Apple Final Cut 'Pro' X FAQ's translated into English

Final Cut Pro X FAQ's - Apple's response, my translation 

Final Cut Pro X is a breakthrough in nonlinear video editing. The
application has impressed many pro editors, and it has also generated a lot of discussion in the pro video community. We know people have
questions about the new features in Final Cut Pro X and how it compares with previous versions of Final Cut Pro. Here are the answers to the most common questions we've heard.

Final Cut Pro was a breakthrough in nonlinear video editing. The new
application has not impressed many pro editors, and it has also generated a lot of hatred in the pro video community. We know people have complaints about the new features in Final Cut Pro X and how it compares with previous versions of Final Cut Pro. Here are the answers to the most common complaints we've had.

Import

Can I import projects from Final Cut Pro 7 into Final Cut Pro X?

Final Cut Pro X includes an all-new project architecture structured around a trackless timeline and connected clips. In addition, Final Cut Pro X features new and redesigned audio effects, video effects, and color grading tools. Because of these changes, there is no way to "translate" or bring in old projects without changing or losing data. But if you're already working with Final Cut Pro 7, you can continue to do so after installing Final Cut Pro X, and Final Cut Pro 7 will work with Mac OS X Lion. You can also import your media files from previous versions into Final Cut Pro X.

Final Cut Pro X includes an all-new project architecture structured
around a weird timeline and 'connected' clips. In addition, Final Cut Pro X features new audio effects, video effects, and color grading tools. This won't change because we are too lazy to make the software "translate" or bring in old projects without changing or losing data. But if you're already working with Final Cut Pro 7 (now discontinued), you can continue to do so after installing Final Cut Pro X, and Final Cut Pro 7 will work with Mac OS X Lion (though most likely not the next OS after Lion). You can also import your media files from previous versions into Final Cut Pro X as well as AVID or Adobe Premiere.

Can I import my video directly into Final Cut Pro X as I could in Final Cut Pro 7?

Yes. Final Cut Pro X allows you to import video from a wide range of
devices, including many AVCHD-based cameras and DSLR cameras. You can find a list of supported cameras here http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/cameras/en/. The list will grow as we continue to test and qualify new cameras.

Yes. Final Cut Pro X allows you to import video from a wide range of
devices, excluding most tape based cameras. The list will grow as we
continue to test and qualify new cameras. This list will also remove
cameras later on, like we do with photography, when they become too old, typically a few years after the cameras release.

Some camera manufacturers will need to update their import plug-ins to
work with the new 64-bit architecture of Final Cut Pro, and we are working with them to provide these updates as quickly as possible. Until then, you can use your camera manufacturer's import software to convert video for Final Cut Pro X.

Some camera manufacturers are unlikely to update their import
plug-ins to work with our new architecture of Final Cut Pro, and we are trying to persuade them to provide these updates. Until then, you can use your camera manufacturer's import software (if they support the Mac) to convert video for Final Cut Pro X. Once again this excludes most legacy cameras.

For example, Sony offers an XDCAM Transfer application that allows you to convert XDCAM video without transcoding so it can be imported into Final Cut Pro X. You can find more information here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4724. If you are working with RED cameras, you can use the free RED software REDCINE-X, designed to transcode RED RAW video to ProRes for use in Final Cut Pro X:
https://www.red.com/support/all/downloads.

For example, Sony offers an XDCAM Transfer application that allows
you to convert XDCAM video without transcoding so it can be imported into Final Cut Pro X. You can find more information here:
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/short-and-suite/premiere-pro-cs55-resources-for-professional-editors/. If you are working with RED cameras, http://community.avid.com/media/p/411158.aspx. Though if you want to
export the final to tape this is not available.

Editing

Can I edit my tape-based workflow with Final Cut Pro X?

Yes, in a limited manner. Final Cut Pro X is designed for modern
file-based workflows and does not include all the tape capture and output features that were built into Final Cut Pro 7. Final Cut Pro X does support FireWire import for DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO HD, and HDV. In addition, companies like AJA and Blackmagic offer free deck control software that allows you to capture from tape and output to tape.

NO, find a 3rd party solution, Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid would
do.

