iMovie or upgrade to Final Cut

[Hikkadwa]

Considering making a leap to basic Final Cut from iMovie. Is it worth it?

 

[robbieduncan]

I thought it was worth going to Final Cut Express. If you decide to go this route wait. There will be a new version out in a few months that will be a Universal Binary (and probably add new features etc). If you buy now you will not get a free upgrade...

 

[Texas04]

From what i hear it is

 

[mkaake]

If you take the time to learn the new system, yes, it's worth it. If you don't have the time / don't want to learn, stick with the simplicity of iMovie.

 

[xsedrinam]

If you have the available $, are willing to enter in to a much steeper learning curve while taking your video editing to another level, by all means, go for it!

 

[Stridder44]

Im in the same boat as you. I've been using iMovie but am thinking about switching to Final Cut, and probably will. I took classes on it and it seems very much worth it.

 

[puckhead193]

go for express, final cut is a pro app and if your just doing basic editing of family movies but want more control, express is for you. I have express and for my needs now its great. The price is right and not 1300....

 

[Peyton]

I think the express way is the best way to go in your position. If your life depends on it (your job) then I would say, go for the full blown thing, but you can get logic for $300 (edu is less) and then upgrade to the full version later for the same cost as the full version in the first place (additional $700 for the upgrade, $1000 new)

anyway, not sure about an upgrade for fcexpress, either way, you save a lot of money.

my .02

 

[puckhead193]

whats the difference between express and pro..... what can't you do in express that you can do in pro? I never notice and limitations... just less transitions etc

 

[Peyton]

whats the difference between express and pro..... what can't you do in express that you can do in pro? I never notice and limitations... just less transitions etc

yep, basically the same thing, same layout and everything, just crippled a little for a nice tansition between pro and imovie.

 

[robbieduncan]

whats the difference between express and pro..... what can't you do in express that you can do in pro? I never notice and limitations... just less transitions etc

You can't set keyframes on effects (or something similar it's been a few months since I used my copy) but you can in Pro. Less RT stuff too iirc.

 

[yoak]

You can view multiple cameras at the same time in FCP, great for TV procuvtions or big budget movies.
It also supports more recording formats than FCE, and more....
I don´t think FCE supports the new Prosumer HD camera from Panasonic for example