AVID vs FCP

[DCC Erickson]

As a relatively newb editor, having worked with FCP, AViD, Premiere, and Sony Vegas, I have to say that AViD has the most depressing interface (quality of icons, layout of screen, color options for timeline) that I have ever seen. For almost any software package. I realize this is not technically important, but it sure affects my mood while using it. And then there's that dongle ... and working with Audio ... and Titling ...

 

[Roger Crouse]

I started editing on Avid Media Composers in 1992. I am pretty old. I eventually made the switch to FCP. Not because one was better than the other. Not because one was more professionally accepted than the other. In the end, it came down to bang for buck. Hands down, FCP wins that battle. Still does. And now, I can look back and say I'm glad I switched back when FCP was an infant like Reds are now. However, in my career one thing I've found is that everyone is different in how they like to work, in their workflows, and in how their personalities and styles jive with a particular tool. Whether it be dewalt vs. ryobi or fcp vs. avid. Take the time to try out tools that you're interested in. Invest a bit of time before you plop down your savings doing research and be honest with yourself about preconceived notions. You'll be glad you did. Nothing beats hands on experience. BTW, where is the local Red store?

Just to throw a fan to the flame... adobe premiere is sneaking up from behind and might just pull a slingshot move past all of the competition.

 

[mcdroid]

Yea Mike,
I used Media 100 for a while too (those were the days) I have a soft spot for that tool.
And I agree, it is about the job and I love it too.

Andrew

 

[mikeburton]

Yea Mike,
I used Media 100 for a while too (those were the days) I have a soft spot for that tool.
And I agree, it is about the job and I love it too.

Andrew

A B editing at its finest:thumbup1:

 

[Dave Blackham]

A new strenght of Avid is the AMA and Metafuze application. Is that taken into account regarding catDV? I still would like to hear a second opinion. If you know the guys who made the software it's likely that even unintentionally you are partial with them.

Well best try it for your self. If it think its good ill tell you i think its good, if i think its not good ill also tell you regardless of weather I know the guys or not. Im just being honest with you.

I realize the potential of a quicktime workflow, but all formats are not quicktime based and needs transcoding. With AMA, if a camera developer has it's own codec, they can give out the codec as an AMA plug so that when the camera is released, AMA will be able to edit it's codec natively; quicktime, r3d, mpeg4 etc.
And if something needs transcoding then metafuze is both fast and supported by many formats.

These two are a gamechanger in my view and I would like to hear how the Final Cut way is? Is it all that good to be quicktime based? Isn't it the same as being MXF based like Avid? Does Final Cut have anything similar to AMA that support more formats then quicktime? How is the transcoding options for Final Cut? Is it better?

The other point is catDV with its associated components is extending Quicktime so it natively supports MXF so you can in effect go between Avid and FCP (or any QT apps) that make it incredibly powerful in any mixed media environment. Some very large Avid houses and companies are using catDV to good effect. As I said, I think its good but don't take my word for it. Download it and try it.

 

[Dave Blackham]

Cat DV is a good solution in terms of cataloging media, but it's not an in built solution like Avid has in terms of media management, and as such it does rely on the user a little bit more (if you keep your own house in order, great, if you are more 'facility' like and have a number of different editors coming in and out using your system, then it's not as ideal.)

As such we have Avid, we have Final Cut Studio, we have After Effects, we have Maya, We have Nuendo (for sound mixing). We are not a big house by any means (in terms of people doing the day to day work there are 4 of us.) and we find a use for all those tools and more on a regular basis. That's not going to be the case for everyone, and each of us have specialties, but if I was limited to an environment with only one NLE or tool I could only imagine so many jobs would be so much harder, and some that we'd probably just have to turn down...

And in this environment can anyone afford to turn down work?

Id be really interested of your to take a look at the latest version and check the integration with the MXF media, based on the last Para i think this would be a really great additional application for your house. These days its so much more than a logging app.

 

[Craig Parkes]

Id be really interested of your to take a look at the latest version and check the integration with the MXF media, based on the last Para i think this would be a really great additional application for your house. These days its so much more than a logging app.

Hi Dave I checked the website, and will definitely take a closer look into Cat DV, in fact I just mentioned it to my bosses today. With the economy every purchase gets scrutinized, but will do some more investigation.