At its special event being held at NAB in Las Vegas on Sunday, Apple announced Final Cut Server, a new server application that works seamlessly with Final Cut Studio 2. The new product is aimed at creative professionals that need to deal with massive amounts of digital content and shrinking production schedules, according to Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing.
Final Cut Server is a scalable server application that supports workgroups of any size, according to Apple. The server includes a cross-platform client that enables content browsing, review and approval from within a studio or over the Internet.
Final Cut Server is able to catalog over 100 file types, offers automatic proxy generation and keyword searching. The workflow automation consists of a customizable workflow templates, a watch-and-respond system, review and approve procedures, tools and automated encode and publish.
When Final Cut Server catalogs content it generates thumbnails and low resolution clip proxies in the process. The server can also configure a range of specific access controls that define user permissions on an asset or project basis.
Final Cut Server includes a shot selection and editing tool that supports drag and drop integration with Final Cut Pro 6 projects. An offline/online workflow enables editors to work with HD proxies in the field on a MacBook Pro.
Final Cut Server also integrates directly with Compressor 3 for delivery and provides format conversions for publishing to broad- cast television, web, iPod, Apple TV, DVD and mobile phones, according to Schoeben.
The price of Final Cut Server will cost $999 for 10 concurrent users or $1999 for unlimited users. Final Cut Server will be available this summer.