Final Cut Studio

Technical Specifications

Final Cut Studio System Requirements

Requirements to install all Final Cut Studio applications

  • Mac computer with an Intel processor
  • 1GB of RAM (2GB of RAM recommended when working with compressed HD and uncompressed SD sources; 4GB of RAM recommended when working with uncompressed HD sources)
  • ATI or NVIDIA graphics processor (integrated Intel graphics processors not supported)
  • 128MB of VRAM
  • Display with 1280-by-800 resolution or higher
  • Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later
  • QuickTime 7.6 or later
  • DVD drive for installation
  • 4GB of disk space required to install all applications (Final Cut Pro, Color, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Motion, Cinema Tools, Compressor, and Apple Qmaster)
  • 46GB of disk space required for optional content
  • 9GB for DVD Studio Pro content
  • 7GB for Motion templates
  • 22GB for audio content
  • 8GB for LiveFonts

Application-specific requirements

  • Soundtrack Pro
    • For 5.1 surround monitoring of multichannel audio content: an audio interface with a minimum of six outputs
    • For multitrack recording: an audio interface with multiple inputs
  • Color
    • Display with 1680-by-1050 resolution or higher; dual displays are highly recommended
    • For rendering of 4K files and DPX: a graphics card with at least 512MB of VRAM
    • For 32-bit rendering: a graphics card with at least 256MB of VRAM
    • Three-button mouse for full functionality
  • DVD Studio Pro
    • For writing finished projects to disc: an Apple SuperDrive or other DVD recorder
    • For writing finished projects to a double-layer disc: a double-layer-compatible recorder and double-layer media
    • For transporting projects that contain copy-protection or dual-layer features to a replicator: a DLT drive, external drive, or Internet transfer of the project’s disk image

Blu-ray-specific requirements

  • For burning Blu-ray Discs: a Blu-ray recorder

Final Cut Pro 7

Editing and Timeline

  • Mix frame sizes, frame rates, and formats in the same Timeline in real-time
  • Edit at 23.976, true 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, or 60 fps
  • Automatic Sequence Conform creates correct sequence settings with first edit
  • Multicam editing of up to 128 sources with real-time playback of up to 16 angles
  • Source/Record three-point editing model
  • Insert and overwrite with or without transitions
  • Replace, fit to fill, and superimpose edits
  • Edit overlay for drag-and-drop editing
  • Blade and Blade All tools for adding edits
  • Extend and split edits
  • A/V Sync indicators in Timeline
  • Adjacent (through edit) indicators in Timeline
  • Dupe detection in Timeline
  • Keyframe graphs
  • Track targeting
  • Track locking
  • Auto Select tools
  • Multi-coloured markers for sequences and clips
  • Ripple sequence markers
  • Matchframe for masterclips, subclips and subclip parent clips
  • Multi-touch Gesture support
  • Colour-coded, drag-and-drop reorder of tabs in the Timeline
  • Close Other Tabs shortcut in Timeline and Browser

Trimming

  • Ripple
  • Roll
  • Slip and slide
  • Lift and ripple delete
  • Asymmetric, multitrack trimming
  • Dynamic trimming
  • JKL trimming
  • Trim window
  • Timeline trimming
  • Keyboard and numeric moving and trimming
  • Close Gap

Effects

  • FxPlug support
  • Alpha Channel Matte Transitions
  • Global Transitions adds effects between in and out points
  • Direct access and modify Motion Templates
  • RT Extreme for scalable software-based, multistream real-time effects in SD and HD formats
  • Dynamic RT for automatically adjusting playback quality and/or frame rate based on hardware capabilities
  • Motion integration for advanced motion graphics work
  • 8-bit, 10-bit, and HDR (32-bit floating point) image processing
  • Speed Tool for speed changes in the Timeline
  • Change Speed interface with speed ramping presets
  • Keyframe graphs and editing in Viewer or Timeline
  • More than 200 transitions, effects, and filters
  • Unlimited effects favorites
  • Copy and paste motion and effect attributes to multiple clips
  • Unlimited layers with support for nesting
  • Bezier curves with movable motion paths
  • Numeric control and keyframe capabilities for precise animation and effects
  • Advanced 2D and 3D titles with Boris Calligraphy included
  • Composite and transfer modes
  • Import multilayered Photoshop files with layers and alpha channel support
  • FXScript and FXBuilder for designing custom filters and effects
  • Safe Area Display for positioning titles and effects for SD inside HD frame

Tools

  • Large Timecode Viewer with additional display for metadata
  • iChat Theater Preview for real-time collaboration
  • High-quality, real-time video vectorscopes and waveform monitors
  • Multitrack Audio Mixer
  • Keyboard and user interface customization tool
  • Voice Over tool for adding narration directly to Timeline
  • Frame Viewer for split screen shot comparisons
  • Source timecode and film footage overlays in Viewer and Canvas
  • QuickView for RAM-based previews of complex multilayered sequences

Audio

  • Subframe audio keyframing to 1/100th of a frame
  • Real-Time audio filter adjustments during playback
  • Up to 24 channels in and out
  • 5.1 surround sound monitoring
  • OMF audio export with pan and volume levels
  • Real-time, software-based audio normalization
  • Onscreen multitrack mixing console
  • External control surface support
  • Soundtrack Pro roundtrip for advanced audio mixing and sound design
  • Real-Time fader automation
  • Variable keyframe thinning
  • Real-Time audio filters and effects
  • Sampling up to 96kHz and 24 bits
  • Audio level meters per track
  • Mac OS X Audio Units plug-in support
  • Pan controls
  • Mute and solo controls
  • Audio waveform display in Viewer and Timeline
  • Logarithmic audio fades
  • More than 30 audio filters

Colour Correction

  • Send to Color
  • Primary (three-way) colour corrector
  • Secondary (two-way) colour corrector
  • Image control filters
  • 4- and 8-point garbage mattes
  • Real-Time, hardware-accurate waveform monitor and vectorscopes
  • Broadcast-safe filter
  • Range-checking zebra stripe overlays

