Upgrade to FCE 3.5

Does anyone know how to upgrade my FCE 2.3 to 3.5?
I have MacBook Pro that I migrated my FCE 2.0.3 from my Powerbook G4. FCE 2 doesn't start on my MBP. I cannot find my serial number. Or maybe I didn't get serial number as I bought FCE with my old Powerbook?
Is there a way to see FCE 2 serial number somehow? or I can just buy FCE 3.5 upgrade and during installation just point it to older FCE2?

If FCE has actually started up you MAY be able to get the serial number by clicking on "Final Cut Express" in the menu and then clicking "About Final Cut Express".
In the window that opens you will see either the complete serial number composed of a letter followed by 9 triplets of letters or numbers, or you will have an incomplete one with the final triplet (three letters or numbers) missing.
If all 9 triplets are there you should be OK.
Ian.
P.S. When you say it is asking you for licensing info do you mean there is a window asking you to register. If so just press "Register Later".

Similar Messages

Can't open project files after upgrading to FCE 3.5.1

I bought a new MacBook Pro and sold my PowerMac, so I bought the 3.5 upgrade to FCE. I was using 3.0 before on my PowerMac.
I copied my project over, but when I try to open it it just gives me a dialog box with "General error" and an OK button.
How do I get my project open???

Make sure you have the latest version of Quicktime
Quicktime is up to date.
I solved the problem with the help of Tom Wolsky. What finally worked was taking the project file to my wife's C2D iMac, opening the file there, saving it as a 3.5.1 file, and copying it back to my MacBook Pro.
The weirdest things to me are:
1) That there was any problem at all to begin with on my MacBook Pro C2D
2) That there was no problem on my wifes iMac C2D
3) When Tom Wolsky opened and saved the file in 3.5.1 format for me it didn't work, but that worked when I did the same thing with my wife's machine.

Upgrade to FCE 4.0 results in dropped frames

I just upgraded to FCE 4.0 from 3.5HD and now key-framed motion clips that worked fine before die repeatedly with dropped frames. I've set RT to safe and dynamic and the memory cache to 80%, and while FCE is resident on my hard drive the files are on the G-Raid linked by firewire (not USB) where the scratch disks, waveform and thumbnail caches, and autosave vault are pointed.
Will upgrading RAM to 4 GB help? How about a new 7200 rpm hard drive with 16 meg cache?
What else should I do?

Hi(Bonjour)!
Install the FCE 4.0.1 update via software update.
Try to render for playback.
Michel Boissonneault

Upgrading from FCE to FCP

Is there any way to upgrade from FCE to FC studio or do I have to buy the whole studio suite?
Im running Final Cut Express 2 btw.
-Mads Meskalin

Hi
No as Ian R. Brown writes there are non. But sell Your FCE then You get something.
Why FCP ?
There are most probably many individual reasons. Mine was
• Ability to share a project with others haveing FCP
• The Multi Camera editing is avesome - but only if You got more than one Camera recordings.
• Color corrector - three ways with - white, black and mid tone drop tools
I really like this one.
Then there are so much more in the bundle
• DVD Studio Pro WITH HD
• Motion
• Color
• Soundtravk Pro
• Compressor
So much new to learn - AND STILL SO Familiar miljoe.
Yours Bengt W

Soundtrack wont launch after upgrade to FCE 4

After upgrading to Final Cut Express 4, my soundtrack app from a previous version of FCE does not launch, I get a "Soundtrack quit unexpectedly" error. I tried to reinstall soundtrack from my original DVD but that changed nothing. I took it to the Apple store and they told me that since I upgrade to FCE 4, my old version of soundtrack will no longer work since that is not included with FCE anymore (only the studio version). However, I found an apple support page that says Soundtrack will be left unchanged (http://www.apple.com/support/releasenotes/en/FinalCut_Express_4.0rn/).
Anyone have any ideas? thanks

I found some other threads talking about it, saying that the problem is with the last ProKit update which came a few months ago. Others suggested installing the old prokit, which seemed to work for some but did not for me. And also, when I installed the old prokit, Aperture stopped working for me so that was no good. I went to the Apple store and they were no help either... So in other words, no I didnt figure it out. Please let me know if you do though

FCP 5 Upgrade From FCE

I recently bought an FCP 5 upgrade (M9921Z/A) and the Apple website says that it can upgrade from FCE. I know it's old but couldn't afford to buy FC Studio 2 and couldn't find a full-up version of FCP5. I've tried it with both an FCE 2.0 and FCE 3.5 S/N and neither works. Has Apple caused me to waste money or is there some solution to this problem? Does anyone have an unused FCP S/N that I could use? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. . .

