Apple to Introduce Final Cut Studio Update at NAB 2010?

[MacRumors]

Hardmac reports that Apple may be planning to introduce a revised version of its Final Cut Studio professional video editing software at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference in April 2010. According to the report's sources, the most recent version of Final Cut Studio, released just this past July, is actually a temporary version focused on providing Snow Leopard compatibility.

Many users consider this version as incomplete, and according to internal source, the current version 3.0 is tagged as a "temporary/transition". The main reason seems to be associated to Snow Leopard release. It seems that one could not integrate all changes expected in FCP 3.0 with Snow leopard development schedule. So, apparently the really new version should be unveiled by Apple during the NAB 2010 which will take place from April 10 to 15, 2010.

Apple has in the past used NAB as a forum for such product launches, debuting Final Cut Studio 2 and other associated products there in 2007. Apple, however, pulled out of the 2008 conference and did not return for 2009. Given Apple's continued move toward reducing its presence at trade shows, most notably with its departure from Macworld San Francisco, a return to NAB would be something of a surprise.

Hardmac notes that the source's information has not been confirmed, but that the source has been accurate in the past. Readers, however, are also cautioned that there is still plenty of time for plans to change prior to NAB 2010.

Article Link: Apple to Introduce Final Cut Studio Update at NAB 2010?

[eliamx]

It'd better be a free update. I just got the "new" one.

[ncollingridge]

The current version is still Carbon based, so is 32 bit only, and doesn't take advantage of any key SL technologies like Grand Central Despatch and OpenCL, both of which would be very desirable for an application which needs as much performance as it can get, particularly with HD.

The new version should be Cocoa based and therefore able to be everything that the current version is not, but does require pretty much a full rewrite. Personally I would be amazed if they could get it ready for March 2010, but they've probably been working on it for a long time now, and only actually had a small team focused on putting 3.0 together.

[Rychy]

So yeah I'm wondering if they'd have some kind of free upgrade program for people who just bought the current version... which I'm thinking about doing myself.

[ltcol266845]

Wow, then why they heck did they bother? I would have thought Apple's premiere video editing suite would be in the perfect position to take advantage of the new Snow Leopard technologies. I was excited about SL, but even the software that Apple makes and could see the most benefit from the new technologies aren't even there... Kinda ticks me off. Ah well, I just built a kickin' Windows 7 x64 machine to do my video editing on with the Adobe Premiere/After Effects x64 editions that can use CUDA-like technologies to utilize the graphics card for video rendering and encoding, not to mention Adobe has focused harder on bringing x64 bit and multi-threading optimizations to their PC line than their Mac equivalents. Guess my MacBook Pro will stick to on-the-go photo editing and browsing.

Sorry, just frustrated that adoption for Grand Central Dispatch and OpenCL is very slow.

[swissmann]

Better be something major. I've been a pro Final Cut editor ever since version 1 and subsequently with every version there after through version 7. I was very impressed with version 1 (switching from Adobe Premiere at the time). I really haven't been very impressed with any release since. All seemed like minor updates. I take that back when Motion was introduced big improvement but that really wasn't final cut was it. Needs some major improvement from big new features to small things to hidden under the hood things. I doubt it will come anywhere near to meeting my expectations.

[Kilamite]

I'm sure there'll be a relatively small upgrade fee for people who bought FCS 3.

Cocoa and full 64-bit support will be something to look forward to.

[bretm]

FCS or FCP? The quote says FCP, but it also says version 3 which was 6 years ago.

My guess, FCS 3.5. An upgrade cost to cover shipping. Or, if it really is a rebuild from ground up, perhaps FCS 4, with upgrades to DVDSP for Blue Ray and more.

[B. Hunter]

Anyone remember when apps like Final Cut and DVDSP were sold as stand alone products?
Never understood why Apple only provided an upgrade path for Final Cut users. What about owners of other FCS software? They were left with no upgrade path at all.

Not me. Just know a couple people that are in that position. One switched to Adobe.

[casik]

I am looking forward to see what they will come out with... usage of Grand Central would definitly be welcome. Is it just me tho or do all of the Final Cut suite lack a nice graphical user interface? I mean seriously.... at least gradiant the timeline clips or something. Obviously you don't want too much to slow down the software but a little might help when you have to stare at a program that looks like it's from 1999 all day!