Application

  • Digital Cinema Desktop for full-screen, real-time SD, HD and 2K preview playback on main screen or an attached Apple Cinema or LED Display
  • SD, HD and 2K monitor full-screen playback with Apple-certified third-party PCI card or device
  • Mode-free interface for workflow efficiency
  • Multiple sequences and projects open simultaneously
  • Up to 99 levels of undo
  • 99 audio and 99 video tracks with support for nesting sequences together
  • User preferences that can be moved from system to system
  • Easy Setups for quick configuration
  • Dynamic and customizable window resizing and arrangements
  • Customizable keyboard and user interface buttons
  • Customizable real-time effects settings
  • Customizable render settings
  • Customizable Customizable Browser layouts
  • Customizable track layouts
  • External editor support (helper applications)
  • Create Support Profile command for improved AppleCare support
  • Full Unicode support

Film

  • Cinema Tools 4.5 included
  • Comprehensive, integrated film management tools
  • Create PDF, text and XML film lists for asset tracking
  • Drag and drop files to create new or add into existing CInema Tools databases
  • Import RED media, DPX image sequences directly into Cinema Tools
  • Create change lists from 2 XML exports from Final Cut Pro
  • Use Cinema Tools databases for relinking of EDL’s with 2K and 4K media in Color
  • Include timecode and keycode in the same list
  • Support for 35mm 3-perf, 35mm 4-perf, and 16mm-20 and mixed film formats
  • View feet and frames in Timeline
  • View keycode and ink number overlays on video in Final Cut Pro
  • Film data information in Final Cut Pro Browser
  • 24-fps EDL import and export
  • 24-fps EDL conversion to and from 29.97 fps
  • Import ALE, ATN, FLX, and FTL files in both Cinema Tools and Final Cut Pro
  • Track key numbers, ink numbers, video and audio timecode
  • Output the following lists:
    • Cut list
    • Change list
    • Optical list
    • Pull list
    • Dupe list
    • Missing elements list
    • Audio EDL
  • Synchronize Cinema Tools database with Final Cut Pro
  • Poster frame capability
  • Conform clips to specified frame rate
  • Reverse telecine function in either Cinema Tools or Final Cut Pro
  • Export ALE files
  • Import and export Final Cut Pro batch capture lists

Supported Formats and I/O*

  • Apple ProRes family, a 10-bit, full-width VBR codec that supports all major frame sizes and frame rates at target bit rates from 10 Mbps to 754 Mbps
  • DVCPro HD (P2), XDCAM EX, AVC-Intra, AVCHD, RED (with additional software from RED) import through Log and Transfer with automatic logging, custom naming, browse, mark, and background ingest
  • Easy Export supports presets for background export to Apple TV, MobileMe, iPhone, iPod, YouTube, DVD, Blu-Ray disc.
  • Apple designed menus for DVD and animated menus for Blu-Ray discs.
  • Broadcast Wave Format with drop and non-drop frame timecode options
  • Native editing for DV, DVCAM, DVCPRO, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO HD
  • Native editing for HDV including 1080i 50/60, 1080p 24/25/30, 720p 24/25/30/50/60
  • Native AVC-Intra playback for both AVC-Intra 100 and AVC-Intra 50 at 1080p 24/25/30, 1080i 50/60, 720p 24/25/30/50/60
  • Sony XDCAM HD at 25-Mbps CBR, 18- and 35-Mbps VBR at 1080i 50/60 and 1080p 24/25/30/VFR with free Sony software
  • Sony XDCAM HD422 1080i 50/60, 1080p 24/25/30, 720p 50/60 with free Sony software
  • Sony XDCAM EX 1080p 24/25/30, 1080i 50/60, 720p 24/25/30/50/60 with free Sony plug-in
  • JVC created, Apple QuickTime-wrapped XDCAM EX media imported with drag and drop to a Final Cut Pro bin
  • AVCHD editing support using Apple ProRes codecs
  • Sony IMX playback support at 30, 40, and 50 Mbps for SD
  • Sony IMX ingest and output supported with free Sony software
  • Panasonic P2 playback support at 1080p 24/25/30, 1080i 50/60 and 720p 24/24N/25/25N/30/50/60/VFR from P2 cards
  • 1080pA 24 (Advanced Pulldown) supported via FireWire from Panasonic AJ- HD1200A and AJ-HD1400
  • Uncompressed 8- and 10-bit HD (4:2:2 YUV) via Apple-certified third-party PCI card/ device
  • Uncompressed 8- and 10-bit SD (4:2:2 YUV) via FireWire or Apple-certified third-party PCI card/ device
  • Apple Intermediate Codec
  • OffineRT Photo-JPEG codec
  • Telecine 29.97i to 24p pulldown removal
  • 25 fps @24 fps conversion for editing film in PAL
  • Frame-accurate log and captures
  • Frame-accurate insert and assemble edit-to-tape
  • Serial device control (RS-422, RS-232)
  • FireWire device control
  • Log and capture tool with support for batch, clip, and on-the-fly capturing
  • Still images: PSD, BMP, JPEG, PICT, PNG, SGI, TARGA, TIFF
  • Automatic Transfer ingests file based media with custom clip naming
  • Closed Captioning preserved for capture and output to tape.

Media Management

  • Export OMF with volume and pan levels
  • Media management tools for moving, copying and consolidation media at sequence or project level
  • Render file manager
  • Extensive search, sort, and sift capabilities in Browser
  • Rename Clips to match media and vice versa
  • Maintain Master clips across multiple projects
  • Master and affiliate clips
  • Reveal Clip or Project in Finder
  • Clip label colours
  • Custom comment fields
  • Integrated film database with Cinema Tools 4.5
  • Automatic reconnect to high resolution media
  • EDL import for batch capture or export for basic metadata exchange
  • Autosave Vault
  • XML interchange format for custom integration work
  • Background rendering, compressing and transcoding to multiple formats with Easy Export
  • Batch export
  • Send to Compressor integration

*Some features require additional hardware and software. Capturing HD resolution video using the Apple ProRes format requires a Mac Pro with an Intel processor and an Apple-qualified third-party capture card or device. DV, DVCPRO 50, and DVCPRO HD output requires a FireWire-enabled camera or deck. SD output via FireWire requires an AJA Io. Please contact your Apple Authorized Reseller for more information.

