New Apple FCP update. My key points.

Apple has released downloads of its newest FCP 5.1.2 along with other Pro Apps, available here. I was just chatting with the Panasonic guys and among other features, the update allows you to ingest off p2 cards at 25p and 25pn (Panasonics native). In the update notes on Apples site, they had the following to say:

• DVCPRO HD 720p25:

This Easy Setup is used for native editing of DVCPRO HD 720p25 footage imported from Panasonic P2 cards. Final Cut Pro does not support DVCPRO HD 720p25 capture from or output to tape.

• DVCPRO HD 1080pA24:

This Easy Setup is used to capture and output DVCPRO HD
1080p24 footage with advanced pulldown (2:3:3:2) to and from tape. This format uses the same advanced pulldown technique as NTSC 24p. The footage on tape is actually recorded at 29.97 interlaced frames per second (fps), but Final Cut Pro removes redundant fields, resulting in a 23.98 fps progressive scan QuickTime movie on your scratch disk.

So, when looking at a production/post workflows in 25 fps on DVCPro, be advised, you can shoot 25p and ingest over firewire 1080i 50, or if shooting on P2, you can import 25p from P2 cards. My reservations are whether you can mix p2 and DVCPro tape footage on the same timeline. I will have a look at this and report back. But I remember when we at Pogo were doing our first FCP HD project on Varicam. Mostly at 25 + variable frame rates and at that time we were bemoaning the fact there was no 25fps support. This is nearly 2 ½ years on and we’re still not there.



Also, following on from an HD4Indies discussion on colour calibration, the new FCP has addressed the following issues:

• Not every line of video was analyzed.


• Video scopes did not update in real time during playback.


• Video scopes updated slowly while the playhead was scrubbing.