I am a mac user running fcp4 and am looking to start up a small production company, however i am tossing up whether to convert to pc with the new avid essentials production bundle - avidxpro, boris, aviddvd, and protools or whether to go for the g5 and their production suite - fcphd, motion, dvdsp. has anyone had experience with any of these applications, and what are your experiences? thx in advance for your help.

Hey, Youre asking a awefull lot of questions at the same time. As for fcp vs avid yust type the question avid or fcp, or dvxpress or fcp etc at google and you will find many articles which will give you a lot of input you'll need. Here's my opinion; Avid is the top, fcp is a very good alternative and in some fronts even better. Regarding the dv level both systems cost about the same, once you would go to sdi input options and SD or HD resolutions fcp/mac is much much cheaper. Fcp is a more open system which gives you nice intregation with photoshop/ dvd studio pro/ motion etc. Avid's interface is in my sense much more thought trough and will give you a faster work flow. Avid has a very stable media data base which is lacking in my view in fcp, but if you take care of you're date yourselve in fcp and have a good workflow this should not be a problem. In my case i will buy a fcp system because of it's open workflow and it's better price range in SD res. hardware but everytime i sit behind a avid which is mostly four times a week since i work as a freelancer, a yust love it. Both systems are great so my advise would be think whath you want to do with it and then make a choose. I found these two links usefull so you might want to check these out. Succes, Ronald http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/2002/09_sep/ features/cw_fcp_vs_xdv_shootout.htm http://www.lafcpug.org/feature_avid_vs_fcp.html

Thx very much for your advice Ronald, I appreciate your time and knowledge. You have helped push me over the edge to getting another mac, I just ordered my G5 today, and look forward to weilding its weighty power! All the best for your productions, Regards Dan.