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Motion 4

User Interface

  • Unlimited tracks of movie clips, graphics, text, and particles
  • Project sizes up to 4K (4K resolution requires a graphics card with 256MB of VRAM or more)
  • Colour bits-per-channel: 8-bit, 16-bit float, and 32-bit float (float processing requires a graphics card with 128MB of VRAM; 256MB or more recommended)
  • Customizable nonsquare-pixel support
  • Semitransparent heads-up display with onscreen controls for layers, behaviors, and filters
  • Onscreen controls for 3D position, 3D rotation, 3D anchor point, skew, four corner pin, crop and text glyph manipulations
  • Enable/Disable float bit-depth viewing independent of project setting
  • Enable/Disable viewing and rendering of Lighting, Shadows, Reflections and Depth of Field
  • View colour channels and alpha channels independently
  • Canvas alignment tools including dynamic alignment guides, 3D grid, and rulers
  • Pen-and-tablet gesture-based interface
  • 3-D Mouse support
  • Integrated File Browser for fast access to Finder content
  • RAM Previews for viewing complex animations at full frame rate
  • Save favorite settings, customized effects, gradients, text styles, and more in the Library
  • Over 1400 pieces of Apple-designed, royalty-free vector artwork, high-resolution images, and animated design elements
  • Instantly display and access all layers in the project using a single keystroke, similar to Exposé in Mac OS X
  • Customizable toolbar that places your favorite tools at your fingertips
  • Create, save, and remap custom keyboard shortcuts
  • Show images outside the visible frame boundary for easily adjusting off-screen objects
  • Automatically collect media used in a project for easy backup or moving to other locations
  • Use Spotlight in Mac OS X to locate Motion projects by searching on any layer name or text string created in the project

3D Compositing Environment

  • Position, rotate, and intersect multiple layers in 3D space
  • Combine multiple layers into 3D groups for hierarchical 3D animations
  • Add, animate, and cut between multiple cameras
  • Unique Walk-Camera intuitively operates like a first-person video game
  • Adjust the camera's near and far soft clipping planes to avoid object "popping"
  • Apply Camera behaviors for easily creating and modifying complex camera moves
  • Quad split view for displaying multiple orthographic and perspective views
  • Inset viewer for quickly checking alternative views while making adjustments
  • Multiple light sources including ambient, directional, point, and spot
  • Enable shadows for selected point or spot lights, define objects to receive or cast shadows and control the shadow colours and softness
  • Enable Reflectivity on most objects, movies, paint strokes and more
  • Activate depth of field to enhance realism and control focus
  • Enable particles, Replicator elements, and paint strokes to animate in 3D space
  • Create 3D text behaviors for character-by-character animations with full 3D position and rotation control
  • Create 3D motion paths for layers, cameras, and light sources
  • Apply behaviors like throw, orbit, and vortex with 3D attributes
  • Isolate any layer to a Front view for easily modifying masks or editing text

Timeline Editing and Layering

  • Layer list view makes it easy to change the stacking order of any layer, group, filter, or animation behavior
  • Grouping for applying compound transformations and filters
  • Common “bring to front” and “send to back” functions
  • Opacity and blend mode display for quick access on every layer and group
  • Create drop zones for easy drag-and-drop image replacement
  • Clone layers for linking instances of images that inherit properties automatically
  • Solo tracks for easier viewing and refinements
  • Isolate selection for temporary framing and solo of an object to facilitate editing of an object in a 3D composition
  • Composite with premultiplied or non-premultiplied alpha channels
  • Mini-Timeline built into the Canvas that displays a single track for the currently selected layer, group, filter, or behavior
  • Trim, slip, slide, and retime audio and video clips via the mini-Timeline
  • Retime clips using frame blending, motion blur blending, or optical flow
  • Cache optical flow retiming analysis to change speed at any time without reanalyzing
  • Full Timeline with drag-and-drop editing to choose between compositing and assembling multiple clips
  • Insert and overwrite editing directly into the Timeline
  • Display and edit audio tracks in the Timeline or in the Audio Editor
  • Markers that can be placed in the Timeline or on a specific clip with notes

Animation

  • Unique behavior animations for creating natural phenomena like wind, gravity, and vortex
  • Sophisticated simulations like attract, repel, and orbit, which create multilayered 3D animations
  • Text sequencing for automating complex title animations in 3D space
  • Auto-animated Parameter control like oscillate, wiggle, and more
  • Parameter linking for driving secondary animations
  • Retiming behaviors automate ramping in and out of speed changes
  • Audio behavior for syncing animations with audio tracks
  • MIDI behavior for triggering parameter changes via any MIDI device
  • Shape behaviors allow for tracking points on a shape or creating random wiggling animated shapes
  • Complete keyframe-based animation tools
  • Keyframe Editor with Bezier, Linear, Constant, and Ease In/Ease Out curve interpolations
  • Keyframe Editor with a keyframe edit tool, keyframe sketch tool as well as a keyframe box manipulation tool
  • Copy and paste keyframes from different tracks and parameters
  • Keyframe settings for ping pong, repeat, and progressive
  • Record Animation feature with keyframe thinning for recording animations in real-time
  • Draw keyframes in the Keyframe Editor using freehand pen tool
  • Squish, stretch, and move groups of keyframes using a transform box
  • Save curve sets for quick access to common parameters
  • View animated curves for easier navigation
  • View keyframes in the Timeline for quick positioning
  • Enable/Disable keyframe and behavior-based animations to easily compare different results

Particle Engine

  • Sprite-based particle engine with accelerated performance
  • Over 200 particle presets for easy access to sparkles, fire, smoke, and more
  • Animate particles in 3D space with “Face-Camera” control
  • Apply multiple objects or video clips as emitters
  • Apply additive blend mode for intense glowing results
  • Animate emitters and cells independently
  • Save newly created particles in the Library for reuse in other projects
  • Choose between point, line, rectangle, circle, box, sphere, and more for emitter shapes
  • Control birth rate, life, speed, angle, spin, scale, and gradient colours for particle cells
  • Scale particles over their life or add behaviors like orbit and vortex for amazing 3D results with little effort

