Mac pro

[MovieBuff]

The new MAC PRO should be interesting to use with Wirecast 5.

Theoretically, you could buy 6 BlackMagic MiniRecorders and use 6 HD cameras with Wirecast 5 on the new MACPRO (6 thunderbolt ports)?

[Dan Ortego]

As a Mac fanatic for more than 29-years (yes I'm old) I had been looking forward to the new Mac Pro for quite sometime. Even so, it's a coin-flipping contest for me. I'm actually considering holding off to see what the new Mac Mini may offer when fully configured. It's possible that I could have two of those vs. one of that.

As super cool as the new MacPro will be I'm not sure I would leverage all of what it's intended to be or do. Anyway, if you get one, rests assure that I will be jealous!

[andrewzarian]

The mac pro is out of reach for most internet broadcasters. If you are going to spending that sort of money on a computer just for as a wirecast machine I would suggest looking a Tricaster.

[Dan Ortego]

Morning Andrew,
I agree with your post regarding the new Mac Pro. It's certainly a beautiful device and even though I tend to push the envelope on what's reasonable, I most certainly will not be buying this unit.

I really like the option to rack mount the Mac Mini(s) in order to keep things simple and tidy. In fact, I had my finger on the mouse button just a few minutes ago but I realize that a refresh is way overdue.

[Linuxcooldude]

The mac pro is out of reach for most internet broadcasters. If you are going to spending that sort of money on a computer just for as a wirecast machine I would suggest looking a Tricaster.

It depends. Not only do I broadcast with my Mac Pro, but do my post production, screencasts, video editing...before and after the broadcast. The Tricaster is just for broadcasting. The Mac Pro can fill many shoes and has more uses. So in some ways it might be a cheaper option.

[Dan Ortego]

Hello Linuxcooldude,
I have a 2009 Mac Pro 4,1 fully loaded and its still running strong albeit not as fast after installing Mavericks.

[Linuxcooldude]

Hello, I use the same exact Mac Pro, at least an 8 core. I've been getting a miscellaneous problems over the years, most likely due to upgrading the OS constantly since Leopard. This time I did a clean install by formatting the hard drive and then installing Mavericks, which all these issues went away.

Have not seen any slowdowns with Mavericks as far as I can tell.

[Dan Ortego]

Actually, I'm a beta tester on the Mavericks program which is still ongoing, so my system is complicated. Also, my hard drives are likely slowing down due to age so perhaps it's not entirely an OS problem. Either way I want to move up to a Thunderbolt I/O and preferably with the newer A/C Wi-Fi card. Hopefully the next 'Mini' will likely contain both so I'm pretty much in a wait-state.

Just as well, since I already purchased myself a Christmas gift. Although I'm nothing like Andrew when it comes to his incredible studio! :D

[MovieBuff]

I'm actually considering holding off to see what the new Mac Mini may offer when fully configured. It's possible that I could have two of those vs. one of that.

That's interesting. I wonder if there's a way to attach a camcorder per MacMini, and network all the camcorder shots to one computer operating Wirecast to do the switching (I wonder if there would be lag issues between shots).

I was considering this(Image below), but a MacBook Pro with an i7 is close to 3000$.
http://stretchinternet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Wirecast-Three-Camera-Setup.jpg
Source: http://stretchinternet.com/blog/2013/07/high-definition-three-camera-inputs-one-laptop-3500/#comment-9549


The total cost for all equipment in this photo (excluding cameras) is:

1. Macbook Pro 15″ with Retina Display – $2,800
2. Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Recorder – $145 (x2)
3. Blackmagic Design Intensity Shuttle USB 3.0 – $200
4. Thunderbolt and HDMI cables – about $200
5. USB to Ethernet Adapter (since the Macbook Pro does not come with an Ethernet port) – $25

[Dan Ortego]

Hi Movie Buff,
Unless I was traveling a lot I wouldn’t even consider a new MacBook. The convergence of the iOS and OSX is occurring rapidly whereby an iPad may ultimately replace the MacBook’s. Of course for what we do, the viability of a conventional computer remains.

I was all set for the MacPro but I have high-hopes for the next Mac Mini at half the price when fully configured. Besides, I can't stand the Apple displays with the mirror like' finishes.

[Linuxcooldude]

Hi Movie Buff,
Unless I was traveling a lot I wouldn’t even consider a new MacBook. The convergence of the iOS and OSX is occurring rapidly whereby an iPad may ultimately replace the MacBook’s. Of course for what we do, the viability of a conventional computer remains. I was all set for the MacPro but I have high-hopes for the next Mac Mini at half the price when fully configured.

The convergence of of iOS & OSX is mostly in applications. To be applied seamlessly between platforms. I think Apple is still seeing the need to keep desktop & mobile separate. Until they solve the problems inherent with a desktop on a touch environment then maybe. As we seen with problems with Microsofts surface tablets.

[Dan Ortego]

The convergence of of iOS & OSX is mostly in applications. To be applied seamlessly between platforms. I think Apple is still seeing the need to keep desktop & mobile separate. Until they can get past the problems inherent with a desktop on a touch environment then maybe. As we seen with problems with Microsofts surface tablets.

I most certainly agree but I expect the next larger iPad will have an optional keyboard. In typical Apple fashion, it will most likely work significantly better than the Microsoft offerings.

Anyway, if I plan to spend $3K and my choices were the MacPro, MacBook Pro, or to two Mac Mini's, the latter may likely be my choice. Until then my current Mac Pro is still hanging in there.

[MovieBuff]

Quite frankly I just want a tablet that is powerful enough and some sort of alternative that can use this http://www.aja.com/en/products/kona-3g

I just hope we have tablets that have stronger CPUs like this guy mentions towards the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHPgKck3qMA

[MovieBuff]

Hi Movie Buff,
Unless I was traveling a lot I wouldn’t even consider a new MacBook. The convergence of the iOS and OSX is occurring rapidly whereby an iPad may ultimately replace the MacBook’s. Of course for what we do, the viability of a conventional computer remains.

I was all set for the MacPro but I have high-hopes for the next Mac Mini at half the price when fully configured. Besides, I can't stand the Apple displays with the mirror like' finishes.

I agree with your thinking, but I hope something develops soon in regards to stronger tablets. I posted the new Lenovo tablet in a different thread: http://forum.ibroadcastnetwork.org/showthread.php/1524-Lenovo-Ideapad-Yoga-2-Pro-Ultrabook?highlight=lenovo I'm pretty sure it's not that strong to support Wirecast.

[Dan Ortego]

8-Core will be impressive!

[MovieBuff]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmXxC28bZvE

Read this for more info on this setup: http://fkdv.se/mac-pro-6-videocams-true/


Summary

I tested and streamed for just about an hour, and here are some answers, questions and issues I want to look into later.

- It works with 6 cameras, and probably more.
-You will get framedrops, depending on how you configure your streaming and recording, regardless of hardware. (Wrong frame rate settings)
- Further testing in using a more realistic setup with 3-4 cameras streaming 720p-1080p is needed.
- PiP with 7 sources worked. But I think the 12GB memory became a bottleneck, so more testing using the bigger Mac Pro’s is needed.
- I need to use other streaming services. I’m based in Stockholm, Sweden and here we have i.e. Bambuser .com and Solidtango.se as partners with ability to test their services with all functions available. Ustream and Livestream could also work.
- How would you carry the Mac Pro when traveling, and what monitor would you use