Final Cut Studio 3 Finally Lands

Apple have today released a brand-spanking new version of the highly respected Final Cut Pro Studio 3. Every application in the package has been updated, so for those who are counting we’re now on Final Cut Pro 7, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5 and Compressor 3.5. Today's been a pretty busy day for Apple because as well as the FCP Studio they’ve also released Final Cut Server 1.5 and a new version of Logic studio, but they’re both other stories (keep your eye on this here Jigsaw Broadcast portal for full updates & low-downs).

There are over 100 new features being touted in the new FCP Studio – far too many to get into in a preliminary blog but there will be a follow-up, in-depth article on the whole package soon. Some of the biggies include:
Final Cut Pro 7

• Expanded ProRes family - 3 new versions (ProRes 422 Proxy for off-line editing, ProRes 422 LT for projects requiring small file sizes at broadcast quality, and ProRes 4444 for compositing, grading and digital workflows that require the highest possible image fidelity.

• Easy-export function - One-click delivery to web, disk or any Apple device using a ‘Share window’ with background rendering.

• iChat theatre support - Enabling real-time, world-wide collaboration on projects.

• New speed-change tools - Sophisticated manipulation of clip speed makes better results easier and even includes interpolation.

• Alpha Transitions - Create unique, dynamic alpha transitions to spruce up a timeline.

Motion 4

• 3D shadows & reflections - Add dramatic shadows and reflections that move naturally with objects and lights through 3D space.

• Depth of field - Bring attention to specific objects by defining a range of focus.

• New text & titling tools - Distort single characters or words and animate credit rolls.

Soundtrack Pro 3

• Voice-level match - Match dialogue levels across your project with the new Voice Level option.

• Enhanced audio file editor

• Advanced time stretch - Stretch and compress audio with unprecedented precision.
  

Color 1.5

• Support for 4K files - For all you RED users.

• Affordable options for hardware control - As well as support for high-end controllers, Color now supports a new generation of affordable control surfaces.
  

Compressor 3.5

• File encoding for Blu-ray - Also with the ability to burn disks directly from Compressor
  

• Job Actions - Use the new Job Action feature to open a file, publish it to the web, or send it to your iTunes library. Or even, burn a Blu-ray disk/DVD or trigger automated workflows.

• Batch templates - Automate end-to-end encoding workflows, using any combination of settings and destinations.

I know this is shooting through a handful of the features but watch this a space for a full update soon. If you'd like more information, get in touch with our Broadcast team on 03332 400 222.