Final Cut Express HD version 4.0.1compatible with OSX Lion?

Downgrade to Snow Leopard. Move on from FCE.

I went down to the Apple store the other day and asked will Final Cut Express work with Lion? They said yes, but as long as it was the last version to be made. I am yet to get Lion so i can't really help in checking.

I think that the logic is this. If what you are doing with FCE is really important, whether it's a feature film, your sister's wedding, or a 90 minute epic of baby's first steps, don't upgrade now. Why take a chance?

There is nothing especially compelling about Lion.

But if this is a lag time in your video career and maybe you are planning to explore FCPro X, well novelty is fun and maybe this would be a good time to upgrade. Don't imagine that Apple devoted any resources to testing FCE's function with Lion. Anybody who says that they are or are not compatible is reporting a very limited set of experiences.

Good luck,

dick glendon

1. Keep in mind that FCE 4 is not supported by Apple on Lion. Even if it works, you will be 'on your own'.

2. With all the pro apps (including FCE4) it is best not to upgrade the operating system (OS X) on top of an already installed pro app. What this means is, if you have already upgraded to Lion, you should uninstall FCE and then reinstall it from the FCE installation DVD. Once FCE 4 is reinstalled, run Software Update to update it to version 4.0.1. It should work, but again, you will be 'on your own'. The only version of Final Cut that is supported on Lion is FCPX.

Hi

Interesting discussion - and I wonder.

Can any new Mac be bought with Snow Leopard ? Or can they be down graded to this ?

As I got lot's of programs that I need and might be able to buy a new Mac as in PowerMac G5 (still)

But if all my applications will not work and even not up-grad (ably) - then moving on will result in astronomical costs. And in reality I'll be out.

Yours rather shaken Bengt W

If you buy a older mac like o eBay that hasn't been upgraded then that would be fine and i'm not sure if you can downgrad. I don't why not.

But Old Mac's I've got.

What I want is a New one - but to trash all applications and to have to re-inverst this - is not possibly.

One of the old time arguements for using Mac - was that Apple was careful with ones investment and a Mac was usually x2 productive in times as alt. and even much more so for home use - Resulting in a high price but counted over time a good investment.

And after turning into UNIX (Mac OS X) the stability of the Mac was superior to anything but a UNIX-platform.

Now - Mac's burning off the investment - not delivering applications on DVD but need of re-buy after disk crashes makes it only VERY Expencive and not buyer friendly no more.

I think this to be a problematic road for a tool that been of greatest value.

Yours (wanting a new Mac - but want to use my FCE 4 and FCP 6 - Bengt W

How about a refurbished Mac? I assume, but don't know, that they would not come with OS 10.7.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=OTY2ODY3Nw

In the US this is the link. In Sweden (I'm guessing) you can see what is comparable. The prices aren't amazing but it's a source of reliable (I hear) previous generation models that should run your software.

dick glendon

I have a new mac with lion, I have attempted to install FCE HD 4 but the mac doesnt even allow me to install from the installation disc.

After I upgraded to Lion FCE wouldn't run. A re-install fixed that, but I am seeing some flakiness in the browser which I can't yet blame on Lion.

Final cut express is a PowerPC application. It only works on past verisons of Mac OS X sense Apple stop supporting those apps in Lion. But if you have the Snow leopard disc that should come with your mac I would buy a virtual machine and run it on your Mac so you can run Final Cut Express and stay up to date.

New Macs are being delivered with Lion.

Refurbished Macs from the Apple Store are still being shipped with Snow Leopard. Most refurbished Macs also qualify for a free upgrade to Lion. But this will not continue forever. At some point in the near future even refurbished Macs will start shipping with Lion instead of Snow Leopard.

Keep in mind that refurbished Macs from the Apple Store have a full Apple warranty and are eligible for Apple Care the same as a new Mac. I have purchased a number of refurbished Macs over the years and they have all been perfect.

Apple Motion Studios said:
Final cut express is a PowerPC application.

Not quite correct.

FCE 3.5 and FCE 4 are universal apps. They will install & run on both Intel & PPC Macs. You do not need Rosetta or any kind of virtual machine to run FCE 3.5 or FCE 4.

In general, the preferred matches are:

• FCE 2 - Panther
• FCE 3.0, 3.5 - Tiger
• FCE 4 - Leopard, Snow Leopard

Also, it is not advisable to try installing or running Final Cut Express on Lion. First, the installer will not install FCE on Lion. Second, even if you get FCE installed there is no assurance it will run properly. Third, Apple discontinued Final Cut Express early last summer and does not support it on Lion.