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Posts Tagged ‘Final’

DPReview TV: ProRes Raw just got a whole lot better (thanks to a Final Cut Pro update)

05 Sep

An update to Final Cut Pro X promises to unleash the power of ProRes Raw video, a feature available on many new cameras. But, cameras need to supply the right metadata for it to work.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

  • Introduction
  • Final Cut Pro X update
  • Previous issues
  • Interface changes
  • White balance corrections
  • ISO adjustments
  • How to find your camera's native ISOs
  • What camera makers must do
  • See you soon!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Final Cut Pro X 10.4.9 adds ProRes Raw camera setting adjustments, improved vertical editing and more

26 Aug

Apple has released its latest update to Final Cut Pro X, bringing with it a number of new features, including the ability to finally adjust ProRes Raw camera settings.

Although it’s listed under ‘Other new features,’ one of the most welcomed additions in the update is the ability to adjust ProRes Raw camera settings, such as ISO, color temperature and exposure compensation in the new controls within the inspector.

These new options address what was a big hole in the ProRes Raw workflow with FCPX. We asked our own Jordan Drake of DPReview TV for his thoughts on these new additions and he had the following to say:

’Working with ProRes Raw was initially jarring, as it did not respond like other photographic or cinematic raw formats. White balance and ISO were not directly adjustable, and attempting to use the built in tools to simulate those adjustments often led poor colors or noisy shadows. This new update allows adjustments to white balance, exposure and ISO and will hopefully allow ProRes Raw to behave more like R3D Raw, or Apple’s primary competition Blackmagic BRaw. Camera manufacturers aside from Blackmagic seem to be moving towards ProRes Raw, so this added functionality will be a big benefit for many current and future cameras.’

Also new is an improved proxy workflow with the ability to generate proxy media in custom frame sizes (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, or full resolution), the ability to create proxies in either ProRes Proxy or H.264 and the ability to create a proxy-only copy of a library to reduce the size of a project.

It’s now easier to compose footage for use in vertical-preferred platforms, such as Snapchat, Instagram TV, TikTok and others.

Apple has also added a number of new social media tools within FCPX, including automated project transformation for square of vertical delivery via the new ‘Smart Conform’ tool, the ability to view footage outside the viewer boundary for easier composing in non-traditional formats, as well as custom overlays for guides and a new ‘Duplicate Project As’ option that works with the new ‘Smart Conform’ tool to make creating videos for multiple platforms easier.

For other minor feature updates and bug fixes, head on over to Apple’s changelog for FCP 10.4.9. The update should be available as a free update in the macOS App Store if you’ve already purchased FCPX.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Final Cut Pro X 10.4.7 arrives with major performance boosts, GPU selection and Pro Display XDR support

09 Oct

Apple has released Final Cut Pro X version 10.4.7, adding a new Metal-based processing engine designed to speed up various graphics tasks and improve content playback. In addition, the update boosts performance for a number of GPU models, adds support for the new 32″ Retina 6K Pro Display XDR, and more.

According to Apple, users can expect to see performance improvements across ‘a wide range of Mac systems.’ The company’s new Mac Pro in particular offers ‘unprecedented power’ when paired with the software, Apple says. Final Cut Pro X v10.4.7 brings support for up to 28 CPU cores and multiple GPUs, including ‘enhanced performance’ for the Radeon Pro Vega II Duo and Pro Vega II GPUs found on the Mac Pro.

When compared to the previous Mac Pro generation, the new Mac Pro offers up to 3.2 times faster transcoding and 2.9 times faster rendering in Final Cut Pro, plus there’s support for the Mac Pro’s Afterburner card for accelerating ProRes and ProRes RAW playback.

The 15in MacBook Pro is the most commonly used model by video editors, according to Apple. These customers can expect up to 20% faster performance. iMac Pro users, meanwhile, will see a performance boost up to 35% compared to the previous version.

In addition, the new Final Cut Pro X adds support for macOS Catalina’s Sidecar, a new feature that enables Mac users to extend their device’s display to an iPad. Other changes include the ability to choose with external or internal GPU will be used for accelerating graphics processing, the ability to grade HDR videos with ‘enhanced color mask and range isolation tools’ and support for viewing HDR videos tone-mapped to standard dynamic range displays on macOS Catalina.

