Final Cut Pro to gain IMX, P2 support
In an unorthodox move, Apple has reveald some of the new features planned for forthcoming versions of its professional video editing software.
According to Digit, the future version of Apple's non-linear editing (NLE) software will gain support for MPEG-2 IMX, and Panasonic's P2 format. The addition of the extra formats is a result of new found partnerships between Apple and third parties, the publication says.
MPEG-2 IMX is a breed of the MPEG codec used in camcorders such as Sony's MSW900 and PDW530, which produce higher quality footage than conventional MPEG-2. Only high-end systems such Sony's XPRI and Pinnacle's Liquid Blue currently support the format.
Meanwhile, P2 is a camcorder media format designed to be more robust than tape media. The technology is based around 2GB and 4GB PCMCIA media cards that act as hard drives in Panasonic's AJ-SPX800 camera. The cards can also be inserted into a laptop's PCMCIA slot, though the driver support is currently limited to Windows 2000/XP PCs.
In April Apple announced Final Cut Pro HD, an upgrade to Final Cut Pro 4.0 that delivers real-time performance of high-quality native DVCPRO HD in addition to real-time support for DV and SD. The release also added the ability to capture, edit and output broadcast-quality high definition (HD) video over a single FireWire cable, without requiring any additional hardware.
13 Comments
Does Final Cut Pro and a PowerMac completely dominate other software and hardware solutions for it intended purpose when comparing features per dollar? What features is FC missing that other, even more expensive, solutions offer?
Does Final Cut Pro and a PowerMac completely dominate other software and hardware solutions for it intended purpose when comparing features per dollar? What features is FC missing that other, even more expensive, solutions offer?
No domination yet. FCP though is a very nice mix of features. There still needs to be more options though to round out the features.
We need.
1. Background Rendering
2. Multicam
3. Better plugin support(beefier FXscript and AU support.
4. Better MPEG2 support(see above story..good news)
5. Better audio support(should be fixed with revamped QT)
6. More flexible media manager.
7. Better handling of scratch disk and preferences.
8. Better integration of Livetype and Soundtrack.
9. Subpixel rendering
10. Surround Sound features and more Import/Export options.
No domination yet. FCP though is a very nice mix of features. There still needs to be more options though to round out the features.
We need.
1. Background Rendering
2. Multicam
3. Better plugin support(beefier FXscript and AU support.
4. Better MPEG2 support(see above story..good news)
5. Better audio support(should be fixed with revamped QT)
6. More flexible media manager.
7. Better handling of scratch disk and preferences.
8. Better integration of Livetype and Soundtrack.
9. Subpixel rendering
10. Surround Sound features and more Import/Export options.
I'm not sure for the majority of people the above are acutally needed. I'm not saying some people might not need them, but other don't.
6-9, yes totally needed.
Most NLE's don't have very decent audio support. I would like better integration with a program like Logic. Much the way Avid deals well with Pro-Tools.
Surround can be done in logic. I would like a separate window in Logic just for mixing with integration with mixer panels like a pro-tools HD system. There's no reason Logic couldn't become the Pro=tools of Apple. Maybe they could purchase Deck from Bias and make it usable. I own Deck and it's just a royal pain to use.
Does Final Cut Pro and a PowerMac completely dominate other software and hardware solutions for it intended purpose when comparing features per dollar?
Yes, absolutely. When compared per dollar, FCP dominates. There is no other solution that comes close to the price/performance/features of Final Cut HD
I had to use #10 once and it was a pain using a 3rd party program to edit audio and get it back and forth to FCP. DVDSP too.