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Home: Video University Forums: Filmmakers & Screenwriters:
Avid Express Pro or FCP 4?

X-Ed
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Feb 10, 2004, 2:54 AM

Post #1 of 9 (2175 views)
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Avid Express Pro or FCP 4?	Can't Post

Hello,
I'm still doing research on which computer NLE system to buy. Since I've just started shooting events, I must try to make sure that I make this a good one-time-purchase, right?---I can't yet afford the extra costs and hassle to upgrade or switch systems a couple of months later.
Given that the home computer is the highest package-option, which do you think is the better system ------
1) [PC] Avid Express Pro, or FCP 4?
2) [Mac] Avid Express Pro, or FCP 4?
And why?

X-james
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Feb 10, 2004, 11:33 PM

Post #2 of 9 (2175 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4?	Can't Post

to be honest if you don't need the simi production house features of both i would just go with a premiere pro or 6.5 package. it is way cheaper, offers everything you will need and is a lot happy working on a base level system(avid likes to run on the bigger boys regardless os what the specs say)
also in my opion it is the easiest to learn having use all three i would say unless you like mac(which it seems like most people flock to for no good reason anymore) then stick with a pc(always cheaper) and premiere 6.5
as a side bar to why i say this i have been shooting xtreme sporting events for a while now and have worked in production houses who do the same. i have always produced pieces for show from my homeon my pc system and premiere with no complants.
remeber it's the quility of the footage the NLE cant make that any better.
so if you want no B S features without the huge price tag then stick with this and spend the money on a better system to run it on.
lets see how many people tell me i'm wrong now =)
good times

X-Shawn
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Feb 11, 2004, 11:39 AM

Post #3 of 9 (2174 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well as far as I know you cant get FCP on a PC. So if you get a PC then look into maybe premiere or one of the other prosumer level programs. If you get MAC I would go with FCP if you havent dont much computer editing. It is a great program with a middle ground of being a very easy program to start out on and able to do proffesional quality. I like Avid but thats because I am getting into more then the entry level editing. Also maybe talk to some people that edit sports events. See what they use. Look online for companies and email them. There are a lot of programs out there and the only way to tell which ones are good is to hear experience from people doing what you want to do with them.
good luck
-Shawn
: Hello,
: I'm still doing research on which computer NLE system to buy. Since I've just started shooting events, I must try to make sure that I make this a good one-time-purchase, right?---I can't yet afford the extra costs and hassle to upgrade or switch systems a couple of months later.
: Given that the home computer is the highest package-option, which do you think is the better system ------
: 1) [PC] Avid Express Pro, or FCP 4?
: 2) [Mac] Avid Express Pro, or FCP 4?
: And why?

X-Shawn
Imported Account

Feb 11, 2004, 11:41 AM

Post #4 of 9 (2174 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I said sports events in my reply above. Never mind that. But do look up what people use with editing the events you will be taping.
: Well as far as I know you cant get FCP on a PC. So if you get a PC then look into maybe premiere or one of the other prosumer level programs. If you get MAC I would go with FCP if you havent dont much computer editing. It is a great program with a middle ground of being a very easy program to start out on and able to do proffesional quality. I like Avid but thats because I am getting into more then the entry level editing. Also maybe talk to some people that edit sports events. See what they use. Look online for companies and email them. There are a lot of programs out there and the only way to tell which ones are good is to hear experience from people doing what you want to do with them.
: good luck
: -Shawn
: : Hello,
: : I'm still doing research on which computer NLE system to buy. Since I've just started shooting events, I must try to make sure that I make this a good one-time-purchase, right?---I can't yet afford the extra costs and hassle to upgrade or switch systems a couple of months later.
: : Given that the home computer is the highest package-option, which do you think is the better system ------
: : 1) [PC] Avid Express Pro, or FCP 4?
: : 2) [Mac] Avid Express Pro, or FCP 4?
: : And why?

