advertisement
overview

Product summary

Specifications: License qty: 1 user; License type: Complete package; Min processor type: 350 MHz; See full specs

CNET editors' take

  • Reviewed on: 04/22/2004
High definition (HD) was on everyone's lips at this year's National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference in Las Vegas. Joining a cadre of manufacturers showcasing software with an HD bent, Apple unveiled Final Cut Pro HD, the latest version of the company's popular nonlinear video-editing software.

Upside: The big news here is that you can now import, edit, and export HD video over FireWire--no additional hardware required. There's no messing with media conversion: the program scales from DV to SD, HD, and film. With RT Extreme HD, an updated version of Offline RT, you can toggle between full-resolution, high-quality playback or preview mode--further freeing up editors to work off the cuff from their G4s or G5s.

Downside: This version supports the professional DVCPro HD format but not HDV, a consumer-targeted high-def format that five of the major camcorder manufacturers have agreed to use. According to the Apple Web site, the company plans to add support for the format in future versions of the software, but this means that Mac users still aren't compatible with the JVC GR-HD1's HD mode. Competing video-editing programs, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Ulead Media Studio Pro, already support HDV.

Outlook: Although this update cuts both the cost and the time involved in HD-video postproduction, the fact is that high-def video is still out of reach for nonpros. The program is available now for $999. If you use Final Cut Pro 4.0, you can download an update from the Apple Web site. Use an older version? The upgrade price is $399.
See more CNET content tagged:
Apple Computer,
video

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

Apple Final Cut Pro HD

1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit

Similar products

Where to buy Apple Final Cut Pro HD

This product is currently not in stock at any of our online merchants.

Find from our auction partner, eBay

Email me when this product is available

Special sponsor stores

advertisement Special Sponsor Offer
Click Here
advertisement
advertisement
Before you buy
Editors' top software
Find all software reviews
sponsored
advertisement
Click Here