Final Cut Express Tutorial

After doing iMovie for 4 years I think it is about time I try my hand at Final Cut Express (since I've had it for 4 years and done nothing with it). I was looking tonight to buy a tutorial program because I am overwhelmed.
Can anyone suggest a great tutorial that is out there to purchase to help ease me into FCE?
Kindly, Beth

I, too, have made numerous movies with iMovie and I always feel as though I am really pushing iMovie beyond what it is designed for. So, I finally upgraded.
I loved "Final Cut Pro 5 Hands-On Training" by Larry David. Still do, actually. I checked it out from my local library. I really like his style of step-by-step tutorials, sharing his prefered techniques, and his wry sense of humor.
Sure, it's Final Cut Pro, but I found surprisingly little information that was unique to FCP and such info was easy to identify. E.g. I skipped the chapter on multi-camera perspectives.
Whatever book you choose, try it from a library first, if possible. And if it doesn't make movie editing in FCE fun for you, it is probably the wrong book for you.
john
Message was edited by: johnte

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Final Cut Express 2 - new user tutorial

Greetings all! I have had Final Cut Express on my computer for over 2 years and have never learned to use it - sad, but true. I am ready to invest in some kind of tutorial and was seeking your ideas for the best one. I don't live near an Apple store, so I can't take advantage of the things they offer in-store. I would prefer a video tutorial, but if someone thinks there is a book that is better I would consider it. Thanks for any input you can provide.

You say you have FCE 2 so probably the best, easily followed book for you is this one:-
http://www.fcpbook.com/FCE2EditingWorkshop.html
Everything is explained clearly and should you have any further questions, the author is here on the forum to answer them.
Ian.

Final output of Final Cut Express HD 3.5 is blurry and out of focus.

Using clear/sharp '.mov' files as clips. Doing simple editing, nothing fancy. When I finally output the project using 'Export/Using QuickTime Conversion,' the final is blurry and out of focus. I've tried every compression type (H264, Animation, etc.). Same problem. Anyone know why this is happening?
Although the specs for my computer are well within the Final Cut Express guidelines (I've even upgraded my graphics card to a Radeon 9800 Pro 256 MB), I'm still thinking that perhaps the G4 I'm using doesn't have enough juice to run the FCE software. By the way, I don't have any other programs active when using FCE. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
G4 (Mirror Drive Doors)/1.25 GHz/2.0 GB Memory/Radeon 9800XT (256 MB) Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Internal 120 GB Hard Drives (RAID)/2 CD-DVD Drives: Super Drive & Combo Drive
G4 (Mirror Drive Doors)/1.25 GHz/2.0 GB Memory/Radeon 9800XT (256 MB) Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Internal 120 GB Hard Drives (RAID)/2 CD-DVD Drives: Super Drive & Combo Drive

Thanks for your response.
Here's what I'm (trying) to do:
I'm creating short 5 minute tutorial movies that will be distributed as QuickTime movies (burned to disk) for short run distribution (college).
Here's the process: the movie itself is a recording of monitor screen actions recorded (audio and video) using Snapz Pro movie mode. The recorded size is 800 x 600. There might be 5 such 1 or 2 minute clips. The quality is excellent. I bring them in to FCE, drop all the clips on the same track, and add simple transitions. That's it.
Now I need to somehow get a final QuickTime movie, with close to the same quality I had in the clips.
So... I take the FCE file, output it using 'Export>QuickTime Conversion,' using the same size I originally recorded in, 800 x 600. Tried every codec available. Every time, the end result is a very blurred version of the original Snapz Pro recordings.
I've even tried outputting the FCE file as 'Export>QuickTime Move' (not using the conversion method). Opened that up in QuickTime Pro with the same result: blurred and out of focus.
I'm viewing the exported file in QuickTime Pro, with the 'Movie Properties' setting of 'High Quality.'
Any clue? This is driving me crazy. But I'm determined to get this right.
G4 (Mirror Drive Doors)/1.25 GHz/2.0 GB Memory/Radeon 9800XT (256 MB) Mac OS X (10.4.9) 2 Internal 120 GB Hard Drives (RAID)/2 CD-DVD Drives: Super Drive & Combo Drive

Downgrading from Final Cut Pro Studio to Final Cut Express

Will Final Cut Express let me use the Boris Title 3D Video Generator effect that I now use in Final Cut Pro Studio?
Does it have an outline text video generator effect?
Since I have DVDSP 4.1.2, will I be able to drag my exported non self-contained quicktime movie into DVDSP? I have read I can use iDVD.
I see from the tutorial (http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/tutorials/) it does not have the ability to log clips for batch capture later but it does have a project button. Does anyone use that and can share what it does?
I have a Canon DV20 HD camera which I use for DV also. Since I have read that FCE will not read HDV from this camera, has anyone brought DV in using this camera?
Does anyone see any other negatives to downgrading?
I have been using Final Cut Pro from version 1.5 since it did what I needed it to do. Over the years they have added a plethora of packages to it, none of which I use. So why spend 700.00 to upgrade when I can spend 200 to get what I will use?
Thanks for your input.

