Apple Final Cut Studio (Mac DVD) [Final Cut 5- Motion 2- DVD Studio Pro 4- Soundtrack Pro] Description:

Apple Final Cut Studio (Mac DVD) [Final Cut 5, Motion 2, DVD Studio Pro 4, Soundtrack Pro] review:
5 stars (User-friendly, efficient editing software) - After working in Adobe Premiere for a couple of years, I switched to Sony Vegas Video for a while and worked with Avid for a few years also. I liked Vegas and Avid much better than Premiere, but once I learned Final Cut Pro, I haven't gone back. It's easily my favorite of the non-linear editing software I've used.



Of the 2 negative comments I've seen so far, one had to do with the fact that he had mistakenly been sent only the handbooks and no software. I'm sure that's quite frustrating, but I don't see how he can rate the software 1-star when he DOESN'T EVEN HAVE IT! And the other guy apparently doesn't know too much about Final Cut Pro either. For example, he says that when you place a clip in the timeline it WRITES OVER other clips automatically. In actuality, there is a horizontal line passing through each track in the timeline - if you drag the clip into the timeline and release the mouse when the pointer is UNDER the line (and looks like a DOWN arrow), then the clip will be edited to the timeline as an OVERWRITE edit; if you release the mouse when the pointer is ABOVE the line (and looks like a RIGHT arrow), then the clip will be edited as an INSERT edit, and the clips after it remain intact. It's as simple as that.



If that is what James S. Dodds meant when he says you have to "THINK HARD" to use this software... well James, either I'm really good at "thinking hard" or you're in for a long and difficult life, full of puzzles.



Plus, the additional software in this Studio package is worth the money many times over - Motion is awesome (though I have Shake and I am more comfortable in that so I tend to use it more than motion), LiveType is incredibly easy to work with and produces quality titles, I don't use Soundtrack too much, and DVD Studio Pro is pretty good also (and easy to learn, especially if you know Sony DVD Architect; at least I picked it up pretty quickly)



Overall, this is an incredible package, and well worth the money!
1 stars (They sent just the handbook....) - I received FINAL CUT STUDIO seven weeks ago, but there were only the handbooks in the box. Since then I'm waiting and mailing and phoning, and they always say, it's coming. I think I will never receive the software. Apple refuses to pay back the money. I don't know what to do?!
5 stars (The Best Editing Package Out There) - Apple has stepped up to the plate and put together a really amazing package, of professional quality software programs!



As a filmmaker myself, I have yet to use software that is this powerful and easy to use



I have used Avid, Pro Tools, and many other Windows programs ----- but Apple always impresses me because I find its editing tools to be more powerful, easier to use, and easy to learn/maintain



As for folks who are upgrading, Final Cut Pro 5 is indeed much faster and has more RT capabilities ----- if you do some heavy editing, then this update is worth it



For new buyers, the package also includes Soundtrack, DVD Studio Pro, and Motion



I have used Soundtrack extensively for music creation, and have been very pleased with the results ---- the music integrated extremely well into many films of mine, and at the very least, it will give music composers a template to experiment with



DVD Studio Pro is extremely fast and easy to use ----- it makes professional DVD creation easy because it outlines everything for you on a great template, but the hundreds of options it has makes creativity easy



and Motion...... it simply ROCKS



Best of all, all of these programs are interwoven, so its almost like using just one big program



Just buy it - its worth it



and for STUDENTS, go to the Apple website and buy the educational version, as its the same software, but at half the price



HAPPY EDITING!!!!!!!