Final Cut Pro 7 improves EX workflow

Andrew Stone · July 23rd, 2009, 10:26 AM

Apple just announced an upgrade to Final Cut Studio...

Apple - Final Cut Studio

Apple - Final Cut Studio - Whats New

They are claiming improved performance when utilizing all flavors of the XDCAM / EX format.

It would be great if the early adopters or beta testers could post up experiences.

Jon Braeley · July 23rd, 2009, 11:11 AM

I think with this upgrade, ProRes will come out as the star format of choice. ProRes got a huge boost in FC7.
My past experience was so-so, but I think I will revisit the ProRes workflow now.

Mike Chandler · July 23rd, 2009, 01:17 PM

Custom labeling and Auto Transfer in Log & Transfer could be just what the doctor ordered.

Ron Wilk · July 23rd, 2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Chandler

Custom labeling and Auto Transfer in Log & Transfer could be just what the doctor ordered.

The Apple promo suggests that "automatic transfer" will allow for native import of EX clips but
then they go on to talk about use of the Sony Transfer software? Does automatic transfer negate the need for the Sony Transfer software?

Charles Newcomb · July 23rd, 2009, 04:08 PM

See my post on "Non-linear editing on the Mac"

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/non-linea...cut-7-out.html

Simon Wyndham · July 23rd, 2009, 04:41 PM

If the native file editing really is native (ie not having to make the mp4's into .mov's) then I'm there. That and the addition of 3D shadows to Motion.

There looks to be a lot in this upgrade. Money that I REALLY do not want to have to spend right now. But if it really is native file editing then I can't ignore it.

Mike Chandler · July 24th, 2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Newcomb

See my post on "Non-linear editing on the Mac"

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/non-linea...cut-7-out.html

I don't see any mention in that thread or in Apple's What's New page about native editing. Does anyone have a link?

Ron Wilk · July 24th, 2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Chandler

I don't see any mention in that thread or in Apple's What's New page about native editing. Does anyone have a link?

A careful review of the language used by Apple in their description of the Automatic Log feature tends to suggest that it will automatically detect the files to be imported and "stored" but I get the impression that the process will still require the Sony Transfer software for the EX series. Oddly enough, the latest version of Adobe's Aftereffects has no problem accepting the EX clips natively.
Sorry I hadn't spent the time to scrutinize the Apple promo's wording before ordering the upgrade, furthermore, it requires Leopard and apparently will not run on Tiger.

Darren Ruddock · July 24th, 2009, 08:57 AM

Hi,

I wonder ( being a Mac Pro user) when a 64 bit version of studio will be out or if it will at all. I have a machine that can take 32gig of Ram but Final Cut and Motion can only use a small fraction.

64 bit Snow Leopard comes out soon too!

Mitchell Lewis · July 24th, 2009, 11:01 AM

I was thinking the same thing. I'm surprised that they didn't release it at the same time as Snow Leopard. If all the benefits of 64-bit are true, then a 64-bit version of FCS should be awesome.

Max Allen · August 2nd, 2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Wyndham

If the native file editing really is native (ie not having to make the mp4's into .mov's) then I'm there. That and the addition of 3D shadows to Motion.

There looks to be a lot in this upgrade. Money that I REALLY do not want to have to spend right now. But if it really is native file editing then I can't ignore it.

I thought .mov's are only used as a wrapper around the mp4's so FCP can work with the clips. Does this not mean that the clips are maintained native when they are just being contained in a wrapper, since there is no conversion/transcode.

Mike Chandler · August 3rd, 2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Allen

I thought .mov's are only used as a wrapper around the mp4's so FCP can work with the clips. Does this not mean that the clips are maintained native when they are just being contained in a wrapper, since there is no conversion/transcode.

Depends what your definition of "native" is.

This is what Apple says:
"Camera-native editing
Final Cut Pro 7 lets you edit virtually any professional format natively. Because there’s no need to transcode video from camera-native formats, you can start editing right away."

While technically the first part of that sentence might be true, as no transcoding is taking place, the second half is not true. You've still got to create the mov wrappers, just as you did in fcp6, so you can't start editing "right away."

Mike Chandler · August 3rd, 2009, 11:12 AM

Well, there might be a change after all. L&T used to be slower than XDCam Transfer and now it's faster. I'll post a comparison in a new thread.

July 23rd, 2009, 10:26 AM	#1
Andrew Stone Major Player Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 975	Final Cut Pro 7 improves EX workflow - post experiences Apple just announced an upgrade to Final Cut Studio... Apple - Final Cut Studio Apple - Final Cut Studio - Whats New They are claiming improved performance when utilizing all flavors of the XDCAM / EX format. It would be great if the early adopters or beta testers could post up experiences.

July 23rd, 2009, 01:17 PM	#3
Mike Chandler Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Moab, UT Posts: 264	Custom labeling and Auto Transfer in Log & Transfer could be just what the doctor ordered. __________________ www.packcreekproductions.com EX3, Mac Pro, FCP

July 24th, 2009, 11:01 AM	#10
Mitchell Lewis Trustee Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 1,124	I was thinking the same thing. I'm surprised that they didn't release it at the same time as Snow Leopard. If all the benefits of 64-bit are true, then a 64-bit version of FCS should be awesome. __________________ Sony EX3, Canon 5D MkII, Chrosziel Matte Box, Sachtler tripod, Steadicam Flyer, Mac Pro, Apple/Adobe software - 20 years as a local videographer/editor

August 3rd, 2009, 11:12 AM	#13
Mike Chandler Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Moab, UT Posts: 264	Well, there might be a change after all. L&T used to be slower than XDCam Transfer and now it's faster. I'll post a comparison in a new thread. __________________ www.packcreekproductions.com EX3, Mac Pro, FCP Last edited by Mike Chandler; August 4th, 2009 at 09:45 AM.

July 23rd, 2009, 11:11 AM	#2
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	I think with this upgrade, ProRes will come out as the star format of choice. ProRes got a huge boost in FC7. My past experience was so-so, but I think I will revisit the ProRes workflow now.

July 23rd, 2009, 04:08 PM	#5
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	See my post on "Non-linear editing on the Mac" http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/non-linea...cut-7-out.html

July 23rd, 2009, 04:41 PM	#6
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	If the native file editing really is native (ie not having to make the mp4's into .mov's) then I'm there. That and the addition of 3D shadows to Motion. There looks to be a lot in this upgrade. Money that I REALLY do not want to have to spend right now. But if it really is native file editing then I can't ignore it.

July 24th, 2009, 08:57 AM	#9
Darren Ruddock Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southend, UK Posts: 165	Hi, I wonder ( being a Mac Pro user) when a 64 bit version of studio will be out or if it will at all. I have a machine that can take 32gig of Ram but Final Cut and Motion can only use a small fraction. 64 bit Snow Leopard comes out soon too!