video workstation advice
Out of context: Reply #3
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- ninjasavant0
The problem with Handbrake and FCP is that FCP tends to choke on the files. There have been countless times I ripped something and couldn't do anything with it, even Compressor would throw an error. I'm not sure how FCP 6 does as I only have 5.5.
I found the best program for video conversion is VisualHub http://www.techspansion.com/visu… Its $29 and has saved my ass numerous times in converting to an FCP friendly format.
Honestly though, if you're not doing major editing with requirements for effects or anything you could do the job completely with VisualHub. There's an option to create DVD compatible video files and then just burn a DVD from the files in the order you put them in. It doesn't create a menu so as soon as you pop in the DVD it starts playing chapter 1 (the first file) and you can back/next your way through the clips. Or you can stitch them together into 1 chapter.
If you need minor editing and effects capabilities and a DVD menu but don't need it to be branded or overly fancy you could do the job quite handily with iMovie and iDVD. I do a lot of my lighter jobs using those 2 when I don't want to think about it, just want to get it done.
If you need a broader range of editing capabilities but don't want to shell out the total cost for FCP Studio you can get FCP Express and a copy of Roxio Popcorn.
As far as hardware, spec out the fastest machine you can afford then bump it up to the next level and eat the cost.