It's official and it sounds incredible!

I'm following a bunch of live tweeting from the event. This is what we wanted. Image:

http://twitpic.com/4k70em

heath

I'm following a live tweet:

"you can visually mix audio"

"Ramping and changing speeds of clips can be done right within the timeline, doesn't damage the timeline."

"Instant render in the background all the time, does not at all affect editing."

"Instant color matching, unbelievable grade with 1 click."

Well, my credit card is ready and waiting. I hope they give a clue as to when it's available for purchase.

"INSTANT Ken burns effect with the swipe of a mouse."

"forget everything you know about FCP, this is something completely new."

"Shipping in June, downloads directly down to your mac. Price... $299!!!"

I think I now understand why Apple has set up a separate App Store (a few months ago).

I don't know where this is going to leave all of my plug-ins. Maybe I won't even need them anyway, depending on the full list of features with the new FCP X.

For $299, I can justify upgrading my G5! Very exciting stuff!

Apple dropped the price of Aperture 3 from $199 to $79, put it on the Mac App Store and made a fortune (and hurt Adobe Lightroom 3). It wasn't "iPhoto Pro," just like Final Cut Pro X isn't "iMovie Pro." both use high-end, super-fast features and borrow from the consumer end.

Guess Final Cut Express is done. No wonder they didn't have a version 5 ship in 2010 after FCP 7 shipped in 09. (FCE 4 shipped in 2008, after FCP 6 shipped in 07.)

heath

o.k. I obviously wasnt there and from what I see im very skeptical it looks like i-movie on steroids. To anyone who was there What about the rest of the workflow? DVD authoring? Blu ray? Titles? Anywhere to get full info yet?

My bet, Randy, is that this is purely an FCP release. I think that their new business model is to separate everything and sell it purely through the App store at a reduced price to the customer (by eliminating the "middle man" vendor). Whether that's right or wrong, I think it's just the way it's going to be.

I suspect that upgraded Color, STP, DVD SP, etc. will follow later for separate purchase through the App Store.

My biggest question is whether the $299 download can still be put on both your desktop and laptop (as per the recent FCS versions) or whether this download is for one computer only, requiring $600 for those who have been editing on a desktop plus a laptop?

So I wonder if they will announce a complimenting authoring app by June. Thats what I need. Or a composting tool like motion or a titler?

Below are my thoughts that I wrote down blog style from the NAB 2011 Supemeet tonight. Sorry for the misspellings. I was trying to keep up on my iPad while sitting in a cramped seat.

Daniel Weber


SuperMeet Notes April 12, 2011

6:40 crowd settling in. walked the booths, nothing new or exciting to look at that I didn't see already on the big show floor

Predictions on new software: new interface, native editing of H.264 files without need for conversion.

My wishes: new text tool, maps integration like iMovie, better background processes and rendering, revamped Color interface, better integration between Motion and FCP, improved Compressor.

Cell coverage is slow with all the cell phones and laptops in here.

10 minute warning....

Lights just dimmed and the Apple logo in on the screen.

7:00 seats disappearing now...

7:01 show starts. confirmed, sneak peak at the new FCP. Going over 12 years of FCP starting in 1999. Now talking about the future, mentions Arri and the Alexia shooting ProRes. A whole ecosystem has been formed around FCP.

94% customer satisfaction ratio, over 2 million FCP users.

We want to create great software that you want to use.

What's next?

Time for the sneak peek...

Peter Steinauer - Architect, Final Cut Pro - A brand new version of FCP. Built from the ground up. Final Cut Pro X. 64 bit application. Can take full advantage of all the RAM that you have. Takes advantage of all the modern code in Snow Leopard. Core Annimation, Grand Central Station, etc.

New interface. Better media organization. Three windows, Media Bin on top left, Viewer on top right, Timeline on the bottom. Utilizes Colorsync for accurate colors and rendering. Resolution independent playback system. This take huge processor resources. Grand Central Dispatch lets you use as many cores as possible. Background rendering built into the application. No more render bars. (huge applause).