Existing Final Cut Pro X users can download the new update for free. New customers can purchase the software from the App Store for $ 299.99 USD. In addition, existing Compressor and Motion customers can update to versions 4.4.5 and 5.4.4, respectively, for free; new customers will need to pay $ 49.99 each.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Loupedeck+ now supports Adobe Audition and Final Cut Pro X

16 Apr

Loupedeck+, the customizable post-production controller, has added Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Audition to the list of supported programs.

Last year alone, the Loupedeck+ gained support for Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Adobe After Effects CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, Capture One and Skylum Aurora HDR. Now, the device is even more capable with support for Apple’s professional video editing program, Final Cut Pro X, and Adobe’s audio editing program Audition.

With Final Cut Pro X, the Loupedeck is now able to color grade and color correct with its HSL color wheels, adjust/trim clips and scrub through the video timeline. The other keys and dials on the keyboard can also be customized to control more than 400+ additional functions and assign various keyboard shortcuts. Loupedeck+ configurations can also be imported and exported for syncing across multiple units.

In Adobe Audition, the Loupedeck+ can manage single track and multitrack projects with the ability to trim/nudge audio clips, add fades and effects with the click of a button, and adjust the volume for different channels with the scroll wheels.

The software update can be installed directly from the Loupedeck program if you already have it installed on your computer. Otherwise, Loupedeck version 2.6 can be downloaded from the Loupedeck website.

The Loupedeck+ controller unit is available from Loupedeck for $ 249 / 229€ with free worldwide shipping. Loupedeck also has a YouTube channel with various tutorials showing how to make the most of the Loupedeck+ controller.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Apple Final Cut Pro X 10.4.6 update brings detect and convert feature for older media files

26 Mar

Apple has pushed out Final Cut Pro X update (version 10.4.6), that adds the ability to automatically detect and convert any legacy media files that will not be compatible with future versions of macOS, as well as numerous bug fixes and improved features.

Last year, Apple began warning its users that older video formats and codecs relying on QuickTime 7 would no longer be supported by future macOS releases due to the 64-bit transition. Though legacy media files remain compatible with macOS Mojave, updating a Mac system beyond Mojave in the future could prove problematic for filmmakers who have content in older formats.

In a note about this potential issue on its website, Apple warns users to convert their incompatible media files before upgrading to the next major macOS version after Mojave. The newly released Final Cut Pro X 10.4.6 simplifies this requirement by detecting and converting these files into a format that will remain compatible with macOS in the future.

In version 10.4.6, Final Cut Pro users who open a library or import content will see a window listing any incompatible media files the software found. Users can immediately convert these files by clicking ‘Convert’ in the window. Copies of the converted content are created in Apple ProRes format and stored in the library’s media storage location. Existing clips in the library are then relinked to the converted files.

There’s an exception for Motion projects, however, with Apple warning that Final Cut Pro won’t detect incompatible media files in these projects. Instead, users will need to open the project in Motion, after which point a message will appear warning if any incompatible media is present. In that case, the user would need to convert it using QuickTime Player or Compressor.

Media conversion aside, Final Cut Pro X version 10.4.6 brings several relatively minor bug fixes and improved reliability when sharing videos directly to YouTube.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Apple introduces new ProRes RAW video format with Final Cut Pro X update

06 Apr
Credit: Apple

In a surprise update ahead of NAB, Apple has introduced a brand new video format called ProRes RAW. The format was introduced alongside an update to Final Cut Pro X, which also added advanced closed captioning tools for professional filmmakers.

The captioning tools are neat—they allow video editors to more easily create, view, edit, and deliver captions, with support for both the CEA-608 and iTT formats—but this feature will no doubt be overshadowed by the much bigger news: the introduction of ProRes RAW.

As the name suggests, ProRes RAW is an evolution of the Apple ProRes video codec. Apple claims that ProRes RAW “combines the visual and workflow benefits of RAW video with the stunning performance of ProRes.” By pulling RAW data from the sensor, video editors will have a lot more dynamic range flexibility—important as more and more displays, including Apple’s own iPhone X, become capable of displaying true HDR—all while taking advantage of the space and performance benefits of a compressed ProRes file.

In fact, Apple claims that ProRes RAW files take up less space than ProRes 4444. And since it’s Apple’s format, it has been performance optimized for macOS so that you can play full-quality 4K ProRes RAW files on your current MacBook Pro or iMac in real time without rendering.

Credit: Apple

The format drops today, and already Apple has made inroads into the professional community with Atomos and DJI. ProRes RAW compatibility will be made available as a free update for Atomos Shogun Inferno and Sumo19 users, and as “a free update for users with the RAW activation package” for the DJI Inspire 2 Drone and Zenmuse X7 camera.