Does Final Cut Pro X support multicam editing?

Not yet, but it will. Multicam editing is an important and popular
feature, and we will provide great multicam support in the next major
release. Until then, Final Cut Pro X offers some basic support with
automatic clip synchronization, which allows you to sync multiple video and audio clips using audio waveforms, creating a Compound Clip that can be used for simple multicam workflows.

No, we will make you buy the new OS to get these features.

Does Final Cut Pro X support external monitors?

Yes. If you have a second computer monitor connected to your Mac, Final Cut Pro X gives you options to display the interface across multiple monitors. For example, you can place a single window — such as the Viewer or the Event Browser — on the second monitor, while leaving the other windows on your primary monitor. Like previous versions, Final Cut Pro X relies on third-party devices to support external video monitoring. We've been working with third-party developers in our beta program to create drivers for Final Cut Pro X, and AJA has already posted beta drivers for its popular Kona card: http://www.aja.com/support/konaNEW/kona-3g.php.

Only as an extended desktop.

Can I save different versions of my project?

Yes. Final Cut Pro X automatically saves your project during the editing process, so you never lose your work. If you want to save a version of your project, with or without duplicate media, select it in the Project Library and choose File > Duplicate Project.

Yea, but in a very Apple way.

Are keyboard shortcuts in Final Cut Pro X different from those in Final Cut Pro 7?

Many keyboard shortcuts for navigation, start/end marking, and tools are the same in Final Cut Pro X and Final Cut Pro 7. Some keyboard shortcuts have changed to support new features. Final Cut Pro X offers powerful keyboard customization, and you can view and modify keyboard shortcuts at any time by choosing Final Cut Pro > Commands > Customize.

Yes, and we were too lazy to make it easy to change back to what you
are used to, customise it yourself.

Can I use my third-party plug-ins in Final Cut Pro X?

You'll be able to use them as soon as they are updated. Because Final Cut Pro X has a modern 64-bit architecture, third-party plug-ins must be 64-bit too. Final Cut Pro X already supports 64-bit Audio Units plug-ins. For motion graphics, third-party developers can build effects, titles, transitions, and generators as templates in Motion 5 for use directly in Final Cut Pro X. Developers can also build 64-bit FxPlug 2 plug-ins for Motion 5, and integrate those plug-ins into templates that can be used in Final Cut Pro X. These templates, together with any associated FxPlug 2 plug-ins, will work in Final Cut Pro X even if Motion is not installed on the computer.

Maybe, if the 3rd part companies don't just switch to Adobe Premiere
and Avid. Because Final Cut Pro X has been re-written, third-party
plug-ins must be re-written too. Final Cut Pro X already supports some
Audio Units plug-ins. For motion graphics, third-party developers can
re-build effects, titles, transitions, and generators as new templates in Motion 5 for use directly in Final Cut Pro X. Developers can also build new FxPlug 2 plug-ins for Motion 5, and try to make those plug-ins into templates that can be used in Final Cut Pro X. These templates, together with any associated FxPlug 2 plug-ins, will work in Final Cut Pro X even if Motion is not installed on the computer.

Media Management

Can I specify a scratch disk location?

Yes. When you import media, you can specify the Event and the drive where you'd like to put it. You can also specify where you'd like to put your project. In Final Cut Pro X, a project and its rendered media always travel together in the same folder, so it's easy to move projects between different hard drives and computers.

Yes. But with less options. All the media and processing files is on
one drive/folder eliminating the option to use multiple drives to spread the load.

Can I share projects with other editors?

Yes. You have several options for sharing projects. You can hand over just the project file, and the recipient can reconnect the project to his or her own copies of the Event. Or you can send the complete project and Event as a package to another editor. Final Cut Pro X includes options for duplicating, moving, and consolidating projects and associated media to streamline sharing between editors.

Yes. You have several options for sharing projects. You can give
them your computer. Or you can send the complete project as a package to another editor. Final Cut Pro X includes options for duplicating, moving, and consolidating projects and associated media though we deter sharing between editors.

Can I store media in locations other than my system drive?

