Early Final Cut Pro X Response Mixed, Updates Coming

[samcraig]

It says much about the release but most people take it the wrong way. It says that Apple borrowed a lot of ideas from iMovie while preparing this app. It says that importing iMovie projects is much simpler than importing FCP projects, because iMovie projects have much less content compared to FCP and iMovie was already rewritten recently, while FCP was still carrying code from 1998.

It doesn't say that this app was being aimed at the iMovie crowd because one app comes free and this is 400$ a package.

You keep defending the release like someone who works for Apple. No one is attacking you personally. And I don't think Apple needs you to defend them so vehemently.

As for the app being targeted to the iMovie crowd - you're wrong. The app, as released is priced far below what prosumers who would ever pay 999 to enter into FCP's ecosystem. That's why you also have tons of people saying how great the program is - because SOME of them simply do not know better or have requirements that were inclusive of FCP7.

I also think you're mistaken in your repeated assertion that iMovie is free. It's not. It's free/installed on new systems. But new versions are $49 as part of the iLife suite. And even for the new systems - the cost is built into the premium pricing Apple charges for their computers. "Free" is not exactly accurate.

 

[Reach]

Hmm... indeed, much like System Administrators.
Setting up services on a network used to be a specialized work. Nowadays, getting these services up and running on a server is easy enough for "knowladgeable users" on Apple software.

Over time: Consumers become more and more pro-sumers. Pro-sumers become much less dependent of specialized professionals tnx to easy-to-use software.

This is what Apple is trying to do:
Create software so that consumers can create pro-sumer-level stuff, and pro-sumers can create professional stuff.
Knowledge of the technical side of things is getting less and less important.

Very good post - I wholeheartedly agree! And this is one of the main reasons Apple is so awesome. Many professionals will hate it - both because it changes the way they work and because it threatens their livelihood - but it's a great thing for most.

I'm originally a graphic designer, and I remember when DTP was something "normal people" couldn't even consider doing themselves at home. Then comes cheaper computers and Quark/PageMaker, and all of the sudden a lot of what these professionals that formerly had a monopoly did could be done by others. Bad for some, great for most.

Of course, there will still be a market for the true professionals that are the best at their craft and have access to the stuff that is still out of range (pricewise) for regular people. It's just that this market shrinks - a lot. Already happened in video, when I could use my FCP on my old Powermac and do things that would previously have required a very large investment. Now maybe we'll see if this process goes even further.

 

[MovieCutter]

This needs to be reposted. You're 100% correct, and while yes, on one hand Apple should have waited to have a more finished product, but on the other hand this allows current FCP users to get antiquated with the new FCPX.

I just hope Apple deletes all the reviews at some point to clear out all the idiotic negative reviews from people who have no idea what they're talking about or what they really want.



No, it means you stop acting like a victim or like Apple owes you something and realize you can make choices.

You clearly have never worked in a high end production house or an international news agency where features like what are missing in FCP X are essential. It also seems you'd be very comfortable in late 1930's Germany. "I don't agree with it!!! GET RID OF IT!!!"

 

[samcraig]

Yes, professionals hate having to pay less. I for will not buy this application before it at least doubles in price!

I wasn't talking about professionals. Of course professionals like to pay less. My point was in conversion rates. Competing professional software is around the same price point as previous FCP software - so conversion rate on that is a wash. Especially if FCP is deemed not ready for primetime (so to speak). Meaning - I don't think the lower price (yet) will entice a mass exodus from competing software just because of the lower price.

In short - lowers costs increases adoption rate for all - providing it's a viable solution.

 

[mBox]

Apple should've waited to launch until they added XML and multicam support ... just sayin - a 3 star rating in the App Store? Ouch!

Im hoping that the three stars are no indicative of who bought this. That would mean 33 editors that use XML/MultiCam out of 100 buyers
I think Im a pro user but honestly we dont use XML or MultiCam (we only use one type of camera). I know more prosumer users than actual film/broadcast editors in this field almost 20 to 1.

 

[JaySoul]

The price point looks great. Problem is I would have to buy a new computer to run it. Can't afford to do that right now.
My existing laptop has a qualifying GeForce 8600M GT, but I only have 128 vram.

Exactly this.

I'm so irritated, my perfect working order iMac can run everything lightning fast, but has a graphics card that is "3 months too old" apparently.

I can't afford a new Mac right now, or for the next year probably.

 

[Reach]

Im hoping that the three stars are no indicative of who bought this. That would mean 33 editors that use XML/MultiCam out of 100 buyers
I think Im a pro user but honestly we dont use XML or MultiCam (we only use one type of camera). I know more prosumer users than actual film/broadcast editors in this field almost 20 to 1.

If you make money on making stuff with FCP, you're a pro. It's honestly that simple. Which makes me a pro, even if I have never done stuff that required OMFs, XML or Multicam. Most people seem to think that the only people worthy of the title "pro" is the ones working with feature/broadcast/advertising, but that is technically not true. There are a lot more "pros" like me than them I believe.