Organization. Auto content anlyasis. Media detection, image stabiilization, people detection - identifies single person, groups, etc, shot detection - medium shots, closeups, etc., Color balance upon import, Audio cleanup

Range-Based Key Wording - select segments of a clip and assign key words to just that part of the clip.

Smart Collections - clips organized by multiple key words

Editing - Clip Connections - Magnetic timeline, Compound clips - select multiple assets and have them appear as a single clip. Inline Precision Editor - , Auditioning - assign multiple asses (b roll) to a clip before you put it in the timeline. Then when editing you can quickly access the clips that you previously assigned to the clip.

Randy Ubillos to show FCP X in action...

FCP X can play the clip in the media bin, lots of metadata!! This is an editors dream. You footage can be organized beyond belief before the edit starts. You can double click on a clip and get a full filmstrip of the clip without having to slide your pointer through the clip. Very useful. You can select segments of clips and add keywords. Showing Magnetic Timeline and linked clips. No more butting up of ends of audio clips, the audio will move down a track to make room.

No more need for Plural Eyes, FCP X will automatically sync you secondary audio upon import.

Audio skimming, L cuts and J cuts are very easy in a quick visual manner. Easy keyframe and adjust audio. Use Range Select tool to auto adjust sections of a clip. Awesome use of waveforms.

Easy speed ramping in realtime. Very easy and powerful.

Color matching in the timeline. No rendering. Select clip to correct and then select the clip to match. FCP X then matches the colors. Awesome.

Native Editing, no transcoding!! Bring in anything and just edit. Color correction built in, no more need for Color, built into FCP X. You can do secondary color correction built right into the application.

To much stuff to try to describe!!! Amazing. Crowd goes nuts when Randy is done.

Shipping in June, via the Mac App Store. $299!!!! Standing Ovation!!! Wow....

Here's a fantastic link I found which gives a step-by-step of every single point of the release with a high-quality photo for each point:

Final Cut Pro User Group Supermeet – LiveBlog (http://www.photographybay.com/2011/04/12/final-cut-pro-user-group-supermeet-liveblog/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PhotographyBay+%28Photography+Bay%29)

I like what I saw but have many questions:
- Mac OS X Lion only?
- What happened to the other apps in the suite?
- Will it be available in stores too?
- Can you share this app on 5 Mac's like other apps in the app store?
- What are the system requirements?
- Will it support GPU acceleration (like CUDA in CS5)?
- Where's all the official information on Apple.com?

I do like the price though, $299! About right for what you get. Adobe and Avid are unbelievable with their prices, so I love it that Apple slams them in the face hard. Adobe brags about their subscription pricing model, but I think they charge far too much per month.

It will run on Snow Leopard. Full 64 bit support.

No one knows what will happen with the other FCS apps. My guess is that they will be broken out separately. It looks like there will be no more need for Color since you can do full grading and CC in FCP X.

There are still lots of questions, but with the native format support, analyzing of clips upon ingest, the incredible key wording and organization tools and the simplified yet more powerful editing timeline, this is a powerful new app.

Daniel Weber

Leaving questions unanswered is a great marketing tool. Look at the buzz it creates on all the public forums like this one. Apple does it consistently.

Adobe and Avid are unbelievable with their prices

Adobe and Avid are unable to subsidise their software development from a massively profitable hardware business

Sayonara Plural Eyes and Rendering? There goes my cigarette breaks.

Daniel,
Thanks for the update. I suspected the price would drop for inclusion in the App Store and was really hoping there would be improvements in audio handling, native file handling and media management. I'll reserve judgement until I see it in action myself, but so far, sounds good.

cheers

Adobe and Avid are unable to subsidise their software development from a massively profitable hardware business

As far as I know, Avid sells hardware and servers so I don't agree. And if you offset the Media Composer price against the new Final Cut Pro (and perhaps 1 or 2 $99 apps, i.e. dvd studio and/or motion), it saves you $2000 to spend on Apple hardware. Good deal if you ask me.

