I think Jeff said it best why the new features make it a worthwhile upgrade.

Heath

Well I like what I see so far. I wonder if it's wise or safe to upgrade to FCP7 from FCP6 while I am still working on a project.

Though I've had less troubles doing FCP and OS X upgrades than in the past, I wouldn't risk doing a full version FCP or OS X upgrade while in the middle of a project. Check this out:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/non-linea...ur-system.html

Heath

Final Cut 7 is out
 

You can go to the Apple site right now and buy it.

Which makes me furious, because well, consider this....

Taking the plunge and switching from PC to Mac, I bought a new Intel MacPro and a 24" iMac in December. I also bought a 15" MacBook Pro just last month. When I bought the first two machines, I purchased I-life or I-Work or something like that. One month later Apple is nagging me to upgrade to the newer version, which was released three weeks after I bought the previous version.

Anyway, initially I bought Final Cut Express to get used to it, and then a month ago I bought Final Cut Studio 2. When I did, I told the salesman I was considering waiting until the '09 version came out. He told me no one really expected it to come out until after Snow Leopard comes out, and at that it's not definite. So I coughed up the $1,200.00.

Now, a month later, Apple wants $299.00 to upgrade.

When I called Apple to complain a few minutes ago, the sales guy said there's nothing he can do. So I asked for a supervisor and got one. He told me he'd give me $30 off the $299.00 upgrade, but that's it, because I bought the software from a third-party retailer (Midtown Video in Miami), not from Apple directly.

My rant. Thanks for listening.

BTW: Jesse at Midtown VIdeo is trying to get Apple to be less anal about this. I can tell you he's been very helpful with every purchase I've ever made from them in the past; so I hope he is this time, too.

I like the speed change improvements. I wonder if I will be now able to do all my slow motion and speed ramps inside FCP instead of having to export to Shake.

Don't suppose anyone else noticed the supposed native file format editing?

I like that new round tripping with Color. Keeps it simple.

Anyone see anything wrong, morally or otherwise, with buying Final Cut Pro 3 or 4 from ebay on the cheap, then using it to get the Final Cut Studio 3 upgrade package?

As long as its an official retail package it should work, right? New Intel machines will run the old PPC program as far as I know.

I have the FCS2 academic package, so updates are off limits for me.

Comments? Will it work?

I see that as being a financially sound plan. Go for it as long as the copy you're getting is legit.

I had to buy Motion used years ago to get FCS 1. It was a legit purchase but I never used that one. That was when you had to have all the apps to upgrade to FCS 1.

Heath

Just got shipping confirmation, mine will be here in the morning (provided there are no hiccups).

Yes, it's mostly incremental, but the upgrades to motion and the FCP updates will all make my life easier and less reliant on 3rd party plugins. When FCP goes wonky and I have to trash prefs and stop using all my add-ons and such it really slows me down. This will alleviate some of the issues.

Migrating from Vegas I gave up a ton of functionality, this regains some of it.

I still expect a far more iMovie/Vegas like evolution of FCP in less than 2 years.

I was just reading that you can burn Blu-ray discs not only out of Compressor but from FCP as well. No specifics though.

Check out the training video (output to Blu-ray)...

Ripple Training

As a new user, I'm just starting the FCS long learning curve of knowledge. Just learning rip/roll, slip/slide tools (hehehe, do you remember your first time?).

I've paid 1200 € few weeks ago the complete suite & this new actualization cost around 300 (I want to die!).

As I have not to enjoy properly the new features as my newbie eye and poor workflow in practice could profit, may ask you guys:

Make sense await to Snow Leopard and a possible complete upgrade (not actualization, maybe 64, full Intel, etc...) properly & save money?

there's usually a 14 money back option if you bought direct from Apple ... if you're within that period then go for the refund, and buy the new FCS 2009 instead ... if not then I would recommend waiting as there is already so much for you to learn in FCS2.

best
Andy