NAB: Apple's Final Cut Studio 2, Server

Apple on Sunday announced Final Cut Studio 2, its next-generation production suite for film editors that includes Final Cut Pro 6 with Open Format Timeline, new technology from Apple's Shake application and Motion templates. The Open Format Timeline allow users to mix formats, mix resolutions and even mix frame-rates, while SmoothCam, derived from Apple's Shake, removes camera motion shaking. Apple's suite also includes Motion 3 with new advanced 3D functions. The company said all of Motion's real-time tools can be used with 3D functions; it also offers multicam and light sources as well as vector-based paint with pen pressure and speed sensitivity. Apple also previewed a new IO-HD external breakout device and Final Cut Server for asset management and workflow.

Apple's Final Cut Studio 2 also features Soundtrack Pro 2 with 3-up video HUD for placing clips and advanced Take Management for dialog replacement. Version 2 also features Surround Mixing for mixed 5.1 and stereo sound with a single project along with surround plug-ins and more than 1000 related music tracks and sound effects. Soundtrack Pro 2 will also ship with more than 2000 royalty-free sound effects.

Apple's suite also offers Color, a new application for professional color grading and finishing, Compressor 3 and DVD Studio Pro 4 for digital delivery.

Final Cut Studio is due in May and will ship for $1,300 with upgrades priced at $500 ($700 from previous versions Final Cut Pro).

Apple also debuted ProRes 422, its next-generation post-production format for uncompressed HD at SD file sizes. The format is 10-bit/4:2:2 with full rasterization.

(More info on: Final Cut Pro Studio, the new IO-HD external breakout device and Final Cut Server).

Filed under: software
Other story tags: video editing