I'm sure there are a million threads on this, I just couldn't seem to find it.

I have two Avid systems, one is listed down below in my system specs and is running Avid Xpress Pro 5.8

The second computer is a G5 running Xpress Pro 4.

I need to find a way to network these together. I imagine there's a lot of methods. We'll be sharing wave, mp3 files, MXF files, AVI fies. Working in both hd and standard DVcam tape.

Would a centeral server be the way to go?

Like I said, I imagine there are a million threads on this. If you can point me to them, I'll gladly read them.

You'll save yourself a lot of time and headaches if you go the central server route.

Okay, sounds good. Is there any erading material on hooking up a server between the two? Do you just have all of the media on the server and then import the sequence file from work station A to B and relink media?

I really have no clue as to what I'm doing. I've never had to do this before.

Also, what if the computers were in different locations? Meaning, not in the same building. Would there be a prefered work flow for that situation?

No Malcolm, you can't share media between Avid systems unless you are running something like Unity, Lanshare or editshare.

Thanks! I'll go do some research!

Okay, so what's special about Unity? It just seems to be a hard drive set up linked to a server?

Is there any reason I couldn't make my own?

Avid Interplay seems to have some pretty awesome features. I imagine that it only works with a Unity system though?

About a million reasons. It's not only the server but the Unity client software, the proprietary switches, etc. You need a system that is built to access the same files and folders simultaneously and a standard server setup will not do that.

okay. Thanks. Sorry if I'm asking a lot of dumb questions. I'm new to this.

 A Unity system is the best way to go for full functionality in a shared server environment. However, be aware that it is by no means a set and forget system. It requires regular daily, weekly and monthly preventative maintenance cycles to keep it functioning properly. Be prepared.

That sounds like a lot of work. At this point, I only need to transfer some projects over eervy once in awhile.

Mr Malcolm:

Also, what if the computers were in different locations? Meaning, not in the same building. Would there be a prefered work flow for that situation?

For networking there always used to be Dave software that allowed relatively easy Mac to PC networking. OSX came out with its own version. With a little patience it is not too hard to setup a simple Mac to PC workgroup (OSX and XP)

interesting. So if I installed DAVE on the mac and had a few hardrives to transfer the project around, we could do this?

What about sharing projects between 5.8 and 4? Shoud I upgrade the Mac so they're both using the same version at least?

 Malcolm:

If your needs are that sparse, you could simply use a decent sized portable hard drive and the consolidation feature to move projects and media from one platform to another. When Unity fails, that's my backup workflow.

and the mac files and windows files will be all cool together?

I shouldn't worry about the different versions playing nice together?