It’s been two weeks since I installed Final Cut Studio (3).
I spend most of my time working in Soundtrack Pro 3, and I’m happy with the new features. Most notably, RMS Normalization, Voice Level Matching, the “Enhanced” File Editor”, and a few additional editing features within Multitrack Projects (trim in point to playhead/trim out point to playhead, for example).
Final Cut Pro: I’m happy that apple finally added a customizable Timecode HUD, improved clip Speed Controls, and enhanced the process of Exporting work. Upon release of the suite the professional user base was up in arms with regard to the absence of dedicated support for Blu-ray authoring in DVD Studio Pro. However there is now a nifty (but limited) Blu-ray export option available from within Final Cut. Authoring templates are fairly basic, and of course a supported Blu-ray drive is necessary. So far this new feature has been well received. Incidentally, I heard from a reliable source that apple’s FC Studio Product Manager stated that “DVD Studio Pro is designed to author standard definition DVD’s.” Does this mean we will never see embedded Blu-ray support in DVDSP? Time will tell.
And let’s not forget about the new additions to the ProRes Family of codecs. In fact the Proxy and LT versions of ProRes will help with my AVCHD projects and workflows in a big way. It is now possible to ingest and edit transcoded camera footage using the reduced data rate ProRes Proxy codec.
I’ve been importing the contents of entire disc images that include the native AVCHD footage from my camera’s SDHC card and storing locally on a high capacity internal hard drive. This allows me to easily Log and Transfer multiple ProRes formats for editing, and for high quality ProRes (422 or HQ) reconnects in preparation for final output. I’ve been duplicating project edit sequences and adjusting settings accordingly prior to reconnecting to higher quality clips. This method works very well.
As far a disappointments: I was sure that apple would implement a major Final Cut UI overhaul for version 7. This was obviously not the case. Apple’s Product Manager also noted, and again according to sources – that the FC Pro UI “just works”, and there is “no reason to change it at this particular time …”
Anyway, as I move forward I will be spending more time working in and experimenting with Motion. I feel my Final Cut and Soundtrack Pro skills are where they need to be. Not the case with Motion.
Notes:
I’m now running the latest version of Final Cut Server (ver.1.5) and I have ordered a copy of Logic Express 9. I’ll be in touch…
-ptfigg.
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Final Cut Pro, Post Production, Video Post Production, Final Cut Studio 3, Soundtrack Pro 3