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Final Cut Studio back on sale, Final Cut Pro X haters rejoice (Updated)
Update: Apple tells The Loop that this is basically leftover stock. So, buy it now or forever enjoy the progress of FCP X, for better or worse. For those users who've decided Final Cut Pro X just isn't for them (and by the sounds of things, quite a lot of people feel that way), there's now hope. According to MacRumors, Apple is once again offering the legacy version of Final Cut Studio for sale, though Apple is being remarkably coy about it. The software suite isn't available on Apple's site or in its retail stores; reportedly the only way to order Final Cut Studio is by calling 800-MY-APPLE and requesting it. Final Cut Studio is available for US$999 ($899 with an educational discount) and includes Final Cut Pro 7, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, DVD Studio Pro 4, Color 1.5 and Compressor 3.5. Over the past few months professional users have voiced their displeasure with Final Cut Studio's abrupt discontinuation after Final Cut Pro X's debut, particularly given that many users feel the new version of Final Cut does not meet their needs. There's no indication how long Apple intends to keep the old version of Final Cut Studio alive and kicking, so if you've found Final Cut Pro X doesn't suit you, you might want to jump on Final Cut Studio (if you haven't already) before Apple changes its mind again.
Apple discontinues Final Cut Express, reportedly ends Server too
Now that some Tuesday's Final Cut Pro X is available, additional details about Apple's pro video edition solution are available. Engadget has confirmed with Apple that there won't be a boxed (studio suite) version of Final Cut Pro X. Instead, it will only be available for download through the Mac App Store, alongside separate purchases of Motion (US$49.99) and Compressor ($49.99). Also, there will be no special upgrade price for owners of previous versions of Final Cut Pro, but with the new price point, it's hard to really complain about that. Finally, Engadget confirms that the days of Final Cut Express are over -- it's either iMovie or Final Cut Pro X from Apple. AppleInsider corroborates these claims, but adds Final Cut Server to the list. According to "a person familiar with Apple's retail operations," AppleInsider reports that Final Cut Server has been discontinued as of June 21.
Apple says "stay tuned" for other Final Cut Studio apps, shows The Loop screenshots
At the FCPUG SuperMeet at NAB yesterday, Apple unveiled Final Cut Pro X, the latest iteration of its non-linear video editing application. The new version includes such features as color management, background rendering, improved keyword and metadata support and a magnetic timeline that lets you move clips around without trim collisions with other clips. Apple confirmed the application would launch in June for a rock bottom price of US$299. Talking to The Loop, Apple also confirmed that this NAB presentation was just a sneak peek of Final Cut Pro. The Cupertino company promised there was more to come for the other applications in the Final Cut Pro Studio Suite, which include Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Color, Compressor and DVD Studio Pro. Speaking of sneak peek, The Loop was able to get its hands on some official screenshots of the application in action. We embedded one above, and you can point your browser to The Loop's website to get a closer look at the UI of this upcoming version of Final Cut Pro. Anyone looking forward to June so that they can get their hands on FCP X?
Final Cut Pro X announced at NAB SuperMeet
As widely rumored, Apple's Peter Steinauer took the stage at the SuperMeet during NAB in Las Vegas to introduce the latest version of Final Cut, Final Cut Pro X. The new video editing app (last revised in July of 2009) adds full 64-bit compatibility with a full rewrite of the platform. Final Cut Pro X will be shipping in June. You can download it via the Mac App Store! And the price? US$299 -- that's truly astonishing. (We don't yet know if that's just the editor itself, or also includes the capabilities of Motion and Color... but we're inclined to believe the former.) The new version includes improved media management and improved image quality built on "modern foundations," with top-to-bottom color management and a new look. FCP X features resolution-independent playback all the way from SD up to 2K and 4K formats. It now leverages Grand Central Dispatch to take advantage of all cores on the Mac plus the GPU. The crowd goes wild, especially as Steinauer suggests that the ever-popular render bar will now be a thing of the past. Other new features (via @fcpsupermeet and Photography Bay)...
