difference between Final Cut Studio 2 and Final Cut Express

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Final Cut Studio is a suite of applications for many video-related tasks. The video editing component of FCS is Final Cut Pro. The main differences between Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express are FCP's ability to handle natively many different types of media (particular HD) and its media manager and color correction tools.

Final Cut Express is functionally similar to FCP, but works with a limited range of video formats, resolutions, etc. Working in FCE is excellent preparation for an eventual move to FCP if your needs grow, but many people find that FCE fulfills their needs at a fraction of the price.

Apart from the cost?

There are thousands of differences but many people would never need them or even have the special cameras and equipment to utilise them.

Final Cut Pro is just like FCE with a few added features. High end pros using specialised techniques find them essential but the chances are, you wouldn't even understand what they did ........ I certainly don't!

You also get the other apps, which again, are only of any use if you need them and more importantly, know how to use them.

If we knew your exact requirements we could advise you better.

They both support AVCHD. FCS by default converts the media to the ProRes codec. FCE converts the media to the Apple Intermediate Codec, which that application uses for all HD work.

Hi there,

I am wondering if I can use an FCP 5 or 6 file w/ FCP Express HD. I have a file created in FCP 5.1.4 on another computer. I need to know if I will experience any technical errors using this 5.1.4 file in FCP Express HD. I understand FCP Express does not have all the effects of full FCP programs. Most of my effects were created in After Effects. I still have the drives w/ those effects. Can I import these effects into FCP Express?

Any other technical issues I might need forewarning about?

Thanks in advance. I'm on a tight deadline.

Sarah

Which version exactly of FCE are you talking about? Please provide the version number. When you say you want to use an FCP5.1.4 file, do you mean a project file? FCE does not support FCP project files. It may work, but it's not supported. If you mean media from FCP then you must specify exactly what the media is. FCP uses formats and codecs that are not available in FCE. When you say you have effects you created in After Effects, do you mean movies that you exported from After Effects? What format and codec are they in? They may work, or they may not. They may need to be converted.

Before you rush out to make any purchases, be aware that a new version of FCS (and possibly FCE) are due in the near future.

Even if there is a new version of FCS announced in April, based on recent history, FCS could be a few months away, and FCE quite a few months after that.

Hey, waiting a few months to save $500 is a fair trade in my book.

Not if you need to get the work done for a paying customer on a tight deadline as Ms. Fisher said. As far as FCE goes you wouldn't be saving anywhere near that amount. An upgrade to the current version is usually like $100. A current version of FCE might be able to open an FCP 5.1.4 project. I could try it. An older version of FCE, prior to 3.5.1, would certainly not open it.

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your quick reply! Depending on the technical answers here- I will be purchasing the latest version of Final Cut Express in the next 48 hours. My deadline is extremely tight. By FCP 5.1.4 file-- yes, I meant project file. What do you mean by not supported? As in no tech support? The after effects files were exported then imported into FCP. I do not know the codec info (but can look for it tonight). The project file is 720x480 SD NTSC. I hope this info helps. Please let me know if you are able to do a test opening a FCP file in FCE. I would be very grateful.

Sarah

"What do you mean by not supported? As in no tech support?"

No, as in will not work, will not open the file. The media should work without problem. Send me the file and I'll try.

I was actually responding to the OP in regards to waiting.

Tom-- I sent you my FCP project file. Did you get it?