Which computer for a 4k camera?

gigidread 3 Jan 2014 11:15
Hi there!
I'm reading with much interest the "4k chat" post and I'm thinking about buying a PXW-Z100 in the near future, but I need to upgrade my old pc and I have a question for you, owners of 4k cameras...

Which kind of computers are you using for working with 4k files? Can you give me some numbers? (like processor, RAM, video card, etc...)
Mac or PC, I'm open to everything!

Thanks and have a great day!
Gigi
Kronos_Studio_Stock_Footage 6 Jan 2014 22:06
New Mac Pro would be good, but the latest iMac will handle 4k just fine :)
vadervideo 8 Jan 2014 14:48
I have been processing 4K using Adobe CC (and CS6 prior) on an I7 (intel) Windows 7 and 32 GB ram without much problem for the last 2 years now. I upgraded the system about a year ago from Win7Pro to Ultimate to be able to make use of memory beyond 12 GB. Some day I will get a multi socketed/processor system, but for now I can not yet justify it. A side note: I am too fearful of even trying Windows 8 at this point. Maybe in a year or so.
gigidread 9 Jan 2014 19:20
Thanks guys!
I was thinking to buy a laptop since I travel a lot and my choice should be this:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/w-series/w530

(version with Nvidia k2000 and 32 gb ram)

According to your experience, vadervideo, it should be enough.
But I might wait for the w540 that is coming soon!
I would love the new Mac Pro, but it's out of my budget! :-(
Thanks again,
gigidread
SimpleIconic 9 Jan 2014 19:31
My system is similar to vader's and handles enormous files just fine in ae. For grading I make an hd version of the clip, grade and prerender, and when I like it I copy all of the grading specs onto the 4k version. Reason being that the prerender of graded 4k files is a little time consuming even at 50%.
danielschweinert 9 Jan 2014 21:21
Take a look at this HP Elitebook Workstation with DreamColor display from Shane Hurlbut. Costs an arm and a leg. Hopefully there will be a newer model :-)

http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/06/hp-elitebook-8770w-mobile-workstation-reshaping-our-workflow/
gigidread 9 Jan 2014 21:34
Oooohhh... That's way too much for me!! I still need my arm and my leg!! Maybe I should start playing the lottery... :-/
SimpleIconic 9 Jan 2014 21:42
Try a company called Malibal. I have used them many times. Very cutting edge machines, with as much power as you can afford to put in them.
gigidread 12 Jan 2014 21:30
Thanks Physics, it really look interesting. I'll do some research to see how are the prices compared to the Lenovo W530. Unfortunately it is not avaiable in Italy anymore (the W530), but I might go to Miami for work soon, so I could buy it there...
vadervideo 12 Jan 2014 22:16
Ya know, the problem I have with companies such as Acer, HP (they seem to be in trouble anyway), Lenovo, and even Sony (I own a Sony Vaio I7 that has the power!) - they all tend to put a lot of crap of their own that just slows down the system. Very similar to smartphones I suppose. If I were going to look at new laptops, I would look at ASUS for a simple reason: they manufacture some of the best motherboards and are not inundated with promoting and installing crap. Here is a nice system: http://promos.asus.com/us/G750/ - and the top line model is only about http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=G750JH-DB71&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma