Apple Unleashes Final Cut Pro 4 and DVD Studio Pro 2

by News Editor
Published on Apr 5, 2003 12:00 AM



Today at NAB Apple unveiled the long awaited upgrades to it’s emmy award winning NLE software Final Cut Pro and it’s DVD authoring software DVD Studio Pro. The popular NLE became the center of attention last year when it announced it’s support for the Panasonic DVX100 in the new version but that’s not the only new feature. FCP 4 boast the ability to use of multiple video streams for compositing and effects work, the ability to edit using asymmetric trimming, master clips and merged clips, LiveType which they say ''revolutionizes titling'' with breakthrough text effects.

Final Cut Pro 4 also lets you score your project, choosing from thousands of royalty-free sounds and of course has integrated Cinema Tools support for film cut lists and 24fps EDLs for HD video. Final Cut Pro 4 also gives users the ability to customize the interface by letting you select from more than 600 tools and commands to customize your keyboard using multiple modifier keys and interface buttons. The Browser, window arrangements and Timeline settings can also be customized to suit the way you like to work, and you can save your settings and load them onto any other Final Cut Pro 4 system.

To add to the strength of this professional set-up Apple has upgraded DVD Studio Pro with new features designed to help video pros author DVDs quicker with professionally-designed authoring templates that help you get started fast. Plus an Integrated Menu Editor, which precisely aligns menu items with interactive guides and rulers. There’s a timeline-based track editor so linear track view shows you video, audio and subtitle streams. And then there’s Compressor, a new batch transcoding tool which gives you tight control over encoding. And top it off with professional encoding enabling you to use MPEG-2 encoding with 1-pass CBR, 1-pass VBR and 2-pass VBR.

One of the problems with some DVD authoring solution is that your DVD never gets that polished look of a professional DVD. But DVD Studio Pro 4 gives its users the power of a professional DVD authoring studio in one’s home. Coupled together with Final Cut Pro 4 digital movie making will never be the same. Final Cut Pro 4 will run you the normal FCP price of $999. DVD Studio Pro 2 will be available in August. The price wasn’t given only the option of purchasing DVD Studio Pro 1.5 ($499) after April 6, 2003, making you eligible to update to DVD Studio Pro 2 through the up-to-date program, which will allow you to get the upgrade at a reasonable discount. For further information check out www.apple.com .