I've just seen this - may be old news to some of you, but ...

Apple releases major update to Final Cut Pro X, release demo version (http://www.loopinsight.com/2011/09/20/apple-releases-major-update-to-final-cut-pro-x-release-demo-version/)

Available at the Mac App Store now

Apple called me to go over the updates, and they also went on the record that multicam and broadcast monitoring support will be available next year (2012). They also told me they are listening to us, and they care about the professional video editor.

Here are details from the call:

Apple Calls With Details On Final Cut Pro X 10.0.1 Update: XML, XSAN, Video and Audio Stem Exports Via Roles, and More | heath mcknight dot com (http://heathmcknight.com/2011/09/apple-calls-with-details-on-final-cut-pro-x-10-0-1-update-xml-xsan-video-and-audio-stem-exports-via-roles-and-more/)

Heath

To little to late. I installed Adobe CS5.5 Production Premium on my Mac Pro today.

The 30-day trial is a great way to try it out and see if it's for you.

Heath

Just to confirm; is this an update for existing FCPX owners (can it be updated from the program, or is this a demo of a new version)?

Hey Simon,

You can download the FCP X 10.0.1, Motion 5.0.1 and Compressor 4.0.1 updates from the Mac App Store's update tab, if you bought the first versions. The demo is the latest version, in case someone would like to try it before they buy it.

Heath

I don't want to risk installing the trial on my FCP 7 system. I read somewhere here on dvinfo that FCP-X doesn't have support for keyframes in the color corrector filter. I don't see it in your blog post. Did they add that support?

I'll ask them as a follow-up. Here's some advice on installing FCP X on your system with FCP 7:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4722

I have both running on my Mac mini with 8GB of RAM, without partitioning the drive. You have to launch Motion 4 first, then you can open the new apps.

Heath

Still no way to import FCP 7 projects.

I have both running on my Mac mini with 8GB of RAM, without partitioning the drive. You have to launch Motion 4 first, then you can open the new apps.

Heath

Any problems running this on your mini? Just down loaded the demo on my 2010 mini w/8gb ram, 2.66 processor. Do you need to boot into 64 bit mode to run it?

I have the entry model 2011 mini and it runs perfect. When I had 2GB of RAM, forget it -- I got stuttering video, the colored volley ball of doom, etc. I am reviewing an upgrade option from OWC for 16GB of RAM and an SSD. WOW! What a difference it makes.

Heath

Still no way to import FCP 7 projects.

I upgraded FCPX tonight and immediately tried to import an XML file that I had exported out of FCP7.

No such luck...

I read on some blog that this was one of the new features. What gives? Did a blogger get it wrong? That never happens!!! :)

Daniel Weber

That's Apple being economical with the truth again. If you read up on various forums you'll see this is a "new flavour" of XML (I'm no coding expert so will leave it to others to explain the nuances). It seems it may allow (eventually) some third party to develop a tool that will allow conversion from legacy XML (that you can export out of FCP6/7) to the new version used by FCPX. Then you'll get back the backwards compatibility that any new professional NLE upgraded should have had built in right from the start [....Let's not go there again!]

Just one word or warning for anyone in mission critical FCP6/7 projects that they need to read up before trying this FCPX trial. I've read on various forums that installing FCPX can cause many problems with a legacy FCS suites functionality that's on the sam Mac. Again, others in the thick of it can, I'm sure, elaborate the exact details of what could happen and best practice to prevent it. I do think its good that Apple have enabled people to try it out though - just be careful!

Here's the technical side of XML and FCPX:

A quick note on the Final Cut Pro X XML format - Digital Rebellion Blog (http://www.digitalrebellion.com/blog/posts/a_quick_note_on_the_final_cut_pro_x_xml_format.html)

This reminds me of way back to FCP2 when all sorts of functionality was being developed as third party items for the program and after a while Apple either came up with their own method or bought the program outright and integrated it into FCP. Cinema Tools is an example of this. Another example was serial deck control which didn't make it's way in until FCP3 if I remember.

For now, you can buy CatDV and import an XML from FCP 7, and it apparently will export an XML for FCP X.

What is CatDV? (http://www.squarebox.co.uk/catdv.html)

heath

Early in the update - like in the first hour - there were lots of "jump the gun" posts about incompatibility.

These largely were retracted as people figured out how to navigate the upgrade.

I've seen posts where someone said that "XML Import doesn't work" only to have them come back and admit that they just needed to close down and re-boot in order for the code to update.

It's ALWAYS a good idea to back up your work in progress and to "Image" the state of your drives and system when you're installing new software.

But it's also critical in these days of instant world wide blogging not to "harden" your own thinking and opinions based on something you read in the first blush of a new release.

We're not in the world of journalism here. We're in the world of "I've got to get my opinions on the net FIRST!!!!!" And that's a world where factual mistakes are going to increase.

