Switch from Premiere to FCP?

S

Sumfun

Veteran
I currently shoot with a DVX100 and edit using Premiere Pro 1.5, and I've been pretty happy with the workflow. I'm now thinking of getting an HVX200, and I'm also budgeting for an upgrade in the computer/editing system. I know Premiere cannot edit DVCProHD natively, but Raylight and Cineform seem to offer good workaround solutions. Adobe's Production Studio has gotten good reviews, and I like the tight integration with After Effects and the other programs. But yet I see a lot of people switching to FCP, including our HVX guru Barry Green (albeit from Vegas). So my question is: What can you do with FCP that you can't do with Premiere? Is the work flow that much easier?

I should add that I'm a long time PC user, but I'm willing to learn to use a Mac. I do have a lot invested in other PC software, though. I'm also considering Avid and Canopus, but they don't seem to offer as good a solution as FCP.
 
Sumfun said:
I currently shoot with a DVX100 and edit using Premiere Pro 1.5, and I've been pretty happy with the workflow. I'm now thinking of getting an HVX200, and I'm also budgeting for an upgrade in the computer/editing system. I know Premiere cannot edit DVCProHD natively, but Raylight and Cineform seem to offer good workaround solutions. Adobe's Production Studio has gotten good reviews, and I like the tight integration with After Effects and the other programs. But yet I see a lot of people switching to FCP, including our HVX guru Barry Green (albeit from Vegas). So my question is: What can you do with FCP that you can't do with Premiere? Is the work flow that much easier?

I should add that I'm a long time PC user, but I'm willing to learn to use a Mac. I do have a lot invested in other PC software, though. I'm also considering Avid and Canopus, but they don't seem to offer as good a solution as FCP.
Click to expand...

Well apparently one thing you can do with DVCPROHD and FCP is create dissolves that have extra and missing frames. Anyone know has that been fixed?
 
I'm pretty sure you can download trial versions of Raylight, Edius Broadcast 4, and Cineform. Be kind of fun to get some firsthand answers/experience before digging into your wallet, no?

I'm not so sure Barry uses FCP exclusively, but you'd have to ask him about that.
 
To FCP or not to FCP...

To FCP or not to FCP...

If you're going to invest in a Mac and FCS (you can't get FCP on its own anymore I believe), then I would suggest seeing if there some kind of local school that might have an 'intro to' type of course. Or try and snag an Apple Pro Training Series book for FCP 5 and borrow someone's system for a weekend. Run through the book, try a bunch of stuff out and see what you think. People on the forum can rant and rave either way all they like, but ultimately if you're going to be the operator, its your comfort level with the software the matters not anyone else's.

As for FCP vs everything else, well here's the deal. Its a piece of software, like every other one out there. It will have strong points, it will have weak points. It will work beautifully for some stuff and it will make you pull your hair out for other stuff. But all software will do that too you. How much do you have to pay for higher end Avid products? Do you think those users and purchasers never run into trouble?

On the Macintosh though FCP and rather FCS is a nice bundle I have to say. You can really go start to finish with the whole package and in a reasonable price point. Also now with Shake at new price point (unfortuneately, but I won't get into my issues with that here), you can really have a lot of power for not too much $$$. I use it FCP because that's what the company uses, I don't consider it the best or the worst, I just consider it a viable choice.

On the PC side of things, well just like most any PC applications there are many software solutions/options. So here you'll run into a tone of pros and cons as you do direct comparisons between the many different brands. If you're really set on staying PC, then definitely spend some pre-purchase monies to do some hands on investigations into the products.

I agree that Adobe, and this case Premiere, have made some nice strides in recent releases. The integration between Premiere and AE is certainly a nice perk. But before picking Adobe because of the integration, look at the kinds of projects you do. Will the integration really mean that much more for you than say picking a different NLE that might be a bit more comfortable for your tastes or provide other features that might be more often used in your day to day work?

That being said though, if you stick to PC, personally I'd recommend going with the Avid. If for no other reason, it is still the big boy on the block and has lots of support out there for it. Whether it be through the company itself or through the various forums. Additionally, if you can budget it, there is now a software only version of MC available. So you can get a little more juice than just AXP. I also see it as the most stable choice, but that's just me (you'll likely now see a bunch of arguments against that). I not particularly interested in getting to that though, again I think it should be the comfort with the NLE that drives your decision.

Finally, I would recommend making the switch to Apple though. On the Apple you can install and use FCS, Avid (XP and/or MC), and/or Adobe. Yes the last two will work on the PC, but the first one won't. So if you want to leave that option available to you, or to a client that might demand it, then make the Apple switch. Though depending how urget the upgrade needs to be, I would recommend waiting till the Intel towers show up. Not to say the Quad G5 wouldn't rock, but the top end Intel box when they come out, will likely pack a sizable punch.

Anyway, good luck with your decision. Its a tough one I'm sure. Again, just try your best to get some hands on time with whatever you're seriously considering. Then go with what you think would be most comfortable. The rants from everyone, myself included, about what is best, most stable, easiest to use, etc. etc., take with a grain of salt.

cheers.
 
I've been on FCP for over one year now.
Very please with the workflow...overall.
My system has been very fast and stable (dual 2.7 G5).
I would seriously look to Mac. P2 injestion is so fast and easy.
for the money its hard to beat. Get an intel Imac w/bootcamp and put Adobe and FCP
and test out the workflow. After all, Apple will become the biggest PC vendor in the future anyways.
 
I'd say it's a hard choice. I've been using Premiere Pro at work for years now because my work uses PCs. Prem. Pro 2 is very solid, and with Cineform's Aspect HD I've had pretty good success with HD so far. At home I have an old Mac with FCS and tinker with it when I have the chance. If you do switch, take the time to learn FC.

My summary judgement is that Premiere is easier to use, but Final Cut will give you more flexibility and possibily higher quality. Also, Mac hardware is usually quite good.
 
ThePhage said:
...
My summary judgement is that Premiere is easier to use, but Final Cut will give you more flexibility and possibily higher quality.
Click to expand...

Quality is not a concern with Premiere Pro these days, with 32-bit float processing for renders and color correctors. It wasn't long ago that Premiere was only 8-bit, then quality was an issue for high-end.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I do have access to some Macs with FCP, so I'll give it a try and see how it feels. I think most editors use FCP anyway, so maybe it's time to switch. It certainly doesn't hurt to learn it. But in the back of my mind, I keep hoping that Adobe would announce a version 2.1 that will support DVCPro HD. After all, they advertise (wrongly) that they support all HD formats including 2k and 4k.
 
I recently bought the Macbook and couldn't be happier. That might be a great solution for you.. if not now, then when the Intel Macs come out. You'd have the flexibility to choose and wouldn't loose all of that PC software.

I'm totally biased though having been on a Mac for over 10 years now. They are so darn reliable... easy to maintain.. and its what the industry uses for the most part. I'd say probably 80 percent of the biggest post houses do.. and certainly the low-end filmmakers like myself are prone to be on the apple tip. You'll also get work as an FCP editor and I had quite a few gigs where I got paid to teach people FCP. It really is pretty intuative since you know Premiere. I actually went from Premiere 4 to FCP when it came out. There's a few Premiere things I liked more. I think the Premiere titles and CG are a lot better.. but overall FCP is a really really strong workhorse.... And Premiere jumped ship from Mac anyway. Was getting killed in sales by FCP.

Good time to switch though...
 
tell us what you think when u switch

tell us what you think when u switch

let us know what you think when you switch. These days its a tough choice. since I have never used the hvx or the p2. After all I have read the best wworkflow seems to be with raylight. Again all in theory.
 
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