It's all fun and games until someone gets a skinned knee and goes home crying.
If a new version comes out, I wonder how many legacy users will be left in the dust? Or how many running on very minimal systems won't be able to upgrade?
Just changing over to SL caused a six month (or more) disruption for many. And SL also made some software and legacy devices boat anchors, due to driver and other issues. Snow Leopard was a very minimal OS change, but yet there were a ton of folks that either were trying to downgrade back to Leopard, or just not going to, or couldn't install it. If the jump to SL was too much for some, I wonder if a completely revamped FCS is in their future? On the same subject, a new version is almost certain to require the OS to be at least SL. So all those 40 dollar an hour guys still running G5's are going to face a cold hard reality if they want to keep up. The non-Intel machines are going to be doorstops.
New FCP=New OS=New system.
If a new version comes out, I wonder how buggy it will be? And for how long?
Is the object of being an editor to make money editing, or be an unpaid Apple beta tester?
There are always things that users will wish a piece of gear could do. I'm not sure if FCP is so lacking, that the loss of productivity if a new version turns out to be buggy is going to be worth it. And even if it is fairly stable there are costs in both time and money to upgrade. There will be drivers and plugins that won't work, and for some (see above) it will mean buying more memory, a new GPU or even a new system. For others it will be a some downtime and the cost of the software. And for everyone the time (productivity) lost learning a new app, if there are major UI or operational changes. Will the new changes offset all this?
If a new version comes out, no one knows what the 'new' FCS UI or general layout is going to be. With the proliferation of GoPro, Flip and other cameras like that, it is just as possible that FCP could end up being more 'consumer friendly' than going more towards supporting professionals. Think the market is crowded now?
On the other hand, it could go completely the other way leaning more towards the professional users, adding support for larger frame sizes or cine cams. Although this seems unlikely since the ratio of 5DII's vs Genesis seems to favor the 5DII.
Or maybe the UI will combine all the elements of FCS into FCP? For those that don't have an interest in mographs, or making DVD's will having more non-editing stuff in the UI make you happy?
I admit I'm a professional cynic, and not inclined to act like a giddy school girl on prom night because Apple (or anyone else) has a new toy to buy.
In the last year the rumor mill has ranged from Apple is dumping FCP to a new version that will blow away the competition is coming out.
In all this fan boy rumor mongering the one thing I have found lacking is an objective look at what a completely revamped FCP would mean in a business sense to the users. I don't really see much street cred in what platform I use to edit. How many of you care what brand of tool your mechanic buys?
The curious thing about this desire for a new FCS is that there are so many current users that can't use Motion, DVDSP (I know Shane thinks DVD's are on life support but there still seems to be a call for them out here in fly-over country), Color, STP and don't even know FC beyond the basics. A look at any weeks postings in the various forums will confirm that. IMO those hours spent cruising mac rumor forums, and blogging about "what if" might be better spent learning what you currently have.
So I'm not one of those pining for a new version. What I have works well and is stable.
Curious about a new version? Yes. If a new version offers a benefit for me that offsets the cost in both time and money then it would make sense to upgrade. It is a tool, nothing more. It is not magic, nor will it do my editing for me.
So I guess my long winded point is be careful what you wish for. And if your one of those that spends hours wishing for a new FCS version, I'm not really trying to throw salt in your game. Just putting what that means into perspective. Or at least as much as possible with something that hasn't even been announced yet. Who knows, maybe the big announcement is something other than a new version?
One thing is certain. If a new FCS version comes out, the train wreck coming from those that will just jump in and start changing their systems without doing proper research is sure to generate some LULZ.
I guess we will find out soon enough.
Scott Sheriff
Director
http://www.sstdigitalmedia.com
I have a system, it has stuff in it, and stuff hooked to it. I have a camera, it can record stuff. I read the manuals, and know how to use this stuff and lots of other stuff too.
You should be suitably impressed...