Lots of questions:
"Will Final Cut Express let me use the Boris Title 3D Video Generator effect that I now use in Final Cut Pro Studio?"
Yes.
"Does it have an outline text video generator effect?"
Yes, but don't use. Use Title 3D.
"Since I have DVDSP 4.1.2, will I be able to drag my exported non self-contained quicktime movie into DVDSP?"
Yes. Or you can use Compressor, which you should have, to encode your video.
"I see from the tutorial (http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/tutorials/) it does not have the ability to log clips for batch capture later but it does have a project button. Does anyone use that and can share what it does?"
It allows you to log your material first, selecting the pieces on the tape you want to capture and then going back and letting the machine capture the selected pieces.
"I have a Canon DV20 HD camera which I use for DV also. Since I have read that FCE will not read HDV from this camera, has anyone brought DV in using this camera?"
Never heard of camera.
"Does anyone see any other negatives to downgrading?"
What version are you using?

Iphone footage into Final Cut Express

I left a question earlier in this forum and would like to update (hopefully that's proper process!). I'll repeat the question, in case:
I'm trying to get footage from iPhone 4 to Final Cut Express. I'm using MPEG Streamclip 1.9.2. In the tutorial I found, they did an export to Quicktime, selecting the Apple Intermediate Codec as the compression, 29.97 as the Frame, and "1280 x 720 (unscaled)" as the frame size option (I'm also selecting frame blending and better downscaling, and turning off interlaced scaling; the rest are Streamclip defaults). My version of Streamclip doesn't have a 1280x720 (unscaled), so I've been forced to select 1280x720 (HDTV 720P). Not sure if this is my problem.
On recent attempts, I've managed to get the clip into a QuickTime format (using the settings above) in a way that doesn't look stretched (can't tell whether it is or not). When I import the clip into FCE, it comes in without having to be rendered, and looks as if it's not stretched there either. But as soon as I drop the clip into the sequence and try to play it, I get the "Dropped Frames" warning. I'm already operating in RT Safe mode, and rarely/never have problems w/ dropped frames with clips that were captured from my Sony camera/tape. Is the AIC codec more demanding of faster drives? (I'm using a 200Gig external Apple drive at the moment). Or is it because I have been forced to export as a 1280x720 HDTV 720p as opposed to unscaled?
In FCE I've set easy set up to:
Apple Intermediate Codec, 29.97, and HDV AIC 720 p30; Is this a match with the Export QT version?
And if so, would the clip be coming into my sequence without having to be rendered? Since I haven't had to upgrade my hardware for my other camera, I'd be reluctant to go out and buy more external disk power, in the event it doesn't do me any good.
I know there are several posts on people trying to get iphone footage into FCE already, but they don't seem to apply and, after hours on the internet looking for a solution, I'm at my wits end. PLEASE HELP
Thanks in advance!!

The 4s records video as MPEG4/AVC (H.264)/1080p/30fps in a .mov filetype. Final Cut Express is NOT designed to edit this kind of video. You need to convert the 4s video clips to QuickTime/Apple Intermediate Codec/1080i before importing them into FCE. You can use MPEG Streamclip to do the conversion. In FCE you also need to select a matching Easy Setup (should be AVCHD Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60 for converted 4s clips) and create a new Sequence to edit your video. This should eliminate the constant re-rendering problem.
ps. Final Cut Express was discontinued in 2011 even before OS X Lion was released. It is no longer supported by Apple and there is no guarantee it will run properly on Yosemite. Just so you know. Final Cut Pro X is the currently supported app.

Big Difference in Final Cut Express Versions????

I still own Final Cut Express 2.02 (2004) but never really was able to master it, and went back to iMovie for my editing.
Now, I'm thinking about making the jump again, but am curious how different Final Cut Express HD or Final Cut Express 4.0 is from the version that I own. (Which by the way doesn't even work on my iMac because it says I don't have a APG Graphics card).
I guess that's a long way of asking your opinion if the newer versions are better and/or any easier or more user friendly than Final Cut Express 2.0. Also curious what the learning curve is. I really struggled on the 2.0 version.

