Upgrading from iMovie Questions

I need to upgrade from iMovie -- need to because I'm finding that iMovie is somewhat unreliable regarding some of its 'known issues.'
So ...
I'm trying to figure out what the key differences are between FC Pro and Express. I'm willing to endure any 'learning curve' differences, I just want to figure out if there are any features in the Pro edition that I'll never use and weigh the differences.
1. Is there any matrix you can point to that does this comparison?
2. Is there a 'Final Cut Express Studio' that includes all of the software in Final Cut Pro Studio or do they have to be purchased individually.
3. Are both FC Pro and Express devoid of the 'known issues' that can make working with iMovie somewhat unreliable?
Thanks for your feedback.

I found a comparison article here: http://camcorders.about.com/od/videoediting/a/FinalCutCompare.htm
Final Cut Express HD also gives you Soundtrack 1.5 and LiveType 2 for $299.
To get Final Cut Pro, you must by Final Cut Studio for $1299. With this you also get SoundTrack Pro (different from SoundTrack 1.5), Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Compressor, and the same version of LiveType (I think).
You cannot buy Final Cut Pro, SoundTrack Pro, Compressor, Motion, and DVD Studio Pro individually.
Since you cannot buy DVD Studio Pro individually, if you buy FCE HD you'd still need to use iDVD (or Toast) to author a DVD Video.
You won't find the same "known issues" as iMovie. There will be different "known issues" as no software package is perfect. Your biggest issue will probably be the learning curve but you can overcome that.

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Thinking bout upgrading from imovie

So im thinking about upgrading from imovie. What do you think some good reasons for doing so are. Im wanting to be able to have mulitple movie tracks. Also, are there better transitions and effects in FCE? Is there a way to do a Four Corner type PIP with different video in each corner? Let me know what the big selling points were for you.
thanks

Hi(Bonjour)!
That's depend of your projects and needs.
FCE is the swiss army knive of video editing and iMovie is the fisher-price.
FCE needs many much more time to master, it's less automated, it had less "canned" transitions, it's a totally different way of editing than iMovie, but you can build almost anything you want... if you master it.
A good hammer is nothing without a good carpenter and an hammer is too much heavy to plant a needle.
Be prepare to follow a steep learning curve, but you'll get reward if you persist.
FCE is the Final Cut Pro's little brother: once your master it, you will be at home in FCP if you upgrade.
Yes you can do 4 corners PIP if you want, and remember that in FCE there are many ways to achieve one goal.
This forum is full of switchers from iMovie to FCE and generally they stay with FCE after the switch.
Michel Boissonneault

Upgrading from iMovie 11 to Final Cut Express, Worth It?

I was thinking about upgrading from iMovie 11 to Final Cut Express. I know the cost and I was wondering if it is worth it, is it?

Since Final Cur Pro X will be release in June, you may want to wait for it.
Allan

Any reason to upgrade from iMovie to FPCX?

I'm reading all these rants about FPCX, but they seem to come from the pro community. I'm an amateur who has never fallen in love with the "new" (post HD) version of iMovie. I don't like the workflow, and I can't seem to get my Shuttle Pro to do anything useful. I know this is an open-ended question, but is FPCX more a prosumer product? I'd like more functionality than I can get from iMovie. Will it import iMovie files?

See this: http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/imovie-to-finalcutpro/
I've imported a couple of iMovie '11 projects to Final Cut Pro X. The process works quite seamlessly. The associated Events are also imported to FCP X Events Library. However, in a couple of areas, some items weren't always kept in the correct position - such as Titles. So you may have to play around a bit in order to re-sync some media. Certainly, you will need to check through the whole project to ensure the integrity of the project.
Whilst FCP X can render in the background, I'm finding that things are much quicker in iMovie - each title, transition and effect appears virtually in an instant (no rendering at all during editing). In FCP X, there is a lag - items don't appear to play smoothly until the render is complete. So, when checking how a title or transition looks on playback, to see a smooth result it's best to wait for the render to finish. Of course, this is probably dependent on your system - perhaps I need to upgrade to 8 GB of RAM and a quad core i7.
John

Want to upgrade from imovie 5.0.2 to 6.0

I have been searching the apple download pages to upgrade my imovie 5.0.2 to 6.0. I have only found upgrades from 6.0 to 6.0.2 and 6.0.3 but nothing to get me to 6.0. Am I missing something? Please help, thanks!

