Which system for Final Cut Studio upgrade...iMac or MacBook Pro?

I am currently using FCE on a Powerbook G4 and am considering upgrading to Final Cut Studio. Which system would give me better performance: New iMac 24" (2.8 Penryn processor) or MacBook Pro (2.5 Penryn processor)? Does the NVIDIA graphics card for the iMac upgrade significantly improve editing performance.. or is the AGI 2600 Pro card sufficient? Anything else worth considering when comparing these systems?
Any input is appreciated... thanks.
Message was edited by: Jeff Morgan1
Message was edited by: Jeff Morgan1

FW 400 is enough to deal with DV footage,
Not all HD formats require eSATA drives, DVCPRO HD for example can be handled by FW 400 or FW 800 drives and HDV streams pretty much the same DV does.
Things change if at some point you need to deal with Uncompressed SD or HD, ProRes etc.
eSATA then would become mandatory.
If you'd like to set up a desktop then MacPro is what I suggest.
If you don't make a living from editing then I guess an iMac will do for a while.
A MacPro allows you to host/replace multiple internal drives, host/replace capture cards or GPUs if you need for business purposes.
Increase RAM up to 32GB etc
iMac does not offer such options.
Your call,
G.

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Final Cut Studio - Install on Two Macbook Pros?

I just purchased the academic version of Final Cut Studio. I have been reading the forums and have discovered that it is possible to install this on one desktop and one laptop, and both work as long as you are not working on them at the same time.
However, I have not been able to find if it is possible to install Final Cut Studio on two Macbook Pros. Does it have to be one desktop and one laptop or is it limited to two installations total? The license agreement says one desktop and one laptop, however how would it know if it were two laptops?
Thank you for your feedback.

Used by you doesn't mean used by someone else that doesn't own the computer
I'm an editor. Been one for several years. Any company I've worked for and edited with FCP has been on the company's computer and software, not owned by me. Are you saying that an editor for a company is expected to purchase their own computer and software in order to edit for a cooperation? Unlikely. A freelance or independent editor may have their own system that they edit on, but I am talking about an editor as an employee at a cooperation (where personal computers are restricted) or Macs and software that are available at an educational institution like an Apple Authorized Training Center.
I went to Apple Campus as a requirement of becoming ACT and "used" Final Cut pro on a computer that was not owned by me. Several others have done this and will continue to do so because it's a loophole that is apparently intended in the SLA for these reasons. Unless you're saying that Apple is breaking their own SLA agreement and advising others to do so in their training facility requirements which states:
The AATC is responsible for:
• Providing all hardware and software described in this document
The definition of the word "used" in this circumstance begs further clarification. Until that happens one can assume that the ordinary circumstance of its meaning for this situation is open to various interpretations.
OK so let's say I agree with your comment even if I don't. It still doesn't mean that if I owned a laptop and desktop that I can't use both at the same time according to the SLA. Only that they can't both be used at the same time over a network. So If I was encoding or rendering video on my desktop I could still use the laptop to edit at the same time.

Problems installing Final Cut Studio on my new Macbook Pro

I just got my new 17 inch Macbook Pro, and am trying to install Final Cut Studio 3. It installed just fine, and accepted the serial number. The problem is that every time I open the application, I have to reenter the serial number. Once I do that, it runs fine, but the next time, I have to reenter the info again. Anyone have an idea of how to fix this?
Rob Krampf

do some searching here. I remember other people having this problem. You might also try repairing permissions on your startup drive, deleting your fcp preferences
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2491
And creating a new account in system preferences: accounts.

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Is this configuration enough to run FCS2 on one of the new (June 2009) MacBook Pro 15"?
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If so, do I need the 8GB RAM or could I stick with the new standard of 4GB? I don't plan on working with HDV too much, but I may need to edit a few clips of it. Other than that, everything will be standard DV or miniDV.
Thanks.

Yes, these specs will satisfy FCS2, with some exceptions (notably, Color requires a 17" screen). Here is the full list of requirements:
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs/
8GB is way overkill for HDV (it's moot at present anyways, as FCP can only utilize 4GB), and WAY overkill for DV.
500GB is enough HD space, but you'll get better performance and reliability with an external HD rather than working with media on your system drive.

How's Final Cut Studio on a stock MacBook Pro?

say the 15"er.
anyone doing it? ok, or just FCP?

unless you're rich and can afford the 17 the 15 is great. I love mine, like a son. Some one should kick Unsanity and get them to make all their appz universal, i had to uninstall shapeshifter to use CS2 etc. But yea, it is so flipin powerful, went to throw the feature i am cutting into idvd for a quick screener and BOOM it riped through it on best quality (i usually leave it on over night, it took maybe and hour or so.)

Am I eligible for $299 Final Cut Studio Upgrade?

