Apple Updates Final Cut Pro with Better P2, XDCAM, and 24P Support

by John Neely
Published on Sep 12, 2006 8:00 AM

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September 12, 2006 - This week at IBC in Amsterdam, Apple announced its latest Final Cut Pro updates. Update 5.1.2 enhances support for Apple Motion's FxPlug plug-ins, and additional video capture formats, according to the UK digital media publication, Digit.

This update will enhance the integration of Final Cut Studio by enabling Motion 2 real-time plug-ins to be used within Final Cut Pro. Motion 2 is Apple’s motion graphics application, and is bundled in the Final Cut Studio Suite with Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro 4, and Compressor.

In addition, Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 improves support for Sony's XDCAM, and Panasonic's P2 camcorders using the DVCPRO HD format. Final Cut Pro’s prior versions supported the 25Mbps CBR version of XDCAM, but the latest update adds support for lower and higher bit rate video, at 18Mbps and 35Mbps, as well as XDCAM IMX 30. 5.1.2 will also improve integration of Final Cut Pro with the XDCAM Transfer, a freely-downloadable import and asset control tool.

Import of P2 footage has been improved to permit input of more information about clips, and new with this upgrade, subclips. This upgrade also adds support for 24P and 25P HDV.

Apple will make the 5.1.2 upgrade available via the Mac Software Update function within 30 days.