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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.
Talkcast tonight, 10 PM ET: Pro video preview from NAB
It's Sunday night, and that means talkcast time! This week, as the NAB convention kicks off in Las Vegas, we look ahead to the highly-anticipated next step in pro video editing from Apple. Yes, the rumor mill around Final Cut Pro is percolating with extreme prejudice, so there's no better time to bring in our editor friends and colleagues (including our own Chris White) to talk about what we can expect and what we might wish for in the next FCP/FCS version. Our special guest tonight is John Foster of KnowTech.tv. We'll also tackle the news of the week plus your questions and comments -- and if there's time afterward, there's always the TUAWTF aftershow (never recorded, often regretted). To participate on TalkShoe, you can use the browser-only client, the embedded Facebook app, or download the classic TalkShoe Pro Java client; however, for maximum fun, you should call in. For the web UI, just click the TalkShoe Web button on our profile page at 4 HI/7 PDT/10 PM EDT Sunday. To call in on regular phone or VoIP lines (yay for free cell phone weekend minutes!): dial (724) 444-7444 and enter our talkcast ID, 45077 -- during the call, you can request to talk by keying in *8. If you've got a headset or microphone handy on your Mac, you can connect via the free Blink or X-Lite SIP clients; basic instructions are here (if you like Blink, the pro version is available in the Mac App Store). Talk to you tonight.
More talk that the next Final Cut Pro will be the best thing since sliced bread
Okay, it's getting to the point now that the next Final Cut Pro better be the best thing ever invented because everyone who has played around with it seems to think it is. The latest heap of praise comes from Mark Raudonis, head of post production at Bunim/Murray Productions. Raudonis talked about the upcoming "awesome" FCP at a FilmMarker Magazine pre-NAB panel discussion. While Raudonis didn't give away any new features, he did have the following to say about the new Final Cut Pro, including a quote from Henry Ford: "I would also end with Henry Ford: 'If I asked people what they wanted, they'd tell me they wanted a faster horse.' So, Apple is very good at going their own way and figuring out where things will be. They may not ask you what you want. They are going to tell you, 'We're going to invent something different.' And that's kind of my take away from it. I was very impressed, it was awesome and look out, I believe they say it will be available in Spring 2011. So, that goes all the way up to June 20th. So, that's what I know, that's what I can say, and if there's anyone from Apple out there, I hope you don't sue me." I've worked with my fair share of video editors over the years and if there's one truth about them it's that they are very picky people. If a current editing suite works for them, there's no reason to reinvent the wheel. But reinventing the wheel seems to be exactly what Apple has done with this next Final Cut, and the fact that so many video editors are heaping extraordinary praise on it has me salivating just to get a glimpse of the next version of Apple's powerhouse video editing suite. For those of you into editing, watch the entire video after the break. There's a lot of good talk about the future of video editing -- and some speculation on where Apple wants to lead it. [via MacRumors]
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."
'Dramatic and ambitious' new Final Cut Pro to debut this spring
TechCrunch reports that Final Cut Pro, Apple's professional video editing suite, is set for a major update this spring. According to TechCrunch, a small group of prominent video editors were recently invited to Apple's campus to try out the upcoming revamp to Final Cut Pro and give their feedback on it. If their reports are anything to go by, the next Final Cut Pro is nothing short of amazing. One tester said the next version of FCP is "the biggest overhaul to Final Cut Pro since the original version was created over 10 years ago." Another calls the next Final Cut "dramatic and ambitious." Exact details on the changes from the current Final Cut Pro software are sparse, but that could be because, as TechCrunch notes, the next version of FCP encompasses "everything from low level architectural changes to a complete redesign of the user interface." A Final Cut Pro redesign shouldn't come as a total shock. Apple reportedly reorganized the Pro Software team in 2009 and promoted Randy Ubillos, who lead the ground-up redesign of iMovie '08, to its project manager position. Final Cut Pro was last updated in July of 2009, and after its release there were rumors that FCP engineers had left Apple. That caused many to fear that Apple had abandoned future development of the software. One user even emailed Steve Jobs in August 2010 about the future of Final Cut Pro. Jobs took the time to email the user a reply and stated that the "Next release will be awesome." "Awesome," "dramatic" and "ambitious." That's a lot to live up to. The next version of Final Cut Pro is reportedly set to be released this spring -- around the time of the annual National Association of Broadcasters conference, according to TechCrunch.
