[Stephen Linehan]

Hello Alex and thanks again for your suggestions.

Here’s an update. I managed to download the relevant FCP updates but, on trying to install them, got the message “…need Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.5. or newer”.

Unfortunately, I’ve tried using the Mac software update which has worked for all sorts of stuff except for the OS. The “MacOSXupdCombo 10.5.8dmg” which it downloads asks for a reboot and then hangs. I’ve tried several times and have even left it overnight but it gets nowhere. So, I’m currently downloading “MacOSXupd 10.5.5” and let’s see if that works.

I have a horrible feeling I might have to reinstall from CD/DVD the whole OS (assuming such came with this machine, I must check) and then apply updates, etc.

Regarding tranferring the clips into FCP. I used the preferences delete utility and then tried log and transfer. This succeeded in getting a load of thumbnails into the Log and Transfer window but FCP crashed when I tried to do anything with them. I never got as far again.

Well……progress is being made but at a cost. At least I’m learning more about the Mac side of things.

I’ll post here with latest progress and thanks again to all who might suggest stuff.

steve.

[Stephen Linehan]

Thank you, David.

Are the upgrades to FCP free – at least, the 6.2 6.3, 6.4 etc? I assume 6.7 would incur a cost?

If I do a clean install of a newer OS I assume I would then have to install FCP 6.0.1 (my current version) before applying any upgrades?

Beginners questions, I know.

Thanks in advance!

steve.

[Stephen Linehan]

Hello Alex and many thanks for responding to my plea!

To get up to date: since posting my question I’ve discovered (via other post on this forum) that I can get the video clips into FCP via iMovie: I’ve done it and it works. It’s a slow process but it does work (thank heavens). I also discovered the “digital revolution” site which enabled me to download the Preferences manager tool…so I erased my old preferences and managed to “Log and Transfer” the clips into FCP……only I couldn’t do anything with them then.

So, whilst I have a work around (via imovie) I’d like to upgrade FCP to the latest version and also the operating system. Regarding FCP, when I tried to update via the apple download site it seems to imply that my version is too old, or something. Do I need to buy the latest version? What is the latest version? 6.0.6 or 7.0? I’m not a Mac person so any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Having said all this, when I finally got the HD video stuff into FCP it looked fantastic. I really want to continue to use FCP to edit my video clips (I work in a special needs school and video is a great way of informing parents andothers about the kids) so I’ll go that extra mile to get there.

So. Again. Any advice will be much appreciated.

Steve.

……and whilst this is slightly “off topic” which version of the Mac OS should I be on and how do I get it?