You can't go from version 5 to version 6 via updates.
To get version 6 you must purchase iLife 06.
No other way.

Just upgraded from iMovie 09 to 09...Where are my old files?

Hey there,
I just upgraded my iMovie to 2009 and now I can't locate the project I was working so hard on with iMovie 2008. It was the only one I had and was rather short but very important.
Anyone know where it could be and how I retrieve it? I'm afraid the update may have wiped it out but I'm sure this can't happen.
Help?

I just did the same thing (exactly as stated above) (upgrading from 08 to 09). IMovie will not load with my old project I was working on.
I loaded the project on someone else's computer, but of course it could not pull up my movie clips.
How can I get to my project I spent the last 2 months working on??

Upgrading from iMovie 06 HD to 08??

Is it so that many features are gone in the new iMovie 08. No more nice plugins for nice Transitions, Video FX and so on? And what els is missing?
Is it a bad idea to upgrade if I want to make some cool effects and so on?

Is it a bad idea to upgrade if I want to make some cool effects and so on?
No.
I use both iMovie 06 and iMovie 08 (iMovie 06 about 90%, iMovie 08 about 10%).
Many reviews of iMovie 08 recommend using both iMovie 08 and iMovie 06.
I do find that iMovie 08 is "feature reduced" and not as DVD friendly compared to iMovie 06. iMovie 06 is "timeline based", iMovie 08 is "clip based". The lack of a true timeline in IM08 is hard to get used to for some.
iMovie 08 is NOT an upgrade of iMovie 06. It is a completely new application. iMovie 08 is better for absolute beginners that don't want to burn a DVD. Most others will like iMovie 06 for its far greater editing power and ease of making DVDs. (Like creating Chapter Markers and Share to iDVD.)
When iLife 08 is installed, all of the old applications are automatically deleted EXCEPT iMovie 06, because Apple WANTS you to have it.
iMovie 08 is a wonderful program assuming that you're using it for what it was designed to do, assemble simple videos to share on the Internet.
I find iMovie 06 to be easier and faster to use than iMovie 08 on longer jobs (more than 10 mins). iMovie 08 is faster for shorter jobs.
iDVD 08 alone is worth the price of iLife 08. iMovie 06 and iDVD 08 is a terrific combination.
The Web site below has a good comparison of iMovie 08 and iMovie 06.
http://www.geethree.com/slick/imovie8.html

Upgrading from iMovie 4

I've been using iMovie 4 for a while now and find it very easy and convenient to use. The only real issue I have, although it is a biggy, is that there's no central clip library or way of copying and pasting edited segments from one movie project timeline into another. So I've now ended up with loads of movie projects, which are in effect isolated from each other. I know I can import selected clips from one project folder into another, but it's hardly convenient and you can't really preview the clips you are importing.
Bearing these issues in mind, I am about to upgrade my hardware (to a new iMac) and was considering what software to use for video editing. I've read all the negative press regarding the functionality of iMovie 8, but it does at least appear to have the central clip library I want. I know iMovie 6 has all the editing functionality I need and I believe it allows copy and pasting of edited segments between multiple projects (correct me if I'm wrong here). So I was thinking that I could maybe use iMovie 8 to quickly select and piece together clips from the central library, then export the project into iMovie 6 for final editing and export to iDVD etc. Do you think this is a reasonable approach, or is the swapping between these 2 apps a pain? The alternative is to buy FCE, which is more powerful than I really need, but if it makes life easier I don't mind.
Sorry for the long winded question, but I'm a bit confused about the intended use of iMovie 8 and the more "traditional" iMovie 6! To summarise my requirements, I need iMovie 6 editing functionality and the ability to store clips in a convenient central library.

