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Apple to Allow Additional FCP 7 Enterprise Licenses and More on FCP X [Update]

Thursday July 7, 2011 2:25 am PDT by Arnold Kim

Apple held a private Final Cut Pro X (FCP X) briefing for enterprise contracts in London on July 6th. One first hand report has been posted to the internet detailing what Apple discussed during the event. Alex4d summarizes tweets by @aPostEngineer which reveals the following points:
1. FCP XML in/out is coming via 3rd party soon…no FCP 6/7 support project support coming ever it seems…
2. Ability to buy FCP7 licenses for enterprise deployments coming in the next few weeks…
3. FCPX EDL import/export coming soon…
4. FCPX AJA plugins coming soon for tape capture and layback…capture straight into FCPX [events].
5. XSAN support for FCPX coming in the next few weeks…
6. FCPX Broadcast video output via #Blackmagic & @AJAVideo coming soon…
7. Additional codec support for FCPX via 3rd Parties coming soon…
8. Customizable sequence TC in FCPX for master exports coming soon…
9. Some FCPX updates will be free some will cost…
Notably, the event reveals that Apple is working on allowing existing Final Cut Pro 7 enterprise deployments to purchase additional licenses. One of major complaints about the FCP X launch had been Apple's discontinuing sales of Final Cut Pro 7 even before video professionals had been able to become comfortable with FCP X.

Final Cut Pro X was released as an App Store title on June 21st for $299. Apple later posted a FAQ to address concerns of video professionals, and has promised a number of new features and fixes in the coming months.

Update: Apple has apparently contacted the tweeter with this clarification:
Apple have contacted me in regards to my tweets…and wanted to make sure the facts are right…

2. Ability to buy ADDITIONAL FCP7 licenses for EXISTING volume licensed deployments is something Apple are only looking into at this stage.

4. FCPX AJA plugins coming soon for tape capture and layback…capture straight into FCPX events. Will not be a plugin but an AJA application.


[ 178 comments ]


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The Phazer
106 months ago

So now that Apple will let current users buy additional seats (well, soon they will), can everyone shut up whining so much now? Use the system that works for you.

FCP7, as it currently stands, was developed over 10+ years. FCPX has just come out. Development time makes a big difference.


It won't let small shops who don't qualify for enterprise licences buy additional seats.

Phazer
Rating: 11 Votes
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unlinked
106 months ago
They sure do say 3rd party and soon a lot.
Rating: 9 Votes
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spooky2k
106 months ago

Some will cost?

That is pretty much the final straw for our facility...

We will play out FCP7 for a few more months, but certainly will not be spending any more money with Apple for their ill-considered, poorly designed hobby software ever again. The dream of those of us who supported FCP for years, putting up with the Avid users mocking the upstart software is over, and it hurts even more that the Avid crowd was eventually justified.


Big software upgrades always cost. Remember that Final Cut Pro X is a hell of a lot cheaper than Studio used to be. Apple just recognises that not everyone needs some things, so why not get a great basic functionality and let third parties handle those things?

All of these NLE software options are just tools for doing the job. Choose the one that suits you based on that and be done with it.
Rating: 8 Votes
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adrian.oconnor
106 months ago
The FCPX saga is getting a little tired now (for me at least), but I appreciate some people are concerned about the future of software they depend on. These things usually work out pretty well in the long run -- look at the initial reaction to OS X, for instance, as highlighted by HP the other day. As a programmer I've personally been through several major shifts in the platforms I work with over the years. Again, it always worked out pretty well, and I'm actually very glad that people are always trying to change and improve stuff that we come to take for granted. It keeps things fresh and interesting.
Rating: 7 Votes
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Reach
106 months ago

Yes, it upsets me because they sold a piece of software that is basically useless for film professionals and are planning on charging additional fees for functionality. It borders on criminal.


Again, you don't know that they will charge for the updates they are talking about on the short term. Multicam for example will be a free upgrade: http://www.fcp.co/forum/4-final-cut-pro-x-fcpx/346-my-take-on-the-apple-fcpx-briefing-in-london-6711#346
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Aiwaz418
106 months ago

It will not cost you anything extra if you don't buy FCP X before these updates are included. Everybody buying FCP X now (or anytime in the last two weeks since the the first detailed reviews were in) knows they buy a preview of what FCP will become in the future, not a fully-featured new version.

Oh, 'everybody knows' that, eh?

That's like being sold a car without a working transmission and then being told afterward that it is simply a 'preview' of what is to come.

I'm an unabashed Apple fan, but these kinds of nonsensical apologies are simply sad.
Rating: 6 Votes
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Digitalclips
106 months ago
This is all pretty good news and a PR repair job that should never have been needed. Having now used X for a week or so I have to admit it can do pretty much everything I thought it couldn't at first use. Extending 7 licenses is an excellent move. If all we are left with is no import of projects then I think that can be lived with.
Rating: 5 Votes
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KnightWRX
106 months ago

I was saying that I can't understand how he could get mad about something he knew nothing about.


I think that's the glaring point in this entire saga. When your business depends on a particular piece of equipment/software, you don't want to "know nothing about" it. You want a clear roadmap, you want clear indications. This is people's lively hoods we're talking about.

I personally think Apple is not ready for commercial/enterprise deployments precisely because of their culture of secrecy. It just doesn't work when so much planning needs to go into these solutions.
Rating: 5 Votes
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ericmooreart
106 months ago
After talking with people from other video houses and my own experience at my company, I think its too late for FCP X. Even if in a year all the pro features are back.

The professional community has lost trust in Apples pro line.
Rating: 4 Votes
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phil1984
106 months ago
Final Cut Pro X: there's a 3rd party plugin for that
Rating: 4 Votes

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