Larry,
The only "upgrade" from FCE to Final Cut Studio 1 was a limited time offer that was known as the Crossgrade Program. The program lasted for a bit over a year and expired back in March prior to the release of Final Cut Studio 1. This program allowed Final Cut Express and Pro users to obtain the Universal version of Final Cut Studio 1. This was a paid upgrade and only worked if you filled out a form, and mailed in your original install discs. For users that were already using FCS 1 (PPC version), they were sent back a set of Universal Install discs, which utilized their original serial numbers. For any other upgrades, (i.e. from FCP 4, or FCE), a set of install discs were mailed back along with a retail serial number, not an upgrade serial.
Apple no longer sells Final Cut Pro 5 at any of their stores. The only version of FCP available at Apple is FCS2. It is not possible to use an Express serial number to "Upgrade" to Final Cut Pro.
Where did you purchase this "upgrade"?
The only help you are going to receive here is basically going to tell you to contact Apple directly, or get FCS2. Discussion on how to illegally obtain Serial numbers is strictly forbidden, and is against the forums terms of use, as well as against the EULA.

Are there any problems with upgrading to FCE 3.5?

Hello,
I am upgrading from FCE 3.0 to FCE 3.5 and was wondering if doing this will affect the currently unfinished project I have on my external HD.
I am aware of the free download to get once 3.5 is installed, on the apple website, but beyond this, will I be able to start working on my project again right away?
Thanks!
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Al,
Assuming the 10.4.9 upgrade was where my problem began - inability to capture video, video device not recognized, I have tried every fix on this and several other forums at least once. I upgraded to FCE HD 3.5, then 3.5.1, upgraded QT. Nada. I have tried things with 2 different Firewire cables which do enable me to import images from my digital still camera.
Today I did an Archive and Install, reinstalling Tiger and the 10.4.8 Combo update. Trashed QT receipts, reinstalled QT up to 7.1.5, Trashed FCE prefs, reinstalled FCE 3.5 and 3.5.1 update. Repairing permissions and restarting between each install.
Capture Scratch is in my second internal hard drive (not in the one with operating system). I've also put Capture Scratch in Spotlight and repeatedly tried disconnecting every device, shutting down and rebooting with Sony DCR TRV950 attached to rear firewire port and turned on in VTR mode.
On another forum they suggested resetting the SMU on my Power Mac G5, which I did. They also suggested checking System Profiler to see if the original 10.4.9 upgrade had caused the computer to lose track of the Firewire Bus.
No matter what I do - and, afraid that it must be me, that I must be doing SOMETHING wrong - I get the same error messages over and over. "Unable to initialize video..." "AV unknown" (in Capture Now mode), "No communication", etc.
I see that my Sony DCR TRV950 is not on the compatible with FCE 3.5 list, but people on the forum say that it's not a comprehensive list.
When I go in System Profiler, and click on Firewire Bus, I get the following info: "FW Bus: max speed up to 800 mp/sec". Should there be an actual device listed? If so, is its absence likely the problem and what is the fix? Also, why can my Canon camera with firewire connection bring material into iPhoto but this DV camera connection can't be seen by FCE?
Thanks for your help,
Kinser

Upgrade from FCE HD and compatability i7 Imac

I have a copy of FCE HD version3 that's 3 maybe 4 years old - used it on a Duel 2 gig Power PC Power Mac. Will it run it on a 2.88 i7 Imac. If I upgrade to FCE 4 will that upgrade this software and will the upgraded software then work on the i7 Imac.