iMovie 08 is great for what you are looking for.
I have about 6 hours of AVCHD footage and the contents of 18 miniDV cassettes available in my Event Library. I am beginning to go back and add my VHS library. Any clip can be nondestructively added to any project. ( I have just filled a 1 TB drive and started on a second one.)
iMovie 08 uses a different editing paradigm, but I find I can do what I need with it. I recommend seeing if you can go up the learning curve, because once you do, editing is much faster.
However, if you miss the timeline-based editor, you can export footage to a file that can be imported into iMovie 6. To do this, follow these steps.
1) Edit as far as you care to in iMovie 08
2) Click Share/Export Using Quicktime
3) Choose a location for this exported movie (e.g. your desktop, or a folder called transferred movies)
4) In the Movie to Quicktime Movie dialogue box, choose Apple Intermediate Codec. (This codec will retain 100% of the video quality of the original DV footage). And press OK and Save.
5) Open iMovie 6.Create a new empty project. Name and save it.
6) Choose File/Import in iMovie 6. Bring in the exported movie you just made. It will show up in the clips shelf.

How can I upgrade from iMovie 7.4.1 while running Mac OSX 10.7.5?

I am trying to upgrade iMovie 7.4.1, but I don't know where to get the next version of the software.
I am currently running OSX 10.7.5 on a 2008 iMac.
Thanks.

With the above listed config that I have (iphoto 7.1.5 on an older iMac running OSX 10.6.8), how can I move my iPhoto library from this old iMac (2006) to my NEW iMac (2011) that is running iPhoto 9.5.1 ?
To open an iPhoto 7.1.x version in iPhoto '11 you need to run the iPhoto Library Upgrader. See this Support document:
iPhoto '11: About the Library Upgrade
Download and install the upgrader, then run it on your iPhoto 7.1.5 library. After that, iPhoto will be able to open your library and upgrade it to version 9.5.1. And you will be able to merge the libraries with if Library Manager.

Want to upgrade from iMovie to FCE. What will be the difference?

I am currently working through hours of DV footage from my camcorder using my Macbook and iMovie. Although I have been pleased with the results I know now that I want to upgrade to both a better computer and to Final Cut Express. I have also been considering going the full way to Final Cut 2 but as this is a lot more money I am wondering whether the upgrade to FCE will be enough. What extra do you get with FCE over iMovie and what more will it allow me to do. I have been pretty amazed at how good iMovie is at a consumer level so would expect FCE to allow me to be even more creative but am not sure exactly how. Is the upgrade enough or would FC2 be a better option. I will not be needing to make broadcast or professional productions, just do a good job at a serious amateur level. I do not need to use a lot of effects but I do want to be able to add good soundtracks and transitions. The audio is an important part of my movies.
thanks

Brilliant..just what I wanted. Thanks. Looks like I will need to read up on some of the terminology to get a good idea of what each feature before buying but thats a great table.

Upgrade from PSE8 question

Im thinking of upgrading to CS5.My question is how do I move my filters like topaz and NIK color efex from PSE to CS5, or do I have to reinstall both.

Time was you could just move .8bf files around, but many modern plug-ins are no longer self-contained in a single file, and may require special registry entries and access that the installer sets up.
Your best bet is to install them again into Photoshop CS5.
-Noel

HD upgrade from iMovie 4 freezes

Hello Folks,
After thorough searching...
I did a 23 minute project on iMovie 4 that had about a 3 sec. audio delay when burned to DVD for no reasons that I could discern. I (perhaps unwisely) went ahead and upgraded to HD since I had it. Now, the project (and another) will not open or iMovie freezes up after a few seconds. I need help at least salvaging the project. Any ideas?
And, thank for all the posts that have solved problems for me in the past.

