This document outlines the minimum and recommended technical requirements for incoming students from all three programs of RTA School of Media (Media Production, New Media and Sport Media).
Following the recommendations outlined below will serve you in future production courses, and should be considered an investment to be kept and used beyond your enrollment in first year courses.
Questions about this guide or the specifications can be directed to: rtatechstaff+support@torontomu.ca
While having your own personal computer is an asset that will allow you to complete some of your course work from home, it may not be required.
All of the required computer hardware and software for your production courses will be available to all students in the RCC computer labs, production suites, and for sign-out from the Equipment Distribution Centre (EDC). Should you choose to purchase your own computer for production work, you will be well served to try to meet the specs provided below.
NOTE: Some paid software applications (e.g. Avid Pro Tools Studio) are only available on campus or on University-owned computers, and licences may not be available for at-home or personal use.
Windows 11, MacOS Ventura (MacOS 13) or later
Processor: Gen 12 or later Intel i7/i9 or Apple M2/M3 Series
RAM: 32GB+
Webcam: built-in or external
A dedicated NVidia or AMD GPU for Windows 11 systems is recommended
1TB+ NVMe
You will require regular access to the internet and a minimum speed of 25Mbps download and 5-10Mbps upload, but the faster the better!
Wi-Fi is great for accessing your email, working collaboratively on Google Docs or navigating D2L, but if you are participating in live productions, online courses using Zoom or other important real-time events you may want to consider a wired connection. If your computer does not have an ethernet port, be sure to take this into consideration when selecting adapters.
Internet providers should offer a speed measurement test link that will give you upload, download and latency speeds. Bell, Cogeco, Rogers. You can also find this information via speedtest.net.
All incoming students will be supplied with one SD memory card. RTA will not replace them if they are lost or stolen.
The SD card will be needed as a recording media for the cameras and audio recording devices used in your classes.
If you need to purchase additional cards please purchase with the following specifications.
It is recommended that you purchase an external hard drive. This will make it much easier to backup and move large projects and files between computers. We recommend a 1TB or larger hard drive that is compatible with your operating system. Please ensure the device is SSD or 7200rpm.
RTA will not replace them if they are lost or stolen.
Please note that there are additional resources available for you to borrow through The Creative School’s Equipment Distribution Centre (EDC), located on the first floor of the Rogers Communication Centre.
The EDC has audio equipment (microphones, recorders, mixers, monitors, etc), visual equipment (video cameras, DSLR cameras, monitors, lights, etc), computing equipment (computers, iPads, iPods, etc.), as well as other technologies and facilities required for the completion of academic projects and activities.
Updated May 22 2024
This document and its content is provided courtesy of RTA School of Media at Toronto Metropolitan University