FCP to AVID switchers need advice.

stevesnj

stevesnj

Well-known member
I have been using FCP and want to find out how AVID users who switched from FCP think of their decision. What are the advantages/disadvantges you encountered. I am using FCP 5 and plan to purchase a DVX 100a or B. Also which version of AVID is best to use with this camera? Any opinions appreciated. I also want to get training and then teach this at my high school in the very near future. Is this program used more widely in industry than FCP?
 
stevesnj said:
Is this program used more widely in industry than FCP?
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Yes, but Avid no longer has the monoploy it had 5-10 years ago. I tried to change to Avid and doubled back to FCP. Are you upgrading because you need to teach Avid or is FCP failing to meet your needs?
 
No I have the oppurtunity to teach a digital media class, still and video, and want to make sure I avoid any potential compatibility issues etc. What I dont like about FCP is the rendering, it drives me crazy but the little I heard about AVID is that it renders much faster. Since time is of the essence I want to avoid long render times. But I am aware that FCP has better compatability with DVX cameras. AVID requires an additional piece of equipment? or am I wrong. Also what version is best? there is AVID pro, HDV, Studio. Why so many?
 
stevesnj said:
What I dont like about FCP is the rendering, it drives me crazy but the little I heard about AVID is that it renders much faster. Since time is of the essence I want to avoid long render times. But I am aware that FCP has better compatability with DVX cameras. AVID requires an additional piece of equipment? or am I wrong. Also what version is best? there is AVID pro, HDV, Studio. Why so many?
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There are many different versions of "an avid". From DV Xpress to Nitris uncompressed systems, which you'll spend $100k+ on. There is truth to some Avids not having to render, but it all depends what you're working on and what system. Then again, give me FCP on the right box with the right hardware card and I don't have to render either. Tit for tat. Entry level Avids are going to have the same speed issues as FCP, because they're relying on the host's processing power (ie the computer's processors).

If you're wanting to teach Avid because it's more standard, etc I believe a lot of that is because it started as the big dog back in the day, and has many old schoolers sticking to it. It's alot like the mac/pc debate. Both sides argue their way over the other. Final Cut really has a strong industry following and support now, so you can't go wrong in preparing students on it. BUT it really doesn't matter which software they cut their teeth on, as you should be focusing on teaching them a solid understanding of the editing process. Once they learn that, they can translate it into any package they may encounter.

My high school alma mater is now teaching FCP, as are many others.
 
I have used both extensively.

For an individual user I much prefer FCP. For jobs cutting in TV and film, it is still probably 75-90% Avid. Now that FCP has multicam editing there are two remaining obstacles for more wide spread adoption.

1. Sharing - FCP can share media without problem. Unfortunately, for better or worse, it does not have the same 'bin structure' as Avid that allows simultaneous project sharing. 100% of my jobs require this feature. Multiple editors on Avid unity working on the same project needing to share media _and_ bins in real time with no work-arounds.

2 User base - Although they continue to make inroads, until Apple can gain more converts among professional editors they face an uphill battle. Producers plan on post-production based on cost _and_ on getting the best talent. Most pros do not have the open mind required to give FCP a fair shake. As far as cost, these days renting an Avid system is pretty cheap. A five year old set up will do everything you need.

I hear Avid editors complain all the time about FCP but it is mostly because they don't know it. I had a long list of gripes moving from FCP to Avid. It is somewhat subjective and becomes much like Windows users bashing Macs - or vice versa. They each have their merits. I would say it comes down to 'features' you need.

If you are training people who hope to edit on television or big features _right now_, it is more helpful to learn Avid. If you are training people to be able to work on their own and finish their own projects FCP is a great choice (a better choice in my opinion).

The other thing to consider if you are teaching is that FCP is obviously Mac only and your students will certainly not be. Avid would offer cross platform functionality.

In my opinion Apple/Final Cut has made an effort to constantly innovate. Avid seems to have given up a few years ago. Newer Avid systems (Adrenaline) often _lack_ functionality of older (Meridian) systems (like 'real' multicam). Some of the biggest shows on TV cut on Avids that are G4s with OS9. There is no compelling reason for them to upgrade.

For aspiring filmmakers, I think the Final Cut Pro bundle does the best job of 'getting out of the way and letting you work.' Your mileage may vary.
 
Nice post Oynk. The only thing I'd add to your list would be media management. In my opinion and expereince Avid is leaps and bounds ahead of FCP on media management, and that's a feature that I won't be giving up.
 
krestofre said:
Nice post Oynk. The only thing I'd add to your list would be media management. In my opinion and expereince Avid is leaps and bounds ahead of FCP on media management, and that's a feature that I won't be giving up.
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I don't find the media management to be a problem. If I remember correctly, it was pretty poor on earlier versions.
 
Basically with Avid I don't have to worry about media, and I can transfer it around without fear of missing a file here or there. FCP is pretty much still manual control and that causes me to have to remember where I saved files and find a place for them in the first place.

Maybe I'm just lazy. :laugh:
 
krestofre said:
Basically with Avid I don't have to worry about media, and I can transfer it around without fear of missing a file here or there. FCP is pretty much still manual control and that causes me to have to remember where I saved files and find a place for them in the first place.

Maybe I'm just lazy. :laugh:
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Lazy is good... I think I am just used to the media management and structure a workflow around it. I often find that manually reconnecting media is quite handy - you can trick the program into doing things it shouldn't. Had I been weened on Avid I am sure I would think differently.:)
 
Cripe! Teaching editing in High School? I feel old! In my day...we walked a mile in the snow (barefoot of course) to stand in line at THE COMPUTER. Not the computer LAB. You see, we just had the one computer (128k Apple?). And we were the rich school, in the rich suburb!
 
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