Introduction

When Apple set out to become a leader of video editing and production years ago few thought that it would become what it is today. An innovative suite of applications that that has reached the status of its competitors and continues to push the envelope by creating new features that aid film makers from all walks a life. The most recent version of this package is no exception.

System Requirements

The system requirements listed are the minimum for basic editing and even that is generous. If you plan on using filters, real time rendering and other effects you will need a beefier system. I would recommend an Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo system that is maxed out with RAM (at least 2 GB or more). Also a newer 3D graphics card will dramitcally help when working in Motion and LiveType.

Installation

One thing that doesn’t improve with this version on Final Cut Studio is its immense install footprint. To install everything that comes with the suite, all the templates, all the filters, all the add ons, will require a monstrous 60GB of space. If you want however you can choose to install the templates and add ons to another hard drive or even an external hard drive. The install itself is a standard installation, however it is very lengthy to install everything from all 9 DVDs. Most of the DVDs are dual layer hold just over 6GB of data each. On a Core 2 Duo 2.16 system the installation took over 3 hours. This is definitely something that you want to free up some time for, and have some reading material. Now with the full installation you are getting 26GB of soundtrack loops and sound effects for your movies audio, 6 GB of DVD studio templates and 8GB of Motion content and templates. Having everything at your disposal when you need it can be a huge benefit or if you know what kind of editing you will be doing and what kind of features you may find all these options overwhelming. Either way you can always skip the install of the additional content and go back to install them if you find a need for them.

Final Cut Pro:

Here is the flagship application in the Final Cut Studio Suite. This program has become a favorite editing application for videographers all over. While the interface may be overwhelming to first time users, spending time working with files and even picking up an Apple Training series Book on Final Cut Pro will greatly assist new users to the software. Here are a few improvements to the software in this version. Firstly the Open Format Timeline is a new addition where you can add video clips of various formats, frame rates even if the clips are a mix of HD and SD. One issue many users had was that you had to have all your clips in the same frame rate, resolution and type.

Making incorporating clips provided from other sources a daunting task where you would have to convert a clip first. Now Final cut and work with various frame rates and file types with ease. Another great feature in Final Cut is Smooth Cam which will help to eliminate camera shaking and unsteady footage. This is done by first selecting a few stationary points in the clip and the software will automatically use those points as a reference when steadying the shot. While this may not be completely foolproof with clips with a lot of shaking, it does help to smooth out minor camera movements and gives you a much cleaner, smoother shot, just like the camera was on a Track or Dolly. Probably the biggest and most eagerly awaited feature in this software is native Surround sound support. In the past surround sound processing had to be done by a third party software, then added back into Final Cut Pro. Now all the user will need to do to work with surround sound is control click the stereo icon, select surround sound and work with the new Mixer to control, Front left, right center, and rear left and right mixes. With all these improvements it once again sets Final Cut Pro ahead of the curve when it comes to editing suites. The final output of the videos always look very clean and professional as far as the renderings go. One thing Final Cut can’t do is make a great editor out of a poor one. It can however greatly help them. But once again I do have to say that the software has a steep learning curve to the new users, and to use the Real time effects the system you do need to have a well stocked system. Rendering times will of course vary dependent on the length of the clips, the amount of effects and the resolution you are working in. High Definition Video will defiantly need a Mac Pro workstation to keep a good workable interface.

Live type:

Live Type is a text generator for making titles, credit rolls, lower 3rd titles, and anything else you need a title for. What sets this text generator apart from what is within Final Cut itself is its collection of Live Type and Effects for type. If you are looking to add some extra style to your clips, some thing different then take a look through the animated 3d fonts and font effects. All of them include motion that can be edited and configured to suit the length and size of your clips. Live type has its specialized uses and while its fonts are well rendered and smooth animated this program may not be needed for many editors and directors.

Soundtrack:

Soundtrack is another one stop application for editors of the suite. This program is intergrated with Final Cut Pro, however the true power of this app doesn’t shine until you really start to use its native interface. Soundtrack has received a few new features for this upgrade as well. One of the most awaited and asked for upgrades is surround sound editing. WIth this feature you have the ability to change from stereo editing to full surround sound editing. You can control the strength and placement coming from all 5 surround sound speakers giving the viewer a true impression of 3d placement of the sound effects. Also added in soundtrack is a spectrum analysis graph for your tracks. This tool makes it easier to remove pops and squeals from your audio based off the tonal frequency. View the clip through the spectrum view and you can see what frequency and when the pop or interference takes place, as well as remove it from your track. Along with the surround sound editing Soundtrack also includes 5 channel loops and samples to add to your movies. Working with surround sound is an excellent addition to Final Cut and they have made editing the sound space very intuitive with the graphical mixer.

Motion:

Motion, now in its third version, has reached another level of maturity. The stability and reliability has been improved in this version as well as adding new features as well. One of the most touted features is the reworking of clips within a 3d space. You can now add series of clips on individual frames rotate and move those clips within a 3d space that not only includes horizontal and vertical movements but also depth. All the particle systems and effects can now be edited in 3D space as well. All of these new dimensions, however, does take a serious performance hit to Motion’s already hit requirements. To be able to work with these effects in real time you will need a graphics controller to support it. A GeForce 7300 GT card or ATI 1600 with at least 256MB of video ram will suit your requirements.

Final "cut" Thoughts

After using various video editing programs, from the free to the cheap and all the way up, I have found that indeed you get what you pay for. Firstly taking a comparison to a similary priced studio package from another company the final result from Final Cut is a much smoother, well finished rendering. The effects, titles, transitions all render out beautifully with very little adjustments. The shear amount of what comes with the suite is more than enough for any one on any level of editing. However for beginners and people who are just toying around with editing you will find that learning curve and the amount of options very overwhelming. But for anyone who wants to seriously start making films with package is your one stop shop for everything you need. From basic and advanced editing, sound editing and soundtrack compisition, title generating and motion effect all the way up to DVD creation, this package has it all.

On the down side beings that this package come with so many applications and content files the install footprint on your hard drive is a huge 54GB. Also the system requirements to work with the application at its best are quite steep as well. Unless you have a Dual G5 or better you may not be able to fully appreciate some of Final Cut's more advanced and graphic intensive features. And the only other drawback from this application is how complex it can be and the learning curve for the new editors out there.

Then again this software is not ment for the faint of heart when it come to video editing. The price does not scream buy me on a whim just to dabble in video. If you are looking to get your feet wet first try out the iMovie and iDVD that come in iLife and then move up to Final Cut Express.

Keeping the target user in mind I am giving Apple latest offering of Final Cut Studio 2 9 out of 10 Geeks. Like I mentioned before this is not for the faint of heart and those looking to buy this should evaluate their systems before spending the money.