Some key differences between FCX and FCP:

1. Final Cut Express is DV only (NTSC and PAL frame rates only, no 24fps support).
2. Final Cut Pro supports 3rd party capture cards.
3. Final Cut Pro supports timecode, Final Cut Express does not present timecode information to the user.
4. Final Cut Pro allows you to LOG and capture.
5. Final Cut Pro includes support for RS-422 control.
6. Pro users can use OfflineRT, Express can not.
7. Pro includes three-way color correction and other advanced tools that Express does not.
8. The key-framing model is substantially different in Express. Only Motion tab items can be key-framed. Filters cannot.
9. Final Cut Pro has a Media Manager, Express does not.
10. Final Cut Pro supports EDL I/O.
11. Final Cut Pro can be extended with Cinema Tools.
12. Final Cut Pro includes Audio OMF export.
13. Pro supports Edit To Tape and Insert editing.
14. Pro can do a Batch Export.
15. FXScript is not in Express.
16. AE plug-ins are not in Express.
17. Undo: FCP = 99, FCX = 32

This is preliminary, but I believe it to be correct.

Jeff

So Jeff do you think it still might be some pretty good software anyway? Or would it be better to try and get the full package?

Truthfully what FCX is, is iMovie Pro. The majority of the missing features are for people or studios that do major editing. The two big features are Timecode and RS-422 control. Without those, no serious editor wil look at the package. That's not to say that professional looking DV projects can't be done. It would work great for any home editing job, students learning the interface, small companies that only shoot and edit DV.

Jeff

As i see it FCX is a great port into the FC system. Just like Avid wish with their Free DV initiative. Get the users comfortable with the system, and they will buy the bigger product when it is time to choose pro system.

Though, in FC's case, going from FCX to FCP isn't going to make you mortage the house, the car, the dog and the boat.

Ye, but is there an upgrade path?

Don't quote me on this, but I think you'll be able to upgrade to the full version for the difference in price. In other words, FCX costs $299, pay an additional $700 ($999 total) and you get the full version of FCP. The upgrades will only be through Apple care and there will not be any retail upgrades. At this pont it is only rumor, but it is from reliable sources.

Jeff

<<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : Don't quote me on this, but I think you'll be able to upgrade to the full version for the difference in price. In other words, FCX costs $299, pay an additional $700 ($999 total) and you get the full version of FCP. The upgrades will only be through Apple care and there will not be any retail upgrades. At this pont it is only rumor, but it is from reliable sources.

Jeff -->>>

I called Apple and the tech said he didn't think you will be able to upgrade. But like he said it's so new he could be wrong.
I went to the apple website and did some of the tutorials and all the specs on Express and it looks really good. It might not have a few things, but for my small business I don't need that stuff right now anyway.

<<<-- Originally posted by Zimvg304 : <<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : Don't quote me on this, but I think you'll be able to upgrade to the full version for the difference in price. In other words, FCX costs $299, pay an additional $700 ($999 total) and you get the full version of FCP. The upgrades will only be through Apple care and there will not be any retail upgrades. At this pont it is only rumor, but it is from reliable sources.

Jeff -->>>

I called Apple and the tech said he didn't think you will be able to upgrade. But like he said it's so new he could be wrong.
I went to the apple website and did some of the tutorials and all the specs on Express and it looks really good. It might not have a few things, but for my small business I don't need that stuff right now anyway. -->>>

I'm cornfused... FCP is $299 on the apple edu sight and FCX is $249... is EDUCATIONAL pricing that different?

Because I was thinking "why pay $249 for FCX when FCP is only $50 more?"

hmmm...

It makes you wonder!!! But with either one you sign agreement that you will not sale anything you make with FCP or FCX. I guess you could anyway but I'd hate to get into legal problems down the road.

DOES FCX CAPTURE 4 CHANNEL SOUND... David LeBlanc

FCX is software limited to 8 tracks of audio (hardware may limit you to fewer). FCP has unlimited number of tracks. Both only allow for two channels of audio to be input and output. Additional audio hardware can be added to allow fro more I/O options.

Thank for the reply So if have 2 wireless system hooked up to audio 2 on the ma200 would FXC be able to capture the on board camera mic plus the left & right of audio 2 on the ma200 thanks David LeBLANC

You would have to lower your audio quality to 12 bit, 32KHz. This will give you the 4 channels you desire. However, you can only capture 2 channels at a time (2 channel I/O). You would need to sync the second capture yourself in the timeline.

Jeff

could go alittle farther on sync second capture thanks dave

Henrik,

You're right, the purpose of both FC Xpress and Avid Xpress dvFREE is to introduce the user to the interface, and entice them to move up.

Regarding the mortgage however, Avid Xpress DV now lists for $999, the same as FCP.

Remember, it was Protools (Avid) who introduced Protools Free, which raised the bar for audio programs.

Great article regarding this marketing strategy in the new DV mag.

-Bill

An upgrade to FCP 4 from FCX is available from the Apple Store for $699.

Hmmm...no timecode, sounds like a major inconvenience! Plus no keyframes on filters, means you can't use Joe's Filters. But it's good that you can upgrade to FCP4.

Mike,

According to the Joe's Filters site (http://www.joesfilters.com/), his filters are compatible with Final Cut Express.

Joe Maller is actually a member here. Perhaps he'll chime-in.

I agree that this filter set is the best value for the Final Cut users today. I use them frequently and am grateful to John Locke for pointing them out to me.

Jeff, you mentioned that FCX does not read out time code to the user. Does this mean that each new scene in a project therefore
starts at 00:00 and counts up from there? My only experience was with an earlier version of Premier, and I believe this is what it was doing. Richard

I don't use express, I compiled the comparison from existing literature after FCE was released. FCE uses TC, but doesn't display it. I believe it shows Total Run Time (TRT) or elapsed time.

Apple never said FCX was FCP..... they always said FCX offered "some" of the same features as FCP .... Pro is for the PRO and Express is nothing more than the poor man's version of Pro. What you get is what you get for 1/2 the price, and for some people, it's enough.

Here's a link to a post in another forum that covers iMovie, FCE and FCP (note the dollar amounts are Canadian...)

Comparing iMovie, FCE and FCP (http://www.emotionent.com/perl/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=edit;action=display;num=1066608180;start=0#0)

Jeff,
is it possible to do split screen editing with DC Express, without additional plug ins?
thanks, Ed Kelly

What do you mean by split screen editing? That's not really a term Apple uses in describing their editors.

Hi Jeff,
my idea of split screen is a picture within a picture, such as in a demonstration type video, where you are watching a long shot of say a person nailing a board on the side of a house, and in the corner would be a smaller box of the same person, but zoomed in on the hammer and nail.
the tutorial with fce sort of shows this by usind wireframe, but its not contunious, just appearing in maybe one clip.
thanks, Ed K

Yes, FCE does picture-in-picture, but their are limits on setting key frames. Again, I don't use this software, so you might want to post a question to the mac forum about FCE and key frames etc.

<<<-- Originally posted by Jeff Donald : FCX is software limited to 8 tracks of audio (hardware may limit you to fewer). FCP has unlimited number of tracks. Both only allow for two channels of audio to be input and output. Additional audio hardware can be added to allow fro more I/O options. -->>>

8 tracks of audio? I believe my copy of FCX claims 99 tracks of video and 99 tracks of audio. Haven't tried to push it yet. I haven't needed more than six tracks or six video tracks so far.

Waldemar, parts of this discussion are over a year and a half old. FCX has been updated to version 2 and the audio capabilities improved since the post you quoted.