Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

FCS is back...
Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale - Mac Rumors

"...only available through 800-MY-APPLE telesales... not in Apple Retail Stores or the Apple Online Store."

Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

"Apple has put the previous version of its Final Cut Studio video editing suite back on sale after a mixed reception to the new and completely redesigned Final Cut X. We received word that Apple had issued a memo this afternoon announcing re-availability of the product.

We confirmed with an Apple telesales representative at 800-MY-APPLE that Final Cut Studio, part number MB642Z/A, is again available for $999 (and $899 for educational customers). The product is only available through the 800-number and is not available in Apple Retail Stores or on the Apple Online Store.

Final Cut Studio is a comprehensive video editing package that includes Final Cut Pro 7, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, DVD Studio Pro 4, Color 1.5 and Compressor 3.5. Apple had discontinued the product at the launch of Final Cut Pro X, their next generation video editing suite. Critics of the new product had complained that the abrupt discontinuation of the previous version of the software had made the transition more difficult. Apple had promised regular updates to Final Cut Pro X."

Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Will FCP 3 work with Lion?

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

MacRumors Forums - View Single Post - Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
"FinalCutStudio 3 is UNIVERSAL meaning it has both Intel and PowerPC code, so it will run fine on Lion."

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Looks like someone might not get that bonus this year.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Thanks Rob

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

LOL. Big surprise here.

Since both FCP7 and FCPX are both going to be available, I wonder which will be the better seller?

My money's on 7. Every pro use I've spoken to HATES FCPX, and I'd be willing to be that the non-pro demographic is more than content with the free imovie that already comes on the comp.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

A more gentle transition from 7 to X would have been a smart move. But now Apple's put a lot of people's backs up with what seems like sheer arrogance, their decisions in this area will be watched with suspicion by Pros all over the world.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

This might be inventory clearance so don't put too much into it until more info surfaces.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Too little, too late?

Not that I'm complaining...

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Duplicate threads merged per member suggestion. Re-direct left in Industry News.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

It's software. The actual cost of the physical product (not counting the intellectual property contained within) is negligible. No reason to sell it off just to make a couple of bucks.

It's going to be interesting to see how Apple proceeds here.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

They are being very generous in saying "mixed reaction." There was a pretty shared consensus of "WTF Apple?!?" reaction.


Have they sat down & used FCPX, or just looked at it? Everyone that I've heard from that has used FCPX really likes editing in it. Though editing is only about 66% of non-linear editing & FCPX is missing a lot of that last 33%.


Personally I see this as really great news. It says that Apple is listening & not just 'saying' their listening. I have faith that they'll put the "Pro" back into FCPX eventually... even if I have to wait for FCPXI...

In the mean time, if I need to add another FCS license I can do it legally. I really want the 64bit speed in FCP, but for now FCP 7 is working well enough for me & just because FCPX wouldn't work for me isn't a reason for me to stop using FCP 7.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Keep in mind that Apple has made it quite clear that FCS3 is "end of life" and will go the way of iMovie 6 after the release of iMovie HD.

Despite promises by Apple of timely updates to FCP X no updates have arrived. More than anything the inability to open legacy projects, poor external video support, lack of tape support and lack of collaborative features will always make FCP X a non starter for me.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

One of the hallmarks of business software has been careful attention to legacy support. The primary reason for this is the expense associated with software changes. On consumer systems a large infrastructure is not at risk but this is not the case in companies where critical software systems may be in use that are dependent on particular OS configurations. Your software is often only one part of a complex configuration that must be supported by the IT department. This little stunt that Apple pulled is quite shocking from a business software support perspective and does significant harm to their credibility.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Having admitted their failure/s, will they now go away and work on a "proper" multi user / multi camera - pro end version (with all the other things I've not mentioned) instead of the toy they first touted..?

I think if they did put right all that is immediately wrong with it they'd have a winner. Lets face it - it's not a shortage of funding preventing it - and they do have the skills - so why didn't they do this right first time around?