Yes. Turning off the "Copy files to Final Cut Events folder" option leaves the imported files where they are currently located. You can also move the project and associated media at any point during the editing process by dragging the project to another mounted hard drive within the Project Library.

Yes by disabling the default consumer option "Copy files to Final
Cut Events folder" this leaves the imported files where you put them. You can also move the project and associated media at any point during the editing process by dragging the whole project to another mounted hard drive but only within the Project Library.

Can I hide Events that I am not working on?

Yes. You can hide Events in Final Cut Pro X by moving them out of the
Final Cut Events folder. In the Finder, navigate to the
/Users/username/Movies folder and create a new folder. Then move the
Events you are not using out of the Final Cut Events folder and into your new folder. The moved Events will no longer appear in Final Cut Pro X. If your Events are located on an external drive, you can move the Events to a new folder on that drive, or you can simply unmount the drive.

Yes, but it's not built into the software. That's what the OS is
for, move all the files to a place where Final Cut Pro X can't find them and Final Cut Pro X won't be able to find them.


Export

Can Final Cut Pro X export XML?

Not yet, but we know how important XML export is to our developers and our users, and we expect to add this functionality to Final Cut Pro X. We will release a set of APIs in the next few weeks so that third-party developers can access the next-generation XML in Final Cut Pro X.

No, we did not know how important XML export is to our developers
and our users, we might add this functionality to Final Cut Pro X. This also will probably only be if you buy the new OS too. Text files are tricky you know.

Does Final Cut Pro X support OMF, AAF, and EDLs?

Not yet. When the APIs for XML export are available, third-party
developers will be able to create tools to support OMF, AAF, EDL, and
other exchange formats. We have already worked with Automatic Duck to
allow you to export OMF and AAF from Final Cut Pro X using Automatic Duck Pro Export FCP 5.0. More information is available on the Automatic Duck website: http://automaticduck.com/products/pefcp/.

No. When the APIs for XML export are available, third-party
developers will be able to create tools to support OMF, AAF, EDL, and
other exchange formats. Again this will require 3rd party software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid and will only work in Final Cut Pro X if you buy the new OS.

Can I send my project to a sound editing application such as Pro Tools?

Yes; you can export your project in OMF or AAF format using Automatic Duck Pro Export FCP 5.0. More information is available on the Automatic Duck website: http://automaticduck.com/products/pefcp/.

Yes you can export your project in OMF or AAF format using a $500
3rd party plug-in.

Does Final Cut Pro X allow you to assign audio tracks for export?

Not yet. An update this summer will allow you to use metadata tags to
categorize your audio clips by type and export them directly from Final Cut Pro X.

No. Again only possible if you wait and buy the new OS too.

Can I customize my export settings?

Yes. Compressor 4, available from the Mac App Store for $49.99, allows you to create a wide variety of custom export settings that you can use in Final Cut Pro X. The most popular export options and formats, including ProRes and H.264, are already built into Final Cut Pro X.

Yes. If you buy the new Compressor 4, available from the Mac App
Store for $49.99, this allows you to create a wide variety of custom
export settings that you can use in Final Cut Pro X. Or you can export at full quality and use FREE 3rd party software or Adobe Premiere Pro / Avid to do this.

Purchase

Can I purchase a volume license?

Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, and Compressor 4 Commercial and Education
Volume Licensing will be available soon via the Apple Online Store for
quantities of 20 or more. After purchasing, customers will receive
redemption codes they can use to download the applications from the Mac App Store.

We didn't think multiple Pro users would want this, will add as soon
as we work out how much we think you will pay.

Explore the key features in Final Cut Pro X that give pro editors the
quality, speed, and precision they're looking for >>

Don't read the discussion groups or reviews on the app store.

The unanswered questions answered.

Refunds

Can I get a refund?

Yes, if the support person says no tell them others have and ask them why the are discriminating against you.

Professional

Does this mean you are quitting the professional software market?

Yes. As with the laptops we have realised that general consumers feel
magical if they think they are using professional software. So we are
changing all the hardware and software to include the letters PRO. This does not mean they are professional, far from it, but we think we can use this in conjunction with our brain washed sales staff to shift more software.