Paint Effects

  • Paint with pressure-sensitive vector-based brush strokes
  • Select from over 100 customizable brush styles from traditional to abstract
  • Modify brush width, colour, opacity, and jitter over the stroke path
  • Automatically draw on and draw off with full customization
  • Edit brush strokes as Bezier or advanced B-spline paths
  • Rotate the stroke in 3D space with “Face-Camera” control for volumetric 3D strokes
  • Assign pressure and speed to brush properties when using a pen and tablet
  • Enable dynamics on paint dabs for particle paint type effects
  • Apply Replicator-like sequencing animations that can cause the paint stroke to ripple through 3D space

Replicator Tool

  • Automatic replication of any graphic, text object, or movie file along defined patterns
  • Over 200 Replicator presets that can be completely customized and re-saved
  • Animate replicated patterns in 3D space with “Face-Camera” control
  • Save newly created Replicators in the Library for reuse in other projects
  • Choose between line, rectangle, circle, burst, spiral, wave, box, sphere, and more for Replicator patterns
  • Define the number of rows, columns, and 3D ranks that fill or outline the pattern
  • Control pattern size, cell size, angle, scale, and gradient colours for Replicator cells
  • Change the offset for rows and columns, causing them to shift position across the defined pattern
  • Control origin of animation from various points of the pattern
  • Add random scale and angle setting for more natural replications
  • Apply additive blend mode for intense glowing results
  • Set colour of replicated objects from a single tint to a user-defined range
  • Add Replicator Sequence behavior for wavelike animations over various patterns

Title Design

  • Vector-based text engine for creating clean type at any size
  • Import capability supporting Text and RTF files to create Motion text objects
  • Format text using size, rotation, slant, tracking, kerning, and more
  • Animate individual text characters in 3D space using customizable text behaviors
  • Transform single characters with the Adjust Glyph Tool
  • Select from common set of blend modes, including normal, multiply, screen, and add
  • Customize text styles with control over the face, outline, glow, and drop shadow
  • Type-on and text on a path layout/animation options
  • Scroll and Crawl layouts/animation options that support large amounts of text
  • Text field parameter in Inspector makes it easy to edit text even if text is obscured in the Canvas
  • Fill text with solid or multipoint gradients
  • Apply static images or video clips as textures to text faces
  • Control textures using hold frame, offset, wrap modes, and opacity
  • Support for Asian, Cyrillic, and other Unicode system fonts
  • Support for Apple LiveFonts for unique font styles and animations

Tracking and Stabilization

  • Match move using single-point tracking or four corner pinning
  • Create tracking data that can be referenced by multiple objects
  • Track a filter’s onscreen position controls
  • Offset tracking for creating a single track from multiple offsets
  • Tracking behavior highlights best potential tracking points, eliminating guesswork
  • Advanced tracking algorithm maintains accurate analysis when patterns rotate or skew
  • Smart retry resets search region automatically for less user intervention
  • Provide directional hints for fast-moving regions by using Look-ahead feature
  • Stabilize using traditional point stabilizer or optical flow analysis
  • Automated optical flow stabilizer bypasses selecting points and time-consuming setup
  • SmoothCam optical flow analysis removes jitter and rocking from handheld shots while retaining overall camera moves
  • Adjust amount of smoothing applied to transforms, rotation, and scaling in real time

Accelerated Filters and Effects

  • Over 120 accelerated filters for real-time interactivity
  • More than 10 blur filters, including Gaussian, Channel Blur, Radial Blur, and Defocus
  • Simple and bevel borders
  • More than 20 colour correction filters, including Color Balance, Gradient Colorize, Color Reduce, and Threshold
  • More than 25 distortion filters, including Basic 3D, Refraction, Insect Eye, Glass Distortion, Ripple, Scrape, and Polar
  • Stunning glow effects for Light Rays, Bloom, Aura, and more
  • PrimatteRT chroma keyer
  • Stylize filters like Vignette, Bad TV, Bad Film, Color Emboss, Half Tone, Line Art, and Slit Tunnel
  • Unique kaleidoscope and tiling filters
  • Time-based filters for echo and strobe effects
  • Video filters for deinterlacing and broadcast-safe colours and luminance
  • Generators that automatically generate patterns, noise, colours, caustics, and concentric shapes and spirals
  • Text generators that create and animate text elements like numbers, currency, dates, timecode or can generate text using the contents of a text file
  • Support for wide array of GPU-accelerated third-party FxPlug filters

Masking Tools

  • Bezier or advanced B-spline masking tools
  • Create ovals, rectangles, and arbitrary freehand shapes
  • Control opacity, rounding and edge feathering
  • Combine masks using mathematical operations
  • Track entire shapes or control points using tracking behaviors
  • Create image masks from alpha, luminance, or RGB values of a second image

Audio

  • Support for AIFF, WAV, MP3, VBR MP3, and AAC (MPEG-4 Audio)
  • Edit audio tracks in the Timeline with trim, slip, and move
  • Retime audio tracks with pitch change
  • Scrub audio tracks for frame-accurate positioning
  • Control balance, gain, mute, and solo individually
  • Use master audio controls for global audio adjustments
  • Keyframe audio volume in Audio Editor
  • Trigger parameter changes based on audio frequencies or transient hits

Integration and Third-Party Support

  • Open Timeline data from Final Cut Pro, including cuts, layers, transforms, and retiming data
  • Open Motion directly from the Final Cut Pro Timeline, bypassing import/export steps
  • Create master templates in Motion that retain editable text and drop zones in Final Cut Pro
  • Animations from Motion automatically update in the Final Cut Pro Timeline when changes are made in Motion
  • Round-trip editing between DVD Studio Pro and Motion, making it simple to create and modify Motion menus without intermediate rendering
  • Send audio from Motion to Soundtrack Pro Waveform Editor; sound design changes in Soundtrack Pro automatically update in Motion
  • Drag and drop Motion 4 native project files into Adobe After Effects 6.5 or 7.0, without rendering
  • Preview projects on a broadcast monitor using AJA I/O, Matrox or Blackmagic devices
  • Import vector PDF graphics or Photoshop layered documents
  • Import OpenEXR files (Float processing requires a graphics card with 128MB of VRAM; 256MB or more recommended)
  • Support for third-party FxPlug plug-ins
  • Support for Core Image Unit plug-ins

