Software Review: Final Cut Pro

**Note: the following review comes from the writer's firsthand experience with Final Cut Pro non-linear editing software as a senior Broadcast Journalism major at the University of South Alabama. The following review does not necessarily reflect the views of the aforementioned university or of Apple Inc. as a software company.

With an increasing number of filmmakers and broadcast news organizations seeking more advanced methods by which to create and edit their material, it is no wonder so many are turning to Apple Inc.'s one-of-a-kind nonlinear editing system Final Cut Pro (FCP). Previous versions of the software, much like Avid Xpress, have been universally compatible between multiple operating systems. The latest edition of Final Cut Pro is, however, confined to operating within the functional parameters of the Macintosh Apple Operating System.

Macworld.com writer Mike Curtis notes that "While Avid's Media Composer, FCP's main competitor, offers more tools at a higher price (and Adobe is readying a new Mac version of Premiere Pro CS3), FCP 6.0.1 is an improvement on an already powerful, flexible, affordable, and scalable editing program for a wide range of professional and semiprofessional users." (http://www.macworld.com.)

Curtis could not be more correct in his statement about the conveniences and affordability of Final Cut Pro. As Avid continues to fade out of the industry, FCP is steadily taking over with a host of fancy new tricks to show off in its latest version. According to a 2007 SCRI survey, 49% of the professional editing markets within the United States employed the use of Final Cut Pro, while Avid rang in at a low 22% (Source: TVB Europe: www.tvbeurope.com). The percentage of FCP users has only increased since 2007.

One of the most notable features of FCP 6.0.1 is its much anticipated SmoothCam® plug-in. This highly stylized option incorporates Optic Flow technology and allows for better stabilization of camera shots in which the camera was "shaky" or "unsteady", possibly due to an error on the part of the camera operator or poor weather conditions, etc. Speaking from personal experience, the usefulness of this feature is unparalleled in comparison to other editing software programs. Where camera stabilizers and tripods fall short during the shooting process, SmoothCam brings stillness to an otherwise rough shot during postproduction.

Final Cut Pro is, however, merely a smaller part of a much larger Final Cut Studio package, which includes six additional applications: Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Color, Compressor and Soundtrack Pro, according to the official website: www.apple.com/finalcutpro. Unlike Avid, FCP will allow you to create, edit and finalize all of your professional audio/video projects at the highest and most sought after level of quality in the industry.

This brings up one of the additional benefits of FCP 6.0.1: open and multi format timeline editing. As is noted by www.isoftwarereviews.com, this allows the user to "mix frame sizes, frame rates, and formats in the same Timleline in real time. Multicam editing of up to 128 sources with real-time playback of up to 16 angles." (http://www.isoftwarereviews.com/final-cut-pro-review/)

Obviously, as is the case with any high-end editing software, the processing speed of your machine will determine the functionality of such a feature. However, if the computer is fast enough, you'll be able to juggle simultaneous frame-rate and frame-size conversions in real time.

You can visit the official website of Apple's Final Cut Program at: http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/. Here you will find prices, features and additional information-all you could ever want to learn about one of the most advanced and highly sought after editing software programs on the market and in the industry today.