I still think, and very much believe, that Apple should also cater to the pros that need the stuff I don't. I'm fairly sure that stuff is coming, which is why I'm not that upset at this release yet.

 

[bretm]

Im hoping that the three stars are no indicative of who bought this. That would mean 33 editors that use XML/MultiCam out of 100 buyers
I think Im a pro user but honestly we dont use XML or MultiCam (we only use one type of camera). I know more prosumer users than actual film/broadcast editors in this field almost 20 to 1.

Hold on- you think multicam means you use more than one type of camera? Then no, you are not a pro user. Multicam is about live editing between multiple camera sources.

 

[mBox]

My guess is that the Marketing department won the battle over the release date. I can only imagine there are several angry/embarrassed Apple FCP engineers on campus today. I suspect that had this been released in December or early next year... the necessary professional features to actually get the project out the door would have been included. Pretty bummed I dropped $299 for a program that's going to collect dust until they add the features sometime in the nebulous future.

honestly? your gonna let it collect dust? I take it you have FCS working fine right? what ever happened to learning new things? I can understand "real pro's" whining but in the end they can just shut it off and get back to their "working" app.
new users should embrace and not listen to others.
if it cripples you or causes cancer, then un-install it NOW!!!

 

[JabbaII]

So may be the question we should be asking is: what the heck is a "pro"?

Apple has clearly released this with some thought.
From the looks of things, when it comes down to business and money, the reality distortion field does not work.

Summary of arguments so far:
- btw this is version 1.0 so expect it to miss a few beats (but we stop all support for FCP7 from today)
- pro tools will come later (without what and when) to breakeven with the FCP 7 features!!
- app store delivery allows for faster update cycles (hmm CS5.5 has walked the walk without the app store)
- Compressor 4 is separate but FCPX does not work with Compressor 3 (dah!)
- What the heck is a pro anyway? (because xyz is a pro said he/she is happy with FCPX)
- No one is forcing you to use FCPX
- etc. etc.

If all above fails
- Hey, at least FCP X is cheap!

http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2011/...e-unanswered-questions-about-final-cut-pro-x/

Is Final Cut Pro X really for the “Pros”?
I’ve already wondered What the heck is a “pro” anyway?, so I think it’s more useful to consider professional workflows instead of “pros”. From the answers above you should be able to see that at version 1 Final Cut Pro X won’t support some professional workflows, but for other professional workflows it will be more than capable. Using Final Cut Pro X to cut together a story, I’m struck by how fast it is to achieve a result, as if everything was designed to get a result a quickly as possible.

 

[Cory Bauer]

FCP X users are making a mistake by zeroing in on missing features.

And since it sounds like the missing features are coming, it's hopefully moot.

Perhaps they are coming, but Apple ought to reassure their professional users if that is indeed the case. And I'm not sure you fully understand; with the features Final Cut Pro X is missing today, the program is useless. It doesn't matter if its an amazing editor if there's no way to get edits into or out of the program. It truly is the equivalent of shipping a version of Pages that can't open Pages documents, can't print, and can't copy/paste to and from other text applications.

 

[dagger01]

Violating their own license agreement

Apple has been very specific, that this is not the final state of FCP X.

So, this version is a BETA? I thought the App Store rules prohibit developers from releasing pre-production code through the store? Hmmmmm. SHENANIGANS!!!

 

[samcraig]

Perhaps they are coming, but Apple ought to reassure their professional users if that is indeed the case. And I'm not sure you fully understand; with the features Final Cut Pro X is missing today, the program is useless. It doesn't matter if its an amazing editor if there's no way to get edits into or out of the program. It truly is the equivalent of shipping a version of Pages that can't open Pages documents, can't print, and can't copy/paste to and from other text applications.

Oh.. so you mean like the first iOS version of Pages?

 

[mBox]

To say the reaction is "mixed" is being extremely kind to Apple (and undeservedly so.)

The Apple discussion forums are full of posts from extremely angry customers who are all demanding their money back. This is basically a product launch disaster of the worst kind for Apple...

A little dramatic dont you think? Why is it the worst kind? Can you not open your computer again? Did the internet stop working?
Folks this app is for specific users. If you think your a pro and you didnt do your homework and decided to install this app in the middle of a million dollar project, your an IDIOT!!!
Ive been teaching FCP for 10 years at local college. Its a basic course not pro level. What makes it pro is your workflow. Ive seen first time students cut faster than friends that work in the industry. However these students dont have access to Smoke, Resolve, Flint/Flame, Symphony, XDCAM decks, P2, etc...
So whats wrong with Apple releasing a piece of software that they have never claimed to replace the previous?
I was at the SuperMeet. I did my research. No where does it say in Apples site that this was going to replace the old FCP.
I do believe they used the line, "were building it from the ground-up".
See now Im getting dramatic

 

[mBox]

Hold on- you think multicam means you use more than one type of camera? Then no, you are not a pro user. Multicam is about live editing between multiple camera sources.

