FCP or Avid

R

RossS

Active member
I have anbrand spanking new DVX100A and was trying to decide pros and cons between Avid Express DV and Final Cut Pro. I have a Mac G5 with a single 1.8GHz processor and 1GB ram. I also have a 250GB G-Drive Firewire drive. Any suggestions?
 
I work on both (not Avid Express DV, but an Avid still), and honestly, I look forward to projects that I can do in FCP. I however don't really ever feel this for Avid. Now being said, the Avid platform is great, and works perfectly for many people... it has my utmost respect. But when it comes down to flexibility (especially with other apps), I really like the FCP integration with programs like DVDSP, Motion, Soundtrack, etc. It's a really powerful suite of products, not just an editor.

Have you had any opportunities to play on either? Maybe there's an Apple store nearby... all their machines have FCP and supporting media. Not sure how you can get your hands on an Avid, but playing around and talking to other users will really help you get a feel for what you'd like.
 
jhurt,
I have played around with the Avid and just felt like it was a little "technical" or "stiff". Does that make sense? And as a converted Mac user, I have always enjoyed the integration and ease of use of their software associations. I am a relative neophyte in terms of my editing skills, but many editors have told me FCP might be a little easier for "beginners" to grasp. Agree?
 
I can and do use both AVID (though not DV, full MERIDIAN or ADRENALINE systems) and Final Cut Pro, and must say I prefer working in FINAL CUT PRO. The interface itself is just easier to use. AVID feels like a program that was made one way a long time ago, and has been kept similiar for a long time because it is the standard. I hate diving through menus to get to features in AVID. Sure it does some things better, but if you added additional hardware to you Final Cut Pro system it will function better too. I find myself really missing the select all to right tools, and being able to open a clip in the viewer and look at it's waveform to make an edit (both in Final Cut pro).

it is just too bad AVID jobs tend to pay better, even when you are getting a gear rental with FCP.
 
Hey Ross, yeah, that makes complete sense. I agree. The interface of FCP is more logical and less cumbersome. I too agree with jonahlee in that Avid does feel a bit old. There's something exciting to FCP... and yes, I think you'll develop your skills a little quicker on FCP as there's less downtime (not trying hard to figure something out that just seems easy).

I learned on a Meridien system (and still use it), but I really enjoy FCP. It's very Appleesque :)
 
I have a G5 and recently purchased an Avid Xpress - since I had worked on Avid in the past. I found myself frustrated over and over again because the Xpress Pro was not up to par with Adrenaline and Media Composer. I sold the Avid and switched to FCP HD and I'm happy.


Avid is competing with itself with their products. FCP on the other had makes one top of the line product (FOR APPLE I might add) that isn't competing with FCP Composer, Adrenaline, DNA, Xpress and Xpress Pro.

That said - I prefer Avid Adrenaline and Media Composer over FCP HD, but if it's between Avid Xpress and FCP - definitely go with FCP - you get much more for the money. I've also hear that FCP is great with Panasonic products.
 
Thanks all for your help and advice. Is it worth going all the way and getting the new Final Cut Studio...even if you're just starting down the editing road?
 
I think so. For an additional $300 you'll get DVD Studio Pro ($500), Motion ($300), and Soundtrack Pro ($300), plus some other smaller things.

$1300 gets you everything in the suite, $2100 gets you everything individually.
 
FYI for anyone who has an up-to-date student ID. I bought the FCP Suite, single licence education version, for less than $500 at Apple's web site in March.

Quite a deal, and I think it has the same features.
 
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