Filed under: Multimedia, Video, Apple Professional, Software Update, Apple
Apple releases Final Cut Express 4
When it comes to Apple's Pro-App arena, there are just two applications that have not seen a sizable (i.e. paid-for) upgrade recently: Final Cut Express and Aperture. Today, that list becomes just one application however, as Final Cut Express 4 is now available.An "Open Timeline" format allows users to mix and match footage from DV, HDV and AVCHD cameras (although PowerPC users are left out in the cold for AVCHD love: it's Intel-only), and you can now take iMovie 08 projects up into FCE. Apple is also shipping more FxPlug filters, as well as LiveType 2 as part of the bundle.
FinalCut Express now costs $199 (down from $299) with upgrades from previous versions costing just $99.
Thanks to all those who sent this in!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil Norton said 10:32AM on 11-15-2007
Doesn't look like those of us in the UK are getting this update just yet...
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Allan said 10:34AM on 11-15-2007
Am I missing something, or did Soundtrack disappear from FInal Cut Express in this version?
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eric Meek said 8:58AM on 12-18-2007
yes, this is dumb, ill never buy fc 4 if they removed soundtrack. why does apple keep stripping down its versions? now you cant work on your audio with integration you have to use garageband export than inport, with soundtrack it was all integrated wil instant updates in fce if changes were made in soundtrack..they killed the FCE suite
Hugh said 10:40AM on 11-15-2007
The US academic price is $179, up from $149.
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#14 said 11:00AM on 11-15-2007
I paid $299 for 3.5 last tuesday, is it likely that I could get some money back or a discounted upgrade?
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Justin said 12:30PM on 11-15-2007
Yeah, what the hell happened to Soundtrack?????
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maybenot said 12:32PM on 11-15-2007
Academic price is 179, BUT according to apple's final cut express 4 pdf manual thing which can be found here:
http://images.apple.com/finalcutexpress/docs/L353892A_FCE4_PO.pdf
if you go to the last page, you'll see INSTITUTIONAL pricing is at $99.... so if you wait a bit, college bookstores will start carrying it.... and for 99 dollars, how can i NOT buy it?!
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John Poore said 2:01PM on 11-15-2007
#14 - I was in the same boat as you. Called Apple Support, they issued an RMA for me to return 3.5 and are shipping me 4.0. I only had to pay the shipping for 3.5 back to them.
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Tyrannous said 1:42PM on 11-15-2007
looks like ill be purchasing this since apple blacklisted some serials on their new FCP2 update, good timing apple!
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jasonpoon said 5:16PM on 11-15-2007
"although PowerPC users are left out in the cold for AVCHD love: it's Intel-only"
this only happens in Final Cut Express? or also in the latest Final Cut Pro?
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Shahryar said 7:18PM on 11-15-2007
i bought final cut express 3.5 with my 15" 2.16ghz macbook pro back in march '07. It was only 99 extra to get it put in pre installed at the student discount. I still haven't gotten around to using it, but do plan to soon... I actually just got done watching that tutorial dvd. I hope the cost to upgrade at the student discount rate is around $50 if it's going to be costing like 99 new for students
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Roy Hobbs said 10:28AM on 11-16-2007
It was my understanding that Student versions are not eligible for upgrades
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shubopshadangalang said 11:16AM on 11-16-2007
I was excited about this at first... a new version, and it's cheaper too! But the fact that they left off Soundtrack entirely makes the price drop make sense.
From a Macworld article: "Paulsen explained that virtually everything people need to do for audio editing can be done in GarageBand with its recent advances." This makes some level of sense, but for those of us who were so turned off by the new iMovie that we'd rather save our $80, that's no consolation. (but I suppose for the same $300 I would have spent on FCE I could buy both).
But there are some more audio features in FCE... from the same article: "...Final Cut Express also has enhanced audio controls, allowing you to automatically raise any clip to its maximum level without distortion using the new Soft Normalize and Gain controls."
What I wonder is - if you had the old version, and paid the $99 upgrade, would it wipe out Soundtrack or would you still have it?
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Shahryar said 1:17PM on 11-16-2007
damn really? No upgrades for student editions? Alright, looks like i'll be sticking it out with my version 3.5 for longer then.. How are current version 3.5 owners going about handling all the livetype files and soundtrack loops? When i upgraded my MBP leopard, i installed final cut express and those files alone were like 11 or so gigs.. The applications themselves were only 512mb
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Lil said 9:39PM on 12-14-2007
I'm having a bit of trouble, it won't allow audio on this program. It says Unrendered. Anyone know how to change it so the audio plays along with the video like normal and so you can add music to go with the video?
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Seymour said 10:10AM on 1-10-2008
So if the student edition isnt eligible for upgrades, then its not worth $20 less. I just bought a copy of the academic edition and I never saw anything on the website that said it wasnt elligible for upgrades, will they refund me or let me pay the difference to ge the other one?
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