Apple responds to criticism on Final Cut Pro X Part.III

Randy explains why FCP Ubillos X is unable to directly import FCP projects 7 while imports iMovie projects, "projects FCP 7 do not contain enough information to be properly" translated "into projects FCP X (the connections between clips in FCP 7 are not included in the timeline, but the head of the editor)”. Keep in mind that mutual fund X is a complete rewrite of Final Cut Pro, new software rather than the successor of FCP 7.

To throw away something that worked perfectly and was popular to replace it with something more modern, forward looking, but incomplete spend a year or two to complete and restore functions that were there before; it the "sequence Apple" singled out by an editor, the same sequence as in the overhaul of iMovie, conducted by the same Randy Ubillos. The only difference is crucial for some, is that FCP 7 is no longer available for sale, while Apple had left to download iMovie HD for many months. It is indeed regrettable lack of communication, lack of support from the Cupertino, but Apple is back on his argument: FCP 7 is still there; editors have the time to move on after X FCP familiar with him. Learn new reflexes Luckily Apple seems ready to communicate better, or at least indicate some bridges.

Moving the assembly of project files at the heart of the application causes some problems; it is less easy to exchange projects between assemblers, for example in a studio. Pogue, who repeats the instructions of the Heads Final Cut product, points to the possibility of sharing the project file; if the second editor has all the media, it will reconnect the references of the project file in its media. Harrington explains, however, that this solution is a bit wobbly, and not as "robust" as the media manager in FCP 7. One solution is to duplicate it exposes the project (project alone project with all the references, with only the project files used), then move it. At the other end, we can consolidate the media to ensure that nothing has been lost, and nothing prevents merging events, for example to make a project on a fixed station changes that were made mobility. Aperture has a function dedicated to the reconciliation multiple editors point the finger at his duties, or import from iPhoto's organizational logic as a way forward for FCP X. Of "robustness", it is also about the new function for reconnection; If a file was moved, it can be "lost" by the software. 7 in FCP, you could point to this file manually (FCP 7 remembered the path of the file).

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Apple responds to criticism on Final Cut Pro X Part.II

This is actually the ability to fund X to communicate with other software that is singled out here: Final Cut Pro, with its support of XML, had it opened a strength, to suit different workflow. In fact, X still supports the FCP XML interchange; Apple has confirmed it will soon publish the new specifications. Although increasingly popular, the RED cameras are no longer managed by FCP X. RED and Apple is partners and yet have repeatedly promoted from one another. RED works with Apple to create a plug-in that will import original RED format, which does not address the fact that X does not fund nor other raw formats.

Pogue says that you can always save it as QuickTime, which is far from a solution that format loses much raw information. The only temporary solution that seems acceptable, pending the plug-in, is to use the RED software to convert raw files into ProRes files, which is close to the workflow already adopted by some users of the RED cameras (c is a proxy used only format for editing, where it is more suitable than the raw formats). Another problem is the lack of support for some cards video output of the most popular, particularly in view of mounting a dedicated screen with better color reproduction. Apple Black Magic said working with the support of their cards, while AJ has already beta drivers. As recalled by Rich Harrington, this does not solve the case of other manufacturers, but it is a first step.

Apple does not work against support for the AJA and Black magic cards to work on tape. The Cupertino Company believes strongly in giving up the tape and the transition to a 100% digital workflow; it applies the same strategy as for the abandonment of the floppy, but Rich Harrington explained that the situation is far from the same. The tape is important, although it is indeed on the decline. In an e-transcribed in a conversation on the Apple forums, Randy Ubillos, product designer iMovie and Final Cut, says that Final Cut Pro X 1.0 "is the beginning of the road, not the end." He means by this that many features will be added to as such, but that fund X is a new way; this is how to interpret the abandonment of the cassette.

"We never imagined that somebody changed editing software in the middle of a project," said he: the career of Final Cut Pro 7 is far from over. Apple insists on this point; it is with Final Cut Pro X of decisions (the abandonment of the cassette, the dissolution of the concept of track, etc.), But stay tuned for the add on other items. Final Cut Pro 7 is currently more mature and stable, but editors can already form the new practices introduced by FCP X. But beware; FCP and FCP X 7 live poorly, it is better to install them on two different partitions.

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Apple responds to criticism on Final Cut Pro X Part.I

X Final Cut Pro (FCP X) unleashed passion in the small world of video, Apple, who had consulted many professionals in the development of FCP X, decided to step into the breach and to send the team to Final Cut questions from professionals. It did so through David Pogue, technology reporter for the New York Times, who compiled the various criticisms made by professionals. As Pogue explains, this is for Apple to distinguish features really missing the functions that have simply changed places or operation, and also indicate what functions are available or come back through plug-ins. Rich Harrington, a specialist among other things Final Cut, said these responses and offers lighting for someone familiar with the software.

