TITLE
    Final Cut Pro 1.0: FAQ
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		60304
4/21/99
8/6/99
TOPIC

    This article contains the following frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding Final Cut Pro 1.0, with answers to those questions.

      1. What is Final Cut Pro?
      2. How does Final Cut Pro fit into Apple's video strategy?
      3. Why is Final Cut Pro the best tool for working with DV video?
      4. Who should buy Final Cut Pro?
      5. Does Final Cut Pro compete with Adobe Premiere or Avid's products?
      6. What exactly does Final Cut Pro allow me to do with video?
      7. Is Final Cut Pro easy to use?
      8. What are the key features of Final Cut Pro?
      9. Does Final Cut Pro support real-time effects?
      10. Is Final Cut Pro limited to DV video?
      11. How do I use Final Cut Pro with an analog video source?
      12. Is any other software included with Final Cut Pro?
      13. What are the system requirements for Final Cut Pro?
      14. How much does Final Cut Pro cost?
      15. When will Final Cut Pro be available for purchase?
      16. Where will Final Cut Pro be available?
      17. Will Apple provide technical support for Final Cut Pro?
      18. Where can I find the most current information on Final Cut Pro?
    DISCUSSION
    Question 1 : What is Final Cut Pro?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro software is a breakthrough in digital video editing and effects. For the first time, it makes true, end-to-end professional digital video affordable and easy to use. The software combines professional editing, compositing, and special effects in one highly productive program, turning a Power Macintosh G3 computer into a Final Cut Pro-based personal video workstation.

    Final Cut Pro supports the DV standard and all QuickTime formats, including M-JPEG and web-ready streaming video. And because it works with FireWire input/output technology, it provides plug-and-play capabilities with most digital video cameras. It also works with third-party video capture cards that have certified QuickTime drivers.

    Question 2: How does Final Cut Pro fit into Apple's video strategy?

    Answer: Apple already leads the industry in providing the computers and software used to edit and manipulate video. Apple's objective is to make video an affordable, easy means of communication, just as we did for desktop publishing with Macintosh systems, LaserWriter printers, and 32-bit color.

    Final Cut Pro, along with QuickTime, DV, FireWire technology, and the new Power Macintosh G3 systems, is part of Apple's strategy to reinvent digital video. Together, these revolutionary products and technologies make high-quality digital video creation feasible for a much wider audience of professional and prosumer customers.

    Question 3: Why is Final Cut Pro the best tool for working with DV video?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro is the first complete editing and effects software designed from the ground up for the new DV standard. It combines Apple's legendary ease of use with the quality and convenience of DV and FireWire.

    Right out of the box, Final Cut Pro offers the easiest way to transfer DV video to your hard disk from most DV sources; edit, composite, and add effects to the video and audio; and play the results. It allows plug-and-play DV as well as support for all other QuickTime formats. It supports unique DV features such as nonsquare pixels and audio/video interleaving. And it can simulta-neously output a project to your DV camera, a tape deck, or an NTSC TV monitor and to your computer screen.

    Question 4: Who should buy Final Cut Pro?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro meets the needs of all people wanting to create great video productions, including the professional film and video community, independent video producers, web and multimedia authors (CD/DVD-ROM), and corporate and educational video producers. It has an advanced feature set that professionals will love, so it's ideal for current users of Avid Media Composer or other professional video tools. Yet it's also easy enough for novice video producers who have experience with other professional tools such as Macromedia Director or Dream-weaver, Adobe Photoshop, or QuarkXPress, making it an excellent product for those who are just discovering the medium and advances in video technology such as DV and FireWire.

    Question 5: Does Final Cut Pro compete with Adobe Premiere or Avid's products?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro is in a class all by itself, one that combines the quality of DV, advanced professional features, and Apple's legendary ease of use to create a comprehensive, plug-and- play, low-cost video creation package. Apple has created a new category of video editing and effects software. Final Cut Pro meets certain customer needs that are not addressed by Adobe Premiere and Avid products. Apple's ultimate goal is to offer a Macintosh-based solution for every level of video producer.

    Question 6: What exactly does Final Cut Pro allow me to do with video?

    Answer: With Final Cut Pro, you can capture video from DV or analog video sources and edit it with sophisticated, time-saving editing tools such as three-point editing, match frame, and multitrack trimming. You can create multiple layers of video using text, graphics, Adobe Photoshop files (with layers maintained), or additional video elements. Each layer can be still, or animated along a user-defined path using tools such as Bezier curves with acceleration control. You can apply time-varying filter effects, such as blur, to any layer, and mix and synchronize multiple audio tracks--up to 99 tracks per movie. Then you can output your results for TV, videotape, QuickTime movies, or the World Wide Web.

