Q: Upgrade FCE 3.5 to FCE 4.0?

sharronsuss wrote:

 

  Too many clips is not really the problem.  But not to be able to use any of them at all would be sad.

I'm a little concerned about this last sentence as it suggests you might not have grasped exactly what you can do with FCP X  .  .  .  .  unless I am totally misreading you.

So just in case, I will spell it out.

1. With FCP X you will be able to use every clip you have shot whether it be stored on your Hard Drive, the Tape in your camera or anywhere else.

2. You will not be able to migrate projects from your FCE timeline to FCP X for re-editing unless you first export them normally as QT movies.

You will then be able to cut out things and insert others but you won't be able to adjust existing effects you've added without re-doing them completely .  .  .  .  .  but this may not be of any importance to you.

3. FCP X has an excellent classification system, probably better than any other app but you won't be able to automatically transfer the existing FCE classification.

You will have to re-classify your old clips if you feel it's necessary (I've never classified mine).

However, as mentioned above, FCP X's classification system is considered superior to anything else available  .  .  .  that's what it was built around.

In short you will be able to use everything you've ever shot and re-edit existing projects that you've exported (depending on your definition of "re-editing").

Sincere apologies if I am just repeating what you already know.

Running two systems is a safe method when you wish to migrate to another NLE.

FCP X requires Mavericks to run it and also some knowledge to get the best out of it.

The latest FCP X uses a Library model that is excellent IMO.

Cataloging clips and seeing which are key worded, used and unused has never been easier using FCP of any flavor.

From what I've read in your posts it would be the "ants pants".

Al

I am no fan of systems that are total closed environments. FPX as your assets management system requires that you MUST use FPX as the editor.

Using Lightroom allows you to use any NLE you want. FPX, Premiere, AVID, etc.

Apple is screwing the moose with FPX and while the homeboys are falling in line, people that take a long view of things are headed to the doors. Given Apple's fickle history with video technology (Shake, FCP, DVDSP, Cinema Tools, SoundtrackPro, etc), I have no faith in their staying power, upgradability and/or long term intentions.

x

X,

Everyone has an opinion plus wants needs and wants.

I'm really happy with FCP X in the right here right now, it simply does what I need it to.

I've ran with FCP X since day one and did not really adandon the legacy FCPro etc. till around FCP X 10.0.6 when I felt it had matured/got the feature set I required.

With the newer 10.1.1 it's just getting more to my likings.

Al

Your only problem using FCP X with your old clips is that you would need to re-classify them  .  .  .  .  which could be a lengthy process if you have as many as you imply.

FPx is a video editor that does some database stuff but all the database stuff is tied to the NLE. Change NLE and you likely lose everything you've done.

Lightbox is a database that does some image editing stuff and is not tied to a NLE. Change NLE and your database is intact.

These days I do not trust Apple with regards to continuity of software (nor of hardware for that matter) so am trying to find as many cross platform (platform agnostic) paths as I can to keep my work viable.

ymmv.

x

Your point about database info being tied to FCP X  (and Apple's notorious whims) is a good one which I had never considered as it does not apply to me  .  .  .  .  I simply don't use those features  .  .  .  .  but for people like Sharron and you it could be critical.

It reminds me of the first camcorder I bought in 1992.

All the bumf I read suggested that Video8 was better than VHS so that's what I got.

I did not realise that my camera would break down 10 years later leaving me with nothing to play the original tapes.

If I had bought a VHS camcorder originally I would have been able to play the originals in any number of VHS recorders I had via a cheap tape adapter.

The same problem is inherent in miniDV and HDV camcorders though these are more plentiful and cheaper to acquire.

Card based cameras are nearly ideal in this respect because you don't need any camera to play the original footage  .  .  .  .  any computer, Mac or Windows, will do it.