The Motley Fool: Apple offers truly impressive tools for film and video production

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“The success of Apple’s iPod has been well documented by the investment community. But with its high-performance hardware and software products, this pony is performing more than one trick. Apple is one of those truly impressive turnaround stories that specialize in both hardware and software. The most important piece of hardware for independent film editors that Apple produces is the Power Mac G5. With a top-of-the-line G5 running near $10,000, this high-end, high-powered machine is the computer of choice for professionals dealing with demanding applications, multi-layered musical pieces, computer-intensive 3D graphics, animation, and special effects,” Jeremy MacNealy writes for The Motley Fool.

“As Alyce Lomax recently highlighted, Apple’s computer sales have trailed the rest of the computer market, but things continue to improve as Power Mac’s net sales (the last two quarters) increased 28% year over year. Another important piece of equipment from Apple’s line-up is its industry-leading widescreen LED monitor — a tremendous compliment for video editors who wish to see their widescreen production before it hits the big screen,” MacNealy writes. “Apple’s high-end hardware line is impressive, but the most important products developed for video and audio editors are its software. Final Cut Pro HD, Soundtrack, Logic Pro 6, Shake 3.5, Motion, and DVD Studio Pro 3, together offer a complete package that enables an editor to point and click their way to movie magic.”

MacNealy writes, “From video editing, sound effects, musical composition, digital effects, motion graphics, and DVD production, Apple’s line-up offers truly impressive tools for production of today’s digital works. The recently released Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, partially produced with Shake 3.5, is an example of the powerful software that Apple is currently creating. If it’s good enough for Peter King, it’s good enough for independent film producers.”

Full article here.

17 Comments

  3. I just selected the top of the line at the Apple Store. Here’s the summary:

    Summary

    � Dual 2.5GHz PowerPC G5

    � 8GB DDR400 SDRAM (PC3200) – 8x1GB

    � 2x250GB Serial ATA – 7200rpm

    � NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL

    � Apple Cinema HD Display (30″ flat panel)

    � AirPort Extreme Card

    � 56k V.92 modem

    � 8x SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)

    � Bluetooth Module + Apple Wireless Keyboard & Mouse – U.S. English

    � Mac OS X – U.S. English

    Subtotal $12,001.00

    The RAM was the most expensive ($4,650)

    Reply

  5. “Peter King”? Doesn’t he mean Peter JACKSON? (Peter King is the movie’s make-up man)

    Some Kiwi Macusers may not like this. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”raspberry” style=”border:0;” />

    Reply

  7. Probably they meant that the Mac would cost you $3K, with about a $7K fine and legal fees if you get caught tossing your PC out of the window on an Interstate Highway.

    For heaven’s sake people, recycle your old PC when you switch.

    (the ironic thing is that a sign on the Interstate seems to indicate that it’s “Fine for Littering”)

    Reply

  10. Sure, the $12,000 for the top of the line Mac with monitor can be lowered by shopping for cheaper (and equally good) memory. Still, subtracting the difference in RAM ($4650 – $2000) puts the total at over $9,000.

    But that’s to be expected when one gets the world’s finest monitor (at over $4,000 with the necessary video card). A group like Motley (and all the others) will just look at Apple Store prices. They can’t be blamed for that.

    A better deal is a pair of 23″ monitors with a G5. BTW that’s why Apple is so popular with the video crowd. An excellent monitor (or two) is a must.

    The rest of us can just recycle whatever monitor we happened to have been using before.

    Reply

  11. “Another important piece of equipment from Apple’s line-up is its industry-leading widescreen LED monitor”

    Uh…it’s an LCD monitor. I’ll be first in line when Apple ships a 20″ OLED monitor…

    Reply

  13. “Peter King”? Doesn’t he mean Peter JACKSON? (Peter King is the movie’s make-up man)

    Some Kiwi Macusers may not like this. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”raspberry” style=”border:0;” />”

    He probably thinks that Middle earth is located somewhere in Australia too ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />

    He obviously wasnt watching the Oscars.
    LOTR with 11 Oscars

    Good article all the same though.

    Reply

  16. BTW, does anyone know when the “Return of the Jackson” extended DVD is coming out…? I can’t wait… ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />

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