I own the following versions of Final Cut Pro. Some of them are very old.
Final Cut Pro 1.2 (Academic)
Final Cut Pro 3.0 (Academic)
Final Cut Pro 4 (Non-Academic, Upgrade version)
Will my ownership of any of these versions qualify me for the new $299 Final Cut Studio upgrade? And how does the upgrade work, does one just input their serial number from a previous version (I ask because none of my owned versions are currently installed)?
Thanks for the help. Much appreciated!

Not quite sure how your FCP4 upgrade works as the previous academic versions were not upgradable.
The Final Cut Studio 3 upgrade version requires a non academic, full retail (non-upgrade) FCP serial number as the basis for upgrading.
However, when in doubt about this, best to have a conversation with Apple directly as they are the ultimate authority on whether this will work or not.
x

Problem Installing Final Cut Studio Upgrade

I recently purchased the Final Cut Studio Upgrade. When I went to input my SN for FCP 6 to install the upgrade, it rejects it as invalid. Have FCP 6 on my computer operating just fine. what gives?

Check to make sure your current FCP install (FCP 6) isn't an academic or Not-For-Resale version; neither is eligible for upgrade.
If you have a legitimate retail version of FCP 6, make sure you are entering the exact serial number as found on the two stickers affixed to the front of the booklet titled "Installing Your Software" that came packaged with FCP 6.
Be careful to enter a 0 (zero) instead of an uppercase O and a 1 (one) instead of a lowercase l (L) or vice versa. The serial number should be 1 letter - 3 numbers - 3 letters - 3 numbers - 3 letters - 3 numbers - 3 letters - 3 numbers - 3 letters - 3 letters - 1 letter with 3 numbers
-DH

Plug-ins for Final Cut Studio

Please post your recommendations for plug-ins for FInal Cut Studio (Final Cut Pro and Motion).

film leaders clips can be downloaded online if you dig around a bit ... Peter Wiggins has a nice Motion Template clock he offers for free (which is a bargain by anyones reckoning)
easy enough to create your own film leader style countdown with a few back to back text generators separated by clock wipe transitions
color bars can already found in your fcp video generators bin
color bars and a film leader style countdown can also be auto generated during output (print to video and edit to tape)
distort faces and license plate like they do on tv? ... ok i give up, what do you mean? if you mean you want to disguise them (Mosaic, Blur etc) then you can have a bash with my Region Blur plugin
Message was edited by: Andy Mees

Final Cut Studio Upgrade/Crossgrade Nightmare

Hopefully someone here can help me, because I'm facing a huge problem thanks to Apple's horrific upgrade/crossgrade nightmare with Final Cut Studio.
After some forum surfing here, I've discovered that upgrade/crossgrades were offered some months ago, but not anymore. I think this is outrageous on the part of Apple.
Here's my situation:
September 2006 (Australia): Bought a spiffy G5 / 23" Cinema HD machine with Final Cut Studio (5.0). Spent over $8,000. Used and loved and used and loved.
April 2007 (New Zealand): Bought a spiffy MacPro / 23" HD. Spent another $8,000. Can't used the software because the new machine is intel/Rosetta. Can't "crossgrade" because the offer's gone. Have to upgrade to FCS2. Cool. I will. But it's not here in NZ for a few more weeks, and I need FCP NOW!
What do I do?
How do I install and run my Final Cut Studio 5.0 on the new intel Mac? Where do I go to get the "crossgrade" (what a load of crap, by the way... to make customers who spent thousands on software have to pay to use it on the new machines) now that the links are all redirecting to FCS2??
Any advice (URGENTLY) would be most appreciated. I've been on hold with Apple for 20 minutes already. Cheers.
MacPro 2.66Ghz QX Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Really? The upgrade was no secret? Maybe for people who sit online and read everything there is to know about this stuff... but I've been busy using FCP 5.0 for a year and a half on a PPC machine. How am I supposed to know that when I buy a new MacPro everything is going to come crashing to a halt? I've had better upgrade experiences with Windoze machines (and those have been pretty horrific--the appropriate and suitable word here--too)!
And why exactly should I have to pay $700 USD for the privilege of using MY software on a newer machine? I have no problem paying the upgrade price for Final Cut Studio 2... it's a new product, better features, etc. But to pay it to use software I bought a year and a half ago on a new machine? The "crossgrade" should be FREE. Yes, I know that's a bad word in the Apple world, but if you're going to do a shift in technology, it's completely disrespectful to your customers to present them with a situation of being unable to use what they've paid dearly for. Honestly. It's one of the "benefits" Apple uses to SELL their computers -- whatever happened to It just works, and You can use all your old stuff?
Mate, you don't have to sympathize with my position. But after spending $18,000, I think a reasonable solution to this problem is fair and warranted.
If anyone else has any suggestions, I would very much appreciate them.

Help Me about Final Cut Studio Upgrade.

