Customer Reviews

Digital Video Editing with Final Cut Express: The Real-World Guide to Set Up and Workflow

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I should have gone to a bookstore and looked at the books on Final Cut Express, but based on the reviews I thought this one would be great.

First of all, it deals with Final Cut Express 1.0.1. That's not the current version - so if you're buying FCX now, much of the info about drop-down menus and set-up will not apply to your software.

The book is very thorough in describing how to use FCX, but you have to read several paragraphs of explanation in order to figure out what you should do. The book would be more user friendly if it had charts or some way of summarizing the practical instructions. Right now the instructions are buried in paragraphs of explanation. I spent several hours just learning how to set up the initial preferences because it took so long to wade through all the info.

My suggestion: Use the DVD that comes with FCX to get a feel for what it can do, and then use the Help function when you need to figure out something new. This book is incredibly thorough and I may use it in the future, but for now it's easier to use the Help function and Google any questions I have.

You won't go wrong with this book! It assumes no knowledge and takes you through the whole editing process. The appendixes alone, with advice on purchasing DV decks, the hardware you need for setup, plus tips and tricks makes it worth the price. I also feel more confident as an editor--the book covers Express as the vehicle for teaching about editing principles. It goes beyond the usual button pushing software books.

Charles Roberts has for my money written the best introductions to both Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express. If you want to get up to speed with either of these programs in a miminal amount of time, this is the book to get. It's something even a mother could understand!

Charles Roberts' "Digital Video Editing with Final Cut Express" is more than just another software manual. His insight into MAC OS and organizing workflow is invaluable to even the most experienced NLE user and the appendices clearly explain complicated technical concepts behind digital video and the hardware needed to create a working system for editing. I am already 'sold' on Apple's Final Cut Pro but Roberts' conversational style of writing and solid technical knowledge make an already accessible software even more so.

Digital Video Editing With Final Cut Express by Charles Roberts (Assistant Professor, communications Media Department, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, Massachusetts) is a practical and highly recommended instructional and reference manual concerning how to use Apple's Final Cut Express editing software for optimum digital video results. Covering not only the software interface, but such issues as proper setup of Macintosh and Final Cut Express, an explanation of video hardware, means for troubleshooting a wide variety of problems and much more, Digital Video Editing With Final Cut Express combines black-and-white illustrations and screenshots with easy-to-follow narration to better instruct and draw out the skill and creativity of amateur and professional digital film makers alike.