I bought the retail version of DVD SP 4 several months ago (because iDVD just wasn't cutting it for my needs) and just downloaded the "DVD Studip Pro 4 Upgrade to Final Cut Studio" form from Apple yesterday; it clearly states that the cost is $199 + tax, and I have to send in the original DVDSP4 install disc. It also says it must be postmarked by Dec 20, 2006 so I don't think they're getting rid of the upgrade deal anytime soon.

Guess I'm just gonna ditch my copy of FCE. Shoot, there's nothing WRONG with it, and I'm not sure if I'll even use the extra features in FCP....but for $199, I can't pass it up, and I'll have access to the auxilary software in the suite.

Hi Duane,
Can you send me a link to where you downloaded that from? I am going to purchase Motion 2 now, and hopefully get the same type of deal..

Thanks,
Mike Moncrief

You'll find full information here: http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/

Thanks Boyd..

appreciate the response..

Mike Moncrief

I've read the upgrade pages and the fine print on the upgrade order form but I can't find an answer to this: Over the years, I bought FCP 2, an FCP 3 upgrade and an FCP 4 upgrade. Do I qualify for a single $199 upgrade to Final Cut Studio or one $199 upgrade and two $699 upgrades?

TIA

Call Apple and ask, I'm sure they will help you out.

Once you have upgraded to a new version then your old version is no longer valid. For example, if you upgrade from FCP3 to FCP4 then you can't turn around and sell somebody your old FCP3 software. So clearly you qualify for the $199 upgrade from FCP4 to FC Studio.

Theoretically, the older versions would not be upgradeable because the serial numbers would indicate they had already been upgraded during the registration process. As to whether that really would happen... who knows. But clearly when you purchase an upgrade, that's just what you get. It changes the capabilities of the original software package that you bought. This is not the same thing as buying a new software package, and it doesn't give you an additional license for the software.

Can you share projects between FCE and FCP?
 

Ernest,
We're thinking of getting Final Cut Pro at work, and I have Final Cut Express at home. If we back up to an external hard drive will I be able to bring that home on the weekends and keep working in FCE?

Basically No. You can open an FCE project in FCP but once it is in FCP, it is upgraded to FCP format. There are other export capabilities in FCP for cross platform exchange that may let you open it at home in FCE (not sure) but I will let the pros here suggest them.

Dear Ernest,
Will the quality be degraded by doing a project in FCE and then import it in FCP compared to capturing it in FCP directly?
Best regards /Johan
PS. I really like your suggested tripod combination, the Manfrotto 542 ART with the Cartoni Focus head. This tripod is really an invention and very nice to move around really quickly. Thanks again!

The video data is DV for both FCP and FCE. What is different is the project file. THere is no degradation of video quality.

I very much enjoy the ART legs and Cartoni Focus Head. I had to use my wife's photo tripod recently and realized how spoiled I am for having the fast and easy setup of the ART legs.