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Now, this isn't to bash Mac users or start a flame war, but more to promote equality. I hear many people say that the Mac is a better editing platform without any argument other than "I like the software on the Mac more than on Windows/Linux machines", which is a totally valid reason why that person uses it. My problem is with people saying that it's a "better" platform as if it were a fact, when in reality, both platforms have software that performs the same functions with the same output quality. In my opinion, the only deciding factor is personal software preference/familiarity. That being said, why do you think many consider the Mac to be "better" for editing?

asked Apr 06 '11 at 23:40

Gorkon5567's gravatar image

Gorkon5567
2.5k273768


Mainly two reasons. First, for a while the Mac was primarily the only machines that had firewire, and many video cameras had these connections. So, windows machines played catchup until Firewire was everywhere, now with USB 3.0 really it's moot.

Second, the video editing software that came free with some macs was really pretty awesome. Windows didn't have a comparable package for the price. Probably if the same software was available for Windows, people would be using it.

answered Apr 07 '11 at 01:11

Duodave's gravatar image

Duodave
4.6k404998

I use Windows based PCs for video editing. However I feel that the main reason people use Macs for video editing is because they have Final Cut which is a powerful video editor that many people use. However there are programs that you can use on Windows also. But the main reason I think is the software.

I will say I don't believe what other members have said about how it is to avoid BSODs, I have not had a BSOD in years. The last time I had one was when I was modding Windows Vista in a VM and installed a 3rd party video driver to see if I could get Aero running, and the driver was not working and crashed. But before that I had not had one in years. Windows is just about as stable as Mac OSX. Just the other weekend I was using a MacBook Pro 17" and comparing it to my 17" Toshiba which had similar specs. They would open programs just as quickly At least what was noticeable to the eye. I wasn't using a program to time it or something. Also, during the test neither laptop crashed.

answered Apr 07 '11 at 17:51

TheTechDude's gravatar image

TheTechDude
16.8k4094298

Macs are known for their stability. Windows...not so much.
Let's say we're rendering a video that takes 10 hours to render. You don't want to have the risk of something drastic happening like a BSOD halfway through the encoding.

So it pretty much boils down to the environment itself. Some people prefer to use Final Cut (myself included) which is only available for Macs. Adobe Premiere Pro is another fantastic choice, and it's available for Windows and OS X. Sony Vegas is only available on Windows.

So if you like Final Cut, you're obviously going to go with a Mac; if you like Sony Vegas, it's a no brainer that you're going to choose Windows. If you like Adobe, well, now you have options!

answered Apr 07 '11 at 00:43

catchatyou's gravatar image

catchatyou
20.7k89165383

1

In my experience, Mac programs crash just as frequently as their windows counterparts. Though the Windows system as a whole does freeze up more often.

(Apr 07 '11 at 00:58) Zlpha Zlpha's gravatar image
1

I've only really had Safari crash on me, and I'm pretty sure that Flash is to blame.

(Apr 07 '11 at 12:05) catchatyou catchatyou's gravatar image
5

"Macs are known for their stability. Windows...not so much"

That's BS. I have never had any problems with Windows 7. I have it installed via Boot Camp on my iMac, and it works just a fluidly, and quickly as OSX. Even on my under-powered netbook, Windows 7 works flawlessly.

Also, I haven't seen a BSOD since Windows 95 or 98. Don't through crap around, that isn't at all true.

(Apr 07 '11 at 12:52) Justin Justin's gravatar image
1

Windows 7 is the best OS Windows has ever made. But it isn't just software which defines a good OS. The Mac hardware is optimized hardware. This means that the hardware itself makes the system more stable independent of the OS you're using. That you're under-powered netbook hasn't had any problems yet to me sounds like you're not using it that often. My Dell Vostro 3700 High end gaming PC has had a staggering 25 BSOD's. And I don't even know how much system crashes.

Just that YOU haven't had any problems doesn't mean that its BS. You're just lucky!

(Apr 07 '11 at 12:59) nitrocrime nitrocrime's gravatar image
3

I use my Netbook a lot, honestly. And only have had my Mac for less than a year, before that was just Windows. Even still, I spend a lot of time in Windows, and absolutely no problems.

If you've actually had 25 BSODs, then it's probably a problem with a piece of hardware, and not Windows.

(Apr 07 '11 at 13:03) Justin Justin's gravatar image

I would honestly say that stability depends on the user's knowledge of safe practices and third-party programs, and that is why Windows crashes more often for non-savvy users (with exceptions). Windows gives users more power over the OS than OSX does, so naturally less-savvy users without safe practice knowledge would tend to crash the OS more often. However, I'm not saying that Mac users can't be power users. They just have to dig much more deeply.