Hello Todd,
The user interface and all of the basic functions including editing, filters, exporting are the same in the later versions of Final Cut Express.
Later versions than 2.02 added more filters & features including support for HD video (HDV & AVCHD). The one major deletion was SoundTrack was removed from the FCE package when FCE4 was released.
Beyond features, one of the main considerations is what versions of OSX and QuickTime you are running. With Leopard, you should really be on FCE 4. Since you already have v2.02 you can purchase the upgrade to FCE4 ($99) instead of another copy of the full program.
With regard to learning FCE, you should get a copy of Tom Wolsky's book Final Cut Express Editing Workshop and his tutorial DVD Final Cut Express Made Easy. They are excellent materials for learning how to use FCE quickly. The book also includes a DVD with sample clips that go with the examples in the book; and he explains the differences between iMovie and FCE, which can be very helpful for someone making that transition.

I NEED HELP! How do you do this in Final Cut Express 4?

Hey guys,
I am a pretty amateur video editor, and I have been using Final Cut Express 4 for some time now for my YouTube drum covers. What I mostly use it for is for audio and video syncing and some small effects.
My question is, how the **** do you make a small video appear as a window over another video? I know that is not the best way to explain it, but I really don't know. If you don't know what I mean, I will post a screen shot of an example. Also, if there's a YouTube tutorial on how to do that that you have seen, that would be even more helpful.
I'm looking forward to your replies. Thanks for the help!
Message was edited by: DrummerGS
Message was edited by: DrummerGS

I will ditto what skalicki said, and add that you can graphically change the little clip's position by clicking on the Viewer's 'Center' button (has a plus sign in it) in the Motion tab, and then clicking in the Canvas where you want (you can drag it around if you haven't unclicked yet).
You can also add a border effect to that clip, which I would recommend for vids like the one in the screenshot you posted; the inset blends in too much with the underlying clip and seems undefined...

Transitions and dragging files not working in Final Cut Express 4

Although this topic has been gathering dust in these archives for a while, my problem differs in that there's plenty of room either side of the edit point. So no need for "handles" either side.
Today I installed Final Cut Express 4 on my swanky new MacBook Pro which I am stroking as I write. Ooh, baby, brushed aluminium ...
First, in the Browser, I've set up a "bin" but I am unable to drag any of the four short clips that I've imported from my Nokia 5800 phone. Yet it has worked perfectly in iMovie (the good one, the one with the Timeline).
Why, when I click on a clip, can I not grab it in order to drag it to the bin?
Neither will it let me drag any of the transition icons into place as is done in the tutorial. But when I click on the edit, it drops a brown vertical that looks like it could be the transition icon (I want the cross dissolve at about 2 seconds). I tried several transitions but nothing seems to be showing up in the preview canvas.
How do I drag the transition icon into place?
Once success, though. I used the razor blade to get rid of a few frames, then shift and delete so the whole thing lifts out with the audio — that worked properly. But the edit is a straight cut, no dissolve.
There was a red line that told me something needed rendering, so I rendered "both". Sequence, render all, "both". But when I click on the edit I get another red horizontal render line above it. That's happened several times.
A window with browser and canvas appeared, reading Trim Edit, (left viewer side) Outgoing clip (vid name) 00:00:40:19 and 00:00:41:18, then (right canvas side) Incoming clip 00:01:10:24 and 00:00:50:15. There's also a button reading Track VI but I have no idea what that is. I've tried sliding things but I can't get timings that look like a second to the left of the edit point, and a second to the right, meaning they overlap by two seconds.
The window had three sets of controls, one under the viewer "Outgoing Clip", a second under the right hand canvas "Incoming Clip". The middle one plays the canvas screen as Previewing Edit. Again, we get to the transition and it's a basic cut.
Help! What's going wrong?

"imported from my Nokia 5800 phone."
This material will not work with FCE. It needs to be converted to a format that is compatible with FCE. You can probably use MPEG Streamclip to do this.
Transitions: http://www.fcpbook.com/Effects1.html
Please confirm that you have handles available on your media to create the overlap for the transition.
Rendering: Your material is not compatible with FCE.

Best Final Cut Express Training Program

I'm looking for a good final cut express training program. Preferably a video or maybe a video/book package. Anybody know which ones are the best? Thanks

Many people find one of these books (whichever is appropriate for your version of FCE/FCP) to be the next best thing to personal tuition. The books have lessons with media for them stored on a DVD.
There is also an FCE DVD Tutorial.
http://www.fcpbook.com/Home.html
The author is the main contributor to this forum, so you can always ask him to explain anything that may not be clear to you!

Will Final Cut Express be improved by upgrading from Mountain Lion to Mavericks?

Will the performance of Final Cut Express, currently running under Mountain Lion OS X 10.8.5 (12F45), be improved by upgrading to Mavericks?

Ian R. Brown wrote:
. . . . but you will need to have Mavericks installed to use FCP X.
Should you feel the urge to give it a try, this website has a free 2 hour course of video tutorials that will get you off to a flying start.
http://www.izzyvideo.com/final-cut-pro-x-tutorial/
There are some 26 "bite-size" lessons so it's not too daunting.
Quite right Ian.
Probably should have mentioned it.
Al

How can one burn a Final Cut Express Movie to a DVD?

