Customer Reviews

Apple Final Cut Pro 4.1 [Old Version]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been editing for 20 years. FCP on a Dual 2.0 Ghz G5 is the best editing solution for the money I have ever seen. It blows away the $75k+ systems that I have used for less than a tenth of the price. FCP at less than $1,000 and a G5 at $$$$$$$ is all you need other than a camera. You can make broadcast quality video with this simple setup. $$$$$$$ for computer and software plus $$$$$$ for a camera that will hold up to a $$$$$$$Betacam... give me a break!!

It's true, it has more new features and is a world beater as
far as other editing apps BUT FCP 3.0 is still the biggest
bang for buck simply because it has fewer bugs. While I
believe FCP 4.0 is probably two to three thousand dollars
worth of software combined in one package....it still needs
work. If you are running anything lower than OS X 10.2.5
you will also need to upgrade the OS and Quicktime as well.
My advice is: if you do not own FCP 3.0 then go ahead and
purchase FCP 4.0 because you'll be able to upgrade as soon
as Apple puts out 4.x etc. If you have FCP 3.0 then you might
want to wait until 4.x hits the shelves (assuming it does as
opposed to being a download). As an active editor I am forced
to wait rather than causing a lot of back-ups to safeguard
client's files. Regardless of all this, FCP is still King of Cuts.
For more information cruise the FCP forums and discussion
lists.

Final Cut Pro 4 is undoubltely the hyped "creme de la creme" of video editing software available from Mac, hence it's expensive price tag. If you are accustomed to ease, instinctive interfaces then you might want to think again when considering the purchase of this product. Although its wide variety of dazzling effects and features is truly amazing, this power hungry program is definetely not for the faint of heart. If you're a professional that has the paitence to accustom yourself to perhaps the most bizzare complex editing interface (i.e. simply having so many features can almost be a negative aspect) then this program is certainly for you. If you are use to feeling confident with an editing program "right off the bat" then consider reading up heavily on the manual and perhaps taking a training course before even using the program, because it's loaded with myriad features. Although, while working with the program at school I never experienced any crashes or major bugs, I'm sure there are definetely some annoying ones (any editor knows that more complex and abundant the interfaces/features are, the more likely the chance there is room for programming errors).

Final cut pro 4.0 adds a lot of useful features that the version 3 didnt have. This includes soundtrack (create ur own music for royalty free use) and a new title maker that adds animations to your titles. With this a new compression program to make your movies for DVD and a lot of bug fixes from version 3, why would u want any other editing program. I know $1000 sounds a lot, but if you have the cash, this program is better than anything else, that includes those $15,000+ editing workstations as well. Simply put= THE BEST MONEY CAN BUY

I have no doubt that at one time Final cut 4 was a great product. But beware to those that have new Mac's with Intel chips. This version simply does not work on them. I bought a brand new mac book pro with the intel chip and this program did not work. Luckily I did not spend that much and was able to get a refund. But if you have bought a new Mac you will need to look at getting newer software.

Apple is quickly loosing market share to Avid and vegas ,and this is a quickly produced solution. Final cut follows with the standard Apple policy of falling several years behind the competition and then jumping 6 months ahead only to fall behind with no upgrades for years. After spending several weeks using this program I have gone back to Avid

My recommendation is to stay away from final cut and all apple products. For the same price as this you could buy a PC and Vegas 4.0