Macworld Final Cut Pro 2 Bible (With DVD-ROM) [Paperback]

Zed Saeed (Author), Keith Underdahl (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764536028 | ISBN-13: 978-0764536021 | Publication Date: December 15, 2001 | Edition: 1

This comprehensive book covers the hugely popular DV cameras and video format. It shows you how even a novicevideographer can turn a DV camera and Macintosh into a top-flight editing studio -- all with the ease of plug-and-play! Find out how to apply compositing and special effects to your videos. And check out coverage of Firewire, QuickTime, and other technologies that are the key to Final Cut Pro's success. This book includes coverage of storage solutions, video cards, and other hardware topics. Plus, you'll find out how to troubleshoot problems with Final Cut Pro 2.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If Final Cut Pro 2 can do it, you can do it too ... Written by Zed Saeed, a post-production consultant to Apple's Final Cut Pro team, this comprehensive insider's guide delivers all the know-how you need to master Final Cut Pro 2 - and tackle professional-caliber video-editing projects. The book opens with a Quick Start tutorial to get you up and running fast, followed by in-depth coverage of the sophisticated capture, editing, and output features that make Final Cut Pro so versatile - from basic tools and techniques to film and broadcast production, compositing, DVD creation, and other advanced topics. Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Final Cut Pro 2
* Understand nonlinear editing basics and set up the right drives and other hardware
* Capture media, log clips, and import QuickTime files, audio, stills, and other media
* Manage projects with the Browser and learn the ins and outs of bins
* Work with sequences and the timeline - and learn the seven types of FCP edits
* Get up to speed on digital sound issues and audio mixing
* Modify edits using the Trim window and other tools
* Master transitions, multilayering, compositing, and rendering techniques
* Output your project to tape, multimedia, or the Web
* Handle high-end broadcast productions using Aurora Systems hardware and software
* Get a grip on timecodes, FXBuilder, working with After Effects and Photoshop, DVD-making, film editing, and other advanced topics
Bonus DVD-ROM
* Tutorials and examples from the book
* Adobe After Effects and Photoshop tryouts
* Cinema 4D GO and Video SpiceRack Pro/OrganicFX Sampler demos
* Plus Applied Media Timecode Calculator freeware, and more
www.hungryminds.com System Requirements: Power Mac G3 or higher with a DVD-ROM drive. Mac OS 8.6 or 9.x, 64MB RAM, 80MB free hard drive space, Adobe Type Manager V4 or later with Type 1 fonts. See the "What's on the DVD-ROM" appendix for details and complete system requirements.

About the Author

About the Authors Zed Saeed lives in New York City as a freelance digital-media consultant who specializes in editing, compositing, and workflow issues. Zed served as a senior post-production consultant for Apple Computer and Oxygen Media on Final Cut Pro and digital-video workflow design and with Media 100 and Adobe Systems on video related products. He has also worked as an editor, producer, compositing artist and broadcast designer for Showtime Channels, Sundance Channel and ESPN Classics. Zed has written articles on digital media technologies for magazines and has served on the faculty of NYU Graduate School, Parsons School of Design, and New School University. Zed has written, produced and edited videos that have received awards and recognition by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the American Film Institute. Zed believes that Final Cut Pro is in the process of making a serious dent in the space-time fabric of our universe. Keith Underdahl is an interface designer, electronic publisher, and multimedia specialist living in Albany, Oregon. Keith publishes digital libraries on CD, DVD, and the Internet. In 2000, he managed production of Ages Software's Ultimate Christian Library, the world's first mass-produced DVD-ROM software product for the Macintosh Operating System. Keith is also an active writer, with such credits as Windows Movie Maker For Dummies, Teach Yourself Microsoft Word 2000, and Internet Bible, among others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1128 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764536028
• ISBN-13: 978-0764536021
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,548,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book for Newbie and Pro, December 26, 2001

By 

Allen Melser - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macworld Final Cut Pro 2 Bible (With DVD-ROM) (Paperback)

Normally I find the "Bible" series of books to be cumbersome and difficult to extract meaningful information. Not so for the Final Cut Pro 2 Bible. This book is a joy to read because all of the topics are thoughtfully separated and self contained. The use of cross-references gives you a complete treatment of any subject. The wealth of information is amazing. I am learning something new each day. Like the manual that comes with Final Cut Pro, this book also provides many examples of information helpful for using the program in the context of DV production. In reality it is two books in one: a book about Final Cut Pro and a book about digital video production.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - Great CD, January 14, 2002

By 

John Gunther - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Macworld Final Cut Pro 2 Bible (With DVD-ROM) (Paperback)

This is a really good book. What makes it one you won't outgrow is it's breath. It's not only a really good book about Final Cut, but a good book about the full range of professional DV video editing. If you want to build your own system or just feel comfortable in someone else's suite this is it.

As with any software there's using it, using it well, and getting it to play well with others. It's this last level that's the real working environment that we all need to learn about. We used to be happy just to learn how to use software, that's no longer enough; we're looking for real insight into the workflow of editing. We no longer think just one application will solve all problems. So if it can't how do we get out, fix something, and get back. Finally, distribution is now in multiple channels: web, tape, DVD - how do you get there from here. If I were trapped in an edit suite with only one FinalCut book this would be it.

I also see that the authors wrote an AfterEffects 5 Bible. When it comes out I think I'll get that too.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Heavy, January 30, 2002

By 

Denise Crowther (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macworld Final Cut Pro 2 Bible (With DVD-ROM) (Paperback)

This is a much better book than the Visual Quivk Pro book. At least you don't get the manual just reprinted...but with less detail.

My problem with this book is that it's not for a beginner. Doesn't anyone do a book that's not for Oscar winners? I got FCP2 as a present and just want to edit my DV footage and add some titles and effects. Macworld has some neat ideas but theres just too much inbetween what I need.

I guess I'll just start on the manual again... :O(