Once updated, Final Cut Pro users will be able to work natively with ProRes RAW and the ProRes RAW HQ files created by the two Atomos external recorders mentioned above.

To learn more, check out the full press release below; or, if you’re feeling exceptionally brave and nerdy, you can read Apple’s full white paper on the new format here. Final Cut Pro X version 10.4.1 will be available as a free update to current users ($ 300 USD for new users) starting April 9th.

Press Release

Final Cut Pro X update introduces ProRes RAW and advanced closed captioning

Apple is introducing a new update to Final Cut Pro X, the most popular version of its professional video editing software, with more than 2.5 million seats. Final Cut Pro 10.4.1 introduces a groundbreaking format from Apple, ProRes RAW, which combines the visual and workflow benefits of RAW video with the performance of ProRes. The update also adds advanced closed captioning tools that allow video editors to easily view, edit and deliver captions from right within the app. Apple is also adding complementary new features to Final Cut Pro companion apps, Motion and Compressor.

ProRes RAW

ProRes RAW is a new format from Apple that offers the quality and workflow advantages of RAW with the stunning performance of ProRes. With ProRes RAW, editors can import, edit and grade pristine footage with RAW data from the camera sensor, providing ultimate flexibility when adjusting highlights and shadows — ideal for HDR workflows. And with performance optimized for macOS, editors can play full-quality 4K ProRes RAW files on MacBook Pro and iMac systems in real time without rendering. ProRes RAW files are even smaller than ProRes 4444 files, allowing editors to make better use of storage while providing an excellent format for archiving.

Final Cut Pro editors can work natively with ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ files created by Atomos recorders. The format will be available as a free update for owners of Atomos Sumo 19 and Shogun Inferno devices. The format will also be available as part of a forthcoming upgrade package to users of the DJI Inspire 2 drone and Zenmuse X7 Super 35mm camera system designed for aerial cinematography.

Closed Captioning Tools

As closed captioning becomes increasingly important around the world, Final Cut Pro now includes powerful closed captioning tools for professional filmmakers, YouTubers and students looking to add captions to their projects without the need for expensive third-party software or services. Users can import closed caption files directly into their project or create them from scratch. Captions appear in the viewer during playback and can be attached to video or audio clips in the timeline, so they automatically move with the clips to which they’re connected. An all-new captions inspector makes it simple to adjust caption text, color, alignment, location and more. Users can even create captions in multiple languages within the same timeline and easily share captioned videos to YouTube and Vimeo. And in the share window, a new Roles tab displays titles, video and audio roles in a single consolidated interface, making it easy to configure roles and closed captions when sharing.

Motion 5.4.1 and ProRes RAW enable motion graphics artists to take full advantage of RAW image quality with superb performance and flexibility when designing graphics and effects. Compressor 4.4.1 gains support for closed captioning with comprehensive controls to view, adjust and deliver captions as part of a batch or iTunes Store package.

Pricing and Availability

Final Cut Pro 10.4.1 will be available on April 9 as a free update for existing users, and for $ 299.99 (US) for new users on the Mac App Store. Motion 5.4.1 and Compressor 4.4.1 will also be available on April 9 as free updates for existing users, and for $ 49.99 (US) each for new users on the Mac App Store. Education customers can purchase the Pro Apps Bundle for Education for $ 199.99 (US). For more information, please visit: apple.com/final-cut-pro.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Adobe has released the final standalone version of Lightroom

20 Dec

If the release of Lightroom Classic CC and Lightroom CC on October 18th was the beginning of the end for standalone Lightroom, today marks the end of the end. Adobe has released the final standalone Lightroom, version 6.14, adding some bug fixes and camera and lens compatibility, but otherwise using the opportunity to encourage users to jump on the subscription bandwagon.

To their credit, Adobe isn’t hiding this fact. They announced that this final update was coming all the way back in October, and today’s update announcement notes state the facts plainly:

Lightroom 6.14 is the last perpetual, standalone version of Lightroom.

While you may continue to purchase and use Lightroom 6 with a perpetual license, Adobe will no longer provide updates to the software. Consider upgrading to the Creative Cloud Photography plan to get the latest updates in Lightroom Classic CC and the all-new Lightroom CC, and ensure that the software works with raw files from the newest cameras.

As of today, Lightroom 6 becomes an ‘unsupported product.’