From scratch with FCP X, Apple took the risk of alienating some of its customers: the X is silent on certain features of version 7. Some of these functions will return in future updates; some are available through plug-ins. As explained Harrington, 7 FCP can edit up to 128 simultaneous angles, although in practice only a handful was useful for editing multicam events such as concerts, entertainment programs, etc.. FCP X does not have this feature.


Apple looks forward to add to X FCP multicam editing, through updated considered "top priority". Pogue explains that in the meantime, place the different angles on parallel tracks and use the synchronization feature to calibrate based on their audio content can be a substitute - which makes him smile Harrington. X FCP manages the audio so very different from its predecessor: the notion of audio tracks becoming very blurred to the point of almost disappearing. An editor and complained of not being able to easily export audio on different tracks to Protools, which completely breaks the habits of production.

Others complain that they can export to EDL (text file with a list of audio events and video as a reference for mounting), AAF or OMF (both file systems to exchange software). In the case of EDL, the answer is clear: Apple oriented approach 100% digital; it is considered to be obsolete. For audio or AAF or OMF, she headed ProExport Automatic Duck, software $ 495 or $ 195 for update: Apple has also confirmed she was leaving it up to third-party developers to support these files, just as it abandoned their management cassettes.

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Amazon, The Best and Foremost Enemy of Apple Part.IV

Material on which Amazon released a very comfortable margin of 48%: for a little over three years, the bookseller hybrid business model to be closer to that of Apple. The next step, which should confirm this transition, the tablet will Kindle, announced by the rumor and, as it confirmed by Jeff Bezos. While Apple's closed ecosystem with software and services, Amazon goes in the opposite direction and will close with hardware ... Android. Amazon has not cluttered with the creation of an OS in a few months, it has privatized virtually a third OS to be able to offer almost a clean version.

Amazon was a partner in the first hour of Google: the couple face + iTunes iPhone, the firm of Mountain View has used Amazon as a content provider for Android Smartphones. Amazon MP3 application, installed on all or most Smartphones Android and not far from impossible to remove, serves as equivalent of the iTunes Store.

Amazon obviously has its own applications on Android, but the company goes further in recent months, it operates its own application store for Android. The Amazon AppStore, it is called, is a true rival to the Android Market: it has a mechanism of editorial control, offers a free daily application fee, and even allows testing applications directly into the browser through an Android emulator!

Amazon has enough weight to have managed to bend the AT & T, which ultimately allowed the installation of third-party shopping for Android users can download the Amazon AppStore. Google is certainly a well-known brand in the United States and elsewhere, but Amazon is less familiar and has the advantage of being established for a long time. Kindle said the company's presence in the material, while the family is eclipsed by Nexus brand Droid operator Verizon. At the selection on the eve of the holiday season, Amazon could buy up the ante with a shelf under a Kindle Android in which it is deeply integrated.

A tablet may be the best competitor of the iPad, but also, paradoxically, its greatest ally against the other tablets Android - found the game at three music stores. Amazon certainly seems to be the worst enemy of Apple...

Amazon, The Best and Foremost Enemy of Apple Part.III

With icloud, Apple may, however, go far beyond the Cloud Drive. Amazon is focusing effect on media content, where Apple offers various services in addition to "productivity" (email, calendars, contacts, files synchronization, etc). Amazon then simply create a digital record, while Apple was able to convince record labels and management companies of copyright to allow the download multiple purchases or duplication of an iTunes library.

Apple takes the advantage because she thought the solution in the cloud as an extension of its equipment, as part of a full circle closed ecosystem. Amazon also has a closed ecosystem: the Kindle (designed by Lab126 ... in Cupertino). It is difficult to measure the success of Kindle and its associated download platform, Amazon do not provide sales figures, but it is undeniable.

Kindle and iPod are similar: they have succeeded where others have failed with a formula not necessarily new, but distinctive hardware and an integrated software platform available at the right time (technological convergence and preparing the public for the idea). The iPod had a hard drive, the wheel and then iTunes FairPlay DRM, the Kindle screen eIink had its modern, its persistent and 3G as well as its free Kindle Store and a closed file format. In many ways, it has demonstrated the viability of the eBook.

Apple today hunting on the lands of the Amazon with iPad and iBookstore, as do other manufacturers, but from Amazon in this market is 90% (although it is in rapid decline and to fall to 70-75% by the end of the year). In the same way as iTunes, Safari or icloud is available on Windows, you can access the Kindle platform on many devices. Amazon has understood before others, and just as Apple, the central content at low prices and high volume ("set an aggressive price and go for volume" said Steve Jobs): the logical step after that 'we bought books on the Kindle Store, readable only through the application Kindle, is to buy a Kindle.

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