[xStep]

Originally Posted by B. Hunter

Anyone remember when apps like Final Cut and DVDSP were sold as stand alone products?
Never understood why Apple only provided an upgrade path for Final Cut users. What about owners of other FCS software? They were left with no upgrade path at all.

As I recall, at the time of the change you were able to upgrade from the products such as DVDSP and SoundTrack.

[LethalWolfe]

Originally Posted by B. Hunter

Anyone remember when apps like Final Cut and DVDSP were sold as stand alone products?
Never understood why Apple only provided an upgrade path for Final Cut users. What about owners of other FCS software? They were left with no upgrade path at all.

Not me. Just know a couple people that are in that position. One switched to Adobe.

Apple did provide an upgrade path for people that, for example, just owned DVD SP. It was just slightly more expensive than for people that owned FCP.


Lethal

[brianbobcat]

There has been much talk of Grand Central and Cocoa, both Very important under the hood refinements that when Apple missed the NAB '09 timeframe I felt would be certain inclusions in FCS3 whenever it would come out. Then FCS3 came out shortly before SL and I was certainly puzzled as to why after NAB but before SL. But don't expect a SL like upgrade, expect something tactile and noticeable, and expect that to be Blu-Ray. The day FCS3 was announce, I leaped over Blu-ray, then re-read it and it felt like such a temporary of half-azzed thing. Apple sees that BR is out there and gave us thing basic implementation to tide us over. Now I FULLY expect to see DVDSP5, a complete rewrite with all Adobe's Encore features like Blu-ray and website authoring but with Apple finish and take on it. I don't know what else they could add, but if DVDSP goes without another major upgrade, then don't expect to see it in the Suite at all.

-Brian

[yoink]

At the cost of sounding like a shill, all the "minor" productivity improvements in FCS3 have improved the speed of our day to day operations fairly dramatically (the "Share" ability from within FCP, the improved Compressor job actions, the new marker-related functionality etc.,). In fact, with both FCS3 and LS2 (both of which we're still currently "testing") the initial disappointment regarding the scope of the upgrades was then replaced with some pretty positive feedback about all the workflow tweaks.

While there's a lot of talk about getting FCP to Cocoa, in the end, the old Carbon app (for all it's flaws) still works; for me, its usefulness is not dependant on its look. I don't care if the program I use to make eye-candy is eye-candy itself - though I know that's not the brunt of the argument.

As others have said, however, I don't expect to pay another set of upgrade fees in less than a year's time. Hopefully there will be a simple FCS3.0 to 3.1 crossgrade like the intel crossgrades of old - though I would argue that it was silly to charge (aka tax) people who adopted the "new" intel platform early on since they would need to be the evangelists for the rest of the holdouts.

As usual it's wait and see....

[iMacmatician]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

According to the report's sources, the most recent version of Final Cut Studio, released just this past July, is actually a temporary version focused on providing Snow Leopard compatibility.

I'm not surprised.

[P-Worm]

Originally Posted by ltcol266845

Wow, then why they heck did they bother? I would have thought Apple's premiere video editing suite would be in the perfect position to take advantage of the new Snow Leopard technologies. I was excited about SL, but even the software that Apple makes and could see the most benefit from the new technologies aren't even there... Kinda ticks me off. Ah well, I just built a kickin' Windows 7 x64 machine to do my video editing on with the Adobe Premiere/After Effects x64 editions that can use CUDA-like technologies to utilize the graphics card for video rendering and encoding, not to mention Adobe has focused harder on bringing x64 bit and multi-threading optimizations to their PC line than their Mac equivalents. Guess my MacBook Pro will stick to on-the-go photo editing and browsing.

Sorry, just frustrated that adoption for Grand Central Dispatch and OpenCL is very slow.

Slow? How long has Snow Leopard been out? Adoption of these technology is more than just adding a line of code that says "Make program faster!"

The biggest problem is that programs like Final Cut, After Effects, Photoshop, etc are written in Carbon which is an outdated language. In order to use these new technologies, the programs have to be rewritten in cocoa.

P-Worm

[cmfilms]

That's super. I have two copies of FCS3 on my shelf waiting for a production lull to install. Apple usually treats us okay with this kind of thing.