Of course, that’s okay if you plan to use it with a camera you currently own and don’t intend to upgrade any time soon. Problems—or, rather, inconveniences—arise with your next camera purchase. That camera won’t be supported by Lightroom 6, and you’ll be forced to use Adobe’s DNG converter before importing your images.

Not to mention the OS compatibility issues that will inevitably arise as Microsoft and Apple continue releasing new operating systems.

If that all sounds like too much of a hassle, and a Creative Cloud subscription is simply out of the question, it might be time to check out some of the popular alternatives that we’ve been testing and writing about recently.

Click here to download the latest (and last) version of Lightroom 6.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Final Cut Pro X 10.4 adds HDR support, VR video editing, and (finally!) curves

15 Dec

Apple has released a Final Cut Pro X update that adds a slew of new features and expanded support to its video-editing software, most notable among those features being support for 360-degree and VR video. This is a major update for the software, which has been optimized to fully leverage the greater processing power of the new iMac Pro desktop systems.

In version 10.4, Final Cut Pro supports editing 360-degree videos and viewing them in real time using an HTC Vive VR headset. According to Apple, the software supports importing, editing, and delivering these VR videos, with available edits including “immersive effects,” removing camera rigs, straightening the horizon, and adding standard videos/images to VR projects.

In addition to its new 360/VR capabilities, Final Cut Pro 10.4 adds support for high dynamic range (HDR) videos in Rec. 2020 HDR10 and Rec. 2020 Hybrid Log Gamma formats, as well as new advanced color grading tools, including color wheels with controls for adjusting brightness, saturation, and hue.

The latest version of Final Cut Pro also offers color curves with multiple control points, enabling users to make “ultra-fine color adjustments,” according to Apple. Or, as our Senior Reviewer Richard Butler put it: “Curves! Curves! At long bloody last, Curves!”

Users have both manual white balance and eye dropper color sampling options, as well as the ability to apply custom lookup tables (LUTs) from Color Grading Central, PremiumBeat, and select other color grading apps. The latest version of Final Cut Pro combined with the new iMac Pro desktops also marks the first time a Mac can be used to edit full 8K-resolution videos.

Apple lists the following additional features as arriving in Final Cut Pro 10.4:

  • Easily import iMovie projects from iPhone and iPad into Final Cut Pro for advanced editing, audio work, motion graphics and color grading.
  • HEVC and HEIF support for importing and editing high efficiency video and photo formats from Apple devices.
  • Updated audio effects plug-ins from Logic Pro X with redesigned, resizable interfaces.
    Faster, higher quality optical flow analysis built on Metal, Apple’s advanced graphics technology.

The Final Cut Pro 10.4 update is available for free to existing Final Cut Pro owners, while new users will need to pay $ 300 USD for the application. Apple has also released Motion 5.4 and Compressor 4.4 for free to existing users, and at $ 50 USD each for new users.

To learn more or pick up a copy for yourself, head over to the Final Cut Pro website.

Press Release

Final Cut Pro X introduces 360-degree VR video editing

Apple’s Pro Video Editing App Also Adds Advanced Color Grading, HDR Support and More

Cupertino, California — Apple today announced a major update to its professional video editing app, Final Cut Pro X, with new features including 360-degree VR video editing, advanced color grading tools and support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video.

Optimized to take full advantage of the incredible performance capabilities of the all-new iMac Pro, Final Cut Pro users can now edit full-resolution 8K video for the first time on a Mac. Apple is also extending 360-degree VR video support to Final Cut Pro companion apps, Motion and Compressor.

Today, with more than 2 million seats, Final Cut Pro X is the most popular version of the software ever and is used by professional video editors to create incredible works of art, from award-winning Hollywood feature films and commercials, to international broadcasts and the world’s most popular YouTube videos.

“With new features like 360-degree VR editing and motion graphics, advanced color grading and HDR support, Final Cut Pro gives video editors the tools to create stunning, next-generation content,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Apps Product Marketing. “When combined with the performance of Mac hardware, including the all-new iMac Pro, Final Cut Pro provides an incredibly powerful post-production studio to millions of video editors around the world.”

Final Cut Pro lets professional editors create VR content with the ability to import, edit and deliver 360-degree video and view the project in real time through a connected HTC VIVE headset with SteamVR. Users can easily add 360-degree titles in 2D or 3D; apply blurs, glows and other immersive effects; and use visual controls to straighten horizons or remove camera rigs from equirectangular videos. Standard photos and videos can also be added to VR projects and 360-degree video can be shared directly to popular websites including YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo.

