System Preferences Checklist
You'll need to configure Mac OS X whenever you set up a new Final Cut Pro station, to achieve optimum performance. Once you understand how different Mac OS X features affect FCP, it becomes a matter of running through a standard checklist of the various options:
- Energy Saver Set the sleep setting for computer, monitor, and hard disks to Never. Select the option to restart automatically after power failure. Set the processor performance to Highest.
- Desktop & Screen Saver Deactivate the Change Picture and Start Screen Saver options.
- Sharing Turn off All Services, Firewall, and Internet Sharing.
- Security Turn off FileVault and Use Secure Virtual Memory. Make it optional to require a password to wake the computer.
- Displays Use optimal or native resolution for your display, millions of colors, and select a refresh rate of 85 Hz, if applicable, to your display. Disable Automatically Adjust Brightness for PowerBook G4 systems. Do not select Mirror Displays.
- Sound Play alerts and sound effects through internal speakers. Make the output volume high.
- Dashboard & Exposé Modify keyboard shortcuts to avoid conflicts with FCP.
- Dock Select the option to automatically show and hide the Dock.
- Software Update Check for updates manually.