Apple updates Final Cut and Logic suites

Stephen Withers
Friday, 24 July 2009 04:47

IT Industry - Development

Major updates to Apple's video and audio applications deliver significant new features.

The new version of Final Cut Studio delivers more than 100 new features but costs $US300/$A199 less than its predecessor. The updated suite includes new versions of Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Color and Compressor.

Final Cut Pro 7 features new ProRes codecs to support a wider variety of workflows, iChat Theater to share timelines or individual clips with other iChat users, alpha transitions, and native AVC-Intra support for Panasonic cameras.

Motion 4 improves its 3D capabilities with enhanced lighting and control over depth of field.

Soundtrack Pro 3 makes it easier to correct mismatched voice levels, allows incidental noises to be concealed, and provides advanced algorithms for precisely stretching or compressing audio.

Color 1.5 provides support for files from a wider range of cameras (including 4K, AVC-Intra and XDCAM 422), and is more tightly integrated with the rest of the suite.

Compressor 3.5 includes presets for publishing to YouTube and MobileMe, and exporting to iPhone, iPod, Apple TV and mobile phones. Templates and presets are also provides for Blu-ray discs.

Final Cut Studio costs $US999/$A1499. Upgrades from previous versions of Final Cut Studio or Final Cut Pro are $US299/$A449.

Final Cut Server has also been updated, and now includes unlimited client licences for $US999/$A1499 (upgrades are $US299/$A449).

Find out about the Logic news on page 2.