Mac recommendation for editing Virtual Reality

[mikeyyevans]

I am currently using a 2012 iMac 27-inch 3.2 GHz i5, 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3, with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX 1024 MB.

It has not been cutting it in Premiere in general anymore, and with VR, it won't render or export transitions, even though I have GPU Acceleration enabled. So I think it's time to upgrade.

I'm wondering what the recommendations out there are? I am locked into buying a Mac through work, but that is my only constraint. What do you guys recommend is needed? The baseline, and then for optimal performance?

[ECBowen · Accepted solution]

The Imac Pro with the 10 Core and 64GB of ram would be the only real good option with the Mac requirement. The budget would decide what options you have beyond that. The regular Imac would handle some of the lower compression media such as DNX or Pro Res ok. H264 would likely tax the regular Imac with any 4K media if you needed to edit 4K in 360. What media do you work with?

Eric

ADK

[mikeyyevans]

Currently, I'm working with media shot on the GoPro Fusion, which is in 5.2K, MP4/H.264. Not on the topic of premiere pro, but I also need a computer that is going to do the stitching in the GoPro Fusion studio faster than my current one does.

I also shoot with the Sony A7R II, in AVCHD H.264. But those are not 360, and I rotate between shooting in 4K and 1080p.

[ECBowen]

If you stitch to Cineform with Go Pro Fusion Studio then the regular Imac with the i7 4.2GHz, 64GB, 512GB SSD OS Drive and external TB SSD storage would be solid. The Imac Pro would still be the better buy at this point but more expensive. H264 does not handle 4K efficiently so most systems struggle with playing that back realtime especially in 360. Use the Cineform stitch option and the performance will be better.

Eric

ADK 

[mikeyyevans]

Oh, Cineform is a great suggestion.

So, it seems like, on the lowest end, I could go with the iMac i7 that you recommended.

Would you say the iMac Pro 10 core on the high end, or is that more of the middle of the road option to take?

[ECBowen]

The Imac Pro would be the high end since Mac is the requirement.

Eric

ADK