[read96]

I want to make documentary (fairly) high quality videos for Web and DVD's.
What are your suggestions for essential software. I'm thinking of FCP4 or FCE as the base. What is your recommendation (is FCP4 that much better than FCE?)
Also what other "must have" software should I look at?
Lastly, recommended books?
(I use a DV camera)

many thanks

[MaxPower2k3]

www.apple.com/finalcut


just glancing at that list makes it seem as if FCE can't do anything compared to FCP, but this isn't true at all. most of those features are minor things, or things unrelated to DV editing It uses the same interface as FCP, and has many of the same editing features. Really the only place FCE lacks is in non-DV editing, which isn't a problem for you since you have a DV camera. Look through that list, and see if FCE has anything that you would need enough to warrant the extra money. I haven't used any books, i just used the tutorial DVD that came with FCE and then started poking around in the interface, and i'm picking it up. The only bad thing is that FCE doesn't come with a printed manual, only a 750-page PDF file on the CD, which is a little bit less than convenient to browse through. maybe if i ever get a laser printer i'll print it out

[k_munic]

for a startup, you should have:

FCE - if you use a dv cam, it has all the features you need

photoshop (express) - grafix (titles. templates etc) should be made with this tiny app.

dvd pro - for mastering your dvds (warning high learning curve)

sorensen - for compressing your web video

so much about video, editing and mastering.

what about sound? recording? music? do you need it?

do you publish your web video? web design apps?

...........

[Xaaron Swiftblade]

fcp might be worth the extra for soundtrack alone, not to mention if you ever want to get into bigger things

[read96]

Thanks for the good feedback. In answer to the questions - I tend to use softish classical music for some intros, etc. (Soundtrack may also be very helpful for building some basic backing)
I do intend to do some web streaming of the output, but not really into web design.
What's a good source for Royalty free music?
Doesn't FCP4 have some new "titling" software (Livetype)? How does it compare to Photoshop Express?

[k_munic]

Originally posted by read96:
Thanks for the good feedback. In answer to the questions - I tend to use softish classical music for some intros, etc. (Soundtrack may also be very helpful for building some basic backing)
I do intend to do some web streaming of the output, but not really into web design.
What's a good source for Royalty free music?
Doesn't FCP4 have some new "titling" software (Livetype)? How does it compare to Photoshop Express?

i do use fce, so sorry experiences with livetype.

the integrated titeling effects are "nice" for my homemovies, for professional usage they are little too...- how to say?... bubblegum?

what i like is this feature:
do some graix art in photoshop(express) and safe it to disk as a native photoshop file.

in fce, you can open this file WITH access to all parts of the artwork. for example, place lettering plus a still over a nice background. now, in fce you can "move"/animate (including alpha chanel effects etc.) still and letters; it's a low budget compositing, as you will..

these effects have more "aahs & ooohhhs!" with my audience as the "boris titeling effects" which are included with fce.

[Axo1ot1]

If you are dealing with a lot of footage, even in DV, you will want to go with Final Cut Pro. The two reasons for this are Log and Capture and Media Manager. In FCE you have to hold its hand while it captures the video clips you want. In Final Cut Pro you can log an Edit Descision List (EDL) and then set it to capture while you go bang the hot starlet in your movie . The media manager is a really powerful tool for keeping track of all the clips and media files you are using on your project. For larger projects I find it indespensible. FCE is okay for amateurs, but if you are serious about what you're doing then FCP is the only way to go.

[Axo1ot1]

LiveType can't really be compared to photoshop. Livetype deals with keyframing and animation. It's very cool.