Editing NX1 4K

Hello! Ok. I have the new Samsung NX1. This questions isn't regarding the 4K from the camera but 4K in general and FCPX running on a Mid 2010 Mac Pro tower. So, here goes.

First, my system specs. Mac Pro Mid 2010 tower 2.8ghz Quad Core Intel Xeon. 32GB RAM 1066 DDR3, two internal PCIe ATI Radeo HD 5770 1GB graphics cards, OSX Yosemite, one external SATA RAID with 9TB 7200rpm Seagate drives, and one external SATA Phantom drive with 7200rpm Seagate Drive.

I shot some 4K test footage on the NX1 at 4096x2160 then used the Samsung Movie Converter to modify the footage to Apple Pro Res 4K, H.264 4096x2160, Data Rate:205.13 Mbit/s. At those converted specs Quicktime will play the files at a reduced resolution of 1276x673. If expanded to the full 4096x2160 there are a lot of skipped frames and stuttering, even on a 7200rpm internal SATA.

When the footage is imported into FCPX (10.2.1) the proxy footage plays back in real time. No issues there. When switched to the high quality, or optimized, timeline play back is a tad better than in QuickTime running straight from an internal SATA. Here are my questions,

1. Is the stuttering playback mainly due to the 7200rpm drives, and will investing in 10,000rpm drives make a difference in the processing of the 4k footage?

2. Will investing in higher grade, 3GB, graphics cards, handle the 4K footage and reduce all frame drops and stuttering?

3. Will investing in OWC double RAM chips to go from 32GB to 48GB reduce the drops?

or

4. Do I have to do all of the above or will a combo of #1 and #2 or just #2 allow for better 4K editing performance?

Finally, I don't have the budget to buy a Darth Vader Mac Pro, but I do have the budget to invest in better graphic cards if this forum says that is the way to go.

Looking forward to responses.

Hi Ted,

The answer to all 4 of your questions is: not really.

I think your problem starts with the converted files.

You say you have converted the test footage to "Apple Pro Res 4K, H.264 4096x2160, Data Rate:205.13 Mbit/s." That's quite impossible. Either it is ProRes or it is H.264, it cannot be both. So open one of the converted files in QuickTime, then press CMD+i. This will open the Info window for that clip. Post a screenshot of the Info window.

- Ronny