    Question 7: Is Final Cut Pro easy to use?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro sets a new standard for ease of use in professional video creation. It's easy for the novice video producer who has worked with other tools such as Adobe Photoshop or QuarkXPress, and for anyone who has worked with other video editing tools such as Avid Media Composer. However, Final Cut Pro is not designed for casual home video users.

    Question 8: What are the key features of Final Cut Pro?

    Answer: Key features include the following (for more detailed information, please see Tech Info Library

    Article 60305: " Final Cut Pro 1.0: Description "):

    * Comprehensive professional tools. Final Cut Pro offers the best features of other professional editing, compositing, and effects programs in one product.

    * Plug-and-play digital video. Apple provides all the components necessary for DV production except the camera, incorporating all the new DV video and audio standards.

    * Enhanced workflow and productivity. All work in the program is done through four multi-function windows. You can also choose your editing interface: source/record, timeline, or keyboard.

    * Outstanding support for QuickTime technology. Final Cut Pro takes advantage of the high performance and enhanced features of QuickTime, the most robust open standard for video creation and distribution. You can view large video windows with smooth, stutter-free playback for precise editing; watch and listen to guaranteed audio/video synchronization when using appropriate codecs; and export to all other QuickTime formats, including web-ready streaming video.

    * Superior flexibility. Efficient access to all features means you can edit, render, and add effects in a minimum number of steps. The user interface controls allow you to use your choice of drag-and- drop functions, pull-down menus, or keystrokes, so you can concentrate on editing and creativity, not on how to use the program.

    * High performance. Final Cut Pro streamlines the production process with high-speed previews and rendering and the ability to print to tape without making a movie file.

    Question 9: Does Final Cut Pro support real-time effects?

    Answer: Real-time effects will be added to Final Cut Pro. This will be done in such a way as to enable existing Final Cut Pro customers to easily upgrade their current software. Visit www.apple.com/finalcutpro for updates.

    Question 10: Is Final Cut Pro limited to DV video?

    Answer: No. Final Cut Pro works with all QuickTime video formats: M-JPEG, uncompressed ITU-R 601 resolution, Sorenson, Cinepak, and many more.

    Question 11: How do I use Final Cut Pro with an analog video source?

    Answer: There are three options for using Final Cut Pro with an analog video source:

    * Use a DV camcorder or tape deck that has analog inputs. The camera will convert the incoming analog video to DV digital video and send it to and from the Power Macintosh G3 computer using FireWire.

    * Use a DV converter. This external box converts analog signals to DV and vice versa. DV is then sent to and from the Power Macintosh G3 using FireWire.

    * Use a third-party video-digitizing card to connect a composite or component analog source directly to your Power Macintosh G3. Final Cut Pro supports PCI cards that are certified for use with QuickTime.

    Please visit www.apple.com/finalcutpro for a current list of supported cards, cameras, and decks.

    Question 12: Is any other software included with Final Cut Pro?

    Answer: Yes. Final Cut Pro includes QuickTime Pro from Apple, Media Cleaner EZ QuickTime Edition from Terran Interactive, and EDL Access software from Focal Point Systems, Inc.

    Question 13: What are the system requirements for Final Cut Pro?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro requires a 266-MHz or faster Power Macintosh G3 computer (300-MHz system required for DV), Mac OS 8.5 or later, at least 128MB of RAM, and a 6GB or larger disk drive. For best performance, an Ultra2 LVD SCSI drive for video (separate from your system drive) is recommended. For DV, Final Cut Pro requires a Power Macintosh G3 with built-in FireWire or an Apple FireWire PCI card.

    Question 14: How much does Final Cut Pro cost?

    Answer: The estimated retail price for Final Cut Pro is US$999.

    Question 15: When will Final Cut Pro be available for purchase?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro is expected to be available for purchase on April 19, 1999, in the U.S. and Canada only.

    Question 16: Where will Final Cut Pro be available?

    Answer: Final Cut Pro will be available wherever Apple products are sold, including authorized Apple resellers, Apple's web site (www.apple.com/store), and through direct sales to education and business customers.

    Question 17: Will Apple provide technical support for Final Cut Pro?

    Answer: Yes. Apple is offering a variety of support options for Final Cut Pro, including Apple's standard 90 days of free support for simple setup issues. For more extensive issues and problems, Apple will offer a full range of professional support options, including pay-per-incident and support contracts at a variety of prices.

    Question 18: Where can I find the most current information on Final Cut Pro?

    Answer: For the latest information, visit www.apple.com/finalcutpro.


Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software
Category: Final Cut Pro
Sub Category: General Topics

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