FCP X vs Premiere Pro

[elmerlang]

Hi Folks
I have FCP 7. I would have happily continued using FCP into the next millenium. Unfortunately, I just bought a Pana GH2, an avchd cam and the files created by by transcoding to ProRes are huge. I also have PP 5.0 which can handle .mts files so have been learning, a little hassle, but not much.

I see FCPX can handle .mts files natively. But my understanding was that X was somehow just a stepup from FCP Express and saw much frustration about its capabilities. Also, there's that sense among some that Apple is no longer interested in vigorous development of its NLEs and is mostly focused on its iPhone, etc line.

So, my questions:
What is your opinion of X, is it a complete professional package, will it be backed vigorously by its creators, how different is it from FCP7 and how much of a hassle would it be switching?
Is there a site that explains the capabilities of X and its differences from FCP7?

[Gary Huff]

There are trials of both FCPX and Premiere CS6, and I would highly advise you to download both and give them a spin. Being a Premiere user since Premiere 5 Beta (not CS5...5, before the "Pro" moniker), I'm very happy with CS6 so far, and with the Adobe Creative Cloud option, you can get it for $30 per month for your first year (given that you have CS5 already). FCPX is cheaper at $300 ($350 if you need Compressor with it or $400 if you need Motion too). CS6 has been referred to as "FCP8" while FCPX is Apple's attempt to do something revolutionary traditional desktop video editing and opinions have been very mixed.

[elmerlang]

Thank you, sir, I appreciate the info!

[Postmaster]

I second that, before we have an other X vs Y flame ware tread.

[refocusedmedia]

Well, as for this:

What is your opinion of X, is it a complete professional package, will it be backed vigorously by its creators, how different is it from FCP7 and how much of a hassle would it be switching?

No, it is not a "suite" or a "studio". It is a stand-alone NLE, like if you purchased Adobe Premiere by itself. If you compare the two directly, it's hard not to recommend FCPX if for no other reason than it is only $299. But if you're wanting to upgrade from FCS, I would strongly recommend Adobe CS6. It is quite an impressive suite, and is very well integrated. As the others said, download the trials of each and test for yourself.


Here is a good read, while you wait for the downloads to finish: http://philipbloom.net/2012/05/08/cs6/

[simonpwood]

Most of the negative reaction to FCPX directly after its release was blown out of proportion. Most of the issues that people had with it upon its release (lack of multi cam etc) have been addressed. In fact Apple have released a lot of free updates for this program (FCPX 1.05 was released this week, as well as new free content for Motion), so Apple certainly is not "no longer interested in vigorous development of NLE" as you say.

In fact a number of new features included in CS6 bear a striking resemblance to features that had been implemented in FCPX. If history is anything to go by; in a couple of years everyone will be copying Apples software.

Get the free trial and decide for yourself. I would recommend the Ripple Training FCPX course; there are some workflow differences between FCP7 and 10 that take a bit of getting used to (but that streamline your job more efficiently). With the training course you'll be up and running in 2 days. Most people I know using FCPX can't bear the thought of going back to FCP7 as its workflows are really antiquated in comparison.

[refocusedmedia]

Most of the negative reaction to FCPX directly after its release was blown out of proportion. Most of the issues that people had with it upon its release (lack of multi cam etc) have been addressed.

Yes, months later after considerable backlash, they frantically made reparations for their insulting oversights. There was no "out of proportion" about it, the flaws in FCPX's initial release were glaring and inexcusable.

In fact Apple have released a lot of free updates for this program (FCPX 1.05 was released this week, as well as new free content for Motion), so Apple certainly is not "no longer interested in vigorous development of NLE" as you say.

True, he should've said "professional NLE". :P

In fact a number of new features included in CS6 bear a striking resemblance to features that had been implemented in FCPX.

Well, that's fair I guess considering a number of features in FCPX had been apart of CS5 and even Vegas for years. FCPX was Apple finally catching up to the rest of the industry, and then offering a few of their own innovations on top of that. Which is fine and typical of any competitive industry like this, but the problem came with their disregard for the professionals who rely on their product. It wasn't until overwhelming complaints and the promise of Adobe CS6 that Apple began to wise up. The promise of a comprehensive editing suite whose NLE has all your features and more, and a multitude of formerly happy customers eager to switch over to it, would have that effect I imagine.

If history is anything to go by; in a couple of years everyone will be copying Apples software.

You have that backwards. History favors Apple because (among other things) they take other people's innovation and put it in a nicer, simpler, more attractive package that is much more approachable and intuitive for the average user. It's a great business model, obviously, but don't mistake that for being at the forefront of said innovation.

[J Davis]

By far the biggest reason to avoid editing long form with premier is that it it does not support smart rendering

explanatory thread is here
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?265939
of which post 4 is relevant

However where premier shines is in short form edits of long gop media (h264, avchd)
- OR -
a RED online / offline scenario such as editing prores proxies in fcpx and sending xml to premiere to swap in the r3d's.

[refocusedmedia]

Not exactly, but it does have alternatives for the time being.

http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/3/924923

http://tv.adobe.com/watch/cs6-creati...media-encoder/

[unadog]

May 24, 2012 CS6 Release 6.01 - Premiere Pro & Media Exporter -

Enabled “smart rendering”