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Final Cut Express 4.0

Great Tool-DVD authoring missing

Written by TB from Rome

Jan 30, 2008

FCE is a great tool, but I also want to present my work on a DVD player. Menu's in iDVD really look bad, because I cannot make custom menus, cannot have more than 5 menu items, the templates are lame, cannot have custom shape for video background, and it goes on and on...
Why is there no DVD StudioExpress ? Until that time I rather use the full FinalCutPro- even if I have to rent a Mac. Apple has great tools- but we also want to present our work in the best possible way- and the first thing you see on a TV is the DVD-menu.

What good is a great tool to make great video if the presentation looks bad ?

299 of 430 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

The Perfect Tool

Written by MT from Chestnut Hill

Jan 25, 2008

This product is by far the best editing application for the price. It handles all my projects without skipping a beat. The Dynamic RT is amazing. I highly recommend this product to whomever wants a super-powered editing app, for little money.

94 of 144 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

A must have!!!!

Written by SS from windsor

Jan 22, 2008

I do have to say that I was A little nerves to get final cut express 4 because it did not have sound track, But Once I got the software and loaded it I found that I Relay did need it that often. Most of the time I find myself using Garage Band for my loops and recording. My friend who has Logic teams up with me when I do a video and I use that software also, so I don't miss it but would of ben cool to have just in case. Where I work I use final cut pro studio 2 and find that FCE 4 has alot to offer for such low cost. I have the ability to print to tape export for web and use the same tools as in FCP. I would recommend this to any one who is ready for FCE and want to create professional videos at a low cost.

186 of 267 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

You get what you pay for!

Written by RK from Poughkeepsie

Jan 21, 2008

Don't get me wrong. This is a great editing program and the perfect step up from iMovie. The $100 price drop makes it even more accessible to the masses. But beware that this version of final cut does not come with Soundtrack, the audio editing software packaged with prior versions. Aside from the addition of support for AVCHD and a few more filters, there is nothing that this version offers that final cut express 3.5 does not. If you don't desperately need these features, my advise is to find an older version of final cut express that will cost the same but still has soundtrack. It is a better buy.

288 of 362 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

What the ....

Written by TC from Austin

Jan 19, 2008

I went from Movie Maker to Final Cut Express... I thought I had some skills, I guess I was wrong. DO NOT move to Final Cut without training. Not worth it. Neither simple or intuitive.

120 of 242 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Not for beginners.

Written by DA from Ogden

Jan 16, 2008

I've read several reviews from wankers who thought they could just jump from Windows Movie maker or iMovie into a semi-professional editing suite. Sorry to say, this has a much steeper learning curve, and is on par with the complicated nature of programs like Adobe Premiere Pro. If you're just doing home movies, stick to Premiere elements or iMovie. If you plan to take on any Final Cut product, plan on investing some time to get familiar with it, and check out a book. Don't give the product a bad review because you're incompetent.

For the product itsself, some great features but here's where it's lacking:

-no more Soundtrack for audio editing, just some dumbed down audio editor.

-Lack of Livetype depth. Some animations, but not as many as there should be.

-Poor, poor integration with hard-drive based cameras. If you have a camera that uses a hard drive instead of MiniDV, then RUN to a different product- support for HD cameras is bad or non-existent.

245 of 288 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Little Brother to Final Cut Pro

Written by AM from Miami

Jan 16, 2008

If you're looking for a cheap, limited version of Final Cut Pro, this is what you need. Sure, might take you some time to master it, like any PROFESSIONAL system. It's not for the faint of heart, but it is quite easy to get used to. The only real difference between this and FCP is the motion aspect, and that it might not bring Soundtrack, Motion or DVD Studio Pro. Oh well, For the money you can't get better.. Try Avid, see how well that goes. 400 dollars and nothing. USE FINAL CUP EXPRESS if you don't wanna spend 1200 on FCP.

88 of 116 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Quite complicated but powerful and at a great price for new users

Written by PG from North Vancouver

Jan 15, 2008

I've been after a trusted powerful video editor application for a while now. FCE 4 came out around the time I upgraded my system, so I felt with the new pricing that I was getting a great deal. The 'express' title doesn't really mean that you'll be left wanting additional features, unless you're very serious amateur or pro. It also doesn't mean that this application is easy to use.

As a new user I bought a couple of books to help learn FCE. At the time of purchase, no books had been released covering version 4, so I plumped for an editing workshop on FCE HD 3.5, and a guide to FC Pro 6. While using the 3.5 book, I often have to remind myself that I'm on a later version. I have got nearly half way through the course and everything seems identical so far. Perhaps that's because I've covered the basics, and these don't often change, but I'm wondering if users of 3.5 will find enough value unless there is a must-have feature unique to version 4.

I bought the book on Final Cut Pro 6 as well, although don't own this package. I wanted to see how different FCE is. So far I'm struggling to find too many differences, although, again, I'm covering the basics. The point of this, is that from what I can tell, FCE is an easier learning curve step to the pro version, as many of the basics are the same.

Some people criticize FCE 4 for losing some of the previously included features (e.g. Soundtrack). This only really impacts new users, but I find Garage Band is adequate for basic sound editing.