Export

  • Share feature can export and deliver content automatically to devices like iPods and Apple TVs or services like MobileMe or YouTube in a couple of clicks
  • Export to ProRes, H.264, MPEG-4, and other QuickTime-supported codecs
  • Export as movies or image sequences
  • Export as 16-bit or 32-bit floating-point OpenEXR format (Float processing requires a graphics card with 128MB of VRAM; 256MB or more recommended)
  • Support for progressive and field-based rendering
  • Accelerated motion blur with customizable shutter
  • Save custom export settings for easier selection
  • Export Selection can render out selected objects and even automatically re-import the render back to the Motion Timeline
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Soundtrack Pro 3

Precise Audio Control

  • Nondestructive, sample-accurate editing of audio files
  • Support for up to 24-channel files, including mono, stereo, and surround
  • Action-based editing to modify, reorder, suspend, or delete any audio edit, plug-in, or process
  • Audio Effects and Audio Units plug-ins can be applied to supported audio files as Actions
  • Audio Effects and Audio Units plug-ins can be applied to supported audio files as real-time effect chains
  • Real-time effects applied to audio files can be rendered to Actions
  • Normalize function with Peak, RMS analysis and processing
  • Integrated multichannel file editor
  • Intelligent analysis, repair, and restoration functions for:
    • Clicks and pops
    • Power line hum
    • DC offset
    • Phase
    • Clipped signal
  • Audio time stretching without affecting pitch
  • Included time stretch algorithms:
    • Apple Time Stretch Universal
    • Apple Time Stretch Complex
    • Apple Time Stretch Percussive
  • Integrated support for third-party time stretch algorithms (sold separately):
    • Serato Pitch ‘n Time LE
    • SoundToys Speed
    • iZotope Radius
  • Ambient Noise Print to quickly replace unwanted noises from location recordings
  • Background Noise Removal including noise print
  • Sample ruler units in sample value, normalized, percent, and decibel view
  • Snapping to ruler ticks, seconds, frames, markers, and edit points
  • Selectable nudge values: 1 subframe, 1/4 frame, 1 frame, 10 frames, 1 second
  • Support for bit depths up to 32-bit float
  • Support for sample rates from 2kHz to 192kHz
  • Support for AIFF, WAV, MP3, AAC, CAF, BWF, SDII, NeXT, QuickTime, and STAP (Soundtrack Audio Project) file playback
  • Saves files nondestructively as STAP files or destructively as AIFF, WAV, SDII, QuickTime, CAF, or NeXT
  • Export mixes as AIFF, WAV, NeXT, SDII, MP3, AAC/Podcast, Dolby Digital Professional (AC-3), or use Compressor for additional file support
  • Selection history
  • Waveform and customizable Frequency Spectrum views with linear and logarithmic display
  • Frequency selection and editing in Frequency Spectrum view
  • Animated waveform feedback
  • Mini-waveform view

Advanced Sound Design

  • Processes including:
    • Fade in/Fade out
    • Normalize
    • Amplitude adjust
    • Silence
    • Invert
    • Add, delete, reorder channels
    • Mono conversion
    • Resample
    • Generate silence, white noise, pink noise, sine wave, sawtooth wave, square wave, or triangle wave
  • Support for Audio Units plug-ins
  • Audio Units presets available to all Audio Units-compatible applications
  • More than 6000 sound effects, music beds, and music loops, including over 1000 in surround
  • Powerful media search engine
  • Support for Apple Loops, AIFF, WAV, MP3, AAC, CAF, and ACID sound and music libraries

Advanced Take Management

  • Multitake management with take recording and editing directly in Multitake Editor
  • Multitake Editor allows comps of multitake recordings and other audio files
  • Combine individual phrases from different takes
  • Automatic customizable crossfade between phrases
  • Single-click take selection
  • Adjustable transition boundaries for multitake comps
  • Final comp functions as stand-alone clip while retaining access to all takes
  • Slide phrases within edit boundaries

Professional Multitrack Audio Editing

  • Single window with customizable tab panes
  • Customizable window layouts
  • Dynamic tab panes with quick show/hide functionality
  • Resizable video window tab
  • Multitrack Timeline with tracks, busses, submixes, and master in mono, stereo, or surround
  • Multiple multitrack and audio file projects open at once
  • Mixed sample rates, bit depth and file formats supported in multitrack projects
  • Time- or beat-based tracks
  • Ruler in HH:MM:SS, seconds, samples, frames, drop frame, non-drop frame, beats
  • Waveform zoom in the timeline
  • Find and replace related files in the timeline
  • Adjustable playhead auto-scrolling: on, off, centered
  • Loop clip transposition
  • Loop clip speed adjustments (quadruple, double, normal, half, quarter)
  • Adjustable automatic and manual crossfades
  • Fade selector for customizing fade in, fade out, and crossfades
  • Tape style and sample repeat scrubbing
  • Rolling edit tool
  • Native and custom timecode spotting
  • Multitrack recording of mono, stereo, and multichannel files
  • Lift and Stamp tools to selectively copy voice level, process effects, and equalization print from one clip to another
  • Lifted Data sets can be saved as presets
  • Equalization Matching aligns the EQ characteristics of two selections
  • Automation parameters can move with clips or lock to absolute time
  • Pull up/pull down of audio and video to all common standards
  • Customizable clip and track colours
  • Clip locking in multitrack
  • Clip disabling in multitrack
  • Momentary mono switch
  • Automatable master tempo, master volume, master effects, and key
  • Automation of most mix and effect parameters with read, touch, and latch modes
  • Pre- and post-fader send busses for application of common effect plug-ins to multiple tracks
  • Output bussing for single fader control of multiple tracks
  • Support for multichannel audio output devices
  • Time, duration, podcast, beat, and end-of-project markers
  • Powerful browser for locating content quickly
  • Multipoint Video HUD
  • Tool HUD
  • Timecode HUD
  • Numeric Clip offset
  • Bin with access to multiple projects, media files, markers, and clips
  • Spotlight-style searching in Bin
  • Support for Multi-Touch trackpad gestures