I find Adobe one of the most greedy companies in the world if you look at their pricing model, including their new subscription model. I also do not believe that Apple subsidizes development with hardware that much. The future of software is with lower prices, bigger volumes but also free open-source software (look at LightWorks) and cloud based subscription services (EditShare). The App Store introduced the higher volume business model to the software world, and it seems to work judging their success with the iPhone, iPad and the whole world following them. Avid and Adobe target the elite working class while Apple wants to reach out to the masses. Nothing wrong with that, but you need to offset the lower selling price against a higher sales volume... that's how they do it, not by subsidizing it. If you are a start-up company, both Avid and Adobe are likely out of your budget while Apple is not. Also, if you are an aspiring filmmaker but not in school, how can one afford such monstrous prices? I also feel that with Avid, you pay for 'the industry standard' award. Businesses have no problem paying the licence costs, so why lower them, as they make up your biggest group of customers?

I am not an Apple fanboy. I am not even sure if I like everything in the new Final Cut Pro. I just don't think your assumption is right.

I just read Larry Jordan's blogpost about the event, I can recommend it to everyone:
The Sound of 1,700 Jaws Dropping http://t.co/L0Q1WDF

It looks like Apple has a lot of work to do before June, and the competition even more to catch up.

High-res screenshot of the UI:
http://cdn.macrumors.com/article/2011/04/13/014726-fcpscreen.jpg

Speculation, but Apple might not even have a DVD SP replacement. It will probably become a niche product over the next few years and so could just leave it to smaller app developers to fill the gap. Either way they get a slice of the pie.

Funny how many of those features are already in Sony Vegas. It almost seems like a hybrid of Vegas, FCP and iMovie.

I'm glad other NLE are starting to include features Vegas has had for years such as real time rendering, audio waveforms, "magnetic timeline" and excepting multiple file formats.

Price is very good as well, although it will be interesting to see if they provide the other programs such as color and motion, maybe they will be add ons for an additional price.

If it works as well as it sounds and hasn't lost its pro features then this version of FCP will tempt me towards maybe getting a mac in the future.

I like what I saw but have many questions:
- Mac OS X Lion only?
- What happened to the other apps in the suite?
- Will it be available in stores too?
- Can you share this app on 5 Mac's like other apps in the app store?
- What are the system requirements?
- Will it support GPU acceleration (like CUDA in CS5)?
- Where's all the official information on Apple.com?

I do like the price though, $299! About right for what you get. Adobe and Avid are unbelievable with their prices, so I love it that Apple slams them in the face hard. Adobe brags about their subscription pricing model, but I think they charge far too much per month.

1) Since it's sold through the App Store, I assume it's Snow Leopard compatible. There might be some super-special feature that only works with Lion, but they're not going to limit it right off the bat.

2) They'll probably be released separately. I think I read on one of the blogs that they said on stage that this was just a taste, and there was more to come.

3) I'm betting no on that one. Apple just dumped a gazillion dollars into a massive data center.

4) I think that's part of the terms of service Apple set up for all App Store apps. Aperture works that way, no real reason to think this won't too.

5) Probably Core 2 Duo or above. I can't imagine this will work at all on PPC equipment.

6) I'm pretty sure they said it did. Hopefully you won't need a $1000 card to benefit from it.

7) This wasn't a product announcement, but a "sneak peek". Hopefully, they'll offer discounts to people who unwittingly buy FCS 3 now that they've announced a new version.

If anything, I think we'll see Soundtrack Pro and Motion as separate apps, but why not keep all color grading/correction and DVD/BD creation and mastering within the app? I'd love to see FCP X become an all-in-one app, but that might be tough since Motion is such a large app, plus the loops in Soundtrack Pro are huge.

heath

My guess is that they will be broken out separately. It looks like there will be no more need for Color since you can do full grading and CC in FCP X.


Daniel Weber

From what I saw in the demo, that "color correction" interface in NO WAY replaces Color.

Apple Announces Final Cut Pro X

Sigh. Three years ago I switched to a Mac so I could use both Final Cut Studio and Sony Vegas Pro on the same machine. Final Cut was $1,200.00, then. Two months later Final Cut Studio 3 came out... $300.00 for the upgrade, but the price of the program came down to $1,000.00. So I had $1,500.00 invested in software that was now worth $1,000.00. I whined to Apple and they gave me a free Mighty Mouse. Now, to get the new FCX, I'll have to cough up another $300.00, giving me a total of $1,800.00 invested in software that's worth $300.00.