(Apr 07 '11 at 16:29) Gorkon5567 Gorkon5567's gravatar image
1

@nitrocrime "Just that YOU haven't had any problems doesn't mean that its BS. You're just lucky!"

No, it means you actually know how to use a computer. 25 BSOD? You should really get that fixed.

(Apr 07 '11 at 16:33) Zlpha Zlpha's gravatar image

@justin 15-20 or so were due to a broken RAM chip and MotherBoard rest just out of the blue.

(Apr 07 '11 at 16:34) nitrocrime nitrocrime's gravatar image

If you're looking for stability, go with Mac OS or Linux. I've never had either of them crash on me. Meanwhile, Windows has gone down on me at least 10 times since I put together a Windows rig.

(Apr 23 '11 at 22:26) HHBones HHBones's gravatar image

@nitrocrime: I had the same issue with my Dell Vostro, try updating the graphics card with the one from nVidia or AMDs site not from Dell that is what fixed my issue.

(Apr 23 '11 at 23:41) TheTechDude TheTechDude's gravatar image

just blame windows for inventing something so cool called "Blue Screen Of Death"

(Apr 24 '11 at 01:50) iTechnologyz iTechnologyz's gravatar image
showing 5 of 11 show all

Windows tend to crash at times without notice.

answered Apr 07 '11 at 03:56

iTechnologyz's gravatar image

iTechnologyz
1.3k93101120

2

That's not really a complete answer is it?

(Apr 07 '11 at 12:41) nitrocrime nitrocrime's gravatar image

without notice? I think the user adding tons of crapware would be notice enough. Your machine is only as good as the user.

(Apr 23 '11 at 22:24) iGeek3 iGeek3's gravatar image

...Have you EVER been doing something and then be confronted with a glowing blue screen? "A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. The problem seems to be caused by the following file [file taken out of my ass]." See, I can recite the error message from heart.

BOGUS_DRIVER, IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, I can name them all. Then, people wonder why I don't boot into Windows except to play games.

(Apr 23 '11 at 22:31) HHBones HHBones's gravatar image

I have read in Mac newspaper advertisement's for promoting Mac's video editing software, it seems to have a good impression on the people so they are using it.

answered Apr 07 '11 at 00:47

Yogi's gravatar image

Yogi
95596103119

I had used Windows for editing for more than 2 months, I used Photoshop, Vegas, SoundForge and Fraps. I never had to worry about BSOD or any other related issues. I find it inconvenient that some people don't edit media on Windows just because BSODs or related crashes. I never had a Mac at home, so I can't really answer what the reason is, I can take a guess I think it's the looking and the way makes it easier to manage editing(kind of softer).

answered Apr 07 '11 at 15:04

Viper92Z's gravatar image

Viper92Z
87641120

OK now I just need to say this for future answers: Whoever wants to argue that programs crash less on their computer is a little dumb because that's YOUR computer and you may or may not know what you're doing...

Now to answer you...

I would say it's because OS X is generally faster than Windows is and usually more stable. For sound editing, there's someone named Elric Phares (hope I spelled that right) who explained in a card review WHY it can be helpful to use a Mac to edit sound... For video, it's really boils down to what program you want to use.

answered Apr 23 '11 at 22:16

HerpDerp's gravatar image

HerpDerp
2.1k152148

It really doesn't matter which operating system you use.. whether it be Linux, Windows, or Mac. They all will do the same thing and have same performance if you use the same application on all of them, and of course have the same equal hardware. It is really insane to spend all that money on a mac to get the same hardware of a PC, and it still not being the top & Number 1 OS.

answered Apr 24 '11 at 02:12

Jameel%20Alayyan's gravatar image

Jameel Alayyan
256333643

There is just such a large variety of software out there for the Mac. Mac's are also really stable. Also they do not crash. They are also very functional, by this I mean that they can get as complex or simple as you need (part of that goes into the software). They are overall just a wonderful device to do media editing on, in general.

answered Apr 24 '11 at 23:01

geekytechguy's gravatar image

geekytechguy
4267817

windows can be very stable if you limit what you run on it (especially random background processes.

I have used both final cut pro on the mac and adobe aftereffects and adobe premiere and have had crashes on all of them. on all 3 it happened when I edited raw 1080P footage. luckily they do have auto save so you only lose like 5-15 minutes of work instead of 10-15 hours.

Windows based systems and software have gotten a lot more stable over the years, the same goes with the mac os

answered Apr 25 '11 at 00:10

Razor512's gravatar image

Razor512
15.5k3480242

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Asked: Apr 06 '11 at 23:40

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Last updated: Apr 25 '11 at 00:10