[Brody Dolyniuk]

Well, hello everyone. It’s been a long time since I started this thread (and quite a thread it turned out to be), and much has changed, so I thought I’d better chime back in with an update.

While it was difficult accepting/adjusting the shock moving from Vegas to FCP 7, I’m happy to say I’m now a full Mac enthusiast and am loving FCP X. Although it was flogged during the first few months by long-time FCP users, for me, this is the program I’ve been waiting for.

Gone are the days of waiting for a file to render before playback, there are more formats which can be dropped in and edited immediately, I love the magnetic timeline (now that I’ve gotten used to it), and FCP X comes with a host of very usable transitions, effects, sound FX and more. I consider myself a “Pro-sumer” and FCP X really is a very easy to use, logical software that yields high quality results. I also love the graphic workspace/layout. Since they added the multicam feature and automatic synchronization it really speeds up the workflow.

Other built-in features like being able to choose popular formats for export, like YouTube streaming make it easy to get your finished projects online quickly with high quality.

I do apologize for my initial comments…I was shocked/venting in frustration and I upset off some of the long-time FCP users here. I’m happy to say that those days are behind me, and while if I was still on a PC I’d probably still be using Vegas, I’m very a happy Mac user with the new FCP X and Logic Pro programs.

[Brody Dolyniuk]

Oh, I don’t know Tom, I get the feeling you’ve been “trolling” these boards a lot longer than me…

I believe I’ve got a right to make a comment or express an opinion on something pertinent to the topic…..this is a forum about Final Cut Pro and my comments were about FCP. I never said a harmful word about anyone’s character here, I simply mentioned my disappointment about the product.

Like it or not, the points I brought up are valid, to me and apparently at least a few others. No one is forcing you to comment on the thread I started. Don’t like it? You can move on to another thread. Although somehow I feel you’re going to need to have the last word…

I may also post something on the Apple discussion boards too, again, because I believe others may eventually benefit from my input.

[Brody Dolyniuk]

Hey guys,

I appreciate all the response this has generated. It seems I’m not alone in my opinions about some things.

Taking all into consideration, we can agree to disagree on our favorite platform. Obviously many people have found uses for FCP that are deeper than the basic editing functions, and that’s great. What would be greater yet is if FCP, as the industry standard editor, would also handle those basic functions for us everyday users…..I’m sure we can all agree on that. Why have to convert files via 3rd party programs before working with them in FCP when you can just drag something in and let the rendering process take care of that?

Same goes for having to render things like text and transitions….FCP should be able to handle that without batting an eye.

A great program should be easy to use, handle the everyday tasks with ease, and then be able to go deep for the more serious editors.

I’m saying this not to piss anyone off, but to maybe stir up something for the FCP developers so that they can cater to everyone and be the clear leader. This is a forum about Final Cut, so I brought my thoughts about it here. That’s how any product gets better….through feedback and refinement.

For the record, I made the switch to Apple Logic and am very happy with it. I’m hopeful that one day I’ll make FCP my single choice for video editing. It’s not there for me just yet.

Peace out.

[Brody Dolyniuk]

Wow, Tom. Glad I’m not the only one.

Careful though….lot of very defensive FCP users here. Best of luck to you with your learning experience.

Now where did I put that hammer? I’ve got some screwing to do….

[Brody Dolyniuk]

Thanks Michael, I just reinstalled Windows and Vegas via Boot Camp.

Oh and Tom….thanks for all your help.

[Brody Dolyniuk]

Yep, you’re right. I didn’t do my homework…..shame on me. I needed the Mac for other applications and knew that I could no longer use Vegas, so I assumed that the leading MAC video editor, FCP would be compliant with most popular formats out there.

For example, the first thing I dragged in was a web video in QuickTime mp4 format. That’s an Apple codec, right? When I dragged it into the timeline, I chose the option to convert the project/sequence’s properties to match that of the video. And yet, it wouldn’t play back the audio until I converted that to a separate AIFF stream.

I certainly didn’t expect that I couldn’t even watch back a section of the clip just by adding basic text over the video. Why can’t it play back its own proprietary text format without rendering?

That means that for the 20 or so pieces of text I wanted to add, adjust, and then see the results, I would have to render each move? I don’t see how you guys handle that….I’m sorry.

And as for the “garbage” comment, yes, sometimes it’s necessary to grab an mp3 audio file, then a wav sound effect, and a couple different formats of video to make a final product (for me anyway). I’ve been spoiled I guess by being able to work with these formats instantly vs. having to wait to render them first. That’s a lot of time spent waiting 🙂

Like you said, there are different needs for everyone, and I’m sure FCP offers some features that Vegas cannot do…..but right now I’m just concerned with an editor that handles the everyday, basic functions with as little hassle as possible.

And again, sorry to offend anyone….just venting frustration and looking for answers. Looks like I found them.

Cheers!