Mom and dad were right. Patience and a bit of perspective often get far better results than "leap to the keyboard before you look around."

For what it's worth.

Bill,

I think that was one of the problems when FCP X first came out -- the big outcry right off the bat. Many stayed at it, and admitted it was pretty cool.

heath

o.k. - a little off topic but you did bring it up - You're editing on Mac MINI???? Really?? How's that working out??

Best,

Marc S. Brown

P.S. - Thanks for your updates!

Never Mind - I saw your reply to an earlier post. I'm still just kinda blown away by the idea though...

For now, you can buy CatDV and import an XML from FCP 7, and it apparently will export an XML for FCP X.

What is CatDV? (http://www.squarebox.co.uk/catdv.html)

heath

I tried the CatDv demo to go from FCP7 to FCPX. Not a great experience, mostly useless for anything but the simplest single track edits.

o.k. - a little off topic but you did bring it up - You're editing on Mac MINI???? Really?? How's that working out??

Best,

Marc S. Brown

P.S. - Thanks for your updates!

Never Mind - I saw your reply to an earlier post. I'm still just kinda blown away by the idea though...

I'm using FCPX to edit 1080i on a 2009 iMac. I'd love to be editing on an i5 or i7 based system, my system doesn't quite have the chops even when using "optimised" ProRes - I need to try "proxy" on my next project.

All said and done - I don't miss FCP7 at all, I no longer have it installed. Note that I am more an auteur/artist than someone who needs to consistently swap files with others.

Looking forward to getting 10.0.1 on here too, hoping it's squashed a few bugs that have been causing FCPX to crash on me (like some fonts can crash out the inspector, I guess "error trapping" isn't taught at developer school nowadays and don't start me with "on error resume next" !!!! /offtopic )

I also agree that FCPX is more a continuation of the iMovie paradigm - I'd have been using the newest iMovie long ago if it could have done the simplest of things on the audio side.

I tried the CatDv demo to go from FCP7 to FCPX. Not a great experience, mostly useless for anything but the simplest single track edits.

I was told it isn't a perfect system; I haven't downloaded the demo yet myself.

heath

o.k. - a little off topic but you did bring it up - You're editing on Mac MINI???? Really?? How's that working out??

P.S. - Thanks for your updates!

Never Mind - I saw your reply to an earlier post. I'm still just kinda blown away by the idea though...
Sure, it's the very minimum of a graphics card, but so far so good. The 8GB of RAM helps, but I wish I could've kept the 16GB of RAM I'm reviewing, and the 240GB SSD drive. What a dream machine (for a Mac mini) that was! I could see myself buying a 15-inch MBP at some point.

heath

I was told it isn't a perfect system; I haven't downloaded the demo yet myself.

heath

"Not perfect" just about describes it. I have a detailed description in this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/final-cut-pro-x/500744-saying-goodbye-fcp-x-now-3.html (Note that I'm not the one saying goodbye to FCPX, I'm sticking with it).

There are ways to use it but it just about demolishes any edit with split edits or multiple video tracks. A lot of work needs to be rebuilt. However the fact that even this can be done opens to door to somebody (I wish I was smart enough) to devise a working translator between the two programs.

I think a lot of it has to do with how different and more sophisticated the timelines are between FCP 1-7 and FCP X. But I agree, someone will develop something, and it will work well. I kind of hope that Apple will do something like, "Classic Timeline," so we can open old projects in an FCP 7-like timeline.

heath

For now, you can buy CatDV and import an XML from FCP 7, and it apparently will export an XML for FCP X.

What is CatDV? (http://www.squarebox.co.uk/catdv.html)

heath

I tried the CatDv demo to go from FCP7 to FCPX. Not a great experience, mostly useless for anything but the simplest single track edits.Even if it worked CatDV Pro costs more than FCP X!

Even if it worked CatDV Pro costs more than FCP X!

Oh yes there's that small issue. I would gladly pay up to $100 for a method to update my ongoing FCP7 projects to X... but it would have to be close to flawless. If I have to go in an redo the edits, (titles and filters I understand would not make the transfers), then I rather rebuild from scratch.

One of the new features in 10.0.1 is the option to export with GPU acceleration by selecting "None" for the Background Rendering option when exporting. I just did a test of 4 minute clip (ProRes pre-rendered project to 720p H.264) and it took literally half the time as Background exporting (I'm using a Mac Pro 2008 with an Nvidia GTX285). Of course, you can't keep working while it's exporting but it's a nice option when you're in a hurry.

When I select updates on the App Store, it showed Motion and Compressor, but not FCPX.

How do I update?

Update those, quit the Mac App Store, then open it again. Weird, but it works.

heath

I had to trow FCP X into the trash and then re-install from the App store. Not as big of a deal as it sounds, though.

I heard that, too, but I didn't need to. But I had to update one at a time, because none of the others showed up in the updates tab.

heath