I'm not feeling very appreciated, Apple.

I'm curious $299 for the software, and chance of a discounted upgrade fee? I understand in the past, the upgrade cost was $299. Maybe a $199 for current users?

Charles, I wouldn't keep track of money invested in software. It's the same as machines. When new products come out, the old become obsolete.

Keep in mind that Final Cut Pro X was a beta they were showing. They still have the rest of the suite to present and include in the store. I'm not sure if they're cutting some apps or not, but check out these prices:

1. Final Cut Pro X $299
2. Apple Motion $199
3. Soundtrack Pro (maybe?) $99 (or maybe it's just a Logic for $199)
4. Loops, effects and other downloadable goodies: $29-49 each totaling: $199

That's about $699 for the suite. Maybe there will be a Disc Studio Pro or something. Don't feel like the whole suite has lost value at this point. We have only seen 1 piece of the pie so far.

PS: iWork was $79, and now $19 each in the App Store. Not a huge value loss, but you don't have to pay for hard media, packaging and books which can lower overhead and reduce costs.

How about free use for one year to all licensed users? Apple is turning their back on an established product. Better yet, and more appropriate, just make it free to all current users.

I'm watching the comments from the announcement on other blogs and forums. Many "pros" are wailing that Apple has just announced they're not interested in the pro market, anymore. I don't get that attitude at all: Why would anyone think something is more "pro" just because it's more difficult to use? If it makes my workflow easier, I'm all for it.

My disappointment in my investment return aside, I see this as a smart move for Apple. And it just might make me use it more than I have in the past.

Found a great video on the presentation!

Supermeet Apple Final Cut X presentation on Vimeo

Thanks for that video. After watching it "I'm in". I held back on the last, in my opinion lame, Final Cut update and waited for something like this. I'm now very happy with what I've just seen in the last 25 minutes.

Sure, I've lots of questions (haven't we all!) but those will get answered in the next few months.

At least I'll now start looking for a window of opportunity in my corporate video work schedule to upgrade my 8 Core early 2009 Mac Pro... maybe back end of the summer. I may keep FCS2 on my 2008 MBP until I feel totally comfortable with FCX - but I doubt that'll be for long...I usually learn pretty fast.

Great, great news. Phew, it was worth the wait! And $299 is OK. For the amount of time it will save me in my day to day stuff, then it's certainly worth $299 - which might end up being £299 over here. I hope not - but if it is, so be it.

I guess I might look hard at doubling the RAM in this Mac Pro soon too - it's going to be worthwhile now.

Yeah.. make sure to watch the second part. :)

Supermeet Apple Final Cut Studio X presentation 2eme partie on Vimeo

I'm a FCP newbie.. but the ease of doing things that were just unintuitive or intimidating with the current FCP is amazing. [I like the color matching/grading and the sound editing features]

For Macintosh users wanting to edit 24p and not able to cough up almost a thousand for Final Cut Studio.. your ship has come in!

I can't wait for this to be available.

I haven't bought FCS 3 yet, and I would love to buy this but still want the rest of the suite.

I am dieing to know system requirements!

Grrrrrr. Does anyone know if there's going to be any love for people who just recently bought the last version of the FCS? They don't do upgrades, right? I just switched to apple 3 months ago buying the computer and FCS together.

Many "pros" are wailing that Apple has just announced they're not interested in the pro market, anymore.

Any "pros" who are "wailing" at this point aren't pros at all because Apple hasn't released enough details for anyone to know. I've seen just as many "pros" saying this looks like a very promising upgrade.

As for folks on FCS 7, why not just stick with it for a while if you've made a major investment? I could be happy with FCS 7 for quite some time, though for 300 I'm sure I'll upgrade once it's been out for while and we can all see whether it's worth it.

Until we have solid details, we just have to wait.

