Best MACPRO setup?

[wrlds_apart]

I am trying to put together a good set up for capture/editing. I have been researching about all this Uncompressed editing and such but am wondering how much power I will actually need.

I plan on shooting with a couple of HV20's. I will be doing various post Color Grading, motion graphics, editing with Final Cut Studio 2 (FCP, Color, Motion)

I will be getting a 2.66 MacPro, 4 Gigs of Ram, 512mb vid card...

I am up in the air about whether or not I should set up a RAID (CalDigitHD $4000) and grab a Back Magic Multi Bridge or Intensity. I am sure the Card is a must...but the RAID...what if I fill my mac with 3 extra HD's?

So, I wont even be working with uncompressed, right? Because...

HV20 records HDV, so I will most likely be captureing to Apples' ProRes?


I cant seem to find cut and dry answers for what my workflow and system should be.

[barshnik]

I'm sorry, but there are too many ill-defined questions to really address. If you ask a more focused question or two, you'll have a better chance of good answers.

<< I cant seem to find cut and dry answers for what my workflow and system should be>>

That is because there are not too many cut and dry answers for anything.

If you don't want compression anywhere along the line, good luck. I use FCS, FCE, and iMovie 6 depending on the project. They all produce stunning results when exported back to tape and played from the HV20 to HDTV (I don't have Blu-Ray burner or DVD).

I've spent a lot of time with one well lighted 30 second clip, using all 3 editors, and many different codecs. ProRes in FCS seems ever so slightly superior to AIC in iMovie, but not enough for me to use it exclusively. In fact, I'm using iMovie and FCE with AIC more and more - I seem to work faster, and the results are still top-notch.

[wrlds_apart]

Yeah, I guess it was kind of vauge. I was trying to pump out the post minutes before I left work:) Sorry about that.

To be more specific about what is going on. I keep hearing about all this "Amazing Uncompressed Editing" abilities. Click here. (http://silverado.cc/shop/home.php?cat=107) But I am not sure if that is something I need or not.

I am a Graphic Designer but have taken a couple of film classes and fell in love with it. I completed a couple of shorts in school that came out fairly well and I know I could take off with it. I just got 2 HV20's and a Brevis on the way, wireless system (sound)...suddenly I have two pairs of friends that are getting married this spring and I figured I would film their weddings...both want final product in HD. This sparked the idea that I can pay for my equipment with weddings for the next year...my real passion is shorts and documentaries.

So I want the ability to Edit, Color Grade, and create VFX all in HD. Is it necessary to buy a system that is meant for "Uncompressed HD?" Will I get a better end result? Or will I be working in some sort of compressed HD anyways and upconverting once the editing etc. is finished?

If no one wants to answer...maybe point me in the right direction. Ive spent hours on forums and websites trying to figure this stuff out...my eyes are crossing so finally I just post about it!