Final Cut express opinions

[Multimedia]

My Opinion Is To Keep Your Powder Dry

I was looking at this new Promo that apple has right now, Get Finalcut Express for 100$ with the purchase of a new Mac. My friend is about to get a mac, and I was thinking I would take advantage of this deal, but first I wanted to know everyones opinion on using Final Cut Express. Is it easy to use? How diverse is the software or how creative can I be with it? What are some of its coolest features?

All Mac models will be refreshed by Summer. That's about 110 days from now. Final Cut Express will advance to 4 shortly after or at NAB April 15. That's why the offer ends in March. FCE 4 will take advantage of Leopard features like Core Animation etc.

You want to buy a soon to be obsolete piece of software on a soon to be obsolete piece of hardware with a soon to be obsolete operating system with a soon to be obsolete iLife '06? Not worth it. You'll be all "Why didn't I wait?" as soon as the next models are revealed shipping with Leopard 10.5 and iLife '07 on board for no extra charge.

Figure by the June 11 SteveNote at WWDC SF, about 100 days from now, Steve will complete the last round of updates for Santa Rosa's reign. I know there are plenty of detractors for the wait and see point of view here. Consider myself innoculated by saying if you must have a new one now go ahead and get one. Just don't remember this post after the next updates become reality. And whatever you do don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[Roy Hobbs]

All Mac models will be refreshed by Summer. That's about 110 days from now. Final Cut Express will advance to 4 shortly after or at NAB April 15. That's why the offer ends in March. FCE 4 will take advantage of Leopard features like Core Animation etc.

You want to buy a soon to be obsolete piece of software on a soon to be obsolete piece of hardware with a soon to be obsolete operating system with a soon to be obsolete iLife '06? Not worth it. You'll be all "Why didn't I wait?" as soon as the next models are revealed shipping with Leopard 10.5 and iLife '07 on board for no extra charge.

Figure by the June 11 SteveNote at WWDC SF, about 100 days from now, Steve will complete the last round of updates for Santa Rosa's reign. I know there are plenty of detractors for the wait and see point of view here. Consider myself innoculated by saying if you must have a new one now go ahead and get one. Just don't remember this post after the next updates become reality. And whatever you do don't say I didn't warn you.

So if someone was to buy any Mac today it would be totally obsolete yy Summer time??
According to dictionary.com
Obsolete: no longer in general use; fallen into disuse

To me saying any Mac and the Sotware is obsolete is an utterly foolish statement.

 

[gvdv]

All Mac models will be refreshed by Summer. That's about 110 days from now. Final Cut Express will advance to 4 shortly after or at NAB April 15. That's why the offer ends in March. FCE 4 will take advantage of Leopard features like Core Animation etc.

You want to buy a soon to be obsolete piece of software on a soon to be obsolete piece of hardware with a soon to be obsolete operating system with a soon to be obsolete iLife '06? Not worth it. You'll be all "Why didn't I wait?" as soon as the next models are revealed shipping with Leopard 10.5 and iLife '07 on board for no extra charge.

Figure by the June 11 SteveNote at WWDC SF, about 100 days from now, Steve will complete the last round of updates for Santa Rosa's reign. I know there are plenty of detractors for the wait and see point of view here. Consider myself innoculated by saying if you must have a new one now go ahead and get one. Just don't remember this post after the next updates become reality. And whatever you do don't say I didn't warn you.

Hi Multimedia,
Don't forget that this all depends on one's perspective and needs, too.

For example, someone who has a need for FCE's new features, such as core animation may very well find the wait for the new version of the program to be worth it (however, I would also question why that person isn't using FCP).

Similarly, those (you?) who like to keep updated, and can afford to, or people who love having all the bells and whistles that newer software has to offer, may also find it worthwhile to wait for the newest release.

There are many different reasons that people may have to upgrade or not, so I think that your "Not worth it" judgement is seeing things a little narrowly.

All the best,
GVDV.

 

[KingofAwesome]

All Mac models will be refreshed by Summer. That's about 110 days from now. Final Cut Express will advance to 4 shortly after or at NAB April 15. That's why the offer ends in March. FCE 4 will take advantage of Leopard features like Core Animation etc.

But buying FCE now may be worth it, depending on the upgrade price. If you can get FCE for $99 now, and the upgrade is $99, that's cheaper than buying the new version in a few months for $299.

 

[Danksi]

New software, hardware, ilife '07 etc... all rumours... so revert to trusty ol' saying "if you need it now, get it now, if you can wait, wait...... then just don't look back"

 

[millyweb]

i have final cut pro, what is the difference between this and express?

 

[Multimedia]

Millyweb, You Have What Version Final Cut Pro - Must Up/Crossgrade NOW

i have final cut pro, what is the difference between this and express?

You have Final Cut Pro What? Not Studio? This means you need to up/cross grade and you need to do it NOW. Deadline is March 19 postmark. What Version Commerical or Academic please report back. Express is just a subscet of an older version of Final Cut Pro Millyweb. You need to be concerned you don't have 5.1UB Final Cut Studio which from Final Cut Pro is only $99 or $199 instead of $1299. Please What Version do you have newbie?!

 

[qveda]

Editing Canon 5D Mk II MOV (H.264 video, PCM sound)

Hi,

Will FCE allow me to edit video from Canon 5D Mk II ?
(Quicktime MOV format - H.264 video, PCM sound)

Also, I've seen beautiful video rendered in B&W (greyscale) that was done using FinalCut Pro's density/contrast balance. Does FCE have density/contrast balance controls?

 

[spinnerlys]

Hi,

Will FCE allow me to edit video from Canon 5D Mk II ?
(Quicktime MOV format - H.264 video, PCM sound)

Yes, but you should convert it to a .mov file using the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) via MPEG Streamclip, as the H264 codec is not meant for editing and will have you to render the timeline for every simple edit or just plain looking at the video.
MRoogle might find you plenty of threads on how to use FCR with 5D footage.

Also, I've seen beautiful video rendered in B&W (greyscale) that was done using FinalCut Pro's density/contrast balance. Does FCE have density/contrast balance controls?

Have a look at the manual: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Final_Cut_Express_4_User_Manual.pdf



Btw, as it seems you have searched and haven't found anything for your needs, you could have just made a new thread, as your post might get buried in a three year old thread.

 

[qveda]

Btw, as it seems you have searched and haven't found anything for your needs, you could have just made a new thread, as your post might get buried in a three year old thread.

thanks for the information. I think I'll start a new thread . but thought I'd try this one first.