I hate to say this, but I don't think there will be an upgrade price. Most of my favorite smaller, almost niche Mac apps have gone to the Mac App Store, and you can't get free upgrades/updates with many of them. They'll give you a code, but you still end up paying something like $5 to buy and download a new version, THEN you get the free updates via the Mac App Store.

It's very frustrating.

Heath

Thanks again John. I've now watched that too. Looks like FCX will be even more user friendly (in parts) than Vegas Pro (which I also use). So much goodness in what's coming. Great stuff!

Well guys, I've never used a Mac or even worked with FCP, but this has got me seriously re-assessing...
That Magnetic Timeline feature - incredible!

"299 to upgrade is OK. "
I thougth 299 was the price period, not upgrade.

Robin,

What are you using right now? I've been on FCP for many years, and I've seen a lot of my friends and colleagues, and many users on this board, switch from a Windows-based NLE to Final Cut Pro because of its stability, ease-of-use, features and price-point. It can be argued the first version helped usher in the age of affordable post production, which hurt the big post houses.

I hope you can check out the new Final Cut Pro and join the growing number of users. There is a wealth of information here and pretty much everywhere, to help get you started and help give you great instruction.

Heath

Kris, Yep, sorry, my mistake! I'll go back and correct that now.

"299 to upgrade is OK. "
I thougth 299 was the price period, not upgrade.

That's the price, period, as far as we know so far. I don't think there will be an upgrade price, but if they offer Motion, Soundtrack Pro, etc., a la carte, I hope they give some sort of a discount to existing users.

heath

I notice many people complaining that this will be available on the app store. Downloadable. To me, thats a big time plus.

Thats the future people. One day no programs will come in a box. Just cause that means its easier to purchase doesn't mean its not for the professional. Gimme a break.

Apple Announces Final Cut Pro X

Sigh. Three years ago I switched to a Mac so I could use both Final Cut Studio and Sony Vegas Pro on the same machine. Final Cut was $1,200.00, then. Two months later Final Cut Studio 3 came out... $300.00 for the upgrade, but the price of the program came down to $1,000.00. So I had $1,500.00 invested in software that was now worth $1,000.00. I whined to Apple and they gave me a free Mighty Mouse. Now, to get the new FCX, I'll have to cough up another $300.00, giving me a total of $1,800.00 invested in software that's worth $300.00.

I'm not feeling very appreciated, Apple.

So when you change your car you add up how much all the previous cars cost and say I paid $X for my car and this one is only worth $Y now? A bit silly don't you think?

Suppose the car salesman said "actually, we don't want your old car in part-exchange, but your new car will be only one third of the cost of the last one". Would you be happy or mad? Think about it.

The fact is you bought the software at the going rate at the time, with the features it provided at the time. You've used it, hopefully to earn money from, so it's likely paid for itself already anyway. Why complain that the upgrade to something better costs less than you thought it would? Think about it.

Don't expect Apple to offer you a further discount on $299, it's an awesome deal.

I'm reading that Soundtrack and Color are included in FCP X:
Apple announces Final Cut Pro X | Apple Talk - CNET News (http://news.cnet.com/8301-27076_3-20053364-248.html)

We'll see how accurate that is.

My guess is that Apple also has to include some component to export the editing you've done, so I'd assume that the "Compressor" component portion would have to be included somehow. You can't just be left with a FCP project and no final rendered video. Then, it'll be interesting to see how Apple addresses the DVD and Blu-Ray issues; particularly due to their stated opposition to supporting Blu-Ray. I'm not as worried about the DVD/Blu-Ray issue, as most of my rendered videos are for computers/web use, but this will certainly be a big question. The biggest question in my mind is what they will do with Motion.

The professional issue is about the depth of control in an edit. There are many techniques that need 'key frames' and manual manipulation of layers. The current version of FCP does that very well. It may be that 'X' achieves the same result using a different approach. We don't know yet.

Any "pros" who are "wailing" at this point aren't pros at all because Apple hasn't released enough details for anyone to know. I've seen just as many "pros" saying this looks like a very promising upgrade.

