Filed under: Video, Macintosh, Apple, Commercial
Final Cut Express 4 released
by Christina Warren Nov 15th 2007 at 1:30PM
Apple has just released the newest version of the Final Cut Express: Final Cut Express 4. The program touts similar featureset upgrades as NLE big bro, Final Cut Studio 2.0, including AVCHD support (for Intel Macs only) and the Open Format Timeline. With the Open Format Timeline, users can edit both HD (in either 720p or 1080i) and SD footage within the same project -- and in realtime -- without having to manually recrop or convert footage. When iMovie '08 was released in August, a lot of iMovie users reacted with disgust (to the point that Apple continues to offer free iMovie HD 6 downloads for new iLife '08 buyers), because the program was a seen as a step back in terms of advanced features. Final Cut Express 4 should appeal to those users, not only because of its support for iMovie '08 project files, but also because at $199 ($99 for upgrades), the product is $100 less than Final Cut Express 3.5.
We've always thought that Final Cut Express had a bit of an identity crisis. We were never really sure of the intended user base. Students or post-grads who can't afford the full Final Cut Studio package? Advanced home users or part time videographers? It was never really clear. With Final Cut Express 4, this has changed. While previous versions of Final Cut Express have been largely promoted as being "Final Cut, minus the really advanced expert stuff" - it appears that Apple has really decided to target home users with this version. The message seems to be, use iMovie '08 to get your feet wet and easily edit video with minimal options, move to Final Cut Express if you want to start to get serious, and move on to Final Cut Studio 2.0 if you need the full gamut of options.
We haven't had a chance to user the latest version of Final Cut Express (we'll get to it this weekend), but looking at the spec list, it appears that a possible reason for the price decrease (other than just an overall marketing decision) is a change to the audio editing options. With Final Cut Express 3.5, Apple included Soundtrack 1.5, a less powerful (but with an identical interface) version of Soundtrack Pro (which is part of both Final Cut Studio 2 and the new Logic Studio) for more advanced and nuanced sound editing. Soundtrack appears to be non-existent in Final Cut Express 4, replaced with built-in audio tools, that while still allowing for up to 99-track mixes, have fewer advanced options.
Final Cut Express 4 is available now.
We haven't had a chance to user the latest version of Final Cut Express (we'll get to it this weekend), but looking at the spec list, it appears that a possible reason for the price decrease (other than just an overall marketing decision) is a change to the audio editing options. With Final Cut Express 3.5, Apple included Soundtrack 1.5, a less powerful (but with an identical interface) version of Soundtrack Pro (which is part of both Final Cut Studio 2 and the new Logic Studio) for more advanced and nuanced sound editing. Soundtrack appears to be non-existent in Final Cut Express 4, replaced with built-in audio tools, that while still allowing for up to 99-track mixes, have fewer advanced options.
Final Cut Express 4 is available now.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sam said 5:21PM on 11-15-2007
with all these new features and increased functionality, this is what iMovie should be, not the neutered version they ship.
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Adam said 5:22AM on 11-17-2007
Really excited about this release. My only reservation to the new gambit is Livetype. It's is a bit of an old dog, the interface and feel of the app compared to say Motion isn't as easy to use.In fact, I'd rather use Keynote to add some Motion titles rather than Livetype. Better to have included Soundtrack I reckon, and drop Livetype. Finally, with the dollar in the poo house will Apple drop the UK price of FCE 4?
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