Re: How much different is 4 from 6 really,

[andy shnikes] "but when you talk down to those of us"

Get over yourself. No one's talking down to you. You wanted to learn the difference between your software from 2003, and what's currently available. The answer is - a lot. I'm sorry that you don't have enough money to buy all of the gear that you assume we all own. B.u.t. - do you really need it?

You can do many fine things with your G4 and FCP 4. Entire feature films have been cut on that platform. HD is pretty much ruled out. Encodes will take forever. But you can still cut.

To address your original question - "Do I need to upgrade?" How would a room full of internet strangers know? What are you trying to do with FCP?

And in regards to hardware vs. software - its a combination of both. Besides, FCP 4 won't run on the current intel macs, so if you're going to upgrade, you'll have to do it all.

But keep insulting helpful strangers on the internet, and you'll be rich in no time. Good luck.