Avid v2.7 vs. FCP Studio 2

B

bruce edits

Member
I have been editing on Avids since 1991. I have upgraded every three years or so to newer Avid versions and hardware. I am currently using 9000xl Meridien III systems. I upgraded to v12 Avid SW, but the computers are G4s and I am limited to Mac OS 10.2.6. Everything still works, but I have no HD capability and newer software won't run on OS 10.2.
So, my question is, does anyone here have experience with the new Avid v2.7 for Intel Macs and can compare this $4900 system to Apple's FCP Studio 2? FCP is a third of the price, but after spending 16 years with Avid, I fear a brutal learning curve in transitioning to FCP.

Thanks for comments,
Bruce Edits
 
I edit on both. The learning curve isn't bad. The biggest challenge is the keyboard layout. If you're a heavy keyboard editor on Avid, then the curve will be more challenging. I opted to keep my FCP keyboard at default and force myself to learn it instead of building a FCP keyboard layout to match Avid.
 
because you are so familiar with Avid's interface, thats a strength in the favor of Avid. Thets the only one though. FCP is more stable, offers more options and is cheaper. I still owe over 20k on my adrenaline and kick myself for ever trading my symphony in for it. I, like you have been on an Avid product since the early 90s. I have watched them lead the way for a long time and when I went out on my own, I opted to buy from them rather than anyone else based on bang fopr the buck, needs and budget. Now, based on those same things, It'd be very hard for me to purchase another Avid product. They just seem to have stopped trying to compete on any level.
 
grinner said:
They just seem to have stopped trying to compete on any level.
Click to expand...

It is weird isn't it? I want to use Avid. I love their interface and the way the program thinks, but as soon as I moved up to HD production I literally couldn't use Avid for what I needed. So 90% of my stuff is cut on Final Cut now.
 
And when someone like krestofre defects to Final Cut, you know Avid has dropped the ball. krestofre knows Avid inside and out. He wouldn't have switched if he didn't have to.

Sigh (sadly).
 
I use both apps as well and I'll take Composer over FCP any day of the week. The more I use FCP the more I hate it. Try stacking up a bunch of layers in FCP - every time you drop another layer on top it will rerender the entire stack. It's effiecient in conserving drive space because it doesn't create a bunch of pre computes. But it's horribly inefficient in rerendering clips that have already been rendered. In order to verify that this isn't ignorance on my part I've made it a point to ask seasoned Final Cut editors if this is the way the app is designed to work and unfortunately the answer is yes. There are certainly things I like about FCP, but I can't get past the long rendering times.

FCP is a bargain at the price point. But if price point is the only consideration I'll buy a Mac and use iMovie, it's free.
 
I, too, have been on Avid since the early '90's. Granted, I've been fortunate to never have to actually pay for an Avid product since I freelance. The one and ONLY reason I went to Final Cut was the price. Hard to argue with 10-bit uncompressed for what I paid.

Thing is - for a rock-solid reliable workhorse, Avid can't be beat. One client still runs a Composer 9000 (ancient ABVB) from '98 that refuses to die. He hasn't had a single crash in over a year-and-a-half. Try cranking out long-form network series programming like that on FCP. Granted, that's not everyone's flavor or workflow but I don't know many FCP stations that have produced 400 1/2 hour's broadcast in over 192 countries without a single QC rejection to date.

Beyond that - I have no idea what is happening with Avid itself. Hard to figure. They didn't bother to really show up for the fight. Seems there are tons of people wishing they'd never ditched their Symphonies. Don't get me started on Adrenaline. I'd been happily been away form one of those for a while until this week. Ouch.....
 
I learned on Avid and up until recently I'd only used Avid professional (although I'd been cutting small things out of my home w/FCP for a while). They both have pro's and con's and specific work flows they are more suited for, but overall they are very comparable programs. Assuming you are just looking at FCP and Avid, of course, if you compare packages then the FCS 2 suite pretty much blows anything else away (assuming you utilize all the apps in the suite of course).

Which one is "best" depends on your workflow, personal preference and budget. The initial learning curve for FCP isn't too hard, but getting the program to to really shine will take more time obviously. Probably the biggest single difference is in Avid land there is pretty only the "Avid way" of doing things. Not much flexibility, but that keeps you out of trouble. FCP is the opposite. FCP is more flexible and gives you more ways to do things, but that also means the program will give you enough rope to hang yourself if you aren't careful.

avid2fcp.com is a good, if new, resource to help Avid editors out who find themselves in FCP Land.


-A
 
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