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| Tuesday, April 17, 2007 |
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Apple debuts Final Cut Studio 2 and Final Cut Server
By Ryan Katz, Senior Editor
April 15, 2007 - At a media event Sunday evening ahead of the National Association of Broadcasters convention, Apple introduced the long-awaited Final Cut Studio 2 as well as a new product, Final Cut Server.
Final Cut Studio 2 includes Final Cut Pro 6, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, DVD Studio Pro 4, Compressor 3, and a new color grading and finishing application dubbed Color.Among the notable additions in Final Cut Studio 2 is Apple's new ProRes 422 video format, which delivers uncompressed HD quality video at SD video file sizes. Apple says Panasonic, Sony, RED, and other camera makers are embracing the new 422 format; Apple's partnership with camera makers was previously reported by Think Secret. Final Cut Pro 6 also includes a new SmoothCam feature that eliminates camera movement from video.In addition, Apple announced IO-HD, a hardware solution that will provide real-time conversion of video footage into the ProRes 422 format, true to information Think Secret sources previously provided regarding a hardware-accelerated version of Final Cut Pro 6. IO-HD will cost $3,495 when it becomes available in July.Final Cut Server is a new asset managemet and workflow automation solution that works in tandem with Final Cut Studio 2. Final Cut Server includes a cross-platform client that enables content browsing, review and approval locally or over the Internet. The software also automatically catalogs large collections of assets and enables easy searching across multiple volumes.Last year Apple acquired both Silicon Color, a maker of digital color finishing tools, and Proximity Corporation, a leading developer of video asset management solutions. Both company's technologies have likely been incorporated into the new Color and Final Cut Server products, respectively.Final Cut Studio 2 will ship in May for $1,299; upgrades from FInal Cut Studio will be $499, while owners of Final Cut Pro can purchase the suite for $699.Final Cut Server will be available "this summer" for $999 in a 10-client version, or $1,999 for unlimited clients.
Update - Think Secret sources report that Final Cut Server is essentially a port of the Linux version of Proximity Group's artbox with a Mac OS X interface facelift. Apple also "drastically cut the software price from $50,000 to $999-$1,999... Apple continues to subsidize software to sell more hardware," the source added.
http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0704finalcutstudio2.html |
| posted by Perimbean @ 12:16 AM |
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