Computer for Transcoding Video

[sarnold]

I am looking into buying a new MacPro for the main purpose of transcoding HD video. I'm trying to decide what I need to go with so I thought I would ask for suggestions.

Is HD transcoding more intensive on the processor or the memory? I'm just wondering if I should spend more on the processor or on the memory. I have to keep the computer cost under 5K so I'm really having to look at whether I should try to bump up the processing speed or go with more RAM.

Should I go with Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere” (8 cores) and bump the memory up to 32GB or should I go with Two 2.66GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere” (12 cores) and only 6 to 8GB of memory?

[lowellriggsiam]

I'd say your better off with the first of your two choices. Without the extra memory it'll get boggy quickly. I went with 8GB on my last and quickly realised that was a mistake.

[edDV]

What are you transcoding from and to?

Why did you choose a Mac to do this?

What software are you considering?

Generally Windows platforms have more software choice and are cheaper for the same CPU power. Usually one selects software first then the platform.

[Herve]

Is HD transcoding more intensive on the processor or the memory?

processor

I have to keep the computer cost under 5K

5k?!? …buy an iMac i7 for less

(last) about cores: cores are not exactly real processors (almost the same behavior), but the main concern is how the soft is optimized for muli-thread? eg: QuickTime is mono-thread, Apple's softs use their own code to handle multi-tread, etc
So a 8 cores will not be 8 times faster than a mono-core (it will be far faster, but not 8 times, depending on software codes )

bye

[MacDSL]

Herve has a point, you could get 2 loaded iMacs with 27" screens and quad-core i7 for about $2100 each. The Core i7's are a lot quicker than the Xeon processors i think. You can get 2 machines with screens in case one breaks and spend the rest on a decent external RAID and you will be set.

[sarnold]

This purchase is for a major Universities production studio. The Mac Pro is so that cards can be added. For example, our Blu-ray publisher runs on an eSATA card which will have to be added. We have been using all Macs for about a year now. The Mac platform was chosen because it is more stable and can handle multimedia (video, 3d graphics, etc.) better.

[MacDSL]

ahhh, allright... After using both a 8-core and a 12-core machine for a while (IT for an Advertising Agency with a Video-Production department) You will not really notice the extra cores except for a very few encodings and plug-ins. I would save the money on the cores and stick with 8, and keep the RAM at no more than 16G. anything more, and you really get diminished returns.