Jumped from DVDSP4 into full Studio for $199 during the Rosetta(?) transition. That little offer is still paying dividends.

[LEStudios]

Originally Posted by eliamx

It'd better be a free update. I just got the "new" one.

No, it will cost just $9.95 with Free shipping!

[B. Hunter]

Originally Posted by xStep

As I recall, at the time of the change you were able to upgrade from the products such as DVDSP and SoundTrack.

Perhaps a couple of you are right about that. Just don't recall. But still those paths do not exist now that I know of.

[zedsdead]

This is good news because the last update was overpriced.

This should have 64-bit support, Cocoa, and hopefully a new interface.

Any improvements from Grand Central and OpenCL will be helpful.

[blackpond]

Apple may choose to simply announce a new FCS in April, with availability during the summer or early fall 2010.

I speculate that this new suite will be centered around the announcement of the replacement to Shake that is being developed...

[MacFly123]

Originally Posted by Kilamite

I'm sure there'll be a relatively small upgrade fee for people who bought FCS 3.

Cocoa and full 64-bit support will be something to look forward to.

OOOOOHHH HOW I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT!!! I so hope this rumor is true, but I am not going to hold my breath.

Can we get a 30" LED Cinema Display and Mac Pro update now too please Apple so I can buy a new video system? Oh and make sure to include the new keyboard & multi-touch mouse!

[macmanwa]

Originally Posted by yoink

At the cost of sounding like a shill, all the "minor" productivity improvements in FCS3 have improved the speed of our day to day operations fairly dramatically (the "Share" ability from within FCP, the improved Compressor job actions, the new marker-related functionality etc.,). In fact, with both FCS3 and LS2 (both of which we're still currently "testing") the initial disappointment regarding the scope of the upgrades was then replaced with some pretty positive feedback about all the workflow tweaks.

While there's a lot of talk about getting FCP to Cocoa, in the end, the old Carbon app (for all it's flaws) still works; for me, its usefulness is not dependant on its look. I don't care if the program I use to make eye-candy is eye-candy itself - though I know that's not the brunt of the argument.

As others have said, however, I don't expect to pay another set of upgrade fees in less than a year's time. Hopefully there will be a simple FCS3.0 to 3.1 crossgrade like the intel crossgrades of old - though I would argue that it was silly to charge (aka tax) people who adopted the "new" intel platform early on since they would need to be the evangelists for the rest of the holdouts.

As usual it's wait and see....

I agree with this comment as well. In our day to day usage there have been some pretty dramatic improvements for how we work, including the stuff in FCP and Motion. This may not be a huge under the covers re-do (Cocoa, 64-bit, etc.), but I have to say there are a pretty amazing number of improvements for an "interim" version as everyone is calling it.

Have you all checked out what is in there?
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/whats-new.html

Not that "small" if you ask me.

[wizard]

Really are you guys professionals or grade school quarterbacks?

We are in essence talking about an entirely new product here, a total rewrite that will hopefully take advantage of OS features never supported before in such a package. Apple might rationally market it as a new product and keep the old FCS in play as a safety net for a year or two.

Yet on this very forum I hear people calling for a free upgrade like they are entitled to it. That blows guys. Would any of you give away a new version (3D maybe) of a movie for free. Not if you are in business to make money you won't. It makes about as much sense as a carpenter wearing out a hammer and demanding a new shinny one at the hardware store.

Dave

[wavelayer]

Originally Posted by wizard

Really are you guys professionals or grade school quarterbacks?

We are in essence talking about an entirely new product here, a total rewrite that will hopefully take advantage of OS features never supported before in such a package. Apple might rationally market it as a new product and keep the old FCS in play as a safety net for a year or two.

Yet on this very forum I hear people calling for a free upgrade like they are entitled to it. That blows guys. Would any of you give away a new version (3D maybe) of a movie for free. Not if you are in business to make money you won't. It makes about as much sense as a carpenter wearing out a hammer and demanding a new shinny one at the hardware store.

Dave

uh, Dave...Apple just released Final Cut Studio 3 after how long? I don't think that hoping for a free or low cost upgrade is asking too much. Your analogy about the carpenter wearing out his hammer doesn't work. If you read some of the comments, some people haven't even unwrapped the darn software!