Using the innovative RT Extreme engine, Final Cut Express HD enables users to instantly preview many of the effects, filters, transitions and multi-stream composites in real time, without rendering. Another professional feature is the Digital Cinema Desktop, which provides HD and DV preview monitoring on a primary or secondary Apple Cinema Display.

Final Cut Express HD now bundles LiveType, which lets you create sophisticated professional-quality titles. LiveType includes 27 animated LiveFonts, 150 pre-configured effects and a variety of customizable templates, backgrounds, textures and objects.

Also bundled is Soundtrack, Apple's music creation software that makes it easy to create original audio for use in your projects. With more than 4,000 royalty-free, professionally-recorded instrument loops and sound effects, Soundtrack allows users to see their video as they compose, automatically matches audio loops regardless of tempo and key and provides real-time arranging and mixing.

Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3.7 or later; QuickTime 6.5.2 or later
Minimum Display: 1024 x 768
Minimum CPU: DV editing: 500MHz or faster PowerPC G4 or G5; HDV editing: 1GHz or faster PowerPC G4 or G5
Minimum RAM: DV editing: 384MB; HDV editing: 1GB
Minimum Hard Drive Space for Installation: 1GB
Capture Formats: DV25 (NTSC, PAL), DV Widescreen (NTSC, PAL), HDV 720p, HDV 1080i
Batch Capture: No
Automatic Scene Detection: Yes, processed after capture
User Interface: Storyboard and Timeline
Number of Video Tracks: 99
Number of Audio Tracks: 99
Audio/Video Level Envelopes: Yes
Audio Scrub: Yes
Keyframe Animation: Motion Effects Only
Number of Video Transitions/Filters: Over 200
Background Rendering: Yes
Realtime Software Previews: Yes
Optimized for Dual Processor/HyperThreading: Yes
Third-party Plug-in Support: Yes
Encoding Formats: DV, HDV, any format supported by QuickTime
Batch Render:No
DVD Authoring Software Included:No

• Shares core editing features and workflow with Final Cut Pro
• Full control over all settings
• Bundled LiveType and Soundtrack provide professional titling and soundtrack creation

• Very steep learning curve for beginners

A professional-level HD editing solution for an express budget.

Joseph Dries III is a freelance writer and consultant and Final Cut user.