Important Apple Software Decision...

Hi Everyone,

I am in the process of making a pretty in-depth video and after a few months with a MBP and iMovie 6 HD, I feel like I need something a little more.

That has led me to the proposition of buying Final Cut Express. The question is, which version should I buy? With all the changes to iMovie 08 (namely the removal of features), I have heard similar things about FCE 4.

Would it be better money spent if I got FCE 3.5 instead? I don't have much use for the new formatting capabilities as most of my movie clips are ripped DVDs.

I've heard that 2ith FCE 4, you actually LOSE LiveType Fonts and Soundtrack.

I want to save some money where I can, so would like to buy 3.5 if it will fit my needs.

HELP!

Thanks for this link, this is some neat stuff. In yours or anyone elses experience, how do these plugins compare to any of the stuff in FCE?

I'm maybe not expecting Apple quality, but I've seen some really cheesy animated plugins.

This a great link, it definitely looks like these are pretty decent.

I basically want some additional transitions, LiveType (which doesn't look like it is offered here), and some onscreen effects or animations as well.

Yeah the rendering stuff is real annoying. I would imagine the transitions, etc would be less impressive than FCE, but what about as compared to iMovie?

If you bought all of the packs would there still be less than with FCE?

And (Last question, promise!), if you were to drop money on one of the two (FCE 3.5 or FCE 4), which would you suggest?

Thanks for all the help, you've been incredible!