Final Cut Express at DVinfo.net

Steven Davis · November 30th, 2011, 08:38 PM

Well, I'm a PC NLE on Sony Vegas. But since I bought this honkin IMAC behind me, I figured I'd get something to do basic video on it. I was going to get Adobe Premiere Elements, but then I thought about FCE.

I wouldn't spend the money on Final Cut Pro, besides I've spent 7 years figuring out Vegas. lol.

I essentially want an editor on my mac so on the chance I throw a video in there, I can fiddle with it.

Any opinions.?

Michael Wisniewski · November 30th, 2011, 09:40 PM

FCP Express is EOL, take a look at iMovie to see if it will work for your basic edits. Coming from Vegas I found the iMovie/FCP X interface easy to learn. Don't know about Premiere Elements.

Les Wilson · December 1st, 2011, 06:30 AM

Your iMac comes with iMovie built in so you can use that right away. However, it's basically a single track editor. Most people, when they want to branch out into compositing multiple video tracks move up to FCE, FCP, or Premier.

FCE is a cut down version of FCP and, as mentioned is End of Life'd. You may however be able to get a good deal out of it and climb the learning curve for a while. But recognize that all your projects can't be opened once you move on to FCP-X.

FCP-X is intended to replace both FCE and FCP. For $299, if sits at the same retail price point as FCE and I don't know why you would not just move to it. You're making the switch at a time when you can get in at the beginning of the FCP-X phase. All your projects should move forward from here. If money is the issue, then get started with iMovie and save up till you can afford it. Seems like a no-brainer to me. YMMV

Steven Davis · December 1st, 2011, 04:55 PM

I'll look into it, that was very helpful. Being in bed with PCs for 17 years, it's been interesting getting acquainted with macs.

Steven Davis · December 1st, 2011, 05:20 PM

Second thought; After looking at the tutorials, mulitcam looks complicated. With Vegas and Excalibur, I can sync and multicam edit with buttons. Hmmmm..... Thinking

Luc De Wandel · December 11th, 2011, 05:42 AM

If I were you, I'd try to find a second hand retail package of Final Cut Studio 2 or 3. Does a lot more than FCE. I would not venture into FCX yet, as easy multicam editing is not possible, choosing your exact location for your files is a pain in the neck, rendering is slow, and so on.

If you want Final Cut Studio 2, I could leave you my set of dDVD's in the original packaging. Just let me know.

November 30th, 2011, 08:38 PM	#1
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Final Cut Express Well, I'm a PC NLE on Sony Vegas. But since I bought this honkin IMAC behind me, I figured I'd get something to do basic video on it. I was going to get Adobe Premiere Elements, but then I thought about FCE. I wouldn't spend the money on Final Cut Pro, besides I've spent 7 years figuring out Vegas. lol. I essentially want an editor on my mac so on the chance I throw a video in there, I can fiddle with it. Any opinions.? __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

November 30th, 2011, 09:40 PM	#2
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Re: Final Cut Express FCP Express is EOL, take a look at iMovie to see if it will work for your basic edits. Coming from Vegas I found the iMovie/FCP X interface easy to learn. Don't know about Premiere Elements. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

December 1st, 2011, 06:30 AM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Final Cut Express Your iMac comes with iMovie built in so you can use that right away. However, it's basically a single track editor. Most people, when they want to branch out into compositing multiple video tracks move up to FCE, FCP, or Premier. FCE is a cut down version of FCP and, as mentioned is End of Life'd. You may however be able to get a good deal out of it and climb the learning curve for a while. But recognize that all your projects can't be opened once you move on to FCP-X. FCP-X is intended to replace both FCE and FCP. For $299, if sits at the same retail price point as FCE and I don't know why you would not just move to it. You're making the switch at a time when you can get in at the beginning of the FCP-X phase. All your projects should move forward from here. If money is the issue, then get started with iMovie and save up till you can afford it. Seems like a no-brainer to me. YMMV Last edited by Les Wilson; December 1st, 2011 at 06:43 PM.

December 1st, 2011, 04:55 PM	#4
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Re: Final Cut Express I'll look into it, that was very helpful. Being in bed with PCs for 17 years, it's been interesting getting acquainted with macs. __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

December 1st, 2011, 05:20 PM	#5
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	Re: Final Cut Express Second thought; After looking at the tutorials, mulitcam looks complicated. With Vegas and Excalibur, I can sync and multicam edit with buttons. Hmmmm..... Thinking __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

December 11th, 2011, 05:42 AM	#6
Luc De Wandel Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium Posts: 963	Re: Final Cut Express If I were you, I'd try to find a second hand retail package of Final Cut Studio 2 or 3. Does a lot more than FCE. I would not venture into FCX yet, as easy multicam editing is not possible, choosing your exact location for your files is a pain in the neck, rendering is slow, and so on. If you want Final Cut Studio 2, I could leave you my set of dDVD's in the original packaging. Just let me know.