X-Joe_Horn
Imported Account

Feb 23, 2004, 5:20 PM

Post #5 of 9 (2174 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4? [In reply to]	Can't Post

: to be honest if you don't need the simi production house features of both i would just go with a premiere pro or 6.5 package. it is way cheaper, offers everything you will need and is a lot happy working on a base level system(avid likes to run on the bigger boys regardless os what the specs say)
: also in my opion it is the easiest to learn having use all three i would say unless you like mac(which it seems like most people flock to for no good reason anymore) then stick with a pc(always cheaper) and premiere 6.5
: as a side bar to why i say this i have been shooting xtreme sporting events for a while now and have worked in production houses who do the same. i have always produced pieces for show from my homeon my pc system and premiere with no complants.
: remeber it's the quility of the footage the NLE cant make that any better.
: so if you want no B S features without the huge price tag then stick with this and spend the money on a better system to run it on.
: lets see how many people tell me i'm wrong now =)
: good times
Get a Mac! Get FCP and get DVDSP as well.
Premiere is for sissies!

X-John
Imported Account

Feb 25, 2004, 10:22 PM

Post #6 of 9 (2174 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I will tell you my experience and hopefully this will help you decide. I started working with Adobe Premiere 5.5 on a pentium III 600. It was my first NLE system to work on coming from the linear world. We tried for over 6 months to try to capture and edit. Just trying to put transitions between clips were difficult. During this time we visited the major video production house in our area and noticed they were using Macs.
We bought a Mac (Dual 500 G4) and Final Cut Pro 3.0. We were editing practically right out of the box. The Mac and FCP made our transition from linear to non-linear smooth and easy. When it was time for me to buy my own personal system I had no doubts what to buy. I bought a Mac and am still using it with FCP4.
I am very happy with it. I know that pc's have since become more adapted to video and that Adobe Premiere pro has some major upgrades but consider this: Some major movie studios have begun editing their films on FCP. (Cold Mountain, and several movie trailers, and the tv show SCRUBS). In reading the trade magazines, though Premiere is advertised, the work loads are usually shared by either FCP or an AVID system. I'm not knocking Pcs(realizing AVIDs work on them), is just that I've had unpleasant experiences trying to edit with one. I use a Pc for other functions but prefer my mac for editing.
Good Luck!
John

X-grinner
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Feb 28, 2004, 7:20 PM

Post #7 of 9 (2174 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Xrpress Pro is a neat little box to offline on but for the price, I can't think of any reason to go with it over fcp unless you an Avid house swapping projects or media via Unity. It's basicly a toy though.
FCP is able to grow as you do and all you have to do is add hardware. It's DVE runs circles around Xpress Pro (but then thats not hard to do) and more and more plugins will become FCP friendly.
Scope out genarts.com for some great news for FCP users. Sapphires rule, man.

X-Ed
Imported Account

Feb 29, 2004, 10:51 AM

Post #8 of 9 (2175 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4? [In reply to]	Can't Post

From my ongoing learning about the different NLE software on the market, I agree. FCP is, by far, the best prosumer software on the market. Its Cinetools, and other tools, puts FCP on the industry-professional level of software. Suggestion: when deciding on software, check for an "educational version"(requires teacher ID or student ID for purchase).-----example: Avid Xpress Pro regular price is $1600, and the educational price is $400.

: Xrpress Pro is a neat little box to offline on but for the price, I can't think of any reason to go with it over fcp unless you an Avid house swapping projects or media via Unity. It's basicly a toy though.
: FCP is able to grow as you do and all you have to do is add hardware. It's DVE runs circles around Xpress Pro (but then thats not hard to do) and more and more plugins will become FCP friendly.
: Scope out genarts.com for some great news for FCP users. Sapphires rule, man.

X-_ed
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Jun 14, 2004, 1:51 AM

Post #9 of 9 (2174 views)
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Re: Avid Express Pro or FCP 4? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well finnal cut pro is a good learing program. but avid technology is extreamly better even in the range of express pro. finnal cut has nothing on how the files are saved in avid at all. to me avid runs cirlces around finnal cut and yes some movie sahve beed edited on finnal cut which is cool becuas emaybe that will give the creaters of fcp the motivation to get it up to date. if fcp could do half of what avid could it owuld be the indusrty standard but since it can at the current time its not. avid just has that professional edge. alot of people think anyone can use fcp but it takes a skilled perosn to use avid. in a sense this is true i have been editin on avid for two years now and im still finding stuff and shortcuts. fcp i leanred that in no time. which ill admit may be a good tihng but ill choose avid over fcp anyday.