64-bit

TheHappyFriar wrote on 2/9/2005, 8:25 PM

Besides windows, linux, and games? Not sure. I read that AMD is practicly GIVEING the 64-bit compilers away to companies, but haven't hear much.

I don't think Windows apps will start being made until Win64 is released (or if Win2005 supports 64-bit, when that gets out). Unfortunitly there isn't much point now as most people run windows & it's still a beta.

However, I did read an article over at www.cpuid.com that when code was compiled under the 64-bit compiler it took about 1/2 to 1/3 less time to run (due to less code the processor needed to process). This was identical code compiled on a P4 with WinXP & AMD64 with Win64 beta.

I'm not sure if this would help in video editing, but i'm sure it would help in rendering & encoding (but then you've got HD speed limits to factor into this: oyu only move as fast as the slowest piece)

Coursedesign wrote on 2/9/2005, 9:43 PM

Lightwave is in beta on their 64-bit version.

Windows XP 64-bit edition has been in beta for more than a year, it's due for full release in Q2 per MS.

SweetPea wrote on 2/9/2005, 9:44 PM

i feal stupid for asking but what is q2

Chanimal wrote on 2/9/2005, 9:57 PM

2nd Quarter of the year.

Stonefield wrote on 2/9/2005, 11:48 PM

And what would 64 bit technology enable you to do ?

Chienworks wrote on 2/10/2005, 4:11 AM

64 bit processors process 64 bits at a time, basically, as compared to 32 bits at a time for 32 bit processors. Each processor cycle could handle twice as much data in the same time slice. Theoretically, if the software is written to handle it well, 64 bit code chomps through data twice as fast.

There is an upward limit of usefulness in any algorithm though. 32 bit processors didn't do much for improving processing of plain text files since text is stored in 8 bit bytes. Any algorithm that processes text one character at a time ends up wasting 24 bits of it's capacity. I suspect that, since most video is 24 or 32 bits per pixel, and video editing involves massive amounts of single-pixel processing, that a 64 bit processor would be minimal benefit while rendering. This is just a guess though so i may be wrong. It's quite possible (and highly likely) that the SONY programmers are more creative than i am when it comes to coding. ;)

TheHappyFriar wrote on 2/10/2005, 6:51 AM

plus, all 32-bit intel compatibles follow the x-86 istructions which limit the memory usage to 64k (yes that's k). Programers found ways around it, but everything is stll handled in 64k chunks.

AMD's 64-bit stuff gets around that, but ONLY if running in 64-bit mode. All 32-bit apps still have that limitation (for a time reference, the first intel 32-bit chip was the 80386. Modern CPU's are basicly really fancy 386's with extra features & really realy fast)

Is Maya for Windows 64-bit yet? I know macs are 64-bit & Maya 1 on SGI's was 64-bit. Just wondering if it's up there on PC's yet.

B_JM wrote on 2/10/2005, 6:57 AM

untill the windows 64 bit code is complete - a lot of companies are holding out with final product or in many cases - not started yet untill out of beta ..
i know several companies that have thier 64 bit version ready to go - but want final win64 releases just in case any last minute code changes - which certainly can happen ..

Maya 6.5 is currently Qualified on the following 64-bit systems:
Opteron: Windows XP Professional (SP1, SP2)
EM64T: Windows XP Professional (SP1, SP2)

Maya 6.5 is currently Untested on the following 64-bit systems:
Athlon 64: Windows XP Professional
Athlon 64: Windows XP x64 Edition
Opteron: Windows XP x64 Edition

Maya 6.5 is currently Unsupported on the following 64-bit systems:
Itanium: Windows XP x64 Edition