I'm a student studied Editing in KOREA.
I had used Final Cut Studio 5.1 now.
and I wanted to upgrade FCP Studio 7. so I bought Final Cut Studio Upgrade 7 last week.
And then I tried to installed, and I sucessed upgrade once. but it was not perpectly.
So I re-installed from beginning(FCPS 5.1) yesterday.
But now I can upgrade to FCPS 7 from FCPS 5.1.
Because It said "My serial number is not vaild." again and again.
(so I did format my mac book pro. and I installed from beginning, Mac OS X, iLife, iWork...FCPS 5.1. But I have same problem."
I can't understand this situation. and I don't know the solution.
I'm sorry to no support line about software in KOREA. T.T
I need your help!!!!!!!

If your 5.1 version was an academic version, it is not eligible for upgrade.
But you say that the upgrade installed once, but not "perpectly" (whatever that means). Specifically, what went wrong with the first install?
By the way, you don't need to have the older version on your computer to install an upgrade; all you need is the serial number from a legal RETAIL copy. If you own a legal retail copy (not academic) and are still having installation problems, contact Apple.
-DH

Is there a difference between final cut studio and final cut studio upgrade

i wish to buy final cut studio and was going to buy from the apple store but they recently stopped selling i have found on amazon two final cut studios one call final cut studio and the other called final cut studio upgrade the upgrade one is cheaper so this makes me think is this just like an expansion and do i need the original but both have the same pictures, descriptions and specs so are they the same thing just with different names or what? please help

Final Cut Studio is the full install...where the UPGRADE means that it requires you to have a previous version. It is cheaper because it only works if you have a previous version.

Reselling Final Cut Studio Upgrades?

Several years ago I upgraded a full version of Final Cut Pro 2 to Final Cut Studio 2 to Final Cut Studio 3. Both FCS 2 and 3 are all full-retail upgrades, not academic upgrades. Quite frankly, my company is not doing much high-end video production so I'm thinking about selling my Final Cut Studio upgrades so I can purchase a new Mac, but I have a few questions.
Since I upgraded from Final Cut Pro 2 to Final Cut Studio 2 to Final Cut Studio 3 do I have to sell everything as a bundle or can I sell each upgrade individually?
Does it matter if I registered the software with Apple?
If so, how can I find out if the software is registered?
Thanks!

from Apple's Software License Agreement (legal stuff): http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/finalcutstudio2.pdf
"3. Transfer. You may not rent, lease, lend, sell, redistribute or sublicense the Apple Software. You may, however, make a one-time permanent transfer of all of your license rights to the Apple Software to another party, provided that: (a) the transfer must include all of the Apple Software, including all its component parts, original media, printed materials and this License; (b) you do not retain any copies of the Apple Software, full or partial, including copies stored on a computer or other storage device; and (c) the party receiving the Apple Software reads and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of this License. All components of the Apple Software are provided as part of a bundle and may not be separated from the bundle and distributed as standalone applications.
Updates: If an Apple Software update completely replaces (full install) a previously licensed version of the Apple Software, you may not use both versions of the Apple Software at the same time nor may you transfer them separately."
-DH

Any free trial download for Final cut studio?

any free trial download for Final cut studio? anyone know plz give me the link....thx alot

Nope...sorry. WIsh there was. There is for Avid and Adobe...but not Final Cut.
Shane

Set of manuals for Final Cut Studio 5.1

Does anyone have a set of manuals for Final Cut Studio 5.1 that they don't need and would be willing to sell?
I got the crossover version, and find it difficult to cuddle up with the pdf files provided.
If you purchased the full version, and have now gone on to Studio 2 full version, and don't need the manuals to Studio 5.1, and are interested in selling them, please post back here.
Thanks,
Chris

Here's something:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Final-Cut-Studio-Manuals-Disks-Box-no-license_W0QQitem Z260158727741QQihZ016QQcategoryZ80245QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
But the bidding will probably go up. You can tell by the way he worded the auction that he's selling an illegal copy for people who aren't concerned with legality by disguising it as "a backup".

Do I have to reinstall final cut studio to get quicktime 7 pro to unlock?

I have installed Final Cut Studio 2
Then when I noticed the Quicktime 7 Pro was not there I did some research, Found Quicktime 7 on the Snow Leopard EXTRA disk and installed it.
Now, do I have to RE-install Final Cut Studio to get Quicktime 7 pro to unlock?
I scoured the forums and couldn't find anything. If there is something please lead me to it.
THIS THREAD DOES NOT ANSWER MY QUESTION even though it says answered. http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12464345&#12464345
Please help, thanks in advance.
Message was edited by: XyzBrew

This isn't related to your query, just a note to say that you've marked this topic as answered (at the time at which I'm making my reply). It might be best to mark it as "not answered" again, just in case folks pass over it assuming that it has been resolved.

Which system for Final Cut Studio upgrade...iMac or MacBook Pro?

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