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.