To whomever can help:
Hello all. My question is how can I take a finished project in Final Cut Express and burn it to a dvd? Do I need to use iDVD or something else. And if so, how can I burn it and make menus and such?
-Matt

how can I take a finished project in Final Cut Express and burn it to a dvd? Do I need to use iDVD or >something else. And if so, how can I burn it and make menus and such?
Just over half way into this tutorial is a _how to_ get a Final Cut Sequence into iDVD. The method is pretty much the same out of FCE even though iDVD has changed with differing versions.
Knowing which iDVD you use will help if you need more info.
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/idvd_5stone.html
Al

AVCHD to Final Cut Express

So I am having troubles doing a log and transfer from my Sony CX550. For one, final cut express won't recognize the camera in log and transfer, but my macbook does. It is a multi-format camera (AVCHD and MPEG2). I also am using a USB connection. I removed all MPEG2 clips from my camera to see if it would recognize it and it still did not. I have tried every tutorial, every discussion forum, nothing. I just want to be able to log and transfer AVCHD directly to FCE version 4.0.1.

Choose the AVCHD Easy Setup that matches how you shot your video. Normally that would be AVCHD Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60 (if you are in the States).
Then create a new sequence (File > New > Sequence) before ingesting the video from your camera via Log & Transfer.
ps.I thnk the problem you had stemmed from not having selected the correct FCE Easy Setup before trying to capture/ingest your video clips.
pps. While FCE can't capture/ingest MPEG2 clips from your camcorder, the mere existence of MPEG2 clips in your camcorder shouldn't interfere with capturing/ingesting the AVCHD clips.

Lion et final cut express problem?

Depuis que j'ai installé Lion, je ne peux plus utiliser la fonction importer des fichiers dans les chutiers.
Le programme se ferme.
Y-a-t-il une solution?
Merci de votre aide.

Get a free copy of MPEG Streamclip and convert everything to QuickTime using the DV codec.
There's a link to the software and a tutorial, [here|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2070861&tstart=0].
When you have done that, open Final Cut.
Go to the menu bar: Final Cut Express > Easy Setup. Choose DV PAL or NTSC depending on what your local TV standard is. If you have shot widescreen material, choose the Anamorphic variant of one of those settings.
Go to the menu bar again: Sequence > Settings > Load Sequence Preset.
You are now ready to begin importing and editing your project. Don't forget to save often and have fun.

Final Cut Express keeps wanting to rename my project

I've been working on a video in Final Cut Express 3.5.1 for weeks. Now I keep getting a message on the screen that says "Final Cut Express cannot autosave your project unless you save it first. Would you like to save it now?"
If I hit the yes button, it brings up a save box that says "Untitled" and wants me to give the project a new name and a place to save it. How can I make the autosave feature recognize that this is already a named project, and it can be autosaved without renaming it?
Tom

Did a bit of research here. In Tom Wolsky's tutorial book on Final Cut Express 2, on p. 125, his solution to avoiding losing your Favorites bin is to just drag it from the Effects panel into the Browser. He says that this copy in the Browser will remain with the project even if the prefs get trashed.
He also agrees that a Favorites project should be created in which you keep a bin containing all your favorite effects and filters, sometimes in stacks in separate folders.
Then when you want to use these effects elsewhere, you can just drag them from your Favorites project into any other project.
He says you should also burn a backup of this Favorites project to a CD occasionally to ensure you never lose it.
Tom B.

Moving To Final Cut Express

I have been using iMovie for a year or so and am considering Final Cut Express in its place but know nothing about Final Cut Express. Is there a document that gives a god overall comparison of iMovie and Final Cut Express. I have found that in some cases there is lots of time and cut and paste to accomplish some tasks and there are some tasks that I haven't determined if they can be done in iMovie. In particular I am wondering about the ability to edit clip content such as blurring image parts - faces, license plates, etc.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Andy

I am a newcomer to FCE too and migrated from iMovie 09, which I used for a number of projects. I had experienced quite some frustration with iMovie as I was getting a better videographer (and editor), so I decided to move on to FCE. One major setback for me was the lack of video stabilization feature in FCE. Going back to iMovie to correct clips is not really an option (tedious, quality loss, etc) so I invested in a third party utility (iStabilize), which is not integrated in FCE but is easier to use (and potentially better) than iMovie.
This being said, the capabilities of FCE are vastly superior to iMovie (can't tell about your specific requirements, but that seems to pertain to more advanced third party toolboxes). The learning curve is also a bit steep. I had to watch a few tutorials before I dared importing my first clips in FCE. I recommend the free tutorial from Izzy Video.
My 2 cts...

Final Cut Express Tutorial

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