Surround and Stereo Mixing

  • Discrete 5.1 mixing, bussing, and routing
  • Console-style Mixer with full stereo and surround meters on every track, buss, submix, and master
  • Mono, stereo, and surround files can be combined on same track
  • Support for multichannel surround files
  • Surround Panner enables panning of mono, stereo, and surround audio files
  • Surround Panner HUD with automatable controls for rotation, width, collapse, center bias, LFE balance, and individual speaker disabling
  • Surround and stereo panner automation data simultaneously available on each track
  • Automatic surround to stereo Dolby-standard downmix
  • Support for true surround and multi-mono effects
  • Over 1000 royalty-free surround sound effects and music tracks
  • Control surface support for the following protocols:
    • EuCon
    • Mackie Control
    • Logic Control

Integrated Workflow

  • AppleScript scriptable (executable from Soundtrack Pro, Final Cut Pro 7, or as AppleScript droplets for batch processing)
  • Automator actions for creation of complex multi-application workflows
  • Support for QuickTime video formats up to HD resolutions
  • Quick Look support for Soundtrack Pro Audio File Project (STAP) files
  • Integrated video tab
  • Output to SD and HD video monitors (via FireWire or PCI card)
  • HD or SD output using Digital Cinema Desktop to second Apple Cinema Display
  • Send and receive MIDI timecode and beat clock for synchronization with hardware and software
  • Integration with Final Cut Pro 7, Motion 4, DVD Studio Pro 4
  • Non-destructive, round-trip audio file editing with Final Cut Pro 7, Motion 4, and Logic Pro 9
  • Support for Final Cut Pro 7 scoring markers
  • Conform tab to conform audio edit to new Final Cut Pro 7 edits
  • Conform visual interface for highlighting changed areas
  • Accept or reject changes across entire project or selectively on a change-by-change basis
  • Podcast track to create audio-only, enhanced audio, or video podcasts
  • Support for chapter, artwork, and URL markers in video and audio podcasts
  • Export presets and customizable post-export scripts
  • View iXML metadata
  • OMF import
  • AAF import and export

Included Effects

TS = True surround

  • Dynamics
    • Adaptive Limiter
    • Compressor
    • DeEsser
    • Expander
    • Limiter TS
    • Multichannel Gain TS
    • Multipressor
    • Noise Gate
    • Surround Compressor TS
  • Distortion
    • Bitcrusher
    • Clip Distortion
    • Distortion
    • Distortion II
    • Exciter
    • Overdrive
    • Phase Distortion
  • EQ and Filter
    • AutoFilter
    • Channel EQ
    • Fat EQ
    • High Cut
    • High Pass Filter
    • High Shelving EQ
    • Linear Phase EQ
    • Low Cut
    • Low Pass Filter
    • Low Shelving EQ
    • Match EQ TS
    • Parametric EQ
    • Soundtrack Pro AutoFilter
  • Modulation
    • Chorus
    • Ensemble TS
    • Flanger
    • Modulation Delay
    • Phaser
    • Scanner Vibrato
    • Tremolo TS
  • Reverb/Delay
    • PlatinumVerb
    • Soundtrack Pro Reverb
    • Space Designer TS
    • Stereo Delay
    • Tape Delay
  • Metrics and Diagnostics
    • Correlation Meter
    • Multi Meter TS
    • Test Oscillator
    • Tuner TS
  • Miscellaneous
    • Denoiser
    • Direction Mixer
    • Enveloper
    • Gain
    • Pitch Shifter II
    • Ringshifter
    • Spectral Gate
    • Stereo Spread
    • SubBass
    • Vocal Transformer
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Color 1.5

Colour Grading

  • Real-time grading controls for SD, HD, 2K and 4K without proxies
  • Preview full-screen playback of SD, HD and 2K on an attached Apple Cinema or LED Display or Apple-certified third-party video card
  • Workflow-oriented interface divides controls into eight separate rooms
  • Primary, Secondary, and Primary Out grading functions
  • Colour wheels with hue, saturation, and luminance controls for highlights, midtones, and shadows
  • Curves for individual adjustment to R,G,B and Luminance channels with B-spline control points
  • Advanced RGB and Printer Points controls for precise film printing
  • Switch between four live grades or disable grade per shot
  • Copy grades to all selected shots
  • Autobalance correction available in Primary room
  • ASC-style Lift, Gamma, Gain controls
  • Eight secondaries per shot with custom mattes, key blur, and motion tracking
  • Animated circle, rectangle, and user shape Vignettes with inner and outer softness
  • Keyframing with interpolation for most controls
  • Color FX with node trees for compositing control
  • Still Store for saving and comparing reference images
  • Pan and Scan with preset aspect ratios
  • Real-time waveform monitor in mV and IRE, vectorscopes and histograms
  • 3D Color Space scopes for RGB, HSL, Y’CbCr, and IPT display
  • Broadcast-safe limiting
  • Support for 3D LUTs for display calibration and output simulation
  • Multiple video tracks
  • Support for third-party control surfaces with trackballs and knobs
  • EDL support for linking to DPX and Cineon files
  • Render directly to DPX or Cineon file formats for film out
  • Use EDL’s for notching QuickTime movies or sequences without XML metadata
  • Render Log displays stop, start time, speed and amount of rendering
  • Relinking to RED and DPX databases with Cinema Tools and EDL’s.