The update also includes powerful tools for professional color grading. Unique color wheels feature built-in controls to adjust hue, saturation and brightness. Color curves allow for ultra-fine color adjustments with multiple control points to target specific color ranges, and eye droppers let users sample specific colors and apply manual white balance. Users can also apply custom lookup tables (LUTs) from popular color grading apps like DaVinci Resolve and websites including PremiumBeat, Color Grading Central and more.

With support for the most popular HDR formats, Final Cut Pro gains access to an expanded range of brightness levels to deliver incredibly realistic images. Editors can output video to HDR monitors using I/O devices from AJA and Blackmagic with brightness levels up to 10,000 nits. The new color grading tools support both HDR and Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) video, and with tone mapping, users can easily change HDR to SDR output for broadcast.

Additional Features in Final Cut Pro 10.4:

  • Easily import iMovie projects from iPhone and iPad into Final Cut Pro for advanced editing, audio work, motion graphics and color grading.
  • HEVC and HEIF support for importing and editing high efficiency video and photo formats from Apple devices.
  • Updated audio effects plug-ins from Logic Pro X with redesigned, resizable interfaces.
  • Faster, higher quality optical flow analysis built on Metal, Apple’s advanced graphics technology.

Motion 5.4 enables users to create immersive 360-degree VR titles and effects that can be instantly accessed in Final Cut Pro. The update also makes it easy to convert between any type of Motion project at any time, create realistic spring-loaded animations with the new Overshoot behavior and apply photographic-inspired looks with new filters. Compressor 4.4 lets users deliver 360-degree video with industry-standard spherical metadata. Compressor also lets users export HEVC and HDR video, while adding a range of new options for delivering MXF files.

Pricing and Availability

Final Cut Pro 10.4 is available as a free update today for existing users, and for $ 299.99(US) for new users on the Mac App Store. Motion 5.4 and Compressor 4.4 are also available as a free update today for existing users, and for $ 49.99 (US) each for new users on the Mac App Store. Education customers can purchase the Pro Apps Bundle for Education for $ 199.99 (US). For more information, please visit: apple.com/final-cut-pro.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Netflix acquires rights to Kodachrome: a movie about the final days of the iconic film

16 Sep
Photo courtesy Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Netflix has acquired the rights to Kodachrome, an upcoming Jason Sudeikis movie about the last days of the Kodachrome film era. The news was first reported by Deadline, who is claiming that Netflix paid $ 4 million for the rights and plans a widespread theatrical release that could cover theaters in major regions around the world—including the US, UK, Canada, and Japan.

Kodachrome the movie revolves around a father and son on a road trip to get to one of Kodak’s photo processing labs before it closes down forever. The screenplay was inspired by a New York Times article about the last lab in the world that was processing the now-iconic film stock; in the movie, the characters are racing against time to try and get four rolls developed before it’s too late.

True to the film’s theme, Kodachrome was shot on film, not digital, and features the acting talents of Jason Sudeikis, Ed Harris, and Elizabeth Olsen. Here’s hoping it comes to a theatre near you… and pays proper tribute to the analog legend.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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RIP Final Cut Pro 7: The video editor won’t even open on macOS High Sierra

29 Aug
Photo by Jakob Owens

Apple has revealed that its aging-but-beloved video editing program, Final Cut Pro 7, will not be supported by macOS High Sierra. If they update Apple’s upcoming operating system, existing Final Cut Pro 7 users who want to continue using Final Cut for video editing will be forced to transition to Final Cut Pro X.

This puts video editors who use FCP 7 in a rough spot. If you don’t update to the latest macOS, you might expose yourself to security risks; if you do, you’ll be forced to adapt your workflow to Final Cut Pro X, which many professionals are less fond of. According to cinema5D, Apple has started to notify Final Cut users about the change in an email that informs users that they’ll need to upgrade to newer versions like Final Cut Pro X, Compressor 4 and Motion 5 ASAP.

“Older versions of Apple pro video applications — including applications in Final Cut Studio — will not launch on a computer running macOS High Sierra,” reads the email. “New versions of Apple pro video applications — including Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, and Compressor 4 — are compatible with macOS High Sierra. You can purchase these applications on the Mac App Store.”

Final Cut Pro 7 users who are interested in making the transition to the newer version are being directed to this page. Apple has also published a 22-page whitepaper for Final Cut Pro 7 users who are switching to X.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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