Blog Archives

An in-depth look at configuration, setup and use of the new Mac Pro for video editing.

Apple today announced that, starting tomorrow (12/19/13), the new MacPro will be available for order; though they did not announce more specific pricing, configurations, or a ship date. Their press release states: CUPERTINO, California―December 18, 2013―Apple® today announced the all-new …

First, let’s be clear: The new MacPro is not yet shipping. So, like a group of blind folks describing an elephant, we are getting a lot of different opinions on what this new animal is. Second, the instant Apple revealed …

I get emails almost every day from readers suggesting tips and tricks for Final Cut Pro X. Most are questions about how to do things, which form the basis of the articles I write for my newsletter every week. However, …

[ This article generated a lot of technical comments. Be sure to view the comments in this blog to learn more. ] Updated: June 15, to reflect a variety of technical comments from readers. On Monday, Apple gladdened the hearts …

Apple Insider has an excellent analysis on the future of the Mac Pro, and Macintosh computers in general. This is in line with my earlier blog about the future of the Mac Pro.

Recently, I’ve had a lot of emails from editors with problems uploading (Sharing) files to YouTube directly from Final Cut Pro X. So, I did some checking and discovered that the problems were caused by Google. In early April, Google …

Final Cut Pro X is in the news again. This time in the LA Times. Is this a signal of something bigger to come?

Passing thoughts on FCP X that don’t need an in-depth article. COLOR BOARD KEYFRAMING I got into a discussion recently on whether we can keyframe color correction settings with Final Cut Pro X’s Color Board. So, I went off to …

At this week’s Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group meeting, Apple presented the latest features in Final Cut Pro X at the meeting. (It was a nice demo, but no new features were announced.) However, I did pick up …

June 21, 2011. Apple released Final Cut Pro X and our industry changed overnight. It’s been a year since that release, and I’m interested in your comments on the impact, if any, that Final Cut Pro X has had on …

This evening, I was speaking – remotely – with the Arizona Final Cut Pro Users Group. And I was asked, as happens often, “Does Apple still care about professionals?” This is a hard question, because the answer is changing. But …

I am a huge fan of keyboard shortcuts. For tasks that I do over and over, Bam!, hit it with a keyboard shortcut and, Poof!, it’s done. What’s not to like about keyboard shortcuts? Even if you prefer doing everything …

The fever of excitement surrounding the launch of a new Apple product is the envy of every other consumer company in the world. Rumors, gossip, and eager anticipation create a potent mix for marketing.

Posting copyrighted music to YouTube can lead to embarrassment – even when you are legally entitled to do so. YouTube’s Content ID often causes problems with royalty-free music, as this article explains.

Apple provides a first look at coming new features in Final Cut Pro X to Larry Jordan.

Apple updates Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor. Here are the details.

Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Photoshop… Composite modes work virtually every where. This video training shows you what they are, how they work, and how to create killer effects.

With the release Tuesday of Final Cut Pro 10.0.1, Apple added the ability to import and export XML files. While not a direct benefit to FCP X editors, indirectly, this is huge. Let me explain why. Video, and film, editing …

[Updated Sept. 21 with a few extra details and the link to the free trial.] [Updated with a link for the QuickTime update.] [Updated with more information on Roles, and clarification on Davinci and AutoDesk.] [Updated with clarification on XSAN.] …

According to MacRumors, and confirmed by two other sources, Apple is now offering FCP 7 (and the entire Final Cut Studio (3) suite) for sale. You can read MacRumors here. While only available on an 800 number – 800-MY-APPLE – …

Is Final Cut Pro X truly the new future of non-linear video editing?

We are all looking forward to the release of Lion on Wednesday this week. So I thought I’d dust off a few thoughts from operating system upgrades from year’s past – just to prevent any problems. First – and most …

Some interesting news this morning. FIRST Apple has quietly notified developers that it is preparing to offer volume purchases for business customers via the App Store. MacNN has more about this. The significance of this is that volume purchases of …

One of the problems of being in the middle is that I can see both sides. I don’t necessarily agree with them, but I can appreciate their point of view. My blog this morning – Who’s Accountable – touched a …

Like many of you, I’ve been losing sleep this last week trying to figure out what’s going to happen to my business after the debacle of the Final Cut Pro X launch. I read in a blog last night that …

Think about what YOU do – are you a Final Cut editor, OR are you an editor that uses Final Cut? Are you defined by the technology you use or the stories that you tell? So, let’s slow down and take stock. Apple has given us an opportunity to make a choice.

Apple responds to market complaints about Final Cut Pro X.

Since Apple launched Final Cut Pro X last Tuesday, I’ve had more than 3,500 emails that range from “I’m enjoying FCP X and creating useful projects,” to “FCP X will destroy my ability to make a living.” (And, ah, far …

There are about 85 emails in my in-box this morning with links to a speech I gave at the April Final Cut Pro User Group about my reactions to Apple’s presentation of Final Cut at NAB. While I stand by …

I’ve been reflecting on all the hype surrounding Cloud-based file storage recently. To hear some industry pundits describe it, the Cloud – where we store our data on servers located outside our office or home – is the most incredible …

[Image courtesy Apple Inc. Click for enlarged view.] Apple this evening provided a “sneak peek” at the next version of Final Cut Pro – now called “Final Cut Pro X” at the NAB SuperMeet in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new …

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE SUPERMEET I’m writing this at 9:50 PM from my hotel room at the 2011 NAB Show (National Association of Broadcasters) in Las Vegas, Nevada. In less than 24 hours, we will know what the next version …

[ The following article was taken from my FREE Final Cut Studio newsletter for February. Subscribe here. ] The release of any new hardware is exciting; as we saw last week with the release of the new MacBook Pros. However, …

… and it’s a jaw-dropper. Last week, Apple invited a few folks, including me, to a short meeting in Cupertino where they previewed the up-coming version of Final Cut Pro. While I am under NDA and can’t talk about what …

Google threw a potentially huge monkey wrench into the world of online video when they announced recently that they would no longer support H.264 in their Google Chrome web browser. Just when the world seemed to be coming together around …

This morning, Apple quietly announced that it was discontinuing the XServe – which is the high-end server for XSAN and other networks – on January 31, 2011. For folks that need servers, Apple recommends that you use either a new …

[ The following musing is taken from the October issue of my Final Cut Studio newsletter. This free monthly newsletter is starting its seventh year of publishing. Sign up for a FREE subscription here. ] It’s been at least a …

Recently, Apple released new updates for Final Cut Studio (3). Pro Applications Update 2010-01 is a revision to Final Cut Studio (2009). This update includes Final Cut Pro 7.0.2, Motion 4.0.2, Color 1.5.2, Compressor 3.5.2, Apple Qmaster 3.5.2 and Cinema …