Apple releases Final Cut Studio 2 which includes Soundtrack Pro, Motion, Compressor and Color.

Final Cut Studio 2 and US tour announced

Apple has announced the release of the Final Cut Studio 2 suite of video editing software applications.

Containing Final Cut Pro, Motion & Compressor and Soundtrack Pro, the latest upgrade of Final Cut Studio is a major news announcement for broadcast, video designers and motion graphics editors. Then upgraded bundle contains a mixture of upgrades to existing applications, as well as the introduction of a new software tool called simply Color.

Final Cut Pro 6

Final Cut Pro 6 is Apple's popular non-linear video editing system. This edition introduces the ProRes 422 format which, according to Apple, allows editors to create uncompressed High Definition (HD) quality at SD data sizes.

Final Cut Pro 6 also includes a new Open Format Timeline that allows video editors to utilize mixed video formats and frame rates in a single Timeline without transcoding.

Motion 3

Motion 3 has been upgraded with an extended feature set, which includes new tools for working with 3D environments.

There are new drag and drop camera behaviors, vector-based paint and mapping tools which allow editors to easily apply effects to the paths of other objects. New audio behaviors in Motion 3 allow designers to create animations that respond to the volume and frequency of soundtracks.

Compressor 3

Compressor 3 is an encoding tool for processing and delivering projects in multiple formats. According to Apple, the new version allows for batch processing to allow the delivery of various formats with "a single click". Compressor 3 also adds support for a number of broadcast industry file codecs, including MPEG-2 and H.264.

Soundtrack Pro 2

Soundtrack Pro 2 is the latest version of Final Cut Studio's sound editing software tool. The upgrade features new multi-track editing and recording features, managed by a simplified user interface. Apple claims that new tools allow easier management and editing of audio post-production elements, including easy combining of the best takes, to create seamless performances. Stereo and surround mixing controls allow editors to combine 5.1 and stereo mixes within the same projects.

Color

Color is a brand new software application. Color, according to Apple, allows the Final Cut Pro producer to control the logical task-based color grading and finishing workflow. The Color application includes numerous advanced color correction tools, including gamma, lift and gain adjustments and custom RGB and luma curves. Color integrates with Final Cut Pro and projects can be sent there from the application for grading, finishing and also for final rendering.

Final Cut Studio 2 Tour

Apple is taking Final Cut Pro on tour through eight cities in the USA, where the software will be showcased for free. The cities, locations and starting dates for each stage of the tour are as follows;

Booking details details are available from Apple.

Final Cut Server

Apple have also announced the release of Final Cut Server, a new digital media asset management and workflow automation software application. Final Cut Server allows the management of large quantities of media files and allows the tracking of job files status, manages reviews and approval processes.

15 April 2007

Related video and broadcast design articles and news

• Adobe CS3 product details. Including the new version of Photoshop CS3 Extended with video support.
• Adobe Production Studio, all about the latest video editing tools from Adobe, including Premier for the Mac.
• Apple's iPhone, widescreen video iPod.
• Adobe's own audio editing software tool, Soundbooth.
• Upgrades for 3D editing applications Maya and Modo.
• Apple cuts the price of Shake, its high-end broadcast compositing application.
• Disney buys Pixar, movie animation studio.

Apple and video editing forum discussions

• There are numerous discussions in the video, multimedia and 3D forums about the best types of computer hardware for use in video, 3D design, audio and broadcast design and editing. Mac or PC for music and video is one such topic. As is, best PC for Studio Max and 3D design work? There is also, is the 24" iMac good for video editing?
• Many creatives also want to know what the best software tools to use are. For example, should I start learning Adobe After effects and level design for video games? And there are always the old comparative discussions along the lines of Flash versus Director.
• Others are simply looking for troubleshooting advice, or just a discussion. For example; iDVD, iPhoto, iMovie etc.