Final Cut Studio
Encyclopedia
Final Cut Studio is a professional video and audio production suite
for Mac OS X
from Apple Inc., and a direct competitor to Avid Media Composer in the high-end movie production industry. It is now only available to purchase through Apple's 1-800 number, therefore not online or in Apple Stores.
Additional applications included are:
in April 2005. It is the successor to Production Suite
, and added new versions of all the Production Suite applications, as well as a 'new' program, Soundtrack Pro, which is really a new version of Soundtrack, formerly included with Final Cut Pro. In January 2006, Final Cut Studio became the only way to purchase any of the individual major applications. In March 2006, Apple released the Universal Binary
version as Final Cut Studio 1.1.
suite, which is aimed at consumers, insomuch as iMovie
is the consumer counterpart of Final Cut Pro; GarageBand
3 is a consumer version of Logic Pro; and iDVD
is the cut-down version of DVD Studio Pro. Like Motion, iMovie includes Core Image
effects that can be applied in real time.
, former CEO of Apple, declared 2005 to be the "Year of HD
". To this end, the HD features of Final Cut Studio were emphasised, such that a little HD logo was placed on the box for each individual Studio application, as well as the Final Cut Studio box.
Final Cut Pro supports nearly all High Definition formats (HDV
, DVCPRO HD, AVCHD
, and uncompressed HD) and Soundtrack Pro and Motion can import these formats too, where they can be played back on an external monitor. DVD Studio Pro supports the HDDVD 1.0 specification. See DVD Studio Pro
.
4 – a high-end digital compositing application that integrates with Final Cut Pro but is not included in Final Cut Studio.
of real-world users of the applications. For Final Cut Pro, they used Bunim-Murray Productions' uses of the program in their The Real World
reality television
show. For Soundtrack Pro, Walter Murch
became their advocate – a film editor and sound designer who worked on Cold Mountain
and The Godfather
. For Motion, Apple used the example of Mekanism
and their creation of a TV spot designed to persuade young people
to vote. And for DVD Studio Pro, the example of Relevant was used, who used the application in a unique, interactive movie called Backwoods to Brooklyn.
Final Cut Pro and Motion also integrate directly with Shake
, a digital compositing
package, also from Apple. It is now discontinued.
Software suite
A software suite or application suite is a collection of computer programs, usually application software and programming software of related functionality, often sharing a more-or-less common user interface and some ability to smoothly exchange data with each other.Sometimes software makers...
for Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
from Apple Inc., and a direct competitor to Avid Media Composer in the high-end movie production industry. It is now only available to purchase through Apple's 1-800 number, therefore not online or in Apple Stores.
Components
Final Cut Studio version 3 contains six main applications and several smaller applications used in editing video. The major applications it includes are:- Final Cut ProFinal Cut ProFinal Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...
7 – "real-time editing for DVDVDV is a format for the digital recording and playing back of digital video. The DV codec was launched in 1995 with joint efforts of leading producers of video camcorders....
, SDStandard-definition televisionSorete-definition television is a television system that uses a resolution that is not considered to be either enhanced-definition television or high-definition television . The term is usually used in reference to digital television, in particular when broadcasting at the same resolution as...
and HDHigh-definition videoHigh-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
" - Motion 4 – "real-time motion graphics design"
- Soundtrack ProSoundtrack ProSoundtrack Pro was a music composing and audio editing application made by Apple Inc., which includes a collection of just over 5000 royalty free professional instrument loops and sound effects...
3 – "advanced audio editing and sound design" - DVD Studio ProDVD Studio ProDVD Studio Pro was a high-end software tool published by Apple Inc. to allow users to create DVD masters to be sent out for replication at production houses. Its tight integration with other Apple applications allows users to take Final Cut Pro and Motion projects and render them into the DVD...
4 – encodingEncoderAn encoder is a device, circuit, transducer, software program, algorithm or person that converts information from one format or code to another, for the purposes of standardization, speed, secrecy, security, or saving space by shrinking size.-Media:...
, authoringDVD authoringDVD authoring is the process of creating a DVD video capable of playing on a DVD player. DVD authoring software must conform to the specifications set by the DVD Forum group in 1995...
and burning. - ColorColor (software)Color was a professional color grading software application produced by Apple Inc. for their Mac OS X operating system. It is one of the major applications included as part of Apple's Final Cut Studio 3 video production suite...
1.5 – a new color gradingColor gradingColor grading or colour painting, is the process of altering and enhancing the color of a motion picture, video image, or still image either electronically, photo-chemically or digitally. The photo-chemical process is also referred to as color timing and is typically performed at a photographic...
application adapted from Silicon Color's FinalTouch. - CompressorCompressor (software)Compressor is a video and audio media compression and encoding application for use with Final Cut Studio and Logic Studio on Mac OS X. It can be used with Qmaster for clustering.-History:...
3.5 – a video encoding tool for outputting projects in different formats.
