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DESCRIPTION
Apple Final Cut Express... Create professional-quality video with Final Cut Express. Apple's feature-rich DV editing software is designed for the complete beginner, aspiring filmmaker, educator and experienced DV editor alike. The new version features RT Extreme for real-time compositing and effects, an enhanced user interface, real-time color correction tools and enhanced audio editing capabilities.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 4.0.1: This update addresses compatibility issues with AVCHD camcorders, improves stability when using third-party FxPlug plug-ins, and addresses a number of other minor issues.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later.

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SCREENSHOT

Developer:Apple
Downloads:21,227
  - Version d/l:6,189
Business:Applications
License:Commercial
Date:28 Aug 2008
Platform:PPC/Intel
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Apple Final Cut Express User Reviews (12 posts)Write A Review
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Aug 3 2009

MILA06  Hope to have a new Final Cut Express 5 soon...

with Blu Ray like final cut studio...  
(Version 4.0.1)

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0
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Sep 1 2008

BRADMACPRO  Anyone with a pirated copy of FCE 4.0 will be out of luck as this update blocks the serial number that has been around. Apple does the same thing with Final Cut Pro and Aperture with each minor update. Watch out you software pirates.  
(Version 4.0.1)

praisebury
0
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Nov 15 2007

ERICOB  [Apple seems to have re- re-named Final Cut Express HD so that it is again simply "Final Cut Express." Hmm.]

It appears Apple has DROPPED Soundtrack from the product. Mind you, the version of Soundtrack that shipped with FCEHD 3.5 was not the "Pro" version and was version 1.5 too. This *does* identify itself as a Universal Application though.

It looks like the only version of Soundtrack is now "Soundtrack Pro 2.0" which seems to be available only as a component of Final Cut Studio -- rather pricey at $1,299.00. (If you can find a full retail copy of Final Cut Studio, the upgrade from that is merely $499.

If you wanted Soundtrack, it might be worth the trouble trying to find a copy of Final Cut Express HD 3.5.  
(Version 4.0)

praisebury
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May 18 2006

SJJ_PUBLIC  Does anyone know if Final Cut Express HD will work on Intel macs that have shared video graphics (i.e. the Mac mini and MacBook)? My understanding is that Final Cut Pro does not work, but what about Final Cut Express?  
(Version 3.5)

praisebury
-1
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May 18 2006

UMAROMC  I don't think any of Apple's major apps have been updated for running natively on Intel Macs (and they complained about Adobe not switching to OS X fast enough)... but they should be able to run via Rosetta... albeit noticeably slower due to the runtime emulation.  
(Version 3.5)

praisebury
-1
May 18 2006

D9  Wrong! Most all of the major "Pro" apps are now Universal. Final Cut Express was actually one of the last to migrate (Shake is still not there, I believe). Go check out Apple's web site for download links to see.

As for the original post, I would say no. FCE uses the same graphics coding that Final Cut does, so it's going to have the same requirements. The differences of the two really lie in features set.  
(Version 3.5)

praisebury
+1
May 18 2006

JOHN F.  Why do I keep hearing that FCP won't work on the MacBook? It will run just fine. It's Apple Motion that won't install or will run too slow without dedicated graphics chip. But FCP, Soundtrack, LiveType, DVD Studio Pro should install just fine. I run FCP 4.5 on an 1 GHz iBook. It only displays low res smoothly, but it runs. A better chip will mean that FCP will open up more features, like real-time effects stuff. FCP and FCE should install fine on all current Macs. FCP requires at least a 867 MHz G4, or 1 GHz for HDV. FCE has lower requirements: about 550 MHz G4, or again 1 GHz G4 for HDV. Almost every Apple Mac of the last couple of years supports Quartz Extreme. And if it comes to Core Image, Intel GMA950 does support it too, although probably not blistering fast.  
(Version 3.5)

praisebury
+1
May 19 2006

LUTHER  FINAL CUT EXPRESS WILL RUN JUST FINE ON A MACBOOK. In yesterday's news on xlr8yourmac.com, a user commented that Final Cut Pro 5.1 runs JUST FINE on a Mac Mini 1.5GHz core solo with the same GMA950 graphics card as the MacBook. Quote: "Final Cut starts and runs fine... To say it installed and worked is an understatement, I was blown away it worked!!" No doubt Final Cut Express will have no trouble on the much faster core duo 1.83/2.0GHz MacBooks.  
(Version 3.5)

praisebury
+1

Nov 14 2005
****.

ANONYMOUS  Highly Functional, and also quite economical.  
(Version 3.0.1)

praisebury
0
[ Reply ]
May 24 2004

LIBERATED  Those of you angry that you can't convert the songs you buy from the iTunes music store to mp3 to save disk space or can't use them in your home FinalCut movies should get Hear Your Music Anywhere 0.6. This app converts the m4p songs that you buy to m4a format. With this app the digital hub lives on !!  
(Version 2.0.3)

praisebury
0
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Oct 22 2005

ANONYMOUS  What does this have to do with FCE?? And WHO in their right mind would EVER downgrade their iTMS purchases to MP3?? You're an idiot if you're trying to save disk space by doing that....hard drives are cheap.

And BTW....if you can't figure out yet how to convert within iTunes....well...buy a WIndows box...you don't deserve a Mac...  
(Version 3.0.1)

praisebury
0
Nov 14 2005

DAVID CROW  An aac file is much smaller than an mp3.

Even at equivalent bit-rates aac sounds more like an AIFF than an MP3 would ever dream of.  
(Version 3.0.1)

praisebury
0

Apr 17 2004

FREDRIK J  Which is the best page to get hints how to use FCE 2.0 the best, effective way - for beginners?

/Fredrik  
(Version 2.0.3)

praisebury
0
[ 1 Reply - Reply ]
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Oct 22 2005

DIGITAL ENTROPY  http://www.apple.com/support/finalcutexpress/

seems like a plan.

Else check out the library or bookstore for a book.  
(Version 3.0.1)

praisebury
0

Apr 16 2004

ED  Quit whining about having recently bought FCX 1 before Apple came out with FCX 2. If you don't want FCX 2, then don't buy it. FCX 1 has been out for nearly a year. Unless you are just looking for something to complain about, it is generally considered a good thing when software companies release new versions.   
(Version 2.0.3)

praisebury
0
[ 1 Reply - Reply ]
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Oct 22 2005

DIGITAL ENTROPY  Pretty sure FCE 1 has been around for more than a year.

The upgrade to GCE 3 is good.

Its a nice piece of work & does most things a home user could want.

I would say that for the "beginner" comment wanting to know how to use it effectively - the best way is simply to get a book like Weynand's - & there is one other than looks good. Its a little more cryptic than using iMovie.

Else check your library or a user group to see if there's an adequate one.

How much info do you think someone can write in these little comment fields?  
(Version 3.0.1)

praisebury
0

Jan 30 2004
***½.

ANONYMOUS  I just bought FCE 1.1 on Dec 18th and like the app but now its $99 for the upgade and not even a months use of FCE 1.1. I was not to happy. I haven't used FCE 2 enought to comment on it yet.  
(Version 2.0.2)

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0
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Jan 7 2004

CARSON  Agreed. This should definitely be free to those who jumped in with FCE 1. Only one debug/upgrade to the original? A completely new version after only a few months? Another $99 for so few improvements? That's kinda suck. You might be saying the same thing when they release version 3 in May if you start now with FCE 2...  
(Version 2.0)

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0
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