much because of a foam like coating underneath but I would say it stays in place like any other mouse pad.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback on that... I really like the look, very clean and perfect with the Apple gear.
 
Here's my current video editing setup:
30" Apple Cinema Display
Early 2008 8-Core 2.8Ghz Mac Pro
12GB of DDR SDRAM
the rest of the tower is standard stuff- I need to make some upgrades.

Extras:
16GB iPhone
2GB Suffle
FCP keyboard
Logitech Mouse
Minogue Speakers
two VX-1000 video cameras
16MM H16 Bolex
8MM Minolta
 

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Cameraman12 said:
May I ask where you purchased your HP LP2475W? I'm thinking about purchasing one in the next few days. The reviews have been very favorable for that display although I have yet to see one in person. Have you experienced any problems with it? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Absolutely.. I bought it from a vendor on eBay actually. Their ID is ATechSupply, was a very good transaction. Mine was shipped from Millington, TN so I'm guessing a drop ship type deal, but it was the latest/greatest revision/firmware and has been fantastic. There are reports of earlier builds having some issues, in fact I talked with a member here on MR about problems he was having, here is the thread: LP2475w Discussion/Issue

I will say though that if you do decide to go for the HP, either borrow or invest in a calibrator. The difference was significant before/after and this is echoed in many of the reviews online, it's just not calibrated very well out of the box.

The only thing I could complain about is that when it is cold and comes on, it takes a minute or so for everything to 'warm up' and the colors to come up to calibrated levels. This is not uncommon with LCD's that use traditional back lighting (non LED).

For the price, I could not be happier. Has 2 dvi, 1 display port, 1 hdmi, USB 2.0 (6 ports) and comes with a fantastic stand. I have mine mounted to an articulating arm, but would be very happy with the stand if I used it.

Hope that helps! :)
 
Tesselator said:
Yup! I had a huge Startup.sequence on the 68040/40 and it booted consistently (every time) in 12 seconds.

Of all the OS's I had used up until then (OS2, OS2 Warp, OS9, Sharp Human, VAX, Unix, IRIX, Dr. DOS, Geos, DOS, Windows, Mac OS, GEM, Next Step, Solaris, ummm...) Amiga OS was by far the best. The serial I/O chip was getting long in the tooth and it was in need of some multi-user conventions but had Commodore not been sabotaged by that guy they hired from IBM I suppose that would have been addressed in the A5000 or whatever was to come next. I still talk to Carl Sassenrath, Dave Haynie, Bob, and a few of the others from time to time. I worked for NewTek recently too. That was a good experience!

That's a rad screenshot...! Is there not a good emulator on the mac???


.
Click to expand...



No doubt, and the amazing thing is that kind of speed was with SLOW early 90's technology hard drives! :eek:

Wow, that is pretty amazing to be able to talk to those guys; for us ex-amiga zealots (and yes, there was something about Amiga heads back then that surpasses even the passion Mac users have for their platform... it was almost cult like! :D) those guys are rock stars!!

I'm sure you've seen the death bed vigil and other interesting commodore videos. I still think back on those days with great fondness, that's for sure.

UAE is available for the Mac and a 'configurator' for it called Hi-Toro, but I just find that WinUAE performs better and is easier to configure/use. I definitely have the spare clock cycles to execute it well within an XP VM. I recently picked up the latest/greatest version of 'Amiga Forever' which is nice as it gives you legal versions of every Kickstart rom and full versions of Workbench as well (1.3 and 3.1). It's a good package and also comes with all of the archive videos (even some with Jay Minor). It really is quite sad what became of that company and technology. If Commodore had survived and continued to progress their technology, there is no telling what marvels they would have come up with. Seems a stretch maybe, but remember that they were displaying 4096 colors on the screen at once when macs were black and white and pc's did 16!!
 
Tom Sawyer said:
No doubt, and the amazing thing is that kind of speed was with SLOW early 90's technology hard drives! :eek:

Wow, that is pretty amazing to be able to talk to those guys; for us ex-amiga zealots (and yes, there was something about Amiga heads back then that surpasses even the passion Mac users have for their platform... it was almost cult like! :D) those guys are rock stars!!

I'm sure you've seen the death bed vigil and other interesting commodore videos. I still think back on those days with great fondness, that's for sure.

UAE is available for the Mac and a 'configurator' for it called Hi-Toro, but I just find that WinUAE performs better and is easier to configure/use. I definitely have the spare clock cycles to execute it well within an XP VM. I recently picked up the latest/greatest version of 'Amiga Forever' which is nice as it gives you legal versions of every Kickstart rom and full versions of Workbench as well (1.3 and 3.1). It's a good package and also comes with all of the archive videos (even some with Jay Minor). It really is quite sad what became of that company and technology. If Commodore had survived and continued to progress their technology, there is no telling what marvels they would have come up with. Seems a stretch maybe, but remember that they were displaying 4096 colors on the screen at once when macs were black and white and pc's did 16!!
Click to expand...

I happen to have both work bench and kick start on original working floppies, got that for free too :)
 
Macpropro80 said:
The computer has out puts for video editing monitors. Both S-video and Analog outputs. But I can't get the desktop to be displayed on any of those monitors, I think that the desktop can only be displayed on the monitor that is plugged into the port labeled monitor. I wanted to see if there was a work around that.
Click to expand...

Oh I see.

Yes, you can have the switcher interface display on the Program Out. If at that time you switch to the workbench it still remains displayed on the Program out. There was a utility thinggy if I remember right that would allow you to keep the workbench displayed even after you quit the toaster. But Amiga's output is 24KHz - surely there's a scan-converter available for under $100 or close to that.
 
BTW, I think to switch to Workbench from the toaster GUI it;s a key sequence.

Ctrl, Ctrl, Amiga, Amiga

Or something like that. I forget how to display the Toaster GUI on the Program Out. It's in the dox. The dox are probably still available somewhere at ftp://ftp.newtek.com if I'm not mistaken.
 
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