Avid offers $995 crossgrade to Media Composer for Final Cut users
Are you a Final Cut Studio user? Have you looked at Avid Media Composer and wished you could afford it? Regardless of whether you feel Media Composer is better or worse than Final Cut Pro, it's still a popular editing platform that brings not only prestige but also the potential to pick up more work from clients that want or need their editors to be using Avid. If you're in that camp, now might be the perfect time to add Media Composer to your toolbox. Until June 17, Avid is offering a staggering crossgrade deal to Final Cut Pro users: US$995 for the boxed version. While that may still seem expensive, it's a huge discount from the regular $2,495 price for the boxed edition (or $2,295 for download only).
Dear Apple, here's our Final Cut Studio wishlist
Today the NAB exhibit hall opened, and just about everyone in the video world is showing off the hot new stuff they've been waiting to announce to video professionals from around the world. Apple, however, is notably absent again this year, choosing instead to make an announcement tomorrow evening at the Final Cut Pro Users Group SuperMeet. As rumors of a long awaited update to Final Cut Studio started circulating, we asked you how the new version needed to change. While some commentators defended Final Cut Studio enthusiastically, most of us feel that an update is long overdue despite our affection for Apple's professional video suite. Some users have already jumped ship because their needs are better filled by alternative editing applications, while other users plan to give Apple a chance to meet all their needs with a new update before deciding to explore other options.
What do you want to see in the next Final Cut Studio?
It's no secret that many post-production professionals feel Final Cut Studio has been falling behind over the last two years. While Apple has taken its time developing a new version of its video suite, competitors like Adobe have jumped ahead with significant updates; some have even questioned Apple's commitment to its Pro apps and hoped that Final Cut Studio doesn't go the way of Shake. As we reported yesterday, that is hopefully going change with Apple's announcement at the Final Cut Pro User Group SuperMeet on April 12, coinciding with the National Association of Broadcasters convention.
Rumor: New Final Cut Pro to debut on April 12
According to ProVideo Coalition, Apple is planning on debuting the next version of Final Cut Pro at the Final Cut Pro User Group SuperMeet on April 12. According to PVC, "Apple will be using the Vegas Supermeet to announce the next version of Final Cut Pro. Supposedly, Apple will be taking over the entire event for their announcement, canceling all other sponsors, including AJA, Avid, Canon, BlackMagic, Autodesk and others, who were set to give presentations." While the FCP SuperMeet does seem to be an odd event for Apple to launch the next version of its professional editing software (because NAB 2011 starts on April 9), the rumors do seem to have credibility because Canon, Avid and Autodesk have all confirmed that their sponsorships have been canceled because Apple has demanded no one else has the main stage. A Canon spokesperson supposedly confirmed to PVC, "Canon was told last night that Apple has demanded ALL 'lectern' or stage time exclusively." Likewise, Avid told them, "Apple doesn't want anyone to have stage time but them." There's no word yet on what the next Final Cut Pro will feature, but in February, a group of high-profile video editors were supposedly given time with the software. Their reactions to the new FCP were overwhelmingly positive, with one of them saying the next Final Cut Pro is "the biggest overhaul to Final Cut Pro since the original version was created over 10 years ago."
