Final Cut Studio
Apple’s heavy hitter in pro video software gets even better
by Jim Heid, Peter Kirn, Anton Linecker, Macworld.com
Final Cut Studio is a substantial update to Apple’s professional-level postproduction software bundle. Apple has packaged updated versions of its flagship video-editing application, Final Cut Pro 5; its DVD-authoring program, DVD Studio Pro 4; and its motion-graphics app, Motion 2; with its newly created professional audio editor, Soundtrack Pro. Each product can also be purchased separately.
This package is more than a simple bundle of stand-alone applications. All the applications are interconnected, and their features complement each other nicely. Final Cut Studio is a very attractive and worthwhile buy, especially at $1,299 for the full retail box (compared with $2,096 if you purchase the applications separately), $699 for an upgrade from Final Cut Pro 4, and $499 for an upgrade from the Production Suite (a bundle containing Motion 1.0, Final Cut HD, and DVD Studio Pro 3).
Everything about Final Cut Studio is big; even its box. Inside, you will find nine DVD installation discs with over 4GB of software programs and an additional 41GB of program media, templates, and tutorials. Final Cut Studio allows you to install supplemental support media—including LiveType fonts, DVD templates, and Soundtrack Pro loops—on nonboot drives, something you couldn’t do with Final Cut Pro 4 (
;
September 2003
). This is essential for PowerBook users and anyone with a boot drive smaller than 80GB.
- Final Cut Studio
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Final Cut Pro 5
Final Cut Pro 5 delivers serious performance enhancements that will make it an esssential upgrade for any professional video editor. The multicamera and HDV support, advanced audio capabilities, and integrated Cinema Tools data alone are worth the upgrade price.
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Soundtrack Pro
Soundtrack Pro strikes a good balance between the needs of musicians, video editors, audio editors, and multimedia pros. There’s no easier or quicker way to perform day-to-day audio-editing chores, repair sound problems, design sound, match audio to video, or automate sound-asset management, on either a Mac or a PC.
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Motion 2
Motion isn’t an After Effects killer, but it can replace After Effects for many motion-graphics and compositing tasks, and it does so with a working environment that is tremendously superior.
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DVD Studio Pro 4
DVD Studio Pro 4 is a jaw-dropping value, offering features that even five-figure DVD-authoring systems can’t match. If you’re setting up your first DVD-authoring system, look no further.
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Compressor expands
Final Cut Studio’s revision of Compressor, Apple’s video-compressing and -transcoding application, adds some very welcome features.
Apple’s heavy hitter in pro video software gets even better