Only FCE4 is supported on Snow Leopard.
You should purchase the FCE4 Upgrade (reduced price).
_Do not_ install the old FCE HD v3 on your new iMac.
Just install from the FCE4 Upgrade disk and enter the serial number from your old version 3 and the serial number from the upgrade version 4. It will install a complete copy of FCE4 on your i7 iMac.

Question on Upgrading from FCE to FC Studio2

I'm currently using FCE HD 3.5, which I upgraded from FCE version 1.0
I understand that no upgrade path exists from Final Cut Express to Final Cut Studio 2.
However I have seen on ebay someone selling an upgrade to Final Cut Pro 5 HD from Final Cut express.
I was wondering.... if I got this then could I then get a Final Cut Studio 2 Upgrade from FCP 5 HD?
Does anyone see any problems with doing this? It seems to be a way to save money.
Thanks,
Steve.

Tom,
One other question: assuming that my upgrade from FCE to FCP5 is successful. Then how does the upgrade package for Final Cut Studio2 work (If I decide at some future point to upgrade again)
Will it detect my FCP5 files or will I have to enter the FCP5 serial number, and if so then will I get into trouble at that point. Bottom line is will Studio2 accept the FCP5 serial number?
Thanks Tom,
Steve.

Upgrading to FCE 4, fixing capture bug from FCE 3

If I upgrade to FCE 4, will this take care of the horrific capture problem using QT 7.3 in FCE 3 which does not work?

Tom, you may remember my threads, my problems all came from using a DV converter only. I did not have camera, drive, or computer problems. Plus, since video captures fine in iMovie, it does isolate the capture problem to these factors: FCE 3.0, QT 7.3, and OS 10.4.11. I guess before I spend the $99 to upgrade to FCE 4, I'm trying to cover all of the bases and make sure there is not any other way or option to correct it. Thanks...

FCE 2 upgrade to FCE 3-HD

I have a iMac G5 and have used both FCE 1 & 2 on it. Now I have just bought a intel MacBook Pro to do work with FCE while on the road. I was told that FCE 2 would not run that great on it as it would run thru Rossetta (whatever that is). So my thought is to go ahead and get the FCE 3.5 (HD). Was told though that I can't just install the upgrade of it onto the MacBook Pro as it needs the prior programs. So do I install the first 2 and then install the upgrade of FCE 3.5? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jon

What have I done?!
Following advice from Ian and others I ditched plans to buy a Mini and, having robbed the local bank, am now the proud owner of a new iMac. As I anticipated, iMovie proved too tame for my needs so have now ordered FCE v2 at the current reduced price. Do I now understand anything earlier than v3 is incompatible with Intel Core Duo?
If so I am bu**ed as certainly can't justify spending yet more on the upgrade to v3.5. Help!!
Tom.
17in iMac 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo 220GB drive Mac OS X (10.4.4)
17in iMac 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo 220GB drive Mac OS X (10.4.4)
17in iMac 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo 220GB drive Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Upgrade from fce 1.0.1 to fce hd

I purchased fce hd as an upgrade to fce 1.0.1 I'm having trouble installing fce hd because the serial number for fce 1.0.1 is not being accepted. Any suggestions? Is it not accepting my serial number because I'm not upgrading from fce 2?

Are you typing in 28 characters? Case sensitive, after the first letter, groups of triplets that either letters or numbers, not mixed? Are you sure the 1s and 0s are correct? If you're sure, you have to contact Apple for installation problems.

FCE worth upgrading to FCE HD

I have FCE at the moment, and am thinking of upgrading to FCE HD. Given how good imovie has got, is it worth it? Is it a big jump etc?

