FCP Studio VS. FCP Express

E

ef03

Active member
I know that FCPS is better, but which is better for me?

I am teaching myself FCP from the ground up. I want to shoot in 24PA so that has me leaning towards FCPS, but that is a HUGE price jump.

I can get FCPS academic version for $700. Is it worth not being able to upgrade to paythat price? I ordered a copy of FCP Express and it will be here today. I am trying to decide if I need to RMA it and get FCPS or just keep FCP Express until I get my feet good and wet.

I really like all the extras I get with FCPS though. 24pA is almost a must have for me.


thanks for any input guys.
 
It is not worth not being able to upgrade. If you are serious about edting and producing, you have to get Studio. If you want to do low budget stuff as a hobby, get Express. The academic version comes with a license that states you can only use it for educational purposes only and not make any money off of it.
 
I am not really concerned with making money off of my projects right now. I just need to be able to edit. you know?

Its confusing. lol
 
IF you are planning on getting FCPStudio at some point anyways, just spring for it now, you will be spending less in the long run.
 
The only way that I can get FCP Studio is to get the academic version.

I'm not loosing anything with that version other than not being able to market my videos right?
 
Get the Academic version, and don't get caught. It's only illegal if you get caught. Just kidding! Express is pretty powerful, but limited compared to Studio.

In Express you get LiveType and SoundTrack (not Pro), but not Motion or Compressor or DVD Studio Pro. Express is a very good NLE, don't get me wrong. And Apple at one time had a nice upgrade path from Express to Pro.

Just realized a problem with Express, I don't see any mention of supporting DVCPRO-HD format. That could be a deal killer for you. Academic version of FCS would be fine to get started with. Then conatact Apple and they may have an upgrade path to the full FCS license down the road.

http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/specs.html

To be fair, I couldn't afford some version of FCP at one point and got an Academic version until I could afford the full license on the following FCP upgrade. So, it's a possability. Although with the cross-grade from 5.0 to 5.1, Apple didn't allow Academic upgrades. So, you never know what will happen in the future.

Tough call, but I'd consider FCS Academic if you need to do DVCPRO-HD format editing. Plus, with SoundTrack going "Pro", it's a fully professional audio editing application designed specifically for film and video work. I love it. I rarely touch Logic anymore.
 
I dont do any DVCPRO-HD editing right now, but thats not the deal killer for me. From my understanding it doesnt support native 24p editing. I HAVE to have that. I hate 60i with a passion.

At this point I will probably RMA the copy of Express and get the Student version of FCP Studio.
 
Ya, soundtrack pro is pretty nice. Im not into audio too much, but was just pokin around in it and its cool!
 
I done a RMA on FC Express right when it got here. Right after that I called and ordered FCPS. It was hard to make the price jump, but I think it was the better thing to do. Now I need to order a couple of gigs of memory for my iMac.
 
yeah. I plan on moving to a mac pro next year sometimes. I am going to throw as much memory as I can in my iMac though.
 
I say get FCS Acedemic. You get all the programs to learn. One reason is I wouldn't worry about upgrading anytime soon. According to news Apple's new release will have a significant jump in technology and price supposibly. I say get FCS now and learn it in and out. A current version of FCP will last you a while before you actually "need" to upgrade. BTW on the note of 1GB vs. 2GB of ram I think it depends on the computer you get. I just bought a MacPro and have only had it for a couple days and it runs great on 1GB of ram. Don't judge the Standard version of anything. 1GB will suffice but if you can afford it obviously get more. I couldn't since I was spreading myself thin was it was for FCS and MacPro, and camera. MacPro is a great choice though, im loving it. FCS for sure though.

-Kyle
 
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