Apple Final Cut Studio 2 (Mac)

i use FCP everyday. i wish i knew more of the programs, but FCP and DVDSP and Comressor are my lifeblood.

one day when i have more time, i'll write about all the reasons why.

Final cut Studio is a lot of pro apps it is also one master program Final cut pro and all the rest supporting it. One more thing the suite integration is the only positive difference and this is really only an issue for the outdated NLE dinosaurs who have hard time thinking in a different manor, you don't have to export video or sound files from your supporting programs. For example you can create type or graphic in motion and/or livetype & color or a sound file in Soundtrack Pro and just do a command S and import those programs project files right into Final Cut and save yourself a lot of render time.
Now for the UI debate as being one who trains new editors on Final Cut, I often have deal with two types of users the new ones who have never used a NLE system and the old Premiere and Avid users. For the New users they seem to feel that Final Cut has a semi intuitive interface that you can adjust to their preference. Where as the older users from Avid feel that the interface is cumbersome, the reason behind this is mainly where one group tends to be open minded where as the other tends to have issues letting go of the fact that Avid Interface and the old Premiere interface. To those users are unwilling to accept the fact that there old ways of using interface just seems outdated compared to Final cut and new CS4 Premiere. now the suite does have two shortcomings compressor and DVD studio Pro. Compressor just does not have enough Variation to support the different file formats I would suggest you purchase telestreams Episode Encoder to make up for compressors shortcomings. Now the issue with DVD studio Pro is not a lack of features it is more a lack compatibility with the DVD Houses. To overcome this issue I would suggest Adobe Encore CS4 which you can only get with Premiere Pro CS4 or a corresponding Creative Suite( Master or Production Premium). even those 2 defects it is still a very decent package well worth the cost.

I love Final Cut Pro. As a journalist trying to create multimedia stories, it's incredibly valuable in helping me layer audio and video to put together cohesive pieces.

However. This is a complicated, professional product that was difficult for me as a beginner, trying to self-teach myself from the ground up. I found the multi-volumed manuals to be dense and confusing. I ended up buying a lesson guide with dvd to get started, which has helped me immensely.

I have no previous experience with editing, so I really can't compare it with another product. The user manuals that came with the series were overwhelming and practically useless to me. However, I have managed to learn to use the suite with the help of the Apple Pro training series and Lynda.com. I think it is a great product for those who have the patience and determination to learn it.

Updated Feb 2008
Final Cut Studio 2 is an inigma. On th one hand it has MASSIVE strengths and on the other it has MASSIVE weaknessess. If you are eperianced on other pro editing applications like Pro Tools or Avid you could experiance frustration ... as I do.
STRENGTHS
Final Cut Studio 2 has everthing you need to produce a great program
Final Cut Studio 2 ships with awsome content to get you up & running ... templates, presets, royalty free music and sound effects (lots!)
Intergration with the other programs in the suite makes Final Cut Pro do amazing stuff. Some great codecs too.
Apple listen to feedback (note the change in this review ... you CAN now zoom in on the cursor ... thanks Apple.)
WEAKNESSESS
No manuals for applications that have had a major overhaul!! (Except FCP6) There are 4 manuals for Final cut Pro 6 containing far too much detail about a program that really doesn't have a lot of functionality. (there is about a quarter of an inch thick section on the audio mixer ... a mixer that has inputs, levels and pans AND NOTHING ELSE!!!! no inserts - nix!)
and yet there is not even a piece of paper for Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Live Type, Compressor and DVD Studio Pro. The brand new program - Color gets a "setup guide" but no user manual. There are pdf files woopie doo. (Oh and you can't buy them either!)
Final Cut Pro is not a user friendly cutting platform. As others have said, the User Interface is cumbersome ... You often need to move the mouse / Trackball by fractional amounts to grab minute "hot spots / Lines" ... not so easy when you have your mouse set up to cover 2 screens with one sweep. If you want to Export from Motion or STP (and many other MAC based Programs) you use Cmd E right? NOT on Final Cut Pro! Luckily you can assign it if it bugs you (i did) So the suite integration isn't all it could be.
File Management (as with other NLEs is tricky. With FCP your files get stored on a "scratch disk" It seems to have more in comon with Avid Liquids FM system (which is terifiying!) than with good 'ol Adobe Prmier Pro.
Soundtrack Pro 2 now seems to be less Buggy than it's first (2.0.0) release. It offers so much and is enjoyable to work with (better in some ways than Adobe Audition)
Put asside 12 hours if you are installing OS and FCS2 from scratch.

All in all Final Cut Studio is OK ... getting better ... but still just Ok. I expected more quality and less initial bugs from Apple ... (There was the OS 10.4.10 bug that prevented the use of the Alesis iO2 Audio interface ... now fixed I am glad to say) ... after all there are only about 10 Intel based MACs on the market as opposed to a quadzillian number of PC hardware / software combinations. Motion rocks but is still not as good as After Effects (I run AE CS3) You can do better. Avid Liquid (PC only unfortunatly ... but does run well on boot camp) Pro Tools and After Effects is often a better (but far more costly) solution.

With all that said ... I do use FCS2 a lot.