Integration with Final Cut Pro 7

  • Round-trip feature film length projects between Color and Final Cut Pro 7 with Send to Color and Send to Final Cut Pro
  • Round-trip support for freeze frames, still graphics, multi-cam and variable speed change effect from Final Cut Pro
  • Color projects configured automatically to match Final Cut Pro sequence settings
  • 2K and 4K Digital Intermediate workflow from Final Cut Pro sequences
  • Play back all standard frame rates and frame sizes in Color
  • Display dissolves and fades in the Timeline and renders for 2K/4K DPX and Cineon output
  • Round-trip Pan and Scan metadata sent from Final Cut Pro as Motion effect

Effects

  • Over 40 Color FX and over 20 pre-made “looks”
  • Over 90 additional downloadable Color FX “looks”
  • Renders at 8-bit, 10-bit, and 32-bit floating point (dependent on GPU)
  • Customizable node tree for effects creation
  • Copy and paste nodes in Color FX room.
  • Save and reuse favorite effects

Supported Formats

  • Apple ProRes Family of 10-bit, full-width VBR codecs
  • 4:4:4 2K and 4K as DPX or Cineon files
  • Apple Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2
  • Apple Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2
  • TIFF, JPEG, and JPEG 2000 image sequences
  • All still graphics formats supported by QuickTime 7
  • Optional viewing or grading proxy creation for DPX and Cineon files
  • Third-party codecs from AJA and Blackmagic Design
  • RED, AVC-Intra, IMX, HDV, XDCAM HD and XDCAM HD 422 can be graded, but must be rendered using Apple ProRes or Uncompressed codecs

Trimming for 2K Output

  • Trimming controls when rendering directly to DPX or Cineon files
  • Ripple
  • Roll
  • Slip
  • Splice
  • Merge edits
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Compressor 3.5

High-Performance Encoding

  • H.264 multi-pass encoding for Blu-ray discs and files
  • Support for red laser burning of AVCHD discs for playback in compatible Blu-ray players.
  • H.264 for Apple devices, web, mobile devices,
  • HD DVD encoding for DVD Studio Pro authoring
  • Support for image sequence sources - Tiff, Targa, DPX, Jpeg, and OpenExr
  • Support for encoding to Tiff, Targa, DPX, Jpeg and OpenEXR image sequences
    • Full QuickTime support
    • MPEG-2 encoding
    • MPEG-1 encoding
    • MPEG-4 encoding
    • Distributed encoding with segmentation options
    • Two-pass VBR encoding for MPEG-2
    • Provides Dolby-certified encoding to Dolby Digital Professional AC-3 format
    • Accepts QuickTime (single-channel or multichannel), AIFF, Sound Designer, and WAV files
    • Advanced chaptering for AppleTV and podcasting

 

  • Closed caption support for Apple Devices, QuickTime and MPEG-2
  • Batch templates with job actions for automating workflows from encoding to delivery including :-
    • Add to iTunes Library
    • Create DVD
    • Create Blu-ray Disc
    • Create Web Reference Movie
    • Open with Application
    • Publish to MobileMe
    • Run Automator Workflow
    • Publish to YouTube
  • Automatic setting creation via drag and drop of a QT file
    • Scaling and down-converting
    • Standards conversions
    • Retiming
    • Preview with split-screen comparison
    • High-quality image processing
    • More than 100 presets included
    • Automated encoding with droplets
    • Automatic and custom cropping
  • Automatic and custom padding
  • Automatic copying of source media for reference media to encoding nodes
    • Four audio filters: dynamic range; peak limiter; Apple: AUGraphicEQ and fade in/out
    • Automatic post to iDisk or FTP
    • Reverse Telecine
    • Deinterlacing
  • Enhanced Droplets for easy desktop encoding

Dolby Digital Professional Encoding

  • Dolby-certified encoding to Dolby Digital Professional AC-3 format
  • Accepts QuickTime (single-channel or multichannel), AIFF, Sound Designer, and WAV format sound files for encoding
  • Support for all channel formats from mono to 5.1 surround sound
  • Automatically creates 2.0 or 5.1 based on number of channels in the source media file
  • Confidence decoding for preview of AC-3 files

Video Filters

  • BlackWhite Restore
  • Brightness and Contrast
  • Color Correct Highlights
  • Color Correct Midtones
  • Color Correct Shadows
  • Deinterlacing
  • Fade In/Out
  • Gamma Correction
  • Letterbox
  • Noise Removal
  • Sharpen Edge
  • Text Overlay
  • Timecode Generator
  • Watermark (Image, animated with QuickTime or Motion files)

Audio Filters

  • Dynamic Range
  • Peak Limiter
  • Apple: AUGraphicEQ
  • Fade In/Out
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DVD Studio Pro 4

Graphical View

  • View flow of DVD graphically
  • Print or save to PDF
  • Use Macro view to navigate easily through large projects
  • Flag elements for more attention
  • Fit all elements in window, zoom in/out
  • Organize tiles with Auto layout command

Transitions

  • Add transitions to menus, menu buttons, slideshows, and timeline-based stills
  • Choose from more than 30 prebuilt transitions such as Blur, Dissolve, Droplet, Fade through Color, Melt, Motion Dissolve, Rotate, Rotation Blur, and Zoom
  • Create additional Alpha transitions

Jacket Picture

  • Shows picture of choice when user stops playback of DVD on supported DVD players
  • Creates all necessary files for jacket picture from any popular image formats

Automatic MPEG-2 Encoding

  • Encode video in the background while you work or while building the DVD
  • One- and two-pass variable bit rate (VBR) encoding for MPEG-2
  • Three levels of motion estimation
  • Support for PAL and NTSC formats
  • Support for 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios
  • DVD-compliant MPEG-2 streams from other encoders accepted
  • More advanced encoding options provided via Compressor (included)

Asset Management

  • Organize assets with folders
  • Open in Editor
  • View status of background encoding
  • View information on imported assets such as type, timestamps, length, encoding progress, bit rate, and more
  • Reveal the location of the asset in the Finder
  • Sort by name and information
  • Refresh assets that may have been updated with other applications
  • Re-encode source assets
  • Reconnect assets

Advanced Interactivity

  • Multistory feature for creating alternative versions (up to 98 stories)
  • DVD-ROM functionality using DVD@CCESS (for computer playback only); DVD-ROM input includes the ability to add photos, PDFs, or direct links to websites
  • Control actions for remote control buttons, including number offset
  • Enable/Disable user operations
  • Specify actions for First Play, Title button, Menu button, end jumps, pre-scripts, pre-script targets, Angle button, Chapter button, Audio button, Subtitle, and Return

