Apple to only sell FCP via Studio bundle
updated 05:05 pm EST, Tue January 17, 2006
Apple axes Pro apps
Apple this week notified its resellers that it will no longer offer Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, or Motion as standalone products. The company will instead for $1,300--a Universal Binary version of which is expected to ship in March to enable full compatibility with Intel-based Macs. Apple has stopped taking new orders for current versions of the applications to be bundled within the suite. "The individual applications in Final Cut Studio will only be available as part of the suite," Apple wrote in a memo.
Apple in February will begin taking orders for a universal version of Final Cut Studio dubbed "Final Cut Studio Universal," which will ship in March for $1,300. The company will also continue to market a PowerPC-only version of the suite entitled "Final Cut Studio 1.1," according to a report from AppleInsider.
The company's move to an all-inclusive bundle means that new customers will be forced to pay the hefty price tag for the complete audio and video production suite, or make due without any of the applications. Users who own current versions of DVD Studio Pro, Motion, or Soundtrack Pro will be eligible to upgrade to the entire Final Cut Studio Universal for $200, while Final Cut Pro 5.0 owners will be able to upgrade to the Universal Studio package for $100.
Customers who already own a copy of the current Final Cut Studio can update to the universal version of the suite through a $50 "Final Cut Studio 1.1 Crossgrade Fulfillment" upgrade, and information about how to take advantage of all upgrades should show up on Apple's website in early February, according to the report.
Contacts close to Apple have suggested that fulfillment upgrades may only be available through traditional postage mail, requiring customers to supply all installation disks for the software that they are upgrading.
Apple will also offer $50 crossgrade upgrades for its other Pro applications, including Aperture and Logic Pro 7.1. For Logic Express 7.1 users, the upgrade will be priced at $30.
Current?
01/17, 05:50pm reply
The nominal upgrade pricing only applies to FCP Studio not even FCP HD (4.5) which was still called Production Suite. This means that people with software that's barely one year old are looking at a serious fleecing for their upgrade. Not a happy bunny!
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
Upgrade priciny
01/17, 06:01pm reply
Actually Feathers, the pricing for folks with Pre-FCP5 is really quite reasonable, considering you get Final Cut Studio and the Universal Binary stuff for less than it would have previously cost you to upgrade to Final Cut Studio. If anyone is being "fleeced" it's folks who already bought FCP5.
So, if you already have Final Cut Studio, it'll be $50 to get Universal Binaries.
If you have Production Bundle (4.5), it'll be $199 to get Universal Binaries, but you also get upgraded to Final Cut Studio in the process. Previously, that upgrade would have cost you $499.
If you have older FCP (or non-production bundle), it'll be $699, then standard upgrade pricing.
sith33
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
S*****!
01/17, 07:14pm reply
What a load of c***! $1300 if you just need DVDSP? That sucks a**...
WiseWeasel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 1999
Not Cool
01/17, 07:24pm reply
So because I couldn't up and purchase DVD SP 3 or FCP 4 or 5 I got to shell out over 1 grand to get the latest of either piece of software Or go and pirate...
Sondjata
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2000
what a great way...
01/17, 07:46pm reply
...to cut your sales to 10% of what they were before. I use Final Cut Express and DVD Studio Pro. I don't need or want Final Cut Pro, SoundTrack or Motion. So, it looks like I won't ever upgrade DVD Studio Pro again. Sorry Apple!
GreenMnM
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2000
and then they wonder...
01/17, 07:53pm reply
... why people pirate their software. I agree that it is stealing but they are not heliping their cause. I know a couple film student that wont pay that... it's so easy to get cracked serials. It's not that bad for professesionals or small studios because you generally get tax break for software but still...
DeeKat
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2003
Final Cut Express Suite?
01/17, 08:28pm reply
I was thinking... maybe they're coming out with an Express Suite or something, hopefully in the neighborhood of $500. It better have the full DVD Studio Pro though...
WiseWeasel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 1999
Hold On
01/17, 10:36pm reply
Before everyone freaks, hold on. This website has had more than one error about Apple in the past few days. I truly doubt this is a valid story at all. All we have to go on is an "Apple memo from an Apple Reseller" and a report from "AppleInsider". Note, there is no actual word from Apple here. Since when did this become a rumors site?
cbr600f4
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2000
Go to the Apple Store
01/17, 11:50pm reply
The only products for sale is the studio. They don't list motion, soundtrack or the like separately. I'm glad I didn't upgrade earlier. The only catch is if they upgrade again for the NAB. You might get last years for $199 but not this years.
kcwookie
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2005
goddamned ridiculous
01/18, 01:25am reply
how about12 users get 100 bucks a piece and buy the studio- just dont be in the vinvinit of eac other when using the app- sounds like a plan to me! who wants to be down!!??
blue_november
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002