Should I make the jump to Final Cut Studio?
 

Hello everyone!
OK, so I've thought about this quite a bit, and I need other peoples opinions. I guess I should start out by telling all of you a little bit about my background. I just started getting into video editing/production about 2 years ago. I graduate this May with a degree in Computer and Info Technology (I'm kicking myself now because I wish I would have gone into Video Production). I recently bought a GL2 this past summer and I love it. I can honestly see my tallents improving and I love doing this stuff! I want to pursue video even more, and I think the way to do that is to upgrade what I'm using to edit with. Anyway, here are a list of the programs I use for my editing:

Final Cut Express HD
Motion
LiveType (haven't used it much but I'm learning)
Soundtrack
iDvd/Toast6 for authoring... ick... :/

I was wondering if you all think it would be worth me upgrading my software to Final Cut Studio. Before I graduate, I can get a sweet discount on it (w/ College discount = $699, w/o discount [retail] = $1299). So what do you all think? Would it be wise for me to make the plunge?

Reasons why not:
A- The editing programs more or less do the same thing. A cut or dissolve in FCP is the same as the cut and dissolves in FCE. And 95% of the time you're doing cuts and dissolves.
B- Software loses value fast. It has a shelf life of maybe 4 years at most.
C- You could be spending the money on stuff you need... i.e. production budget, lights, etc.

2- What's wrong with iDVD? It can save a lot of time versus DVD authoring programs. It does have limitations, but for what it is- it's nice because it saves you time.

Good points, Glenn, but I have bad news, Brett. You're thinking of getting the educational version right? Well, Apple doesn't allow upgrades of the educational software so if Final Cut 6 comes out, you won't be able to upgrade. Which leads into the next problem, Final Cut 6 and the new version of Final Cut Studio HD is coming out within the next few months or so, so if you wanted the latest and greatest, depending on when it is available, you could possibly be missing out on that nice educational price anyway.

Look at it this way. Final Cut Studio is about $1,300 right now for the full package. The educational version is $700 and Upgrade versions are about $700 too. Plus, I don't think you would be legally allowed to make a product for sale with the educational version, unless it was some small project like wedding videos or student films that nobody else sees, without buying the full version anyway. If you buy the retail, you'll be able to upgrade for the next two or three versions and with possible discount. That's a savings over the educational version by a longshot by paying for the full version outright and then getting more functionality later on on all fronts. Plus, since you're not going to be a student anymore, you'll just have to buy the full version later down the road.

Good points guys. Thank you for your honest opinions. I do realize that if I get the academic version, upgrades later are a no go.

The reason I don't like iDVD is that it has a problem with anamorphic video. Whenever I export out of FCEHD and import that video into iDVD, the DVD plays back as 4:3. And no, it's not my DVD player, this is a known issue with iDVD. Just check the Apple Discussions if you don't believe me. So I'm either forced to shoot in 4:3 and letterbox it or shoot in 16:9 and edit it in a 4:3 sequence.

Anyway, I think you guys have given some very good points. I think I'll maximize on what I have to work with and then later maybe think about the upgrade.
Thanks!

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.

Apple is going to stop selling the individual apps soon. As a result, they are offering great deals on upgrades to the full Final Cut Studio from the individual apps. See:
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/topquestions.html

I'm not 100% sure if this is legal but here is a great option worth checking out.

1. Buy the Soundtrack Pro upgrade for $99. You own Soundtrack so this is legit.
2. Then after Feb 1 get the entire Final Cut Studio for $199. You'll own Soundtrack Pro and should be eligible for the upgrade to the entire suite.

You'll have two "copies" of ST Pro but you're total cost will be $300.

Anyone know if this is legit?

Educational versions are not upgradeable. If you buy an upgrade and apply it to an educational version the serial number won't be accepted. However they are generally priced such that buying the full package is still cheaper than upgrading a non-academic version.

Second, there is no restriction on what you can do with the educational versions, just on who may buy them. See: http://www.apple.com/legal/sla/finalcutstudio.html

I keep seeing people say that FCP 6 is coming soon. That may very well be true, but nobody really knows. Bear in mind that Apple is releasing the universal binary of FCP 5 and the rest of the Prod Studio on March 31. It would seem strange to me if they then introduced FCP 6 immediately afterwards.... but I suppose anything is possible.

Brian,

Where can you get FCStudio for $199.00? the lowest I've seen it for is $499.00?

Look at the link in Brian's post (also below). He's suggesting that you buy a copy of either Motion 2 or Soundtrack pro for starters (assuming you can still find them). That might cost you in the $100-$200 range. Then for $200 you can upgrade that single application for the full FC Studio suite. So you total cost would be in the $300-$400 range.

http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/topquestions.html

Boyd,

Those are upgrades. The least I've seen educational versions of FCStudio is $499.00

I understand that, but Brian was suggesting an upgrade strategy using the commercial versions as I described. Because of Apple's promotional upgrade policy this might actually be cheaper than buying the educational version, and you would end up with the full version which would be eligible for future upgrades, unlike educational versions.

Yes, and it's a sound idea for people who already own FCP or FCStudio.

If you want to learn how to do it right, BUY IT!
 

(EDIT - Okay, I just saw that you have Final Cut Express HD rather than iMovie but I'll leave the Post in anyway:)

It seems like this Thread has gotten a little off track. But, I guess money can do that.

However, if you really want to take editing and Post-Production to the next level then it really is a no-brainer ... UPGRADE to the Final Cut Studio.

There is no comparison to the "i" products if you want to learn more about how to do it for real. A "cut" may be a "cut" and a "dissolve" may be a "dissolve" but the FCP is much deeper than that. You learn to J and L cut, you'll have the tools (and tracks!) to create a lush bed to cut over, you'll learn the techniques behind Ken Burns!

You'll take the next step.

In addition FCP is INTEGRATED into the workflow of Motion and Soundtrack Pro ... you can't do that in iMovie. DVD Studio Pro blows away iDVD for sheer control. You'll love seeing your DVD graphically.

Finally, even if you can't upgrade the educational version of Final Cut Studio it will last you a long time. Long enough at least for you to figure out if you want to go PRO down the road.

Think of it in credit hours at your college. Is it worth the price of 3 credit hour class?

By the way, if you do go for it get some of the Apple Certified Training books ... they'll get you moving quickly.

Best of luck and enjoy the journey!

Well, I did it. I purchased a retail version of Motion 2. I then plan on sending that copy into Apple to get the upgrade for $199... which is a really sweet deal. I mean, my copy of Motion 2 only cost $315 from CompUSA, plus the $199 for the upgrade to FCP Studio, that's only about $520. Thats waaayyy better than paying $1000+ for the whole shabang. :)

Oh, and by the way. I have a feeling that FCP Studio 6 will be released in March. I just say that because if you read the fine print on the PDF form for the upgrade found here:
http://www.apple.com/universal/crossgrade/
It says that the offer is good until Dec. 2006. That is really far off, and why would they NOT put out the new version to everyone, especially now while they are doing the upgrade?

Hi,

Brett, i am planning on doing the same thing.. i am going to buy motion 2 from my local Comp USA, and then trade up to the whole suite.. i just hope it all works out.. a week or so ago, i was at a local Apple Store, and i asked the question about doing this, and they told me they had not heard that, and that they doubted that it was possible to do so..I know i have posting here showing links to Apple talking about it.. just hope it is true!!

Mike Moncrief

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.