With release of Final Cut Pro X, Apple discontinues Express and Server - Page 2

FC Server is only dead weight if you don't need it. For situations where multiple editors use multiple systems, and require easy access to a large pool of media assets, it (or something like it) is a necessity.

Express was also not dead weight. It's fine for on-the-run cuts, or segment editing. FCExpress projects open right into FCPro 7, and fall right into a sequence.

So, with Server gone, I'll have no way to manage a pool of close to 60,000 assets in a consistent manner so that producers and editors can manage ongoing productions with any degree of efficiency. And, I'll have wasted about $50,000 in hardware and software, and over a year of my life putting it all together -- not to mention the cost training and certification.

This could spell the end of Final Cut in our organization. Much as I hate it, Avid's solutions are looking pretty darned good right now.

iMovie '11, believe it or not, now does as much or more than Express -- and it only costs $15. And, the UI and usage is quite similar to FC Pro X.

It's been stated elsewhere that this is not a final release -- there are a lot of things that Apple has indicated are "coming soon." I would hope that multi-cam would be one of those things.

I'm not at all thrilled about the inability to open files from previous versions of Final Cut Pro. However, I can also understand the technical hurdle that would have been involved. FCP did some pretty kludgy things, and it looks like Apple have wisely decided to throw away some less-than-ideal code.

Apple have also indicated that import from tape is forthcoming. The specifically mention support of Blackmagic, AJA and Targa products (though they don't specify which products).

Note that opening of iMovie files is limited to iMovie '11.

You think corporate is crazy. You oughta try working in higher education! I have no idea how we're going to do business now. We have a hard enough time as it is, as our department is split between academic and commercial usage. Licensing for us is a major nightmare!

Sigh...

http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new...US_version.pdf

If you don't know who your Apple business sales rep is, find out and talk to them. Or your favorite authorized reseller.

I'm envious of you in education, you have a solution:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/education/

Find your Apple rep and start talking to them!

Also, an excellent blog even if he's across the pond:

http://speirs.org/

I'm curious - the app has been out less than 24 hours and Apple indicates they eliminated server because the functionality is now native to the app. Have you validated you have an issue, or are you running with "reviews" or comments on a product that has been out less than 24 hours?

AJA already has some Final Cut Pro X stuff: http://www.aja.com/pdf/FCP_X_and_AJA.pdf

I wish people would wait more than 24 hours before declaring the end of the world is here

Hmmm, I've been using FCE for many years and have tried a few times to 'revert' to the new iMovie - hate it, just hate it. If FCX is like the new iMovie we'll pass. The fact it can't open FCE files is an even bigger killer - I have so much time invested in projects in FCE I'm simply not willing to give it up. I was really hoping for a new FCE - I'm disappointed - and I really hate the fact I can't get a demo.

I have no objection to buying through the app store, but I do want a demo.

According to those who have had some advance info from Apple, expect solutions for most/all of these issues in the near future. Except for the shiny part. It stays.

Delivery through App Store, by the way, allows for shorter upgrade/update cycles; don't expect the old 18-24 month wait between significant updates.

And some others don't seem to have noticed that Apple has policies/procedures in place for enterprise customers. They should be announced shortly for FCPX, just as they already have been for Lion and iOS apps.

Lion hasn't shipped yet, and they posted the info on how to upgrade. About 4 people on this board have all assumed I haven't read the PDF document. I think most people are missing the point.

Apple posted the Lion upgrade info prior to shipping Lion. Apple released FCP X with no documentation or even a hint other than what people logically ASSUME will happen (which is something similar to the Lion PDF).

I am sure it's safe to assume there will be a path outside of AppleID/App Store, but this is just one among many trespasses that is further upsetting the business/enterprise world. I am a Systems Engineer for a publicly traded company, and while I have lots of control and influence, I can be overruled at any time by someone higher than me.

When we needed Fibre Channel speeds to desktop Macs without a fully fledged SAN we looked to Xserve and Xserve RAID. What became of those 2 products? GONE with little warning. We are looking for a DAM/MAM solution, I have constantly pitched FCServer as an asset manager/approval process tool. GONE, no warning.

Some functionality has been included in the new Final Cut Pro, but FCServer was a cross-platform DAM/MAM. It was likely unpopular, like the Xserve, which is why it was discontinued. That might be fine if they gave a roadmap, but the level of secrecy doesn't bode well in the enterprise world.

I get having the secrecy with iPhone/iPad etc... but is that secrecy REALLY necessary to a market of 30,000 business customers?

Actually FCP X does import video from tape, so that part is not true. Even though very few new cameras over the past couple years record to tape anymore.

Limited to firewire, or AJA/Blackmagic controls. I am sure those 3rd party tools will eventually become more robust, but I don't like the spreading of misinformation.

Our workflow relies on tape decks, not a DV camcorder. We need machine control from the edit bay to the machine room. Furthermore we sometimes layoff to tape.

THIS is what we need to see from the "log and capture" window that doesn't exist anymore.



Look, I am a huge Apple fan, shareholder, iPad/iPhone/iMac/MacBook Pro/AppleTV owner. I defend Apple all the time... I am just saying in this particular case they have upset the Pro market, there's no need to assume that because of this misstep I am all of a sudden an Apple hater.

The people defending FCP X aren't taking measures to understand why the people are complaining in the first place, they are just seemingly blindly defending Apple.

I hear what you are saying.

The method of transferring from tape is an entirely matter from saying that it is not capable of transferring from tape at all.

But honestly if you look at the method of how Apple develops most of its products. They have a history of stripping new products down to the basics and incrementally adding features over time.

I suppose in the mean time everyone will have to decide what works best for them in the long run.

except for Hollywood, which sells DVDs by the millions. And **used to** use FCP.

Apple needs to take the Pro off Final Cut now, they cut out 1/2 of what fulltime production shops need.

As the Creative Cow's review puts it, this is not a Pro app yet. So when they're done with everything it needs, they'll probably solve the licensing as well.

It's a shame that Apple has to start from the scratch and run in the same problems as with iMovie 09 that had half of the features of the previous version when launched. I would expect a complete product, no matter how different to previous approach. This release only streghtens the old feeling of not being a real Pro when using the FCP environment.

No one in Hollywood uses DVD Studio Pro to author DVD's. There are whole departments within the studios that handle DVD authoring.