Final Cut updates due in March or April, Steve Jobs still sour on Blu-ray
Hardmac has kicked off the new year with some more rumors about Final Cut Studio being updated. We already knew (since the app wasn't updated last September) that Final Cut Studio has been due for some streamlining, and Hardmac says that, indeed, there are multiple beta versions running around. There are reportedly both versions for Snow Leopard and the new OS X Lion being tested at Apple, with the Lion version taking advantage of some new video magic made available in QuickTime. Apparently, the feature set isn't completely nailed down yet, but Hardmac reckons that both new versions should be available by March or April. Hardmac's rumor report also mentions the Xserve, but before you get too excited, all they're saying is that there was a wave of strong feedback after Apple discontinued the hardware, including some from an Apple board member. The feedback reportedly says that the issue with Xserve wasn't ever the hardware -- it was the way Apple sold it. But it remains to be seen if that will change anyone's opinion about bringing it back in Cupertino, especially since a lot of that feedback was public anyway. And finally, Hardmac claims to have read an internal memo from Steve Jobs himself about Blu-ray, and he reportedly holds his position that Blu-ray's DRM and licensing deals are far too restrictive for Apple to get involved with the standard. That's nothing new -- Jobs also says that without DRM on iTunes, Apple was able to hit sales records and even finally get the Beatles, and that the future of media is in digital distribution and streaming, not a physical medium. All solid thinking, if you ask me. [via AppleInsider, MacRumors]
Final Cut Studio update supposedly due next year
Frustrated by the Final Cut delay, consultant Dustyn Gobler sent sent Steve Jobs an email asking for status update. Jobs supposedly replied (we can't confirm that Gobler did in fact receive a message back from Jobs) with "A great release of Final Cut is coming early next year." Hardmac reported in September that the Final Cut delay was due to "significant setbacks." Specifically, their source said that differences between the team responsible for Shake and the team working on Motion are partly responsible, and representative of the overall difficulty in uniting all of the suite's applications. Steve's assertion that an update is due in 2011 is consistent with other rumors we've heard on the subject. For those who, like Gobler, must make very expensive decisions on this software, we say sit tight. An update is on the way. Maybe. [Via MacNN]
Rumor: Final Cut Studio update delayed until 2011
Those waiting on an update to Final Cut Studio may have to continue to do so, as a new rumor suggests it won't be released this year. Quoting a "source," Hardmac reports that the development of the next major update to Final Cut Studio has suffered "significant setbacks" and won't be available until 2011. Hardmac notes that the scope of the project has been reduced as well, and the unified interface is a casualty of that reduction. The source says that differences between the team responsible for Shake and the team working on Motion are partly responsible, and representative of the overall difficulty in uniting all of the suite's applications. Keep in mind that it's a rumor and not written in stone. If it turns out to be true, it's bad news for FCS users who are jonesing for something new. [Via MacDailyNews]
Apple Pro Applications Update 2010-02 released
An Apple software update nearly sneaked by without notice yesterday. Pro Applications Update 2010-02 provides bug fixes and improvements and is recommended for users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server, and Logic Studio. After the update, version numbers are listed as Final Cut Pro 7.0.3, Motion 4.0.3, Color 1.5.3, Compressor 3.5.3, and Apple QMaster 3.5.3. The Final Cut app updates include support for new cameras. The update can be downloaded either through Software Update (where it will appear if you have one of the applications installed) or by going to the update Web page on the Apple site. The patch notes show new features and fixes, and those are listed on the next page. Click the "Read More" link to view. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Apple releases Pro Applications, Canon Printer Drivers updates
Apple has released two new updates. The first is Pro Applications Update 2010-01. The update is a revision to Final Cut Studio (2009). It includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.2, Motion 4.0.2, Color 1.5.2, Compressor 3.5.2, Apple Qmaster 3.5.2 and Cinema Tools 4.5.1. Apple says the software improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. The update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server, and Logic Studio and weighs in at 321.1 MB. It requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later and QuickTime 7.6.2 or later. The second update is Canon Printer Drivers 2.3 for Snow Leopard and includes the latest Canon printing and scanning software for Snow Leopard. The update weighs in at 281.16MB and requires Mac OS X 10.6.1 or later. The updates are available through the download links above or via Software Update.
Final Cut dominant among Oscar documentary nominees
Steve Jobs and the iPad both appeared on TV during last night's Academy Awards, but they weren't the extent of Apple's presence. Cnet reports this morning that the majority of the "Documentary Feature" and "Documentary Short" nominees -- 9 out of 10 in fact -- were made using Final Cut Studio, Apple's professional video editing package. Cnet spoke with some of the filmmakers, including Dan Wilken, online editor of "Food, Inc," who sung the suite's praises. "...[switching to Final Cut Studio] made the most sense economically and allowed us to do everything we needed." Final Cut isn't the only professional editing software available but it is the most popular; market research firm SCRI International claim is has a near 50% market share among nonlinear editors. With this in mind we get an even clearer picture of Steve's motivation for showing up. Certainly to have fun and experience the show, cheer on Up and other Disney offerings and keep his company and products in the minds of a very lucrative market.
