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Producerr trying to decide…Final Cut Pro or Avid ?
Apologies if this has been covered ad nauseum……….
I’ve spent 15 years producing pieces in post-houses with my own editors. I’m finally at a point, where I can, and need to do some of my off-line work on my own. I don’t want to buy any decks, want to be able to download media directly into the system, need portability, and need to have some cross-communication between both FCP and Avid.
For starters, I am a PC guy, and am comfortable with Avid, but most of my colleagues (finishers) are FCP-based. I’m entering a world where I need to begin editing my own A-Roll / Rough Cuts, and want to know which NLE system is best for me. My “system” will consist exclusively of a laptop and stored media on external drives. If cost isn’t an issue, what is the advice.
I’m not concerned about graphics, after-effects, finishing products, etc., I only want to create timelines, have a couple tracks of audio, and hand off a project to the more advanced editors out there.
Advice?
Cinco Productions
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5 Replies
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You should not try to make Avid and FCP work together. They really are very different animals when it comes to media (FCP being Quicktime based, Avid being MXF/OMF) and project file format.
If most of the editors you want to work with use Avid, then use Avid…if most use FCP, then use FCP. If its kind of a mix, you can actually have both on your system (assuming cost is not an object). For basic editing, you should be able to get the hang of working with both pretty easily.
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FCP, hands down.
Avid is great for media management and is still cool for catering to clients who are Avid-savvy. Sounds like you are editing for yourself though so I’d opt for better quality and more capabilities for a lower price, man...and wish I had.
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Firstly, I agree with John Pale’s comments about making Avid/FCP work together. Take that on board.
Secondly, you said: “most of my colleagues (finishers) are FCP-based.”
Then you’d be best with a compatible edit system.
I’d like others to confirm this, but rather than FinalCut Studio, I think FinalCut Express will do the job for you, given you want to do simple edits. (FC Express does quite a lot; you don’t need the extra applications/expense of FC Studio.)Neil.
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Neil Ryan
Post Production Protagonist– – – – – – – – –
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Much obliged for al the advice…I was leaning toward FCP, and you guys have validated my instinct.
Cinco Productions
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I have never worked with FCE, but my understanding is that FCE:
1. will not batch capture
2. will not work with any formats beyond DV, HDV, and AVCHD.
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