Power Mac G5 — Pro Tools|HD & Pro Tools|HD Accel Requirements

With Pro Tools HD 7.0/7.1 for Mac OS X 10.4 ("Tiger")

Supported Power Mac G5 PCI Express Computers

These Power Mac G5 PCI Express models require one of the following configurations:

  • HD PCIe Cards - installed inside the Power MaC G5
  • Digidesign HD|Expansion Chassis with HD PCI cards in the chassis and PCIe host card in the Power Mac G5

These Power Mac G5 PCI Express models require Pro Tools 7.1 or higher, included with Pro Tools|HD PCIe Core Systems.

Dual Core G5 Processor Models - PCI Express

Power Mac G5 Quad 2.5GHz - twin dual-core model M9592
Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz - single dual-core model M9590
Power Mac G5 Dual 2.3GHz - single dual-core model M9591

All 3 new Power Mac G5 models listed above use PCI Express (PCI-e) slots. Previous Digidesign PCI cards: HD Core card, HD Accel card, HD Process card, Digidesign 64-bit Expansion Chassis, ATTO UL3D, or any hardware that requires PCI or PCI-X slots cannot be installed internally on these G5 PCI Express models. For more information on PCI Express-compatible Pro Tools|HD Core and Pro Tools|HD Accel cards, please see the following announcement in the News section:

Avid Mojo & Apple Power Mac G5 PCIe (PCI Express) Alert

Please see the information farther down on this same page regarding the use of Avid Mojo with Power Mac G5 PCIe (PCI Express) models.

Low Buffer Size/Multi-Processor Issues with Pro Tools 7 on Mac OS X

There is a known issue with low hardware buffer sizes and the multiprocessor RTAS engine of Pro Tools 7 (HD, LE, and M-Powered). Specifically at buffer sizes lower than 512, multiprocessor setups of Pro Tools can show a marked INCREASE in CPU utilization as you enable more processors. While dual processor models also exhibit this behavior somewhat, it is more noticeable with 3 or 4 processors enabled on the Power Mac Quad G5.

Digidesign is aware of the problem, and is actively working on the issue. We have run a number of tests, and while we continue to investigate a fix, our tests have turned up a few situations where this problem is likely to manifest, and a workaround for those scenarios.

At buffer sizes 512 and higher, we recommend you use the maximum number of processors. More processors will give you more cycles to run additional RTAS plug-ins and more tracks with little additional overhead from Pro Tools' management of additional processors.

We recommend the following setting for existing or new sessions that require lower buffer sizes:

  1. In "Setup/Playback Engine" lower "RTAS Processors" to "2 Processors".
  2. If you still see errors, one or more of the following will reduce the CPU utilization below the error threshold:
    • Make some plug-ins inactive
    • Make some tracks inactive
  3. If errors still occur, follow the same instructions with one processor enabled

Once you are mixing, you may use all processors, and restore any inactive tracks/plug-ins. You can then increase the HW buffer size to 512 or higher to prevent errors.

We are fully engaged in this investigation and we will update our customers as we have more information.

Supported Power Mac G5 Computers - HD PCI Cards Only

Dual G5 Processor Models
Power Mac G5 Dual 2.7GHz (model M9749) See below
Power Mac G5 Dual 2.5GHz (second generation model M9457)
Power Mac G5 Dual 2.3GHz (model M9748) See below
Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz (third generation model M9747)
Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz (second generation model M9455)
Power Mac G5 Dual 1.8GHz (second generation model M9454)
Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz (first generation model M9032)
Power Mac G5 Dual 1.8GHz (first generation model M9393)

Single G5 Processor Models
Power Mac G5 1.8GHz (first generation model M9031 only) See below
Power Mac G5 1.6GHz (model M9020)

Compatibility Alert — Power Mac G5 2.3/2.7GHz Models

Digidesign has identified an intermittent problem with Pro Tools|HD and the following Power Mac G5 2.3GHz and 2.7GHz models (introduced April 27, 2005). At times in a small number of these systems, not all of the cards in a Pro Tools|HD or Pro Tools|HD Accel system are seen by the Mac in Apple System Profiler or DigiTest. During launch, Pro Tools shows "DAE error -1123" or "Flex Cable Error".

