My Take on Final Cut Pro X

I had my first chance to test drive Final Cut Pro X yesterday at the Apple Store in Greensboro. It replaces Apple’s video editing software Final Cut Pro 7 and Final Cut Express. I’ve read several reviews and they have been pretty harsh about the newest update. I’ve been using Final Cut Express, iMovie, and Adobe Premiere Elements for a while now, so I was definitely interested in seeing how the new software functions. Here is a quick recap of my first impressions.

  • It is different. It is a huge change from older versions of Final Cut. It does feel like a high end version of iMovie.
  • In about 15 minutes of usage, I was able to open the demo project shown above and add titles, rearrange clips, add video filters and transitions, adjust audio settings, and explore through the available options. Watch the demo videos on Apple’s website for more info.
  • Most of the complaints come from high end users of the software who are missing features that they are accustomed to. I think Apple maybe rushed this out a little quickly. They have promised updates to add back missing features, but they have received a lot of negative publicity during the release of this version. But for the majority of prosumer users that don’t need high end features, this release is perfect. This goes far beyond the capabilities of iMovie, and it is much easier to use than Final Cut Express. People generally are resistant to change, even if it’s good.
  • For users generating content for online viewing, I think this is a great release.  It’s fast, it’s easy to use, and the results are amazing. I love the number of filters and transitions that are included, and I had no stability issues just playing around with the software. Apple will also continue to release updates for the software, so it will only get better.
  • I think they launched at a good price point. $299 for professional software is a good bargain, especially considering the older Final Cut was over double the price. I also like that they offer $49 upgrades for Motion and Compressor. These tools really expand the functionality and power of the default package, but they are priced at a reasonable level.
  • My opinion is that this is an ideal package for most churches. If you are primarily creating content to be shown on screens and online, this is a great product to invest in. It is geared toward tapeless digital tapeless camcorders, so if you capture a lot, this may not be the right package for you, but for us, it’s a perfect fit. I would love to purchase this to use for our church.
What are your experiences? Would you recommend this to others?

Mike

I am a former design engineer who now pastors Cornerstone Community Church in Galax, Virginia. I'm passionate about following Jesus and I love technology. I've been married to Jennifer for 28 years, and we have three adult children.

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1 Response

  1. Helpful thoughts. I haven’t picked up Final Cut Pro X yet as I’m happy with iMovie and Final Cut Express.

    But I did buy Motion 5 and I’ve been loving. It’s pretty easy to learn!

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