With the new pricing level of FCE, nobody is going to pretend this is aimed at any market other than amateur / enthusiast, and for that you're getting a very powerful package for very few bucks, with a relatively smooth upgrade path (learning wise) to the pro edition if you need to go there.

FCE 4 may not offer enough value to version 3.5 HD users, unless some of the unique features of 4 are must-haves. For users new to the Final Cut family, who want something a little more serious than iMovie, FCE4 steals the show!

90 of 116 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Not Express and Not Final

Written by RA from Lake Mary

Jan 13, 2008

All I wanted to do was add chapter markers to a DVD. Because iMovie doesn't do this and iDVD only does it based on set time intervals, I had to buy this product. But, Final Cut Express is not intuitive at all - takes days to master it - with extremely poor tutorials and help. And, worst thing is that at the end there is little control over the size of the file. So, you have to keep trying a million different settings trying to get your project to a workable size. Apparently the features needed to do this easily are in something called "Compressor" which is part of the Final Cut Studio for $1299. I'm extremely disappointed in Apple - they do not deliver on their value proposition of making it easy to work with media on Macs. They need to hire some software people who can put together a decent product set that is somewhat intuitive and reasonably priced - and gets you to something final in a reasonable amount of time.

85 of 157 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

not user friendly

Written by SN from new york

Jan 11, 2008

I recently switched form windows to mac. I am big into home movies. This softwares is too complicated. Too many windows. Too many steps for each process. It's hard to figure out. There are no worshops at the apple store available at convenient hours (if you lead a normal life and work during the day).

I had VEGAS Video by SONY in my PC and it was so simple! The interface was easy to understand. You didn't have to jump from one window to another to make changes.

I'm very frustrated.

83 of 187 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Absolute must!

Written by MH from San Antonio

Jan 10, 2008

If you're thinking of stepping up from iMovie: DO IT! Being constantly frustrated with iMovie, a mere 30 minutes into using Final Cut Express and I was blown away at how much more ability I had at my fingertips. It is actually easier to use because it does what I want. I am so glad to not have to generate thumbnails for every video import. This does everything you want to do if stepping up from iMovie. If you're looking to do all the cool effects (even if they are basic like B&W) you've always wanted to do, this is your ticket. Well worth the price (a bargain, in my opinion).

92 of 118 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

This is a DOWNGRADE, no an Upgrade; worst in years from Apple

Written by BC from Meridian

Jan 7, 2008

This "upgrade" is a downgrade. $100 less than FCE 3.5, sure, but it has $200+ less software content than FCE 3.0

FCE 4 deletes SoundTrack off your hard disk from the FCE 3.5 install, has less stuff in LiveType than FCE v3.5,

Stick with FCE 3.5, or install this on a separate box / hard disk (which defeats the purpose of an upgrade).

Bad move, Apple. An 'upgrade' is to increase productivity, not drastically diminish it.

I give this "downgrade" a 0.00001 star.

203 of 261 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

The Bomb

Written by JF from Simi Valley

Jan 6, 2008

I just purchased the upgrade from V2. I won't speak from a perspective of other versions of this software. If you own a Mac and you want to do some really pro stuff for not a lot of money, this is it. It will blow your mind. There is a learning curve to it. Take your time. Play with it. Have the user manual PDF open as you go. You'll be amazed at what you can do. This is the not-so-scaled-down version of what the big dogs use. There is a reason for that. This is $200 software! And it rocks.

46 of 70 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Apple Final Cut Express

Written by WG from Loves Park

Jan 5, 2008

To sum it up, this product is made by Apple. What is left to be desired? I started out using a PC for video editing and what a mistake that was! Switching to a Mac, I quickly grasped iMovie's beginner-friendly interface. Quickly outgrowing that, I moved on to Final Cut Express and will never regret it! This is the greatest video editing application I have ever used. From its easy-to-use interface, to its flawless video editing capabilities, this product continues to amaze with every click of the mouse and stroke of a key. A must have for all amateur film makers.

64 of 96 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Does not work with HDD based camcorder

Written by JN from elkhorn

Dec 30, 2007

First of all I specifically bought this software at the retail store because I was told that it would demux my mpeg-2 video from my Sony HDD based camcorder. It did not. Just like iMovie, it would not play audio. What a waste!

Plus it was not very user friendly. I would not recommend this for anyone who has a HDD based camcorder.

153 of 203 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Best EVER!!!!

Written by TG from Manorville

Dec 27, 2007

I love the new FCE

49 of 154 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

Awesome

Written by CJ from Hudson

Dec 23, 2007

The title pretty much explains the program

61 of 190 people found this useful

Final Cut Express 4.0

not compatible with fcp studio2

Written by AM from Tlalnepantla

Dec 17, 2007

Is not possible to share projects with final cut studio 2. Ok, the new plugins included are nice, and the keyframing is basic but efficient. I basically bought this software to install and run in a macbook intel core2duo, thinking about to capture or start simple projects to make postproduction in another intel based mac with FCS2 later. I found frustrating when FCS2 message appears: "the project is newer to this version of software" (or something like this). Hey apple what's wrong? What do I make? Only clipping? I'm very dissapointed with them.

150 of 228 people found this useful