FCP5 upgrade dilema with Apple

[Boyd Mccollum]

First is to just accept that death, taxes, and no upgrades from the Academic version of FCP are facts of life ;D If it’s any comfort, I went through this myself, and I know others who have as well.

You could just return the upgrade and buy the full production suite at full price. Even at full price, it’s a great deal, and really a small price to pay for what you get in return.

The other option would be to check ebay (or Craigslist, etc.) and buy a very cheap copy of an earlier version of either the Production Suite, or one of the stand alone non-Academic version of the apps in the suite (FCP, DVDSP, etc.). Check the Apple site for which upgrade goes with what you are doing. If you have one of the apps, I believe the upgrade is $699, but you need to have the correct upgrade (for an app to the suite, not from the suite to the suite).

What you really need is the license – and it should be a legitimate license – to upgrade. It would be a cheaper way to go.

Boyd
“Go slow to go fast”

[Tony]

First of all were you a student when you purchased the academic version? If so you received the savings while on a tight budget as a student.

Are you still a student? If not then you need to buy the full license version of FCP like the rest of us did to work in a professional for profit business.

The spec’s regarding that an academic version cannot be upgraded to the full version are on the Apple website as well as on the web at lafcpug.org where a nice outline shows all the different versions and which one might best apply to your case.

If however when you purchased the new upgrade to FCP 5 and you were told by an Apple rep that it would work then you were indeed mislead and should fight to return the upgrade package.
But in anycase you still need to buy the full version of FCP 5 to get that version on your computer.

In other words the academic savings ended when you stopped being a student and went pro.
If you are still a student why don’t you get the academic version of FCP 5 if it is available?

I cannot stress the importance of doing the necessary background checks to verify if any upgrade software will work with a specific prior software version. It is up to the consumer to do all the proper work to protect themselves. “Buyer beware” applies here. I am Sorry to say but some of the apple sales staff at their stores and on the phone are quite misinformed or downright stupid so you can’t believe everything they say. The applies to many other vendors too.

Sorry for the bad news.

Tony Salgado

[Ed Stevens]

I would gladly accept the fact of the Academic version, but why let me upgrade and now they will not return it. They simply said “go try to sell it on ebay”. Don’t think that is a great company. In my company I bend over backwards for a client. I told them I would buy the full version, just take back the upgrade.

[Boyd Mccollum]

Apple did a really bad job rolling out FCP 5 and there was, and continues to be, some major miscommunications – often their fault, but at quite a considerable cost ($600-700) to the user. A couple of suggestions:

1. is there an Apple Store where you are at? Maybe if you go in person, especially if you tell them the story and offer to buy the full version, they may give you credit.
2. Call Apple and keep pushing it up the chain of command ’til someone has the authority or sense of fair play to help you out. There is a level of inconsistency with all businesses where some people never say “yes”, some that don’t think they can, and some that will.
3. Go to eBay and buy an older version of Studio for less $. I looked yesterday, and it looks like you can pick up an older version of an individual app for $100-150 (again, check that your upgrade will work with an upgrade from an app to full suite, not full suite to full suite). Then use the upgrade you have.

Boyd
“Go slow to go fast”

[Mitchji]

Hi,

I think you can upgrade from FCP 2.0. If this is not an academic version and the company is legitimate here it is for $150:
https://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p18337079-k24-g4-~final+cut+pro+2%2E0-nover?sourceid=3

Apple Final Cut Pro 2.0
Description Final Cut Pro 2 features a new, QuickTime-based real-time architecture that removes lengthy rendering time from the creative process. Simply add an optional, real-time processing card to perform wipes, dissolves, and 2-D motion…
Was: $299.99
Now: $149.99

available from
Softwareoutlet.com

Best Wishes,

Mitch

[Ed Stevens]

Thanks all for your help.