Xsan sites gain options as Active Storage steps in with new metadata controller
So long, Xserve. At the end of the day (January 31), you will be leaving the product sales list after serving the Mac community faithfully for nearly nine years. But today Active Storage introduced ActiveSAN, a high-performance metadata controller for Xsan and StorNext networks, intending to pick up where Xserve leaves off -- at least for this specialized function. Xsan is Apple's version of a storage area network/cluster file system, using high-speed Fibre Channel connections to allow bunches of workstations access to the same pool of data without clogging traditional Ethernet networks. They're widely deployed in video production environments, scientific computing and other spots where enterprises find the need to get lots of bits moved around in a big hurry. A typical Xsan deployment might include terabytes of storage (on Xserve RAID or Promise RAID redundant storage) available to users. In order to make sure that individual client machines only get access to the stuff they're supposed to (and to guard against two machines writing to the same block at the same time), Xsan requires metadata controllers -- traditionally Xserves or Mac Pros running Mac OS X Server and connected via PCI-based Fibre Channel cards to the SAN. While the Mac Pro is still an option for use as an MDC, the Mac mini server is not (no PCI slot to stash the FC card). Since Xsan is built on the same technology as Quantum's cross-platform StorNext, the Active Storage team was able to create a Linux-based 1U metadata controller with Xsan-friendly setup and a native Mac administration tool. There's no price or configurations for the system yet, but Active Storage intends to show off ActiveSAN at the NAB 2011 convention in April and start delivery during the second quarter. We can assume that ActiveSAN will take advantage of Active Storage's iPhone app, which monitors RAID systems remotely. You can see a video demonstrating ActiveSan following the jump. [hat tip 9to5Mac]
Final Cut Server app ClipTouch 1.0 for iPad released
Calling all Final Cut Pro users who want to bring their new iPad into the editing room with them -- this news is for you. According to The Mac Observer, Factorial Ltd.'s ClipTouch 1.0 for iPad Final Cut Server client app was recently released and allows content creators to browse, archive, restore and display video assets on their iPads via Wi-Fi, 3G and VPN, with no server configuration required. Apple's Final Cut Server was released in 2008 as a "scaleable server application ... (which) allows searching across multiple disks and SAN volumes and enables viewing, annotation and approval of content from anywhere using a PC or Mac," and it continues to be at the forefront of video content creation and delivery. This new iPad client app should help it stay that way. ClipTouch 1.0 for iPad is compatible with iOS 4.2 or later and Final Cut Server 1.5.1 and up. It's available for US$14.99 on the App Store. [via The Mac Observer]
Alcatel-Lucent trust sues Apple and others over video patents
Apple has been hit with yet another patent infringement lawsuit this week. The lawsuit was filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for Southern California by the Multimedia Patent Trust. The MPT is a subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent that was formed when Alcatel merged with Lucent Technologies in 2006. The MPT controls and defends a block of patents previously owned by Lucent. The company has a litigious history and has filed infringement lawsuits against Microsoft, Dell, Disney and DirecTV. The four patents listed in this infringement case focus on video codecs with Apple allegedly infringing on three of the four patents. Cited in the complaint are Apple's MacBook lineup of laptops, the iPhone and its video editing solution, Final Cut Pro. Apple is not alone in this lawsuit; Canon cameras and camcorders, LG mobile phones and TiVo DVR equipment are also being targeted by MPT. MPT is asking for past royalty payments from these alleged infringing products and, at least for Apple, is not seeking an injunction.
New Apple patents for iPhone, wide trackpad, Final Cut Pro, and Apple Mail
Patently Apple's got a whole slew of new patent applications from Cupertino today. First up are the actual product designs of the original iPhone and the second-gen iPod shuffle. Apple's moved on from both of these designs to newer and better things, but they're putting the patents in anyway, just in case anyone wants to rip off the rounded iPhone edges or the little shuffle's clip design. There are also two MacBook patents: one for the latch holding the battery in, and another one for an extremely wide trackpad that creates a touchable surface all the way across the bottom of the notebook. I like that idea -- I guess Apple hasn't yet figured out a way to put a touchpad in there without getting in the way of the hard drive, the battery, or whatever else is already in that space, but that's an innovation we could see in a future revision. Finally, Final Cut Pro's scripting engine has gotten a patent application, and there are also two Apple Mail-related patents, for filtering and processing certain email messages. Nothing super groundbreaking, but Apple continues to leave its mark on as many types of computer innovation as it can.
New Apple patent features video editing innovation and simplification
Apple is already pretty tight with the film production industry. Final Cut Pro has a big chunk of the high-end editing business, and Apple continues innovating to keep their spot secure. A 2007 survey showed that Final Cut Pro had 49 percent of the professional editing market. A new patent granted to Apple, number 7,827,489, describes a system to make it easier for filmmakers to edit to tape. Most editing today is non-linear, with the video and audio on a hard disk that allows random access. Apple proposes that the media clips get transferred to a sequential medium (tape) for storage. Apple seems to see this as both an easy distribution method and a way to keep a secure permanent record of all the edit clips and have this done within a video editor. The system Apple describes has icons that represent a function to be saved to the storage device. Apple thinks this method is viable now because of the availability of faster processors. Lots of patents never get very far and never appear as products, but it's always interesting to get some insight into what Apple is thinking and what may turn up on either the professional or consumer side. How busy is Apple at applying for and getting patents? On November 2, Apple was granted 14!
