Final Cut Express 4 released!

[Grimace]

Final Cut Express 4 released! And it's only $199!

http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/

[CmdrLaForge]

Apple released today Final Cut Express 4

see Apple Website

[PharmD]

But they raised the EDU price. $179. Apple is really hosing the students now.

[zioxide]

sweet

/me puts on xmas list.

[Peel]

From Apple Quick News:

Originally Posted by Apple

Apple today released Final Cut Express 4, a significant upgrade to its powerful video editing software based on Apple’s award-winning Final Cut Pro 6, with a new low price of $199. Final Cut Express 4 adds support for the latest AVCHD cameras, allows mixing of standard and high definition content on a single timeline, includes the ability to import iMovie ‘08 projects, and gives users access to hundreds of sophisticated FxPlug cinematic effects and filters. “Almost a million digital filmmakers have made Final Cut their editing application of choice,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing. “With the introduction of Final Cut Express 4, Apple makes it easy for anyone to join the rapidly growing community of Final Cut editors worldwide.”

[zioxide]

No more Soundtrack?

Also EDU is now $179

Guess I'll just be getting the $199 one so in the future I can upgrade for $99.

blah. I wish you could upgrade EDU versions.

[AviationFan]

That's awesome! With this price tag, everyone with a serious interest in video making should be able to afford this first step into the world of pro editing software, certainly a terrific investment for anyone who wants to be able to master Final Cut Pro in the future.

- Martin

[RickT67]

Geesh! 12 days ago, I splurge for the iMac, iTV, airport extreme, new printer, applecare, .mac acct, AND FCE 3.5 at full retail of $299.... And I've had to return my iMac due to the gradient issue (on my 2nd iMac now...it's sweet).

My point is, I paid $300 for the software, and now I have to pay another $99 to get the up to date version for a total cost of $400? And I haven't even had a chance to use it due to the iMAc exchange....

Any chance that I could return it? Get FCE4 and $100 iRebate?

[zioxide]

Originally Posted by RickT67

Geesh! 12 days ago, I splurge for the iMac, iTV, airport extreme, new printer, applecare, .mac acct, AND FCE 3.5 at full retail of $299.... And I've had to return my iMac due to the gradient issue (on my 2nd iMac now...it's sweet).

My point is, I paid $300 for the software, and now I have to pay another $99 to get the up to date version for a total cost of $400? And I haven't even had a chance to use it due to the iMAc exchange....

Any chance that I could return it? Get FCE4 and $100 iRebate?

I think Apple has a 14 day return policy if it's not opened.

But also consider this: FCE4 doesn't include Soundtrack or the Apple Loops for Soundtrack, so if you want those you might want to keep FCE 3.5.

[dolphin842]

I could be wrong, but I think Final Cut Express was an exception in that you can upgrade EDU versions. The product number for 3.5 was the same for academic and retail, whereas Logic Express had different numbers. Also, when I bought my copy, there wasn't a "you can't upgrade this" sticker like there were on Logic Express and Final Cut Studio. Looks like they rectified this with the current version, though, as they have different numbers.

All in all, with only a few new features and the lack of Soundtrack, I won't be upgrading as I only have DV footage.

[MacRumors]

Apple has released Final Cut Express 4 today. Apple describes the new version as a "significant upgrade" to the previous versoin of Final Cut Express.

Final Cut Express 4 adds support for the latest AVCHD cameras, allows mixing of standard and high definition content on a single timeline, includes the ability to import iMovie '08 projects, and gives users access to hundreds of sophisticated FxPlug cinematic effects and filters.

Apple also cut the price on Final Cut Express to $199 from $299. The new features are detailed at Apple's site.

Article Link

[plumbingandtech]

Did I miss a comparison page between the new FCX and regular FC?

I looked but did not see one..

[steve_hill4]

UK page still not updated, showing FCE 3.5.

My guess is the UK price will end up being £149. Not bad I guess.

