Page 1 of 1

suggestions for a new user

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 6:18 am
by komunikator
hi guys.
i have yet to purchase this software but have been testing it on a PB and so far i like the way it works, so, good job garagecubers.....

my reasons for choosing this particular app and not the others are it's features and midi controllabilities [is that a word??...] since it will be used for live performances which are either musical or part installation part performance so room for experimenting is much needed.
now, i have a powerbook, the high resolution one which i think it was the last model being made before the switch, and i've been using it for audio editing and shows with much satisfaction as well as for the demo of modul8. i have realized
that using one system for audio and video it's not the best choice so i obviously need another unit. which one, i can't decide so i need a little bit of input from moderators and users of this forum to help me make my decision.
money is an issue! as an artist, getting funding it is not easy so i do not want to spend more then $800 and i'm aware of my limited options but that's why i need guidance.
it is my understanding that modul8 is very dependable on the system's graphic card so good one with good memory it's a must. my choices were a used iBook or a new macmini but it seems that both units cannot get more then 32mb of memory in their graphics card, yet i do see some people using these kind of systems and modul8 without problems [??].
my other option would be another PB which would only have 64mb on graphics card because i'll have to get an older version to keep the price down and even then, i'm not sure i'll be able to find one for $800 or less.
the way i'm looking at it, you can always upgrade memory, hardrives and such but not graphics card [i believe it's part of the motherboard] so i'm using this as the starting point.
i'm deffinitely going to keep my current setup for audio and use modul8 on whatever system i'll get.
what do you guys think??

Re: suggestions for a new user

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:28 pm
by Akira
komunikator wrote: my choices were a used iBook or a new macmini but it seems that both units cannot get more then 32mb of memory in their graphics card, yet i do see some people using these kind of systems and modul8 without problems [??].
my other option would be another PB which would only have 64mb on graphics card because i'll have to get an older version to keep the price down and even then, i'm not sure i'll be able to find one for $800 or less.


Muy suggestion

First, NEVER get a Mac Mini. It has NO way of getting a dualoutput out of this. It means you will completely LOSE modul8's user interface.
Don't get it

Second, the new modul8 version 2.5 will feature a new engine running under CoreVideo. This will bring a performance increas. But for this to work, you will need a Mac that ha a video card supported fully by CoreVideo.

As far as I know, the latest Powerbook 12" (the one with 64MB card) is NOT supported by CoreVideo, so even less an older 1Ghz PB 12".
Your best choice regarding money is getting the latest iBook G4 12" which has a video card fully CoreVideo accelerated. As soon as the new Intel iBooks come out, surely the iBook G4 will drop its price a damn lot. I use that and it's a brilliant machine, very packed to the punch for the money you pay for it.

Then again maybe you want to wait for the release of the Intel iBooks and get a new Intel iBook. It all depends on how much money you can spend.

Cheers!

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 4:26 am
by komunikator
thanks for your input, akira.
so, the ATI Mobility Radeon cards are suporting Core Video.

when you say the latest iBook are you reffering to the ones still being sold on apple's website, correct?

Re: suggestions for a new user

Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:12 pm
by Jesper Fryd
Akira wrote:NEVER get a Mac Mini. It has NO way of getting a dualoutput out of this.


Not true.
Have a look here:
http://www.garagecube.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=789

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:06 am
by komunikator
jesper, i was aware of that post and have had that information
taken in consideration. it still requires me to purchase another device, therefore spend more money [close to $200],
and install more software/drivers in order to get it to work.
there's also to point being brought up by akira, about the CoreVideo, which it seems to supported by the new macMini.
and then again, macmini is just a box, i still need the accesories to operate it..........
i know about this project which gives me ideas as well:

http://homepage.mac.com/peter_green/MMP_MkII/index.html

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:40 pm
by Jesper Fryd
I wasn't trying to get you to go with a Mini.
Simply correcting Akira.

:)

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:09 am
by komunikator
it didn't seem like you were trying to and i hope i didn't come off as if.
i put this out for feedback and discussion and that's exactly how i look at every reply i get.

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:12 pm
by Akira
Jesper Fryd wrote:I wasn't trying to get you to go with a Mini.
Simply correcting Akira.

:)

I should have specified "out of the box", you are right regarding that device.