Thanks Len. I had already done that though, so let me add some information. When I open the existing project, imovie begins to "build" the movie, then, for some reason it starts to render some clips - about 5 in all. These clips, as it turns out, are the clips where the playhead is when the project finally opens (before it freezes). AND, they are all clips which used an overlay effect (counter in seconds) from stupendous software. I though of trashing the effects, but I'm thinking it doesn't actually use them again to render does it? I took them out of the effects folder but to no avail (yes, I checked both effects folders).
I'm extremely annoyed at myself for not just fixing the audio in 4, but the file had gotten to taking several seconds for each audio edit that I tried to take the short cut.
Note that, I also imported the .mov file yesterday, which took about 7 hours for some reason, and that file has the audio delay as well. I believe that means that the project had the audio delay before I ever burned it to DVD, and I wondered if we should be checking the .mov (by watching in Quicktime) before we move to DVD anyway?
However, given the delay in importing the .mov file and the many hours it took to burn the first DVD, AND the long waits when editing audio before I even finished, I'm wondering if there is something corrupt I should be considering and if anyone has ideas about that.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. This was a training video for my staff that I now can't use.
Mark

Upgrading from iMovie

I'm considering purchasing Final Cut Express (currrently using iMovie 6HD on an Intel iMac). The last project I worked on was 50 minutes long, had multiple titles & transitions, and generally was a real chore (it didn't help that I ran it under Rosetta due to my GeeThree/Slick plugins which haven't been upgraded to Universal Apps yet).
Can I get a few opinions from current users...how they like the interface, performance, etc. as opposed to iMovie. Should I just wait and save up for Final Cut Studio (I don't do anything professionally but work on projects for my wife's clinic/residency program)?
One aspect in particular that I find frustrating in iMovie is the lack of sound editing. I realize the app comes free with a new mac and it's an excellent beginners tool, but I really need something more, so how's Express's sound capabilities?
Thanks in advance, Jim

I haven't really explored the audio side yet, but it's definitely a richer sound editing environment, even without going into soundtrack (which comes bundled). If you're missing your Slick Effects you'll like the amount of effects that are built in to FCE. I find I'm content to wait however long it's going to take GeeThree to update now that I'm using this.
It's not as drag and drop easy as iMovie, even experienced iMovie users will need a little tutorial run through to find how some things are done (give the included DVD tutorial a spin, it breaks down a few basics pretty well)
You may also find that, like me, getting FCE will not render iMovie a thing of the past. There are still some things it does quicker and easier, and things it can contribute to a project mostly done in FCE (I haven't even tried to capture camera footage in FCE yet, I do that in iMovie, then open the clips in FCE.
I hope you get some more responses soon that give you some more specifics on the sound end, but by all means, if the cost is no object, add FCE to your "tool box". It offers plenty to compliment iMovie and will raise the bar on what you'll be able to produce.

Upgrade from iMovie 8?

i have imovie 8. how do i upgrade and should I?

There are some comments after the article about iMovie '08 from the introduction year of its newer changed functions, compared to prior years iMovie applications & worth a look even now...
•Review: iMovie '08 - MacWorld December 2006:
http://www.macworld.com/article/1059668/imovie08.html
...depending on what computer system you have, and if anything compatible is still available to do this task, it may be a valid software to use. As camera equipment moved ahead and video in still cameras, too, these older applications show their age. For some vintage users, the earlier iMovie held better promise, quality.
Given the powerPC Macs were still very common and a few intel-based Macs had just made an appearance, the iMovie '08 was part of iLife at the time, and they still had iDVD, and other titles. And some could share projects. Several last model powerPC Macs shipped with SuperDrives so burning to DVD was possible from most applicable Apple applications, as a matter of course.
•iLife history, timeline at wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILife
So for the most part, an upgrade to something else rather depends on what you have now and the availability of a newer or better product that can be used with peripheral devices, for as long as they have physical useful support with old matching software and vintage Macs.
Good luck & happy computing!

Ps CS 6 Upgrade from CS5 Question

Trying to purchase an upgrade to regular CS6 from CS5. Have not been able to find on adobe.com, does any one know?
[Title Edited for Clarity - Hunt]

Sometimes it seems all roads on the Adobe web site lead to the Creative Cloud. Adobe's stairway to heaven I guess.
I'd probably start here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/cs6.html?promoid=JOLIS
Which after a bit of looking over, leads to here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/catalog/cs6._sl_id-contentfilter_sl_catalog_sl_software_sl_c reativesuite6.html
Note that you can get to the upgrade prices after you click the Buy link.
-Noel

Upgrading from iMovie Questions

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