[lazyrighteye]

This looks to fit in nicely between an iMovie and an FCP.
Perfect for my above entry-level but certainly below pro movie making self.
And at $200... amazing how affordable such powerful tools are for the average Joe/Jane.

[notjustjay]

Man. I have FCE 3.5 sitting in a box that I haven't even opened or installed yet (was waiting on my new intel Mac purchase).

Now, if I upgrade from 3.5 to 4, will I still have Soundtrack (are they separate apps)?

[thingamajigidid]

Originally Posted by RickT67

Geesh! 12 days ago, I splurge for the iMac, iTV, airport extreme, new printer, applecare, .mac acct, AND FCE 3.5 at full retail of $299.... And I've had to return my iMac due to the gradient issue (on my 2nd iMac now...it's sweet).

My point is, I paid $300 for the software, and now I have to pay another $99 to get the up to date version for a total cost of $400? And I haven't even had a chance to use it due to the iMAc exchange....

Any chance that I could return it? Get FCE4 and $100 iRebate?

you know the printer comes with a rebate..
and i hope you got the .mac for 69.99, thats the price when you buy a computer.

anyone know why they push the .mac on you no matter what you tell them.?

i don't see why you can't return it.. seeing that you have had some issues... but you better come into the store pretending to be all mad... they will take care of you..

as far as the upgrade.. what's the difference between buying tiger 10 days before the release of leopard... they were entitled to get an upgrade for 10 dollars for shipping.. why isn't this software upgradeable for the same price?

[markfc]

Does FCE provide DVD authoring?

[iMouseHD]

From some apple sales material:

"What happened to Soundtrack?
• Soundtrack is no longer offered. Instead of using Soundtrack, customers can use the
multitrack mixing, soft normalization, and gain controls built into Final Cut Express 4.
• Recommend customers use GarageBand (in iLife ’08) to produce loop-based soundtracks,
while also offering greater music production capabilities. GarageBand offers more features
than Soundtrack. Soundtrack Pro is included with Final Cut Studio."

[tennismanclay]

This is great news for me, im asking for FCE for Christmas and a $100 lower price plus more features might be all i need to do some persuading

-Clay

[Small White Car]

Originally Posted by thingamajigidid

anyone know why they push the .mac on you no matter what you tell them.

Because they get rated on what percentage of Macs they sell bundled with a .mac account. There's some target % they're supposed to meet to get a good review.

[BlakTornado]

I've been waiting for this for months (well, since I got my iMac). Can't afford it because I owe my Mum £200 from CS3, but I still want it. Lol.

Originally Posted by steve_hill4

UK page still not updated, showing FCE 3.5.

My guess is the UK price will end up being £149. Not bad I guess.

I would say somewhere between £129 and £149.

[Small White Car]

Originally Posted by iMouseHD

• Recommend customers use GarageBand (in iLife ’08) to produce loop-based soundtracks, while also offering greater music production capabilities. GarageBand offers more features than Soundtrack. Soundtrack Pro is included with Final Cut Studio."

Originally Posted by markfc

Does FCE provide DVD authoring?

Nope, use iDVD.

These comments put together make Apple's new goal clear:
iLife is to Final Cut Express
as
Final Cut Studio is to Final Cut Pro

I have to say, it makes sense. Any "suite" applications they'd make to go with FCE would only compete with iLife. Could there even BE a difference between iDVD and a hypothetical "DVD Studio Express?" I doubt it. It looks like they felt that Soundtrack and Garage Band were getting too close as well.

[thevofl]

I posted this on another thread:

They slashed prices on FCE by 33% for non-educators, but increased it by 20% for education buyers.

Are they trying to turn away education buyers?

What I find interesting is that with my education discounts, FCE costs $179.00 and Adobe Production Premium costs $314.00. What is included in the $135.00 difference? Full Premiere, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Soundbooth, Encore, Flash, etc. This is a completely no brainer.

$314.00 is at collegesoftware.org

[hvfsl]

What I really want to know is does this new version allow you to gradually increase the speed the video is going at, like in FCP.

[Snide]

What I really want to know is why front page says there are zero comments when I see 24 here?