The all new Final Cut Express 2
Final Cut Express 2 is the advanced DV editing software solution for home, education and creative business. Based on Apple's award-winning Final Cut Pro 4 architecture, Final Cut Express 2 delivers powerful new features for video editors looking for a sophisticated and approachable application that produces professional-looking results.
Final Cut Express 2 features RT Extreme for real-time compositing and effects; a redesigned user interface that allows for customizable buttons and user-defined window set-ups; superb color correction tools for interactively adjusting contrast, luminance, chrominance, and lighting; and enhanced audio editing capabilities.
Also included is a "Getting Started with Final Cut Express 2" book that walks you through the entire process of video editing, from capture to delivery.
Capture DV via FireWire
Connect your FireWire-equipped DV camcorder to your Mac and use Final Cut Express 2's Capture window to control a wide range of miniDV, DVCAM, and DVCPRO devices (visit www.apple.com/finalcutexpress for a list of qualified devices). The improved capture feature ignores time-code breaks and incrementally names clips automatically when a recording break is discovered, so you can save time by capturing in one, automated session.
Then organize, search, and sort your footage within customizable, hierarchical bins in Final Cut Express 2's browser window. Final Cut Express 2's advanced workflow design lets you edit like a pro. You can open and edit multiple projects, containing multiple sequences, at the same time. You can even nest sequences within sequences, making it easier to put together long-form projects.
Edit DV with heavy duty Non-Linear Editing Tools
Final Cut Express 2 gives you an impressive set of Non-Linear Editing (NLE) tools. You can drag and drop clips between the browser, the timeline, the viewer and the canvas without having to learn a specific, restrictive workflow. You can easily Insert, Overwrite, Replace, Fit to Fill or Superimpose clips to your sequence using Final Cut Express' powerful 3-point editing.
Use an impressive array of precision tools like razor blade, slip, slide, ripple, roll, extend, and split to perfect your edit. All of your editing decisions are reversible using Final Cut Express' multiple undo features. And because Final Cut Express is a non-destructive editor, your source footage is never affected by your editing.
Use Transitions, Effects, Titling and Compositing
Final Cut Express 2 brings together seamlessly integrated editing, compositing and effects tools for an unparalleled DV production workflow. RT Extreme gives allows for more render-free real-time effects, transitions, and video layers, and lets you preview your editing decisions immediately, without any additional hardware.
Put your thoughts into writing with lower 3rds, scrolls, crawls, and other motion titling using Final Cut Express 2's 2D and 3D titling tools, including the bundled Boris Calligraphy.
Combine up to 99 video tracks , multi-layered Photoshop files, and titles to build stunning motion graphics with Final Cut Express 2's integrated compositing.
Color Correct your project
Fire up Final Cut Express 2's real-time Color Corrector to make shots match, or to enhance the mood of a clip . Adjust the levels of your whites, mids and blacks, change the hue and balance, or apply the broadcast safe filter to make it ready for TV.
Mix Audio
Final Cut Express 2 lets you mix up to 99 tracks of audio at the sub-frame level, previewing your volume and filter adjustments in real time. Use pans, levels, and the 3-band equalizer for just the right mix. Enhance your audio with transitions and filters like cross fades, reverb, EQ, echo, noise gate, and more. For documentary-style projects, use the VoiceOver tool to record narration into an audio track while your video plays.
Final Cut Express 2 also supports Audio Units, as well as scoring markers for Soundtrack.
Output to Tape, DVD, or QuickTime
Final Cut Express 2 projects can be exported for use in iDVD or DVD Studio Pro, saved back to tape, or exported to any QuickTime format, including MPEG-4. Final Cut Express 2 offers a smooth migration path to high-end video production because everything learned in Final Cut Express is directly transferable to Final Cut Pro, making it a very sensible investment of time and money.
Whether you're a digital video enthusiast, a corporate video developer or an event videographer, Apple's feature-rich DV editing software is designed for you. It's optimized for the DV format and comes with all the high-quality compositing, titling, and effects capabilities that you need for professional-level video.