Apple posts two new updates
Just days after all the hardware updates on Tuesday, Apple has posted two new support downloads. The first, Pro Applications Update 2009-01, contains several updates for applications in Final Cut Studio. This update includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.1, Motion 4.0.1, Soundtrack Pro 3.0.1, Color 1.5.1, and Compressor 3.5.1. This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. You can download this update through Software Update, or on the Apple Support Downloads page. Also, Apple released Apple Server Diagnostics 3X106, which replaces Apple Server Diagnostics 3X104 to provide support for Snow Leopard Server. This is compatiable with the Xserve (Early 2008 or Early 2009) or the Mac mini server config (Early 2009). This download is also available on the Apple Support Downloads page.
Pro Applications Update improves performance and stability
Apple has released Pro Applications Update 2008-04, which includes updates to Final Cut Pro, Compressor, Color, DVD Studio Pro, Cinema Tools, Motion, Soundtrack Pro and Shake. The update, according to Apple, "addresses general performance issues and improves overall stability." No specific details were provided about what the update improved about each software component, other than to say each update "addresses specific customer issues and general performance issues." The updates are recommended for all users of the software. The update includes the following versions: Final Cut Pro 6.0.5 Compressor 3.0.5 Shake 4.1.1 DVD Studio Pro 4.2.1 Cinema Tools 4.0.1 Motion 3.0.2 Color 1.0.3 Soundtrack Pro 2.0.2 The update is available from Apple's website. Thanks, Clancy!
Pro Applications Update 2008-02
Apple just released an update to their Pro Application support for Mac OS X. According to Apple, this update "improves reliability for Apple's professional applications." This update is recommended to all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server and Logic Studio. Final Cut Pro 6.0.4 and Compressor 3.0.3 are applications included in the update. You can download this update by opening Software Update (choosing Software Update from the Apple menu) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple Support Downloads site. You can visit the Pro Applications support note for more information about this update.
Two Pro App Updates
Apple released two Pro App updates bright and early this Monday morning:ProKit Update 4.5: "This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and Logic Express."Plugin Manager 1.7.3: "This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and related SDKs."According the release notes for the Plugin Manager update, it addresses a backwards compatibility issue with Apple and third-party filters in the applications listed above. Users of any of these apps and Motion should fire up Software Update and install the recommended updates. No reboot is required (and there was much rejoicing!).Update: These updates were new to me! Sorry for the false alarm all, I just installed FCP and jumped the gun. That being said, be sure to check out Apple's list of available updates. You never know what you'll find on there.Thanks to everyone in the comments for setting me straight.
Pro Applications Update 2008-01
Today Apple released a Pro Applications Update 2008-01. This update is described as:This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server, Logic Studio, and Shake.Final Cut Server was, as you may know, released on Tuesday. You can download this update by opening the Software Update app (Apple Menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from the Apple support downloads website. You can also find more about this update by visiting the Apple support note.
Final Cut Server released
After countless delays and the cancellation of Apple's booth at NAB 2008 (which starts next week), many of us assumed Final Cut Server would never materialize. However, today's store-closing Tuesday update changed all of that, and the product is out and available immediately. It's nearly a year late (it was announced at NAB 2007), but we'll take it!Apple's press release describes Final Cut Server as, "a scaleable server application...allows searching across multiple disks and SAN volumes and enables viewing, annotation and approval of content from anywhere using a PC or Mac®."The cross-platform nature of the client software is a huge win for production houses that are not fully Mac-ified. Even if your whole production suite is Mac, being able to login from a PC to search media clips or access media from a PC in your Final Cut workflow has great potential.Read on for the rundown of the specs and system requirements for the server and client software.
