How much of a learning curve will it be to move up to express? Don't want to go for FCP right off the bat and find out I don't like it. Appreciate all suggestions.
Randy

Final Cut Express is quite bit harder to learn than Imovie.
That said, if you take the time to learn Final Cut Express, you will be happy you did.
Imovie is fun, easy, and has a lot of great features, but it doesn't give you nearly the control that Final Cut does.
I've used both and really enjoy the extra features of Final Cut.
You can also buy books to help you learn how to use it.
I would recommend:
Apple Pro Training Series, Final Cut Express HD by Diana Weynard.
You can find it new for under $30. It helps a lot.

Thanks for the reply. I currently have a Sony SR100. Since this records in mpeg2, will I have to convert to DV like I do for iMovie?
Randy

Yes, you will.

So far I've only used iMovie but I want to do more. If I learn FCExpress will I have to un-learn anything if I later move to FCStudio? I know there will be more options in Studio but is the GUI the same?

I use both without any trouble.
Final Cut is very different. It took me a little while to learn, but it is worth it.
I can't imagine you'll forget how to use Imovie if you do.

To me, Final Cut Express is more intuitive. It also feels a lot snappier. There is so much more power under the hood too. But for basic editing I'd say definitely to to FCE if you can. A lot of the NLE's are the same basic style, Adobe Premier, Avid, Vegas etc. it's just "where's the button"

The Diana Weynand book is good place to start. I thought it was really well done.

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Guy Cochran

DVcreators.net Training and Resources for DV creators - Producer - DV Gear Talk

in college i took a premire 5 class. i bought a video cd from VTC. thats a company that has teaching videos that are like 10 hours long each of a teacher showing you with the program how to use it. they record all the screen action with audio. google VTC training videos. frank