This is because the configuration is seen as an extra TDM flex cable attached to the last recognized card, but not connected to the subsequent card. This problem can usually be resolved by restarting the computer. In rare occasions, multiple restarts may be required. If restarting fails to solve the issue described, please contact Digidesign Technical Support for additional troubleshooting and diagnosis.

  • Power Mac G5 Dual 2.3 GHz - model M9748
  • Power Mac G5 Dual 2.7 GHz - model M9749

Specifications

Not Qualified with Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel Systems

  • Second generation Single 1.8 GHz Power Mac G5 (model M9555)
  • Qualified with LE systems only

Dual Processor G5 & 2 GB RAM Required with the following:

  • D-Control
  • Avid Mojo

Not Tested with Avid Mojo with Pro Tools HD 7

  • Dual 1.8 GHz Power Mac G5 (second geneartion model M9454)
  • Dual 2.0 GHz Power Mac G5 (third generation model M9747)

Additional Requirements

Supported Expansion Chassis

Storage Requirements

Digidesign has officially qualified all of the Power Mac G5 models listed as supported for use with Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools|HD Accel systems with the following storage:

  • Serial SATA (internal)
  • SCSI
  • FireWire

For detailed information, please see the following:

SCSI Accelerator Cards

For maximum track count, Pro Tools|HD systems require the use of a qualified SCSI HBA card. Supported SCSI Cards for the Power Mac G5 models listed at the top of this page:

  • ATTO ExpressPCI UL5D - Dual-channel Ultra320 PCI Express SCSI Host Adapter
    • Power Mac G5 PCI Express models only
    • Qualified with Pro Tools HD 7.1 and higher only
  • ATTO ExpressPCI UL4D - Dual-channel Ultra320-to-PCI-X SCSI Host Adapter
    • Power Mac PCI models only
    • Qualified with Pro Tools HD 7.0 and higher only
  • ATTO ExpressPCI UL3D - Dual-channel Ultra160 SCSI Host Adapter

For more information, please see the following page:

Dual Monitor Graphics Cards

All dual monitor cards which ship as standard equipment with qualified Apple Power Mac G5 models at the top of this page are supported.

Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)

The Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display has been qualified by Digidesign with Pro Tools HD 7.0 with the following graphics card:

  • ATI Radeon 9650
    • Ships standard with the Power Mac G5 2.7GHz
    • Available as a built-to-order option with Power Mac G5 2.0GHz and 2.3GHz models
  • ATI Radeon X850 XT
    • Available as a built-to-order option with Power Mac G5 2.0GHz, 2.3GHz, and 2.7GHz models
    • This graphics card does not block the adjacent PCI slot, and allows the use of all 3 PCI and PCI-X slots
  • RADEON® X800 XT Mac Edition

These graphics cards do not block the adjacent PCI slot, and allow the use of all 3 PCI and PCI-X slots

Not Tested by Digidesign with Apple Cinema HD Display

Apple has qualified the following optional AGP graphics cards for use with the Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display.

Due to size of the following optional NVIDEA AGP graphics cards qualified by Apple for use with the Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display, the adjacent PCI or PCI-X slot will be blocked and reduces the number of available PCI or PCI-X slots from three to two:

  • NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT DDL AGP Graphics Card
    • Available as a built-to-order option with Power Mac G5 2.0GHz, 2.3GHz, and 2.7GHz models
    • Supports two 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Displays
  • NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL AGP Graphics Card

Maximum Performance Guidelines

Energy Saver Settings for Power Mac G5

Processor Performance

For optimal Pro Tools performance, you must set Processor Performance (located in System Preferences > Energy Saver > Options) to "Highest". Updating your Mac OS may reset this to the default setting: "Automatic". After updating your Mac OS, check to make sure this is set to "Highest".