Actually yes you can use multiple cameras so does that mean Im a pro?
I think you better figure out what a pro means first before jumping on me like that

p.s. to be precise, you can use numerous clips of any type up to 12 to switch between cuts in (yea right) real time.

 

[Surreal]

Sounds like we have us a little dispute as to what constitutes Minimum Viable Product

 

[samcraig]

No where does it say in Apples site that this was going to replace the old FCP.

With all due respect - just because it's not said on their website doesn't mean it's indicative of their intention.

New software versions and/or upgrades are intended as replacements - especially when they are using the same name.

If their intention was to not replace a previous version - they could/would use a different name. Unless they're using the bad movie sequel type of marketing where they use a popular name and the movie has nothing to do with the original

If Apple re-wrote iTunes from the ground up and it had a completely different UI, had some extra features but was missing several key features - and called it iTunes X - wouldn't it be safe to say it was a replacement for previous iTunes?

Just sayin'

 

[daylight28]

Remember os 10.0

Remember OSX 10.0, WOW that was crap. But now i could not live with out OSX. I do like FCP7 the way it is. It still have a few bugs I would like fixed. Like when i import video from my canon 60d it cuts the shots early and when i slow mo something in final cut then send it to color then back to FCP the fields are off and cant fix it. it looks like crap. SO how about keeping it like FCP7 fix some of the bugs, but add 64Bit and the option for magnetic timeline, color and audio option in FCP10 and we will call it FCP 8. I been using FCP since FCP 1.0 and the one thing I like about it, is that I know where everything is an how it works. I like it complex, I will be out of a Job if it gets to easy to figure out.

AND 299!!!! 999.99 was a good price for FCP. 299 is a good upgrade price. Now I need to buy compressor and motion separate. I put over 3000 in to FCP and now your giving it away and charging the people that supported it over the years the same. If it is a new app, give it a new name. If it FCP then I want an upgrade price of 1/3 of what it selling for. I will pay 100 for FCP10.
How about a 30 day trial.

 

[the vj]

I know this is not permited but...

Because you came up with this stupid scam...

**** damn it Apple **** You!

 

[mBox]

With all due respect - just because it's not said on their website doesn't mean it's indicative of their intention...

I agree but what irks me are the true professionals here and REDUSER where I frequent.
Everyone's up and ready to storm Steve's castle due to the "total re-write and replacement" of FCP, but wait, cant you still use it FCP 7 and under?
What would have happened if Apple just plain gave up on it like Shake?
Come to think about it, probably not much since (noticing for years now) most Apple users seem to just give up and find another way of getting their work done.
I have no complaints about purchasing this app.
Does it do what our Avid suite does? No!
But I want to learn it since it, seems like a fresh new start in NLE

 

[samcraig]

I agree but what irks me are the true professionals here and REDUSER where I frequent.
Everyone's up and ready to storm Steve's castle due to the "total re-write and replacement" of FCP, but wait, cant you still use it FCP 7 and under?
What would have happened if Apple just plain gave up on it like Shake?
Come to think about it, probably not much since (noticing for years now) most Apple users seem to just give up and find another way of getting their work done.
I have no complaints about purchasing this app.
Does it do what our Avid suite does? No!
But I want to learn it since it, seems like a fresh new start in NLE

For some professionals - the difference between FCPX and Apple giving up on FCP (like Shake) are one in the same (at this point) - which is why there is negativity.

 

[daddywarbux]

I was ready for a rough patch...

But no XML is insane. Also, if you're going to make this kind of huge change a throw us flotation device. Would it have cost apple that much to create a "Moving from FCP 7 to X" guide? I'm sorry, but if I have to learn new software from the ground up, why is it necessarily this? I already know Avid and Premiere doesn't seem that different from FCP 7 (plus the advantage of integrated AE and PS). I already dropped the $300, so I'm in for now. Apple shouldn't take it for granted that all their current editors will follow them.

 

[winston1236]

whaa

fail fail fail, paid 300 for what is basically imovie pro. no external monitor support, save save as options gone, waste of my time, calling for a refund

 

[anthem11]

FCPX doesn't seem so bad. sounds like Apple just needs to sweeten it in post.

 

[iBug2]

I mentioned in the past couple of years in my post. Vista was before that, and I felt Leopard was fairly solid on release. Yes, the Apple of the past were pretty good at making solid x.0 releases, and Microsoft were pretty bad. The roles appear to be switching.

No, I don't think there ever was a trend, both with Apple or Microsoft. Apple had bad .0 releases, same as Microsoft, and they both had good ones. And it doesn't go sequentially.