Pre-mastering Options

  • Region encoding
  • Industry-standard analog and digital copyright management with Macrovision (Types 1, 2, and 3) and CSS for SD projects1
  • Test functionality with built-in Simulator
  • Test built projects with Apple DVD Player software
  • Allows burning first layer of DVD-9 project to DVD-5 media for testing
  • Supports 12- and 8-cm discs, single and double layer
  • Dual-layer options:
    • Choose between Parallel Track Path (PTP) and Opposite Track Path (OTP)
    • Specify the dual-layer break point
    • Specify a non-seamless or seamless dual-layer break point
  • Format existing builds to DVD-R and DLT
  • Burn DVD-9 projects to double-layer media for testing
  • Replication to red laser media
  • Replication to blue laser media (for HD DVD)

Import

  • Maintains named chapter markers from Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, and iMovie
  • DVD Studio Pro 2 and 3 projects
  • iDVD 3 and 4 projects
  • AIFF
  • AVI
  • BMP
  • DV
  • JPEG
  • Macromedia Flash 5
  • MPEG-1
  • MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3)
  • MPEG-2
  • M4A, M4P (iTunes 4 audio)
  • PDF (Mac OS X)
  • Photoshop (with layers)
  • PICT
  • PNG
  • TARGA
  • TIFF
  • WAV
  • Aspect ratios: 4:3 and 16:9
  • TV systems: PAL and NTSC
  • Frame rates: 29.97 fps (NTSC) and 25 fps (PAL)
  • Maximum GOP sizes: 18 frames (NTSC), 15 frames (PAL)
  • All QuickTime supported codecs – encoded to MPEG-2 (SD or HD DVD)
  • H.264 and HDV (supported natively in HD DVD projects)

Audio Formats

  • STAP (Soundtrack audio file) support
  • MPEG-1 Layer 2 (64 to 384 Kbps)
  • Dolby Digital AC-3 (mono to 5.1 surround using 64 to 448 Kbps)
  • DTS — mono to 5.1 surround at 48kHz; DTS ES — 6.1 at 96kHz at 754 Kbps or 1509 Kbps
  • Stereo PCM (16 bit/48kHz at 1536 Kbps)
  • Stereo PCM (24 bit/96kHz at 4608 Kbps)
  • Other QuickTime audio formats automatically transcoded to AIFF/PCM

DVD Standards

  • Author traditional DVDs using SD assets
  • Author HD DVDs using SD and HD assets

Output Formats

  • DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, double-layer media
  • Double-layer media support
  • DLT drive (required for DVD-9 projects)
  • DDP 2.0 and 2.1
  • CMF 1.0
  • CMF 2.0
  • DDP 3.0
  • Disk Image
  • Video_TS to hard drive
  • HVDVD_TS to hard drive

Menus

  • Choose from a wide variety of automatic transitions
  • Create your own transitions
  • Includes several theme-based royalty-free Apple-designed templates that can be user-customized
  • Supports up to 36 buttons per menu (18 for 16:9 aspect ratio)
  • Templates in both NTSC and PAL formats
  • Allows still menus and buttons to be made from layered Photoshop files
  • Allows motion menus to be made from video streams
  • Set the loop point on motion menus to avoid replaying intro transition
  • Add effects to menus and buttons with shapes and drop zones
  • Built-in action-safe and title-safe areas
  • View menus with rectangular or square pixels
  • Use grayscale and chroma colour mapping
  • Create language-localized versions of the same menu

Connections

  • Automatically assign functionality to assets with one click using over 60 combinations of context-sensitive drop palettes
  • Automatically create movie scene indexes based on chapter markers

User Interface

  • Mode-free interface for workflow efficiency
  • Rearrange interface tabs to different quadrants to create different workflows
  • Save user-defined workspace configurations (three preset configurations)
  • Customizable toolbar

Timeline

  • Manage up to 9 video angles, 8 audio streams, and 32 subtitle streams per track
  • Add, modify, and delete chapter markers in the Timeline
  • Trim audio and video clips interactively or with timecode
  • Combine multiple video clips and slides into one track
  • Stills in Timeline are added to DVD as space-saving stills, not generated video
  • Add up to 99 tracks in a project
  • Import Line 21 files for closed caption support, for NTSC SD projects only
  • Two types of angles:
    • Multiple angles add another full-length segment to track
    • Mixed angles add only video that is different from the first video angle

Subtitling

  • Integrated subtitler
  • Add up to 32 subtitle streams per track
  • Set position, font, size, style and colour, fade in and fade out
  • Enter timecode or drag in Timeline to set start, stop, and duration
  • View built-in title-safe and action-safe areas
  • Use graphics in subtitles
  • Import subtitles in .son, .stl, .txt, and .scr formats
  • Use buttons over video

Slideshows

  • Choose from a wide variety of automatic transitions
  • Create your own transitions
  • Fit slideshow to audio
  • Apply audio to individual slides
  • Convert slideshow to a track
  • Set a slide duration or choose manual advance
  • Use PSD (8-bit RGB), TIFF, JPEG, BMP, TARGA, PICT, and any other QuickTime-based image format

VTS Editor

  • Automatic allocation of projects’s assets to VTS folders
  • Automatic placement of menu’s assets into VTS folders
  • Manually move elements between multiple VTS folders
  • Up to 99 VTS folders per project

Scripting

  • Jump to motion menu loop point
  • Advanced scripting controls to program the DVD to play back from the correct location on the disc; switch audio, video, and subtitle streams depending on context; and temporarily change parental controls
  • Access to 8 GPRMs with partition options to 112
  • Add pre-script commands to menus, tracks, and slideshows
  • Use up to 124 commands per script
  • 10 scripting commands, including Jump, Set GPRM, Goto Set System Stream, Resume, GPRM mode, Exit, Exit Pre-script, and Jump Indirect
  • Machine-level control
  • View values of GPRM and SPRM registers in Simulator
  • Bit-wise operations
  1. Copy protection requires that you output your project to a replicator. Macrovision requires that users work with a Macrovision-certified replication facility or execute a Macrovision usage agreement. Check with your replicator for costs and minimum quantities
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