As for folks on FCS 7, why not just stick with it for a while if you've made a major investment? I could be happy with FCS 7 for quite some time, though for 300 I'm sure I'll upgrade once it's been out for while and we can all see whether it's worth it.

Until we have solid details, we just have to wait.

Here's a lengthy discussion on the new release:

Final Cut Pro X Pro Users Only?? : Apple Final Cut Pro (http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/1128537#1128537)

I think this is the issue -- Apple did not release enough information during the "demo". By not giving details on things like Motion, Color, etc they have left a lot of power-user thinking "Hmmm...Looks like iMovie, does a bunch of auto stufff, what's in it for me?"

I think they would have been better to end the presentation with at-least a road map of where the other functionallity and apps are going. Even if everything will be what everone expectgs, right now you have a buncdh of people asking questions and feeling like they are in limbo. Suddenly the Avid deal or CS5.5 starting looking more attractive.

For my work outputing to DVD/BR is all I do so I will have to wait and see what they do. Id love to see a authoring app for it that supports BR id pay another $300 for that. If I had to guess id bet thats what Apples counting on. $299 for FCP another $299 for the new motion another $299 for some new version of DVDSP. Which is fine with me then I can buy just what I need.

I think we'll see a built-in Compressor, like Share, but more powerful, faster (definitely needs to be faster than Share) and DVDSP as part of that, like in Share, but more options. Maybe it'll open a window that you do all your authoring in. I hope there's a more robust BD option that what's in Share.

I could see Color and Soundtrack Pro being built-in, too (minus the loops, of course), but Motion? That's gonna be tough -- how can they build that in, I'm not sure, but if anyone can do it, it's Randy U. and his team.

heath

I notice many people complaining that this will be available on the app store. Downloadable. To me, thats a big time plus.

Thats the future people. One day no programs will come in a box. Just cause that means its easier to purchase doesn't mean its not for the professional. Gimme a break.

The problem with this method is file size. I installed the entire FCS and it was something like 40GB or more. Do you really want to do a 40GB download? For some it's not impossible but depending on your connection type this could take a long while to leave your computer doing a download.

For my work outputing to DVD/BR is all I do so I will have to wait and see what they do. Id love to see a authoring app for it that supports BR id pay another $300 for that. If I had to guess id bet thats what Apples counting on. $299 for FCP another $299 for the new motion another $299 for some new version of DVDSP. Which is fine with me then I can buy just what I need.

Randy,

Your workflow is your workflow - and delivery targets are what they are - and I absolutely respect that. But it's also important to be mindful of larger forces at work. I just saw a comment on Photography Bay that echoed my thinking about the future of ALL physical media.

- They make 10,000 copies of a DVD, then ask for a web version "just in case someone wants to view it that way." Then they're all surprised when the web version gets all the views but nobody cares about the DVD, then six months later they do it all again. -
** Kevin Anthony - Comment on Photography Bay.

I'm seeing EXACTLY the same from my corporate client base.

People (clients and the general public at large) want plastic disks right upnto the moment it dawns on them that they're functionally unnecessary after a simple tech change like a fast Internet connection or an iPad purchase takes place. Then the very idea of content delivered on plastic almost instantly starts to seem VERY old fashioned.

Just saying...

Apple simply didnt release anywhere near enough KEY information that a whole lot of serious PRO users wanted. Getting a room full of apple die hard fan boys excited is like shooting fish in a barrel for Apple.

The issue is for the past 6 or so months (maybe more?) a lot of FCP users have been feeling very neglected and saying apple has left them out to dry while going after the iConsumer dollar. Now apple shows up with what looks like a pro version of iMovie, shows a few demos of some whiz bang features, some of which really arent that new and then shuts up shop with about a million unanswered questions for those of a mind to think to ask.

So now we play the waiting game...perhaps that was their goal all along. Create a massive controversy and have everyone salivating for the next demo? Its worked for me. Irrespective of what it looks like some of the 'new ways' to edit like the magnetic timeline have me giddy...

Im loving Ppro and the speed it handles media with Cuda...it will take a lot to get me to jump ship...but maybe...just maybe...?