Apple's Mac OS help documentation provides the following info on Energy Saver Processor settings:

  • The PowerPC G5 processor in your Power Mac G5 can run at various speeds. The default setting for this feature is "Automatic", which allows the system to run the processor at full speed when required, and at a lower speed during periods of light processing activity. Certain real-time applications, such as audio creation or gaming, may perform optimally when using the highest processor performance setting. You can change the processor performance setting in the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences.

Pro Tools Does Not Support Sleep Mode

In the Macintosh System Preferences, launch Energy Saver, click the Sleep tab, and disable all Sleep features. Set "Put the computer to sleep when it is inactive" to Never. Do not manually put your computer to sleep when running Pro Tools.

Avid Mojo & Apple Power Mac G5 PCIe (PCI Express) Alert

If your Avid Mojo is not recognized by an Apple Power Mac G5 PCIe (PCI Express) computer, you must update the video peripheral's firmware on another computer. The firmware cannot be updated on the PCIe computer. (This will be true for all Avid Mojo interfaces manufactured before January 2006.) To update the firmware:

  1. Connect the Mojo to a non-PCIe Mac or any Windows XP computer
  2. Install Pro Tools 7.1 or later software, or MediaStation|PT 1.8.2 or later software
  3. Launch Pro Tools or Media Station|PT. This will update the firmware in the video peripheral
  4. Shut off the video peripheral, then connect to the PCIe computer

Note that using an updated video peripheral with an earlier version of Pro Tools or Media Station software will downgrade the firmware, and the process above will need to be repeated.

Incompatible Hardware

AVoption|V10

AVoption|V10 is only compatible with Windows XP

AVoption|XL

  • AVoption|XL is not supported in Pro Tools 6.4 and higher. Do Not Install Pro Tools 6.4 or higher on an AVoption|XL system.
  • AVoption|XL users on Mac OS X 10.3 must use Pro Tools 6.2.3

Incompatible with Power Mac G5 due to 5.0 volt limitation:

  • SCSI64 Kit (included ATTO Express PCI-DC card is not compatible)

Third-Party PCI Cards Incompatible with Power Mac G5

  • ATTO Express PCI-DC SCSI card
  • Aurora Igniter, IgniterRT, and IgniterLT (manufactured before Spring 2003)

Older versions of the Igniter, IgniterRT, and IgniterLT card are not electronically or physically compatible with the Power Mac G5, as they are 5 volt-only cards. You can tell if your card is compatible by examining the edge connector. If there is only one "slot" in the PCI edge connector, it is the older style 5 volt-only card. For details on how to upgrade to the newer IgniterX card, go to:
http://www.auroravideosys.com/support/faqs.html

Other Digidesign PCI cards are not compatible with Pro Tools|HD Systems or Power Mac G5

Previous Digidesign PCI cards are incompatible with Pro Tools|HD systems. You cannot combine Pro Tools|HD and these PCI cards, either in the CPU or an expansion chassis. Doing so will cause crashes, or the CPU will simply fail to boot. The following Digidesign cards are not compatible with Pro Tools|HD systems for Mac OS X or Power Mac G5:

  • MIX Core card
  • MIX Farm card
  • MIX I/O card
  • d24 card (Pro Tools|24 core card)
  • DSP Farm card (Pro Tools III/Pro Tools|24)
  • Digi 001
  • Audiomedia III
  • Pro Tools III Disk I/O
  • Pro Tools Project card
  • Project II card
  • SampleCell II cards

The following Digidesign hardware is also not compatible with Pro Tools|HD systems:

  • Universal Slave Driver
  • Video Slave Driver
  • SMPTE Slave Driver
  • SampleCell II TDM Module
  • 882 I/O
  • 888 I/O
Digidesign Compatibility Documents Index