Additional applications included are:
- Cinema ToolsCinema ToolsCinema Tools is a software program for filmmakers, to use in conjunction with Final Cut Pro. It facilitates the creation of an integrated film database, allowing the management of film material through telecine.-Overview:...
4.5 – tools specific to film processing. - QmasterApple QmasterApple Qmaster is a system made by Apple Inc. that provides automated work distribution and processing for high-volume projects created with certain digital visual effects software packages: Shake, Autodesk Maya, Final Cut Pro, Compressor, DVD Studio Pro and any UNIX command-line program...
3 – a distributed processing tool.
History
Final Cut Studio was introduced at the National Association of BroadcastersNational Association of Broadcasters
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association, workers union, and lobby group representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States...
in April 2005. It is the successor to Production Suite
Production Suite
Production Suite was a software compilation by Apple used for digital video editing. Production Suite contained Final Cut Pro HD, DVD Studio Pro 3 and Apple Motion...
, and added new versions of all the Production Suite applications, as well as a 'new' program, Soundtrack Pro, which is really a new version of Soundtrack, formerly included with Final Cut Pro. In January 2006, Final Cut Studio became the only way to purchase any of the individual major applications. In March 2006, Apple released the Universal Binary
Universal binary
A universal binary is, in Apple parlance, an executable file or application bundle that runs natively on either PowerPC or Intel-manufactured IA-32 or Intel 64-based Macintosh computers; it is an implementation of the concept more generally known as a fat binary.With the release of Mac OS X Snow...
version as Final Cut Studio 1.1.
Release history
| Date | Releases |
| NAB 1999 | Final Cut Pro |
| MWSF 2001 | DVD Studio Pro |
| March 2001 | Final Cut Pro 2 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2001/mar/14fcp.html |
| December 2001 | Final Cut Pro 3 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2001/dec/04fcp.html |
| April 2002 | Cinema Tools http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2002/apr/05cinema.html |
| NAB 2002 | DVD Studio Pro 1.5 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2002/apr/05dvd.html |
| NAB 2003 | Final Cut Pro 4 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2003/apr/06fcp4.html, DVD Studio Pro 2 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2003/apr/06dvdsp2.html, LiveType, Soundtrack, Compressor |
| NAB 2004 | Final Cut Pro HD http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/apr/18fcp.html, DVD Studio Pro 3 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/apr/18dvdsp.html, Motion http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/apr/18motion.html, LiveType 1.2, Soundtrack 1.2, Compressor 1.2 |
| August 2004 | Production Suite http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/aug/10psuite.html |
| NAB 2005 | Final Cut Studio http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/apr/17fcstudio.html: Final Cut Pro 5, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, LiveType 2, Soundtrack Pro http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/apr/17soundtrackpro.html, Compressor 2 |
| March 2006 | Final Cut Studio released as a Universal Universal binary A universal binary is, in Apple parlance, an executable file or application bundle that runs natively on either PowerPC or Intel-manufactured IA-32 or Intel 64-based Macintosh computers; it is an implementation of the concept more generally known as a fat binary.With the release of Mac OS X Snow... application http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006/mar/30fcstudio.html. |
| NAB 2007 | Final Cut Studio 2 http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/04/15fcstudio.html: Final Cut Pro 6, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 3, LiveType 2, Soundtrack Pro 2, Color, Compressor 3 |
| July 2009 | Final Cut Studio (2009) http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/07/23fcs.html: Final Cut Pro 7, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5, Compressor 3.5 |
Marketing
Final Cut Studio has been positioned as an all-in-one production workflow system because of its integration of film, motion graphics and audio post-production tools in one suite. It is analogous to the iLifeILife
iLife is a suite of software applications developed by Apple for organizing, editing, and publishing photos, movies, and music. The suite comprises five applications: iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb, all of which run on the Mac OS X operating system....
suite, which is aimed at consumers, insomuch as iMovie
IMovie
iMovie is a proprietary video editing software application which allows Mac, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 users to edit their own home movies. It was originally released by Apple in 1999 as a Mac OS 8 application bundled with the first FireWire-enabled consumer Apple...
is the consumer counterpart of Final Cut Pro; GarageBand
GarageBand
GarageBand is a software application for Mac OS X and iOS that allows users to create music or podcasts. It is developed by Apple Inc. as a part of the iLife software package on Mac OS X.-Audio recording:...
3 is a consumer version of Logic Pro; and iDVD
IDVD
iDVD is a DVD creation software application made by Apple Inc. for Mac OS X. iDVD allows the user to add QuickTime Movies, MP3 music, and digital photos to a DVD that can then be played on a commercial DVD player. It is often considered the last step of Apple's iLife suite, bringing together all...
is the cut-down version of DVD Studio Pro. Like Motion, iMovie includes Core Image
Core Image
Core Image is a pixel-accurate, near-realtime, non-destructive image processing technology in Mac OS X. Implemented as part of the QuartzCore framework of Mac OS X 10.4 and later, Core Image provides a plugin-based architecture for applying filters and effects within the Quartz graphics rendering...
effects that can be applied in real time.