Shame of it is I still love Apple and their products and will continue to buy them.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Clearly Apple heard the uproar from the community about this debacle. Along with allowing tele-sales for FCS they also released an FAQ page about "X" outlining what FCP X can and can't do:

Apple - Final Cut Pro X - Answers to common questions.

If only they had been this up-front prior to the release of X this whole scenario would never have blown up in the first place.

As mentioned above, Apple considers the previous Final Cut suite "end of life" and those in the know are saying that Apple has not - and will not - be producing more copies, they're simply selling off old inventory.

Maybe now that Jobs is no longer handholding day-to-day operations we'll see less of this "I know better than you..." arrogance from Apple and more direct-customer response.

One can only hope.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

FCPX was a big bold mis-step (it still is a decent program) but quite frankly I rather have Apple try something this brazen and fail then go thru the results of corporate cowardace that this country is mired in. I am still amazed at the lack of professional input Apple had in the development of FCPX, the little things they could have included and charged an extra $100 for would have made a whole difference.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

If only they'd done that in July. Talk about slow moving! The damage is done, Apple have been caught off-guard. 2 months to get out a FAQ and ensure that people who need extra seats can get FCS? Pathetic. They could have done that right away.

I still don't think they understand how much they've soiled their reputation. Not only are people moving away from their software, but with the crossgrade opportunities offered by Adobe, people will have the freedom to move to a Windows platform that has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years. Windows 7 is worryingly good, so Apple need to provide good reasons why I should be paying a heavy premium for their hardware.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

I agree 100% Marcus. I've been musing the CS5.5 Production Premium switch ever since Adobe announced the half price offer. After spending the last day or so viewing various on-line video tutorials I've more or less convinced myself I'm moving over to Adobe too. I will phase out my use on FCS 2 (with FCP6.0.6) once I'm up to speed/may then just use FCP for quick edits on some legacy projects where clients ask me to update the video a year/18 months after first completion (in corporate videography this happens pretty often I'm finding).

In my case, I'll use CS5.5 on my 8 Core 2.66Ghz Nehalem Mac Pro running OSX 10.5.8 (although I also have a Windows 7, Core i7 box which runs Vegas 9E well). Both have RAID0 and a big chunk of RAM. In 2-3 years time I'll probably ditch the Mac Pro and move completely back to Windows boxes (as you rightly say, Windows 7 is so good now - let's hope 8 is even better!)

I only went with Apple hardware to run FCS. Its been an enjoyable, rock solid and stable (albeit expensive) journey up to this point. However, my video business is now 3 years old and because of this FCPX mess I really can't trust Apple anymore for my professional tools. So it looks like the've lost me as a future hardware purchaser too. Sure, I could sit tight for a couple of years and just keep using FCS2 but I feel uncomfortable with that (and I really want to see all those cores on my Mac Pro finally (NOW!) put to effective use with a proper professional 64-Bit NLE. Sure, if they turn FCPX into something I want I might take another look - but it'll need a keen price and a huge feature hike (i.e. put back a lot of what they took away) to make me even want to consider switching back again.

The damage is done - Adobe CS5.5 here I come!

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

It is indeed quite nice to see all 8 cores of my own box being used for a change (Compressor aside). The additon of a Quadro video card has meant that editing has sped up even more. A memory upgrade also helps as you can allocate more RAM per processor core. More memory also helps After Effects immensely.

But I've been running both FCS2 and CS5.5 side by side and they seem fine. Still using Compressor for now as it has all my presets and although After Effects many times more powerful than Motion, Motion can be far quicker for certain things.

My overall impression a month on from getting CS5.5 is that using it is no big deal. Sure in the long term I'll have to start grappling with Encore but actually most Final Cut users could dive straight in and feel at home in Premiere.

Apple putting FCS back on sale only helps those who need the extra seats. Apple now offer either a package not fit for purpose or an outdated 32 bit package. Those looking for a top quality editing package for 2011 can either buy CS5.5 or Avid.

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

Does Apple have an upgrade path from 6x to 7? Anyone know if that is available?

Harry

Re: Apple Puts Legacy Final Cut Studio Back on Sale
 

I called Apple. They are not offering an upgrade path from 6x.

Harry.