Jennifer Davis-Lewis

Q: Differences between Final Cut Studio 2 and 3 and Pro X

Hello all,

I've been using FCE 4 HD and I'm ready to upgrade to the Pro series and I was trained on FCP 5. So my question is what is the difference between FCP Studio 2 FCP Studio  3 and Final Cut Pro X ( which looks like imovie). I need to purchase very soon so please feedback is very helpful.

peace

Jennifer

imac intel core i7, Mac OS X (10.4.7), imac G5

Posted on Feb 27, 2012 11:03 AM

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Q: Differences between Final Cut Studio 2 and 3 and Pro X

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Feb 27, 2012 11:25 AM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 27, 2012 11:25 AM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis

    well I don't think apple is selling the fcp7 anymore.  The consensus is that it's far superior to fcpX, but it's end of the line, all passengers off.  And the interface for fcpX is completely different.  You might be able to find fcp7 on ebay.

  • by Shane Ross,Helpful

    Shane Ross Shane Ross Feb 27, 2012 11:35 AM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis
    Level 8 (42,999 points)
    Feb 27, 2012 11:35 AM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis

    Studio 2 has FCP 6.  Includes ProRes and ProRes HQ.  But, nearly 5 years old...not sold.

     

    Studio 3 has FCP 7.  Includes ProRes Proxy, ProRes LT, ProRes 422, ProRes HQ and ProRes 4444.

     

    They both have Compressor, DVD Studio Pro, Color, Motion, Cinema Tools. Both are no longer for sale...unless you buy used.  But then you are getting an NLE that is dead in the water.

     

    FCX is completely new...and only includes FCP.  Color is dead, DVD SP is dead, Cinema Tools, dead.  Compressor and Motion are sold separately.  FCX offers a free demo, so try it and see if you like it.

     

    There are other options too.  Adobe CS 5.5 (6.0 due VERY soon), that includes Premiere Pro.  And Avid Media Composer 6.  They too have free 30 day trial periods.  Fully functional demos.

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Feb 27, 2012 11:36 AM in response to Shane Ross
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 27, 2012 11:36 AM in response to Shane Ross

    so is Apple still selling Studio3?  Took a quick look on the apple site and couldn't find it.  I know they weren't selling any upgrades (at least as far as I know) so it's a cool grand for end of the line if they are selling it.

  • by Jennifer Davis-Lewis,

    Jennifer Davis-Lewis Jennifer Davis-Lewis Feb 27, 2012 11:45 AM in response to Michael Grenadier
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 27, 2012 11:45 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

    thanks for your help.

  • by Jennifer Davis-Lewis,

    Jennifer Davis-Lewis Jennifer Davis-Lewis Feb 27, 2012 11:46 AM in response to Shane Ross
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 27, 2012 11:46 AM in response to Shane Ross

    Thanks Shane, this is very frustrating. I downloaded the Final cut X but it looks like iMovie which I can't stand. I've spent so much money training in FCP and now apple doesn't seem to care.

  • by Shane Ross,

    Shane Ross Shane Ross Feb 27, 2012 11:52 AM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis
    Level 8 (42,999 points)
    Feb 27, 2012 11:52 AM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis

    Apple did start selling Studio 3 again...you had to call them direct.  Not sure if they still are.  You'd have to call to find out.  Might be over by now.

     

    Yeah, Apple going to FCX has caused a HUGE ripple across the post industry. A lot of people jumping ship to other NLEs...some sticking with Studio 3 for as long as they can...others embracing FCX and the new way of doing things.  Apple is targetting a large crowd of editors...and will make money.  But there is still a huge segment that was left out in the rain...getting soaked on this. 

     

    FCP is dead.  FCX is the future.  If you don't like it, you have other options.  Cool thing about them is that they work with all the same hardware as FCP does now (IO cards, computers, hard drives), so you only need to buy the new app.  Premiere has been the easiest jump for most.  But in feature film/broadcast TV, most of us are Migrating back to Avid.

  • by Jennifer Davis-Lewis,

    Jennifer Davis-Lewis Jennifer Davis-Lewis Feb 27, 2012 1:50 PM in response to Shane Ross
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 27, 2012 1:50 PM in response to Shane Ross

    I may end up traveling to Adobe but geez I don't want to. I was talking to someone who worked at AVID and he said there is no way that FCP will die. It's used too much in the industry. Not sure why Apple felt they needed to "dumb it down" It doesn't have the options that I like or at least I haven't figured it out. I may just purchase an old version of Studio 3 on Amazon and hope for the best. Thanks again for your help.

  • by Shane Ross,Solvedanswer

    Shane Ross Shane Ross Feb 27, 2012 1:53 PM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis
    Level 8 (42,999 points)
    Feb 27, 2012 1:53 PM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis

    FCP 7 will slowly be phased out.  When an app can't keep up with current tech, it will be replaced.  But, this being HOLLYWOOD, it will take a LONG time. Productions tend to hold onto things for a LONG time if they work.  Even if they barely work.  Not long ago I was editing on Avid Media Composer ABVB system...REALLY old.  Talking 12 years old.  Had to do tons of work arounds to get a few things working, but they used it.

     

    FCP will be used for quite some time.  But it is a dead product, so eventually it will go away.

  • by Hal MacLean,

    Hal MacLean Hal MacLean Mar 1, 2012 12:33 PM in response to Shane Ross
    Level 6 (14,790 points)
    Mar 1, 2012 12:33 PM in response to Shane Ross

    In the mean time, FCPX may well improve!

     

    But this is mere speculation... and shouldn't be allowed ;-)

     

    I am stuck in FCP7 and love it. I will miss it when the time comes...

  • by JimKells,Helpful

    JimKells JimKells Mar 1, 2012 1:29 PM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis
    Level 2 (335 points)
    Mar 1, 2012 1:29 PM in response to Jennifer Davis-Lewis

    FCS2 was my first step into this post world and I was amazed by how easy it was to get to grips with .. The first thing I picked up on a Youtube tutorial was 'KeyFrames' ... sounds very lame now but when I used them to increase color gradually into a shot I was blown away. FCS3 came out very soon after I got FCS2 and it was a significant 'step' on the road ... FCPX is a different road . I live in Ireland and when I go to the U.S. it always is a novelty to drive on, what to me is the other side of the road ! Well my first look at FCPX was a bit like that .. After 10 mins I went back to FCP7 and the rest of FCS3. I missed the familiarity and ability to roundtrip, it couldn't multi-cam easy (does now) .. I am not saying FCPX is not better, it is just on the other side of the road .. and as others (Shane) said in different words .. my road is a dead end and one day I will have to move over to something else but .. not yet FCP7 works just dandy for me and I see no reason for 'me' to ove just yet.

     

    Jim