Final Cut Pro Software Review: Apple Final Cut Pro 4.0 (page 2)

Titles: LiveType

The other flashy app in the new FCP4 suite is LiveType, which is a full multitrack compositor that specializes in text. LiveType is impressive beyond words. For such a complex and powerful environment, it is amazingly accessible. LiveType comes with two discs of absolutely stunning templates to get you started. The fully animated media and templates include gorgeous backdrops, lower thirds and scripted text animations, all of which are customizable to one degree or another. How good is LiveType? You may never need to open After Effects to animate titles again.

Distribution: Compressor

The third member of the FCP4 companion apps is not nearly as flashy, but it is impressive nonetheless. Compressor is a batch rendering utility not unlike Discreet cleaner or Canopus ProCoder. From within FCP4, select Export > Using Compressor and then drag templates from the preset list to your project. You might select a high-quality MPEG-2 render for DVD and a couple of MPEG-4 renders of different qualities for output to the Web. Next, hit the Submit button and let the Batch Manager render the various distribution versions of your project.

Upgrade Path

One potential hurdle for FCP4 is the upgrade path. FCP4 requires OSX 10.2.5. So, if you have been using FCP3, you might need to upgrade your OS to 10.2 ($129). Then, depending on when you upgraded to 10.2, you might need to make a couple of free 10.2.X updates to 10.2.5. Yes Macficionados, we know very well that Windows has dozens of confusing updates as well, but we can't think of any editing software that requires WinXP users to update to a specific version before it will work.

Got it in Writing

We can say that FCP4 has, without question, the best default documentation of any editor out there. Our careful laboratory measurements revealed 6lbs 10.9oz of text spanning approximately 1,800 pages. It is, as near as we can tell, the same documentation from FCP3, however: you won't find any printed material on Soundtrack, LiveType or Compressor (Soundtrack could use it). If you need more help, sign up for Apple Authorized training in any of 16 countries on four continents, including 18 states here in the US.

Ultra-suite

FCP4 is not easy to use or learn: full-featured editing environments all have steep and long learning curves. FCP4 is, however well designed, polished and eminently usable. It has some of the strongest compositing and animation tools of any editor around. At a thousand dollars, it is not inexpensive, but the full suite includes Soundtrack (ACID is about $350), Compressor (cleaner 6: $550) and the incomparible LiveType, which makes FCP4 an astounding value.

TECH SPECS

Platform: Mac
Operating System: OS X 10.2.5
Processor: G4 350MHz
RAM: 384MB
Hard Disk: 1GB
Other: DVD Drive
Requirements for RT Performance: 500MHz w/ 1MB level 3 cache, 773MHz or any dual processor G4
Demo Version: not available (at press time)
Upgrade Price: $399

STRENGTHS

• Soundtrack
• LiveType
• Batch output (Compressor)
• 7lbs. of documentation

WEAKNESSES

• Potentially complex upgrade
• New apps not covered in print

SUMMARY

Four apps in one suite make Final Cut Pro 4.0 the most complete and powerful editing package found in a single box.

$999
Apple
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 996-1010
www.apple.com