Product Description

Apple’s powerful moviemaking package now supports the latestAVCHD cameras features an open format Timeline provides iMovie’08 compatibility and offers sophisticated effects andfilters.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97 in Software
• Brand: Apple
• Model: MB278Z/A
• Released on: 2008-03-07
• Platforms: PowerMac, Macintosh, Mac OS X
• Format: DVD-ROM
• Dimensions: .79" h x 5.12" w x 5.12" l, .20 pounds

Features

• Final Cut Express 4.0 EN

Manufacturer's Description
Discover powerful video editing for DV, HDV, and AVCHD. Final Cut Express 4 delivers a single, open format Timeline where you can edit all three, mixing formats and frame rates using the same pro-level editing tools available in Final Cut Pro. Import video projects directly from iMovie '08. Take advantage of LiveType to create dynamic, animated titles. Built-in audio controls let you mix up to 99 audio tracks - even add a narrative voiceover. Perfect your movie with professional transitions and effects, including optional third-party FxPlug plug-ins. The affordable moviemaking package, Final Cut Express 4 costs just $199.

Customer Reviews

A Rather Pointless Upgrade
Having used Final Cut Express 3.5 for a while now, and after editing numerous projects I welcomed version 4's release however I must admit to being rather disappointed. The new features seem next to non-existant and although Apple are really pushing the new version I would be tempted to go with version 3.5 as your paying a lot less and getting basically the same package. Parhaps when version 5 is released in the future it will be a bit more of a step forward as opposed to a step sideways.

Final Cut Express
I can see that this is a great product, but it's complicated to work out and doesn't seem to like my 10.4 macbook despite it saying on the box that it is compatible. The software won't fully transfer the footage from camera and when I move them across from imovie, it takes off the last 4 seconds of each clip!! It's frustrating because I can see that the editing should be easier and better quality!

One of the best software deals out there...
Okay, if you buy Final Cut Express you're not buying the best video editing package available for the Mac: that, as the reviews say, is Final Cut Studio. But, then again, you're spending around £120 compared to the best part of £800 for the full show which, in anyone's books, is a massive difference in price. So, for 15% of the cost of its top-end brother what do you get and is it worth it?

Well... if all you want is a simple and, in it's latest configuration, deceptively powerful way of editing your videos then the latest version of "iMovie" will probably fit the bill. But, if you're into linear, time-line based editing then you'll probably find it difficult & frustrating to adapt to iMovie's "left-field" approach to it all. Professionals use time-line based editing - where you view and precisely control multiple video & audio tracks - for a very good reason: it's better. And, with Final Cut Express, what you're actually getting is an only marginally cut-down version of a highly complex and extremely powerful professional, time-line based editing package. Which means that it takes a considerable amount of time to learn how it works and it takes an equally considerable amount of time to make it work for you.

So, if you're not prepared to spend time fathoming all this out then the decision is simple: choose iMovie. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, if you're a professional, then ignore Final Cut Express and invest in Final Cut Studio's full, and necessary, range of professional tools. But... if you're a "top end" amateur who's prepared to go through the extensive learning curve that's involved here then rejoice, for Final Cut Express will deliver to you just about all of the features from its celebrated brother that you need (plus many, many more that you'll probably never use) at a price that's not only affordable but which must represent one of the best software deals out there.