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Which FCP version for newbie?
Looking for some guidance.
I’ve just purchased an iMac for video editing. Which version of Final Cut would recommend for someone new to that software?…7 or X? Is one easier to learn that the other?
For close to ten years, I’ve been editing with the discontinued Accom Sphereous software which features a simple, classic timeline. But it’s SD only.
Any help would be appreciated,
Bob
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28 Replies
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FCP 7 is gone, so that’s probably not an option. X has no tracks in the timeline, so it depends on whether that is important to you or not. If it is, then your only options are Media 100, Premiere Pro or Avid Media Composer. Smoke at a higher-end price tag, too. If you are feeling adventurous and willing to roll the dice then FCP X would be of interest. Most of these have trial versions, so test them and decide for yourself.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
Oliver,
Thank you for the reply. I had no idea that FCP X had a trackless timeline; don’t need to climb that slippery learning curve.
Of the three other products you had mentioned, which seems to be the easiest to work with?
Bob
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[Bob McCarthy] “don’t need to climb that slippery learning curve”
FCP X is actually relatively easy to learn. I didn’t mean to imply that it wasn’t. It’s just that the trackless timeline requires a different way to thinking about things. Some folks take to it easily and others don’t. Browse through a lot of the post in the various threads in this forum and I think you will see that from the rather “lively” discussions.
[Bob McCarthy] “which seems to be the easiest to work with?”
I hate to say it’s completely subjective – but it is. Media 100 may well be the most direct to Spherous (as I remember it), but if you want something with the broadest base of users, then Media Composer or Premiere Pro would be the way to go. In the case of Adobe, you should look at the Production Premium bundle, since this would include After Effects and Photoshop and be the most bang-for-the-buck. Avid is going to be the choice of the high-end editors, but Adobe is making a very aggressive push. Probably CS6 will be released in the coming months, so more “goodness” to come in that package.
I would suggest testing the waters with a trial version (including FCP X) first to see which one fits you best.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
[Oliver Peters] “FCP 7 is gone, so that’s probably not an option.”
Oddly, it still seems to be selling pretty well in video specialty stores around LA.
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I’m sure a lot of editors were using the original Lightworks to cut feature films when Avid started to make inroads. How many Lightworks editors are there now? (not talking about the new open source version).
Kevin Monahan
Sr. Content and Community Lead
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Systems, Inc.
Follow Me on Twitter! -
[Kevin Monahan] “I’m sure a lot of editors were using the original Lightworks to cut feature films when Avid started to make inroads. How many Lightworks editors are there now? (not talking about the new open source version).
Kevin Monahan
Sr. Content and Community Lead”Kevin, I fear I do not understand the point you are making.
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Hey Bob,
An important question would be, “what are your editing goals going forward”?
As a FCP7 studio that’s switched to FCPX and explored the alternatives I’d recommend you pick up X (at least the trail version and see what you think after doing some tutorials and giving it a test drive.)
It’s a very nice program and, despite the issues for some users, it’s Apple’s current and future video software. I like it more everyday and I would (and have) advised new users, students and pros to give it a serious look.
Jim
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Yes, let me be clearer:
At one point people were still buying and learning Lightworks (the old NLE) even though it was already dead, as editors still used it in Hollywood. I don’t know of any editors using Lightworks, dead format, runs on ancient machines.
People are still buying and learning FCP7 even though it is already dead, as editors are still using it in Hollywood.
FCP7 is in the same situation as old Lightworks.
Maybe that makes more sense?
Kevin Monahan
Sr. Content and Community Lead
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Systems, Inc.
Follow Me on Twitter! -
[Kevin Monahan] “I don’t know of any editors using Lightworks, dead format, runs on ancient machines.”
Actually Thelma Schoonmaker (Hugo) and last year the editor for The King’s Speech. Not ancient machines though. Brand new machines running under current Win 7. In fact, for Hugo, new stereo 3D modules were developed.
[Kevin Monahan] “FCP7 is in the same situation as old Lightworks.”
There is no more development for FCP 7. It is no longer for sale, except through Apple’s 800 number (if still) or through available inventory bought up by resellers when they still had the chance. By contrast, Lightworks has a current development team and distribution model. FCP 7 will not grow, though it may live on for a while, until Apple does something in the OS to inadvertently cripple it. Lightworks at least has funding and developer interest. Once the open source (free) Mac version becomes available, then it does present another option on the iMac.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
One reason Lightworks is still being used in Hollywood is because it handles 3D workflows. Here’s a great recent DV Magazine article from Oliver Peters that talks about how it was used in Hugo.
https://www.dv.com/article/113960
I’m looking forward to the Mac OS release!
_______________________
David Lawrence
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