Software updates: Aperture 3.1, Java Update 3, and ProKit Update
Three big updates just showed up in Software Update: Aperture 3.1, Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 3, and ProKit Update. Aperture 3.1 weighs in at nearly 375 MB. Aside from the usual improvements to "overall stability and performance," Aperture 3.1 brings compatibility with the brand new iLife '11 suite. There's also a whole host of bug fixes -- too many to list here, honestly. Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 3 is about 78 MB and updates Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_22. The ProKit Update "fixes issues with user interface software that is shared by Apple's professional applications," which includes Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express, Soundtrack, Logic Studio, Logic Pro, MainStage, WaveBurner and Logic Express. The specific issues this ~14 MB update addresses: -- Improves reliability for browsing iPhoto libraries in Aperture. -- Addresses cosmetic issue with appearance of disclosure triangles in Aperture. -- Fixes a problem in Logic Pro and MainStage where numeric parameters display incorrect information. All three updates are available via Software Update now, so fire it up.
Final Cut Studio won't be dumbed down
On Tuesday, Appleinsider wrote that Apple's Final Cut team may refocus the application suite's focus from its current professional target to a more "prosumer" type of customer. Since then, many avid Final Cut Studio users have lamented the possibility of an iMovie 8-style "dumbing down" of the video editing suite, fearing that Apple's catering to "prosumer" users would mean excising the "pro" from Final Cut Pro. Apple spokesman Bill Evans told CNET that's not going to happen. He stresses Apple's commitment to its professional video editor customers and says, "The next version of Final Cut is going to be awesome, and our pro customers are going to love it." This echoes remarks from a Steve Jobs e-mail last month, where he assured a concerned Final Cut Pro user that people removed from the Final Cut team "were in support, not engineering." "Next release will be awesome," Jobs said. It may be the case that Apple is focusing on making Final Cut Express more user-friendly for those used to the simpler interface of iMovie, while still maintaining the features professionals have demanded of Final Cut Studio. Hopefully we should know one way or the other soon; Final Cut Studio's last update was July 23 of last year.
Steve Jobs responds to customer's email about Final Cut Pro
Steve Jobs has been surprising customers lately with personal replies to their emails. He's done it again this week with the longest message yet. According to Mac Soda, customer Alex J. felt that the recent updates of Final Cut Pro (FCP) have gotten the application off track. As do many zealots who feel their faith slipping away, he asked for a sign: "Steve, Getting worried about Apple's interest in Final Cut. Last updates were not stellar. I heard a bunch of engineers were dropped too – give us a sign you still care about Pro Video, not just the iPad. Thanks, Alex" Much to Alex's surprise, Jobs replied. Not only that, he was motivated enough to share three whole sentences. Steve's email reads: "We certainly do. Folks who left were in support, not engineering. Next release will be awesome." Now we're excited for the next "awesome" release of FCP. We like this new "chatty" Steve. [Via MacDailyNews]
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.
JVC brings Blu-ray burning set-tops to the U.S., leaves all the fun overseas
U.S. buyers wanting to slide a Blu-ray playing & recording deck into their setup finally have an option coming from JVC, but the domestic limitations are almost as high as the pricetags. Unlike their Japanese and European cousins, there isn't any support for DVRing television content to the hard drive or discs here, with support limited strictly to unprotected Blu-ray content, or imported video from cameras or other sources via the Firewire, SDHC and USB ports. Still, professionals and prosumers interested in easily duping their own Blu-ray discs, video editing or quickly creating one-offs the SR-HD1500 (250GB, $1,995) and the SR-HD1250 (500GB, RS-232, Final Cut Pro .mov file support $2,550) may find a home for these when they ship in October.
Poll: Is Final Cut Pro an indication of more Blu-ray support coming from Apple?
Yeah we know, it's only been a month, but just like Apple and Microsoft, Apple and Blu-ray are the magic words, so when a smidgin of Blu-ray support popped up in the latest Final Cut Pro, we had to revisit the topic. Is everything properly lined up for a Blu-ray equipped Macbook, Apple TV or Mac Mini HD, or will it all be for naught once again?%Poll-32344%
For the first time, burn a Blu-ray directly within Final Cut Pro 7
Apple might not be ready to add Blu-ray to its computers yet, but prosumers can finally burn their creations directly to the discs (with a 3rd party drive of course) from Final Cut Pro 7. Otherwise, there's also the alternative of burning that HD footage you couldn't bear to squish onto YouTube to a DVD in the AVCHD format, but Macworld notes that beyond a few templates with FCP itself, DVD Studio Pro doesn't support Blu-ray authoring, encoding or burning at all. Of course, video editors probably have one or two other features to concern themselves with so check out the full review, but we'll be busy divining the exact date that "bag of hurt" shows up packed into the next Macbook.
