Apple updates Final Cut Studio

Featured News: Page (1) of 1 - 07/23/09

Apple updates Final Cut Studio All new versions of Final Cut Pro, Motion, Compressor, Soundtrack pro, and Color

Apple has updated its Final Cut Studio suite of professional creative applications with more than 100 new features, as well as new versions of its Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Color and Compressor applications.

Final Cut Pro 7 now supports most any workflow from any camera, and has an Easy Export feature that that is supposed to offer one step output to a wide range of formats as well as the capability to simultaneously work on a project as encoding is done in the background. Sequences can now be exported to YouTube, as well as Apple products such as Mobile Me, iPhone, iPod, and Apple TV, as well as DVD and now Blu-ray. It also has iChat Theater support so editors can collaborate with others on the project, sharing the same Final Cut Timeline and/or source clips; ProRes Proxy editing that offers offline and low bandwidth mobile editing support; ProRes LT for general purpose editing; and ProRes 444, which enables editing and visual effects creation at the highest qualities. Other features include a new clip speed tool that enables you to change the speed of a clip, alpha transitions for creating effects with moving mattes, and full, native support for Panasonic's AVC-Intra cameras.

Motion 4 has been updated with support for 3D shadows, reflections and depth of field, the addition of point and spot lights for realistic shadow creation and reflective surfacing, and the capability to highlight a single object or utilizing multiple objects to create a racking focus effect.

Soundtrack Pro 3 features a voice level match tool that extracts vocal volume information from one clip and applies it to another without the need to change other audio content. According to Apple, this gives editors the capability to fine tune volume adjustments by targeting certain frequencies without affecting dialog. A new Time Stretch feature can stretch and compress audio using Apple designed algorithms or third party algorithms.

Color 1.5 is now compatible with a larger number of Final Cut Pro sequences and effects; offers support for 4K cameras such as the RED One, and can output directly to ProRes for HD or DPX. It now offers enhanced support for AVC-Intra, XDCAM 422 and ProRes 4444 formats.

Compressor 3.5 offers autodetect capabilities of QuickTime settings and enables you to create an Easy Export template or a mini "droplet" enabling you to automate Compressor actions so you don't have to reinvent the wheel each time you have a Compressor job. Also new is a sharing option that enables you to publish your videos to YouTube and Mobile Me, and export to Ipod, iPhone, non-Apple phones, and Apple TV, or burn to DVD or Blu Ray disc.

Final Cut Server has also been updated with new features such as offline editing with ProRes Proxy, media organization capabilities, and support for still sequences for viewing and managing image sequences. It now features unlimited client licenses and is priced at $999 ($299 for existing users).

Final Cut Studio is priced at $999. Upgrades are priced at $299. For more information, visit www.apple.com

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