Should I make the jump to Final Cut Studio?

Duane Smith · February 4th, 2006, 01:50 PM

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.

Mike Moncrief · February 4th, 2006, 05:54 PM

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

Boyd Ostroff · February 4th, 2006, 06:00 PM

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

Mike Moncrief · February 4th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Thanks Boyd..

appreciate the response..

Mike Moncrief

Les Wilson · February 23rd, 2006, 06:21 AM

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

Brett Whited · February 23rd, 2006, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernest House

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.

Boyd Ostroff · February 23rd, 2006, 07:58 AM

Once you have upgraded to a new version then your old version is no longer valid.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.

Kris Holodak · April 6th, 2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernest House

I have both FCE and FCP. If your FCE is an educational one then it has the same issue that Jack points out. I disagree with Glenn tho. If you are going to try and make a living, your time is most important. There's a couple of things in FCP that aren't in FCE that save you lots of time. One is batch capture and the other is COmpressor (coincidently a batch output). During editing, I find the FCP keyframing and motion controls superior and more efficient than FCE. There may be other diffs that slip my mind. My FCE system is just for simple stuff for use by less experienced staff.

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?

Les Wilson · April 7th, 2006, 08:26 PM

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.

Johan Forssblad · April 8th, 2006, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernest House

You can open an FCE project in FCP but once it is in FCP, it is upgraded to FCP format.

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!

Les Wilson · April 8th, 2006, 05:26 AM

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.

February 4th, 2006, 05:54 PM	#17
Mike Moncrief Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: orlando florida Posts: 426	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 __________________ Mike Moncrief mikemoncrief@gmail.com www.themikemoncrief.com

February 4th, 2006, 06:58 PM	#19
Mike Moncrief Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: orlando florida Posts: 426	Thanks Boyd.. appreciate the response.. Mike Moncrief __________________ Mike Moncrief mikemoncrief@gmail.com www.themikemoncrief.com

February 4th, 2006, 01:50 PM	#16
Duane Smith Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 234	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.

February 4th, 2006, 06:00 PM	#18
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	You'll find full information here: http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/

February 23rd, 2006, 06:21 AM	#20
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	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

February 23rd, 2006, 07:58 AM	#22
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	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.

April 7th, 2006, 08:26 PM	#24
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	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.

April 8th, 2006, 05:26 AM	#26
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	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.