Final Cut Pro X

Tom Wolsky wrote:

Watch the SuperMeet video. That's all we know.

Bravo Tom. All comments in this thread should be responded to with this.

This thread has a seriously high noise/signal ratio. I am applying a High Pass Filter.

Very interesting to read everyones comments about the upcoming release of FCP X. With any major pro release there is concern, rightly so. This is how we make our living.

I have been using FCP 7 for about 7 years now, and have been looking forward to a 64 bit FCP and one that can handle various codecs nativly. Its going to mean we have more time to edit and less time worrying about technical aspects and rendering footage. This is a HUGE plus, people shouldn't worrying about the product being dumbed down, and should celebrate the time which is going to be saved. This means one of two things, in a tight deadline situation, you can do a better job - or you can edit more videos in the same time = more productivity = more money for the business/editor.

It is almost paranoid thinking it is being dumbed down, anyone from Avid here? 🙂

Technology moves on, and so it should.

I will say one last thing, 4K resolutions. Think about that for a second. Do amatuer film makers need to edit in 4K? Who exactly needs the ability to edit in 4K?

If you are going to include 4K support, then you will also give all the tools that go with it. Simple.

One thing I think might be missing is FCP 7 plugin support. FCP X being a whole new beast, but we shall have to wait and see.

Of course you will be able to set in and out points as any pro NLE does, I expect you will be able to setup FCP X much in the same way as you can FCP 7 (viewer, canvas, taditional timeline etc..), but now you have the option of using the tools in different ways, magnetic timeline etc.. Why wouldn't they? Its all about ease of use and flexibly.

Just remember it has 4K support and go and get some sleep!

Gabe Martin

Will 4K footage as a starting point, handle better compose modes and several layers of effects, filters, and more layers and layers (I´m not a commercial/normal FCP user; but an artist) before degradation starts to show? If so; I want 4K; a RED camera, etc.

Also if 4K allows me to produce bigger/better TIFF stills directly from the timeline to print bigger/better photographic prints and also bigger/better files for offset print; If so, I want 4K footage and a 4K NLE FCP ,-)

What´s your opinion?

You have been using FCP 7 for about 7 years now?

What is your secret? I ask because Final Cut 7 was revealed in 2009.

I applied a NO PASS filter immediately after this thread was created and I'm amazed that gnashing of teeth and conjecture have taken on a life of their own. I will also say that Austin's tantrums are humorous, almost worth wading into this mess.

I am reminded of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c38CekaAtfI

"We are going to shoot on the Red Camera".

As FCP X will be able to utilise 64 bit processing and use all cores available I think you'll find it will handle 4K a lot better than FCP 7, there could be native support for RED cameras but there will definitly be a huge difference in performance.

4K should only really be considered if you plan on screening your film in a digital cinema, or to have your finished film transferred to 35mm film for playback in 'tradional' cinemas. It is very much a pro workflow.

4K will allow you to export larger stills, buit if it is large stills you want I would look at a good DSLR, Canon 7d?. Take some stills as you are shooting your film. 1080p is great for most needs.

Just an FYI for you all, a quote from Phillips Hodgetss on his blog about FCPX and plugins. "No official word but Boris has said they will support FCP X and the new Baselight plug-in will support both FCP 7 and FCP X ..." I strongly suggest reading this blog, and his answers to questions in the comments.

http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2011/04/what-are-my-thoughts-on-final-cut-pro-x/

christian Frank wrote:

You have been using FCP 7 for about 7 years now?

What is your secret? I ask because Final Cut 7 was revealed in 2009.

To correct myself, "I have been using FCP 7 (and its predecessor FCP 6) for 7 years"

Point is, FCP X will be very different than FCP 5, 6 or 7.

Gabriel,

my point is that the footage could end up after a LOT of manipulation, still with good shape, If I started with a bigger resolution like 4K will, instead of my current 5DMII footage. Am I correct?

About the stills; I only want to extract still from the timeline after the films are finished (with tons of manipulation).

I´m not a normal FCP user, remember? ;-)

"ateliercunha" can you PM me about your 5dm2 work flow? i am moving to the 5dm2 and 7d video work and want to know more about "how to" if you will. thanks in advance.

PM?

I can see your thinking, but it might be a bit overkill..

As your probably aware the main issue you are coming up against is that the 5DMII footge is essentially H.264. Thus it is heavily compressed as you shoot it, which in turn affects your ability to manipulate it in post. This is a common issue when shooting video with DSLRs.

Shooting on a RED camera would allow you greater control in post, as the video it records (REDCODE) it is almost uncompressed.

Shooting on HDCAM would give you more flexibility than a Canon 5D, as it uncompressed also. But there are many different cameras out there at different price points offering different levels of video compression, each with their workflow. Panasonic P2 cameras are good! Less compressed video means you can add loads of effects and manipulate the colour before picture degradation.

It is hard to say exactly what editing 4K is going to be like on FCP X, but 4K by definition, is more than twice as big as 1080p so will take much more processing power to edit with it. If you also add lots of effects and manipulation as you edit I think you would start to feel the limitations of FCP X vs editing in 1080p. But who knows exactly what FCP X will be like editing 4K? However I think there would be a difference in performance, as your Mac has to think about twice as many pixels.

The file will also be more than twice as big (to 1080p at a similar level of compression), so you will need twice as much storage.

So I think it is a bit overkill just for large still image exports, and I would recommend looking at a video camera which records far less compressed video, if you wish to do lots of manipulation.

Most people would only think about 4K unless they are planning on screening the film in 4K or transfer to 35mm.

Just my 2 cents 😉

PM = Private Messaging.

Some other forums have this feature. Apple Support Communities does not.

ateliercunha wrote:

PM?

private message :-)