Apple Updates Final Cut, Compressor and Motion

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Larry

Yesterday, Apple released minor updates for Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor; as well as their Pro Video formats. The new features primarily provide support for more video codecs, along with lots of minor bug fixes.

Bug fixes are always nice, I’m especially pleased with the work done to improve the stability of 3D text. The new versions require OS X 10.10.4 or later.

Here’s the complete list.

FINAL CUT PRO X (v. 10.2.2)

Native support for Sony XAVC-L and Panasonic AVC-
Intra 4:4:4 up to 4K resolution
Import Canon XF-AVC 8-bit video files with Canon plug-in
Export interlaced H.264 video
Asset management systems can include a library backup file when sharing from Final Cut Pro
Fixes render errors that could occur when using reflective materials with 3D text
Improves stability when swapping materials on 3D text with published parameters
Improves performance when loading text styles
Motion Title templates with published text layout parameters now export correctly
Fixes an issue that could cause 3D text to appear dark when rendered
Addresses issues with timing on certain animated effects

MOTION 5 (v. 5.2.2)

Fixes render errors that may occur when using reflective materials with 3D text
Improves stability when swapping materials on 3D text with published parameters
Improves performance when loading text styles
Motion Title templates with published text layout parameters now export correctly
Fixes an issue that may cause 3D text to appear dark when rendered

COMPRESSOR (v. 4.2.1)

Fixes a crash that could occur after migrating a user account to another system
Restores the ability to use markers for i-frame placement in H.264 exports
Exports interlaced H.264 files
Improves the audio and video sync of closed captions and subtitles

PRO VIDEO FORMATS

This update includes support for the following video codecs:

Apple Intermediate Codec
Apple ProRes
AVC-Intra
DVCPRO HD
HDV
XDCAM EX / HD / HD422
MPEG IMX
Uncompressed 4:2:2

This update also adds the following MXF support:

Native import, edit, and share of MXF files with Final Cut Pro X and Motion
MXF share presets for Compressor
MXF OP1a export

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16 Responses to Apple Updates Final Cut, Compressor and Motion

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Paul Hiscock says:

September 7, 2015 at 7:31 am

Larry, They fixed the FCPX two-line text window so that it expands. It’s great.
Leolin Oosthuisen says:

September 7, 2015 at 7:47 am

Thank you Larry. Been with you for years since Linda days.. You are just getting better all the time.
Good luck with all your new ventures,

Leolin
Karen says:

September 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

How does the 4:4:4 work? Do you recommend using it? And FINALLY! They fixed it so my Sony 4K camera can convert natively instead of using sony’s converter!
Larry says:

September 7, 2015 at 2:08 pm

Karen:

If your camera SHOOTS 4:4:4 video, then convert it to ProRes 4444. However, most of the time, you don’t need to and the files are huge. Most non-digital-cinema cameras will look fine converting to ProRes 422, or ProRes 422 HQ, depending upon the quality of your lenses.

Larry
JimiJeans says:

September 7, 2015 at 8:18 pm

Something weird happened in my recent FCPX update. My MacBook Pro is fully updated and i am running 10.10.5. I just updated to the latest Final Cut X 10.2.2 but my Final Cut still says 10.2.1. I found myself walking around today wondering to myself what is going on here?
Larry says:

September 7, 2015 at 9:58 pm

Jimi:

Try reinstalling Final Cut from the App Store again.

If that doesn’t update it, contact Apple Support.

Larry
chris says:

September 8, 2015 at 1:22 am

Thanks for this Larry, maybe I’m missing something but i thought the codecs were added the previous update?

This update includes support for the following video codecs:

Apple Intermediate Codec
Apple ProRes
AVC-Intra
DVCPRO HD
HDV
XDCAM EX / HD / HD422
MPEG IMX
Uncompressed 4:2:2
Jeffrey Lonigro says:

September 8, 2015 at 6:25 am

I thought we had MXF support from a few previous versions. Has something changed?
Larry says:

September 8, 2015 at 6:30 am

Chris:

You are correct. These codecs have been supported by FCP X for a while.

What happened recently is that they were updated to support new variations within these codecs.

Larry
Larry says:

September 8, 2015 at 6:33 am

Jeff:

yes and no. MXF was supported in an earlier version. However, with this update, Apple also updated these codecs. What they did specifically, though, I don’t know.

Larry