Is "Final Cut Express" compatible with El Capitan?

FCE was discontinued around 5 years ago and problems were encountered in Mavericks and earlier operating systems . . . even to the point of simply not working at all.

So it is highly unlikely that FCE can be used on El Capitan and it would be extremely risky to try it.

I had been quite happy with FCE until recently when I upgraded to Yosemite from Mavericks. Since then I have been trying to import AVCHD files from my new camera to FCE but it is crashing. I can't afford to buy Final Cut Pro X at the moment and I need to edit some stuff. It looks as though I am fuc.ked.

Use iMovie . . . it's ideal for AVCHD.

The latest version is a very capable editing app and is a sort of watered down version of FCP X.

Really? Is the World turning backwards? 😁

I've not had problems importing AVCHD from a couple of (different) Canon Camcorders I have using FCE 4.1 running on Yosemite; I use the Log Transfer window to bring those files in. I've not upgraded to El Capitan - I plan to wait for the dust to settle before doing that. .

One other thing I sometimes do is import the files into either iMovie or iSkysoft Video Converter. The latter does the job but for long videos (~20+ min), loses audio-video sync, which may be related to the Merge Video option; still working on figuring that out. The former, you have to go hunting for the files inside the library by Show Package Contents.

One useful tip: if you import by non-FCE means, I recommend opening the newly imported files in MPEG Streamclip and then exporting them using Apple Intermediate Codec. That way, you don't have to render the movie files in FCE every time you make a small change (very annoying!), which you have to do in any other format.

Good luck.

Most people dismiss iMovie automatically as a serious editing app . . . after all, how can a free program be any good . . . but for many editors this is a mistake.

If they took the time to try iMovie they would find that it is an extremely easy and fast NLE, far superior to legacy FCP and FCE in many ways.

Obviously it depends on the individual user's requirements but a great many film-makers would find that it has capabilities greater than they require.

To get up and running quickly I recommend this Ripple Training video tutorial course which can be downloaded free from the AppStore.

Ten of the twenty lessons can be viewed free but the remaining ten need an "in-app purchase" of 79p each or £3.99 for the lot.

I also had a problem with importing AVCHD clips from my Panasonic video camera. Try Clipwrap to import the clips and then use the .mov clips in FCE. It work great.

I updated my computer with El Capitan recently. I opened Final Cut Express. Everything seems to work as usual. Importing files and editing.

I have not tried exporting yet or more complex editing/projects.

But Final Cut Express on El Capitan looks promising so far.

Thanks I'll have a go at El Capitan