FCP vs. Express

M

mikecost

Active member
Let me preface this question by saying, i've always used Windows with Premiere Pro and am new to the Mac/FCP world. Anyway, Im buying a macbook pro soon and am considering buying FCP Express for $150. Is it worth it or should i save up and buy FCP 6?? Is Express like Premiere Elements?? Thanks
 
Buy FCP 6. Final Cut Express is great for the cost, but if you want to work in 24-Frames, FCE cannot do it. Not only do you get Final Cut Pro, but DVD Studio Pro, Color, Soundtrack Pro, LiveType, Compressor, Cinema Tools and Motion. The Apps together can do more than a $60,000 Avid Symphony System. It is more than worth the money.
 
Definitely go for FCP 6. You'll have an incredibly powerful system on your hands that you can grow into for a long, long time.
 
FCP 6 vs FCP 5

FCP 6 vs FCP 5

FCP 6 has (just to name a few):
Multi format timeline editing,
A larger number of video filters
Motion stabilization filters (via Shake)

An application called "Color" which is worth the upgrade all by itself. Color interface is not an Apple one, but you get by the ugly fonts and navigation, it's truly a powerful color correction, timing software. In addition it has some panning and masking features you can not find in the older versions.

3D Motion graphics (Motion) (It's not true 3d, but something very close and very intuitive 3D)

Incredible multi channel sound editing in Soundtrack. Over 9 gigs of sound tracks.
Dolby surround sound DVD authoring in DVD Studio Pro

Better integration between all the different modules.

While you can work well with FCP 5 studio, FCP 6 has so many improvements, it's well worth the $500 upgrade.

-Bob
 
I too am wrassling with making the decision: FCE or FCP Studio 2. I am new to Mac editing and wanting to learn the interface and all, Im leaning to FCE on the new Santa Rosa Intel chips. Macbook Pro 17in. I am going to be editing cookie cutter car commercials to help out a friend. The commercials are simple cuts and graphics with music up then under and V.O. Easy Peasey, right? I think FCE is all I need until my mac skills increase and business picks up. I ll then upgrade to FCP Studio 2
 
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what kind of camera will you be using? i think the biggest thing that was said, that i didn't know about FCE, was that it doesn't work in 24 fps.
 
FCE is limited to DV and HDV.

FCS2 is scalable for just about everything including RED, and as of yesterday, AVCHD.
 
FilmBoy77 said:
what kind of camera will you be using? i think the biggest thing that was said, that i didn't know about FCE, was that it doesn't work in 24 fps.
Click to expand...
Footage will be shot in DV format. I use a mini dv 3 chip for my personal cam, but Im just going to be editing.
JD
 
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