It depends what you want to do: I have a bicycle at the moment; is it worth upgrading to a motor-bike? (..Actually, I have a Subaru, but who cares?..)
A motorbike goes faster, but isn't as thin, for getting between cars, as a bike. I can't use it on country footpaths or along the side of the Thames on the tow-path, as I can a bike ..etc, etc.
iMovie HD handles HDV (hi-def) footage, but ordinary FCE doesn't. If you have an HDV camcorder, or want to encode photos as a hi-def movie project (as Karl suggests, I think) then you can do that with iMovie HD, and you can't do it with plain ol' FCE.
You'd be able to do it with FCE HD ..but you wouldn't get all the wonderful 3rd-party plug-ins which are available for iMovie.
The end result of editing HDV with iMovie HD and FCE HD is identical: they use the same Apple Intermediate Codec for handling hi-def material.
The difference between FCE HD and iMovie HD - as you probably know - is that you get many more simultaneous video - and audio - tracks to play with in FCE HD than in iMovie HD. But if you're never going to need them, why bother with them?
So only you can decide if it's "worth" paying to upgrade your FCE.
D'you shoot home movies? ..Probably not worth bothering.
D'you shoot weddings and barmitzvahs? ..Possibly worth it, but more probably not.
D'you shoot sports videos, and want picture-in-picture (one in slo-mo and one real speed)? ..You can do that with iMovie and a plug-in.
Is colour-correction vital ..e.g; for a company's promotional video or DVD? ..Then you probably want FCE HD (assuming you're using hi-def).
D'you want to move text along complicated motion paths, and want to cross cut between footage shot on two or more cameras? Then you probably want FCE HD (assuming you're using hi-def).
Weigh up what you want to do, and that'll describe the choice you need to make. But for holiday movies, I'd stick with iMovie HD.

Which camera to get for Final Cut Express 3.5HD/ upgrade to FCE 4?

Hello everyone!
I know this has been discussed frequently, but i am sort of looking for a costum made solution for me
Following situation: Macbook, 2.16Ghz, 2GB Ram, 320GB HDD @ 5400rpm.
I am running 10.5.3, have Final Cut Express 3.5 installed and am used to work in it,
mainly for editing video files not coming from a camcorder.
I have some experience in SD miniDV recording/editing though.
NOW I was thinking of getting a new camcorder in the 1500$ max range.
I want to edit video files, sometimes burn DVDs, at other times only to have them on the mac.
What i like about some of these new HD consumer models they can record AVCHD and mpeg2 SD in DVD quality. That should allow me to record in mpeg2 and have less hassle with importing/converting into Final Cut Express 3.5 if lower quality is fine (which it is as of now)
At the same time I could upgrade to Final Cut Express 4 and import the AVCHD files, but I still taken aback from how time and resource consuming it is. Plus it does not allow full HD 1920x1080 in FCE 4 does it?
So I was looking at the Sony HDR SR11 as a nice camcorder. Seen it live, seems decent.
On the other hand, is a camera which records in HDV a better solution for me?
I could keep Final Cut 3.5, no need to upgrade right?
Is it less hassle to transfer files to the mac and edit them?
I am very unsure which way to go right now...

Hi Flore
This a huge debate. There are very few advantages to the new AVCHD camera's and the vgery long list of negative aspects of AVCHD camera's outweighs any usefulness of them. They are designed for Grandad to pick up and shoot good quality pictures and not for editing.
I have posted below the wiki address for AVCHD, please read the page. It is very important you do read it. It explains in depth about AVCHD.
I feel the is no real place for the hard drive based AVCHD camera. There is a place for a mini-dv tape based camera.
Life will be very hard if you go the Hard-drive camera route. Stay with tape.
Tape is cheap, hardy and easy to move around. Hard drives not so!!!
Take some time to read the following wikipedia page...PLEASE READ THIS PAGE!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD
You will see that AVCHD is not all the bee's knee's.
I personally hope it dies an extremly painful agonising drawnout death.
AVCHD has no place in the professional domain.
Justin... Durban.. South Africa

Final Cut Studio application available as a separate upgrade for FCE users?

Hi, if you need/use all the tools in Final Cut Studio 2, the price can't be beat I guess, but for a FCE 4 user, the 'upgrade' to FCS is rather big. Wouldn't it be nice for other FCE users to be able to buy e.g. Color and Motion separately? I would buy them. Just interested in other FCE users opinion.

I feel your pain, for some reason we're forced in some cases to buy bundles of apps , rather than that one peace we actually need, In my humbles opinion thats not doing good business. To me it makes about as much sense, as being forced to buy a notebook, pencil and crayon when all you really needed was a pen...

Upgrade to FCE 3.5

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