Thanks a lot Matt

I found some nice free training videos explaining the new FCS features:

Ripple Training

So, is the new Final Cut Pro 64-bit? I keep reading contrasting reports about this.
Most people say it isn't, Mike Curtis from HDforIndies said it 'could run faster on Snow Leopard' which seems to hint at under the hood performance tweaks like 64bit and OpenCL, Grand Central, ...
If it isn't 64-bit I'm really dissapointed. And then it also seems a bit weak giving the apps an update and then give them one again in a short while after the Snow Leopard release. Then they could have waited.

And anyone already has some experiences to share?

Thanks,

From what I understand, FCS 3 won't support 64-bit until Snow Leopard comes out and (I believe) OpenCL.

Heath

AppleInsider | Road to Mac OS X Snow Leopard: 64-bit to the Kernel

Explains well how Snow Leopard finally brings the 64-bit support we need.

I am eager to learn how FCS (3, or should I say 2.5) deals with 64-bit.

Will there be a free update when Snow Leopard launches? Or do we have to wait untill FCS (4) launches to unleash the true power of our machines. And will will be forced to pay another $299 to get there? Don't get me wrong. $299 for 64-bit is a bargain if you see how much time you gain... but I really can't follow Apple anymore.

I expected the new FCS to go 64-bit and launch alongside Snow Leopard. But with this strange release time frame they confused me. The only thing I can think off is that they want to bug test FCS for the coming months so they can fix any bugs that occur now, and then release updates alongside Snow Leopard to make the transition to 64-bit easier.

But Apple isn't talking so we can only guess.

From what I can gather from the document Harrison linked to (up to the point where my brain exploded - haven't finished cleaning up the mess), the app may be already 64 bit 'ready', just need to dunk it into Snow Leopard for extra goodies to suddenly come alive.

Anyone here an Apple Developer as well as an FCP junkie?

Apple does not call this release Final Cut Studio 3. It just refers to it as "the new Final Cut Studio":

Apple - Final Cut Studio

So Floris could be right in nicknaming it FCS 2.5 and suggesting that Apple might release another update alongside Snow Leopard. Perhaps they will name the latter release Final Cut Studio 3.

Andrew Gyles

I never noticed that they never called it 3, I have a hard time believing that they would release another version only months after this one though, let alone within a year.

It seems a bit strange to release new software like this a few months before the new OS comes out, especially with quicktime X and x64

Maybe, FCS3 is a long way off? Maybe, apple are trying to squeeze those extra pennys out? Maybe quicktime X is not that much of an overhaul? I don't know, i;m just stirring the pot...

IMHO, everyone is raging on about how there's no BR support, or this isn't done, or that's not fixed and so on and so forth, it doesn't really make sense releasing FCS...2.5?

That's why I'm not upgrading. I'd love to, and there are some features i just about fell over about, but i'd hate to see my money go to waste. It does seem sort of like a large update, rather than a whole new version.

My 2 cents....

Ryan

It is indeed Studio 3
 

On the install disc, it says the following:

So we should probably stop this whole 2.5 debate.
-C

It's just semantics on Apple's part; I talked to a major editing professional who wished this was a better update with new stuff. I'm going to get started this weekend and see what's available.

Sure, FCP 6 had ProRes and Smoothcam--it's tough to top that, but if they can perfect those and other features, then I'm happy.

No BD support in DVDSP is disappointing, but a recent story I heard about, saw more and more consumers assuming they'd be watching movies via the Web, like Netflix's streaming service, VUDU, etc. I'll try and find the article--I think I heard it on the radio (NPR or something).

Heath

Or have some of the old stuff fixed. FXscript is still part and parcel of FCP, indeed the new Alpha Transition is just FXscript and will probably work in 6.x. But whilst it's great to have continuity and compatibility, FXscript has some bugs in it.

For example: sad to note that the text tools still can't select certain fonts or pick out styles. Yes, theoretically one can build a simple bit of text in motion, but have things really come to that?

Just how much of this is a re-write, I wonder?

But having spent the last three days grouching about the upgrade, I'm going to get on with trying to like it. Cos it's all I got.

So no LiveType, but does installing it doesn't remove the old LiveType right? I'm still a big fan of LiveType.

I'm saddened by this release. For $300 to upgrade it's a no-brainer on the surface. I'd do it just for the new speed adjustment changes. But I've still got a PowerMac G5 that does some heavy editing in our office. Since this release is Intel only I'd have to upgrade that machine since I wouldn't be able to share projects from my laptop to the G5 if my laptop was running FCS 3.

This release is not worth getting a new machine for, when the G5 is still plugging away nicely. I had hoped that it would be.

If I had all Intel machines I'd be running to the Apple Store tonight, but since I'm not willing to upgrade the G5 for this release then that means I can't get it for any of my machines.

So, kinda sad. I wish this had been a better release. I'm AMAZED that there's no update to DVDSP. That boggles my mind.

I can't decide if I should update either. I was possibly looking into what people above have done with getting a FCP 3 serial for cheap like $50 and then buying the upgrade for $300. Will this really work?