High Definition
In the Macworld Conference and Expo 2005, Steve JobsSteve Jobs
Steven Paul Jobs was an American businessman and inventor widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the personal computer revolution. He was co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc...
, former CEO of Apple, declared 2005 to be the "Year of HD
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
". To this end, the HD features of Final Cut Studio were emphasised, such that a little HD logo was placed on the box for each individual Studio application, as well as the Final Cut Studio box.
Final Cut Pro supports nearly all High Definition formats (HDV
HDV
HDV is a format for recording of high-definition video on DV cassette tape. The format was originally developed by JVC and supported by Sony, Canon and Sharp...
, DVCPRO HD, AVCHD
AVCHD
AVCHD is a file-based format for the digital recording and playback of high-definition video....
, and uncompressed HD) and Soundtrack Pro and Motion can import these formats too, where they can be played back on an external monitor. DVD Studio Pro supports the HDDVD 1.0 specification. See DVD Studio Pro
DVD Studio Pro
DVD Studio Pro was a high-end software tool published by Apple Inc. to allow users to create DVD masters to be sent out for replication at production houses. Its tight integration with other Apple applications allows users to take Final Cut Pro and Motion projects and render them into the DVD...
.
Packaging
The design for the packaging and websites for each application are consistent to a demonstration video shown at the product's introduction at NAB 2005. This video also includes reference to ShakeShake (software)
Shake is a discontinued image compositing package used in the post-production industry. Shake was widely used in visual effects and digital compositing for film, HD and commercials. Shake exposes its node graph architecture graphically. It enables complex image processing sequences to be designed...
4 – a high-end digital compositing application that integrates with Final Cut Pro but is not included in Final Cut Studio.
Case studies
To market the Studio components, Apple compiled a set of case studiesCase study
A case study is an intensive analysis of an individual unit stressing developmental factors in relation to context. The case study is common in social sciences and life sciences. Case studies may be descriptive or explanatory. The latter type is used to explore causation in order to find...
of real-world users of the applications. For Final Cut Pro, they used Bunim-Murray Productions' uses of the program in their The Real World
The Real World
The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the...
reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show. For Soundtrack Pro, Walter Murch
Walter Murch
Walter Scott Murch is an American film editor and sound designer.-Early life:Murch was born in New York City, New York, the son of Katharine and Canadian-born Walter Tandy Murch , a painter. He went to The Collegiate School, a private preparatory school in Manhattan, from 1949 to 1961...
became their advocate – a film editor and sound designer who worked on Cold Mountain
Cold Mountain (film)
Cold Mountain is a 2003 war drama film written and directed by Anthony Minghella. The film is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Charles Frazier...
and The Godfather
The Godfather
The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
. For Motion, Apple used the example of Mekanism
Mekanism
Mekanism is a San Francisco and New York-based creative company. They develop viral campaigns, commercials and branded entertainment to inspire measurable brand loyalty....
and their creation of a TV spot designed to persuade young people
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
to vote. And for DVD Studio Pro, the example of Relevant was used, who used the application in a unique, interactive movie called Backwoods to Brooklyn.
Integration
The applications are designed to integrate as a suite, to form a workflow. In particular:- Final Cut Pro sequences can be exported to Soundtrack Pro for audio tweaking or music scoring
- Final Cut Pro sequences can be sent to Compressor, for encoding in an external format
- Final Cut Pro sequences can be exported for Motion, for motion graphics overlays, or LiveType, specifically for title overlays
- LiveType projects can be opened in Final Cut Pro without needing to be exported first
- Motion projects can be incorporated into DVD Studio Pro menus without needing to be exported first
- LiveFonts from LiveType can be used in Motion.
Final Cut Pro and Motion also integrate directly with Shake
Shake (software)
Shake is a discontinued image compositing package used in the post-production industry. Shake was widely used in visual effects and digital compositing for film, HD and commercials. Shake exposes its node graph architecture graphically. It enables complex image processing sequences to be designed...
, a digital compositing
Compositing
Compositing is the combining of visual elements from separate sources into single images, often to create the illusion that all those elements are parts of the same scene. Live-action shooting for compositing is variously called "chroma key", "blue screen", "green screen" and other names. Today,...
package, also from Apple. It is now discontinued.
See also
- Non-linear video editing
- List of video editing software
- Comparison of video editing softwareComparison of video editing softwareThis is a comparison of non-linear video editing software applications. See also a more complete list of video editing software.-General information:This table gives basic general information about the different editors:- System requirements :...
- Shake (software)Shake (software)Shake is a discontinued image compositing package used in the post-production industry. Shake was widely used in visual effects and digital compositing for film, HD and commercials. Shake exposes its node graph architecture graphically. It enables complex image processing sequences to be designed...
- Final Cut ServerFinal Cut ServerFinal Cut Server was Apple Inc.'s server-based backend for managing Final Cut Studio files and workflow automation, based on Proximity's artbox package. Final Cut Server can catalogue any file type and allows for the addition of custom metadata to make those files searchable...