Apple introduced Final Cut Pro HD at NAB2004, the latest version of its Emmy award-winning editing software, now with the realtime performance of high-quality native DVCPRO HD in addition to realtime support for DV and SD. Final Cut Pro HD delivers the ability to capture, edit and output broadcast-quality high definition (HD) video over a single FireWire cable, without requiring any additional hardware an industry first. Final Cut Pro HD supports native DVCPRO HD editing with no recompression or image degradation and enables HD preview monitoring on an Apple Cinema HD Display.
"Apple revolutionized the video industry with DV editing and FireWire," said Rob Schoeben, Apple's vp of applications marketing. "With Final Cut Pro HD, we're bringing realtime, native HD editing to customers at a breakthrough price."
Taking advantage of the renowned performance and architecture of the Power Mac G5 and Mac OS X version 10.3 "Panther," Final Cut Pro HD provides playback of up to four streams of native DVCPRO HD video or when adding an Xserve RAID, up to 10 streams in preview quality. Final Cut Pro HD's support of native DVCPRO HD makes media conversion unnecessary, preserving the full quality of the camera original. Final Cut Pro HD's frame-accurate, native DVCPRO HD editing environment gives broadcasters, producers and post-production professionals the ability to capture, edit and output broadcast-quality HD video, and the freedom to cut HD video anywhere, even on a PowerBook.
Final Cut Pro HD's Digital Cinema Desktop feature allows basic SD and HD monitoring directly to an Apple Cinema Display, further lowering the cost of entry for working in HD editing. Built on the open architecture of QuickTime, Final Cut Pro HD scales smoothly from DV through SD, HD and film. Final Cut Pro HD can output to most professional tape formats or encode MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and QuickTime files for DVD, Web or delivery on 3G devices.
Final Cut Pro HD offers unprecedented integration with Apple's suite of professional applications, including Motion, a breakthrough new application that redefines professional motion graphics production; DVD Studio Pro 3, a professional DVD authoring application; Shake 3.5, a new version of the industry-leading compositing and visual effects software; and Logic Pro 6, the standard in computer-based music production.
Final Cut Pro HD includes precision, non-modal editing and trimming tools; powerful interface customization features; advanced realtime color correction and image control; and enhanced audio editing capabilities with multi-track audio mixing and multi-channel audio output. Using RT Extreme, Final Cut Pro HD offers more than 150 render-free filters, effects and transitions. Final Cut Pro HD includes LiveType 1.2 for resolution independent animated titling, Soundtrack 1.2 for loop-based music creation, Compressor 1.2 for HD encoding and Cinema Tools for filmmakers working with 35mm or 16mm film.
Final Cut Pro HD is available immediately to registered Final Cut Pro 4 users. The Final Cut Pro HD retail package is available for pre-order through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999. Final Cut Pro 1, 2, and 3 users can upgrade to Final Cut Pro HD for $399. Full system requirements and more information on Final Cut Pro HD, including a list of certified, compatible hardware and software, can be found at www.apple.com/finalcutpro.
Apple (www.apple.com) ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
