FCPX may be my main NLE in the near future

[Chris Korrow]

The thing that really makes this confusing, is that they unveiled it at the supermeet, to 1500 pro editors. They were targeting pro editors.

[Robert Lane]

Originally Posted by Chris Korrow

The thing that really makes this confusing, is that they unveiled it at the supermeet, to 1500 pro editors. They were targeting pro editors.

Nobody does the ultra-high gloss hoodwink like Apple, and it's not the first time we've been smacked on the head by Jobs' minions (remember the audio fiasco a few years back?) but it's most likely the first time it's been this wide-spread.

All we can hope for now is that since the public has very clearly given FCP X a thumbs-down majority vote (even App Store reviews are scathing - that's got to be a first for Apple) that the people who previously decided they weren't going to listen to their users may now finally pay attention to "pro" users, not the iMovie up-graders and go back and give "X" a swift update to bring in all the pro stuff they took out.

Apple is like any big company and they follow the money. If FCP X sales decline below the threshold that was set for it's unit sales targets (and I've no doubt it's nowhere near that target now) then the number-crunchers will report this to the decision makers and they'll end up doing *something* to revive sales.

The only thing we can do as Mac-based editors is stick with FCP 7 for as long as possible until either Apple wakes up or, somebody like Adobe makes an offer we can't refuse to switch over to another NLE package.

And to be sure, Adobe, Avid and even PC-only NLE publishers are seeing this as a major opportunity to grab new users looking for a workable, professional forward-path away from the Apple hoodwink.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Robert Lane

All we can hope for now is that since the public has very clearly given FCP X a thumbs-down majority vote (even App Store reviews are scathing - that's got to be a first for Apple)

It's not so clear cut by any means. I took the time to look through all the App Store reviews & for every 1* "This is such **** that I wanted to vomit on my keyboard" there is a 5* "This is amazing I am editing at three times the pace that I could achieve with the old FCP". There are plenty of very complimentary reviews among the incredibly negative ones.

[Robert Lane]

The average rating for FCP X on the App Store is less than 3 stars - that's a failing grade by any standard, so while there may be glowing reviews there aren't enough to call it a "recommended" app. By contrast when FCP 7 was released it was almost nearly 5 stars.

[Scott Hayes]

there are updates available for it this am, some audio stuff and codec things. Looks like apple may
be working to address the issues.

[David Parks]

No matter your view on FCPX, you have to admit this is very creative editing and illustrates the reason we all got into this business, See below.

I have no title for this on Vimeo

[Henrik Reach]

Originally Posted by Scott Hayes

there are updates available for it this am, some audio stuff and codec things. Looks like apple may
be working to address the issues.

Update for Final Cut X? Version number and release-notes anywhere?

[Scott Hayes]

it was available in software update. sound effects and codecs.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Scott Hayes

there are updates available for it this am, some audio stuff and codec things. Looks like apple may
be working to address the issues.

Those updates were there a few days ago. They are audio samples etc.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Robert Lane

The average rating for FCP X on the App Store is less than 3 stars - that's a failing grade by any standard, so while there may be glowing reviews there aren't enough to call it a "recommended" app. By contrast when FCP 7 was released it was almost nearly 5 stars.

Opinions are very polarised so while it is an average of 3* in fact the majority of reviews are either 1* or 5*. So lots of people like it & lots of people hate it there doesn't seem to be much middle ground & the positive opinions are just as valid as the negative ones.

[Thomas Smet]

The thing about most of the 5* reviews is they are from iMovie users moving up. Well yes in that case it is a pretty awesome program. I have used it a bit and from iMovie it is pretty slick. Some of the other 5* reviews are from those that never really enjoyed FCP.

FCPX basically has two targets now.

1. Those coming up from nothing or from iMovie. Pretty darn cool product.
2. Those coming from FCP or an equal NLE. Pretty darn limiting.

I will go as far as to say FCPX is a pro product just not as pro of a product as group #2 is used to.

[Geoffrey Cox]

Brilliant upload David. Funny, but also sad.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Thomas Smet

The thing about most of the 5* reviews is they are from iMovie users moving up. Well yes in that case it is a pretty awesome program. I have used it a bit and from iMovie it is pretty slick. Some of the other 5* reviews are from those that never really enjoyed FCP.

In fact many of the 5* reviews are from experienced FCP editors (who maybe never did enjoy FCP) who make some interesting points. Unfortunately I cannot cut & paste from the App Store reviews but to paraphrase a few at random:-

I've come from over 5 years FCP experience & far from dumbing down as some claim it is more advanced. If you take the time to learn the interface it is light years ahead of any other NLE software I've used

Change scares us pros. As an editor for broadcast content & I'm loving the speed. If you are willing to learn & massively speed up your workflow - get right in

I've been doing VFX & editing for decades & this is the first app that's made me sit up & want to use it

I am a full time FCP trainer & knowing both FCP7 & now FCPX this is an amazing product and can only get better. Although it's very different it is better, faster and more helpful to the busy editor