Alongside macOS Catalina, Apple today announced the launch of an updated version of Final Cut Pro X, which is optimized for the upcoming Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR that goes along with it.
The new version of Final Cut Pro X has a new Metal engine that's designed to take advantage of the power of the new Mac Pro while also delivering performance gains across a wide range of Mac systems.
Apple says the new Metal-based engine improves playback and accelerates graphic tasks like rendering, real-time effects, and exporting.
On the 15-inch MacBook Pro, which Apple says is the most popular system for Final Cut Pro X users, the software is up to 20 percent faster. On the iMac Pro, the software is up to 35 percent faster.
As for the Mac Pro, Final Cut Pro X is 2.9 times faster at rendering than the previous 12-core Mac Pro and 3.2 times faster at transcoding. Final Cut Pro X also takes advantage of the Afterburner card in the new Mac Pro for "unparalleled performance" when working with ProRes and ProRes RAW.
Final Cut Pro X works with the Sidecar feature in macOS, which is designed to allow the iPad to work as a secondary display for a Mac.
Other new features added to the software are listed below:
- Grade high dynamic range video with enhanced color mask and range isolation tools.
- View high dynamic range video tone-mapped to compatible standard dynamic range displays when using Final Cut Pro, Motion or Compressor on macOS Catalina.
- Select which internal or external GPU is used to accelerate graphics processing.
Apple is also releasing updates to Motion and Compressor with the same new refreshed Metal engine that offers performance optimizations for the Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR.
Final Cut Pro 10.4.7 is a free update for existing users, while new users can download it for $299.99 from the Mac App Store. [Direct Link]
Motion and Compressor are each priced at $49.99. [Direct Link: Motion] [Direct Link: Compressor]
Top Rated Comments
Don't get me wrong, I am a certified trainer for FCP X, I recently used it to cut a feature-length film. I both understand and appreciate the power of the software. I also recognize that very, very few editors doing the work I do are willing to take the time to relearn their trade in order to use FCP X. I would love to see what FCP X can do on a new Mac Pro but I am cognizant of the fact that none of the local post production houses in town that use FCP X (and there are at least 3) will be buying Mac Pros for the work they do.
In other words, nice effort Apple, however you have spent 8 years alienating the very people you are hoping will take advantage of this.
Well as a long-time user of both, you def are missing the point.
-AE
If you make your living as an editor I’d say it’s really dangerous to still cling to FCP 7, because of you go somewhere else (or the company you work for/client) requests a modern deliverable, you’ll be starting from scratch in a new paradigm. I never hear anyone claim that FCP 7 has a single advantage over the current iteration of FCPX. I’m not trying to put your down, just maybe give you another nudge to get on board with current editing technology. Once you’re up to speed your editing pace should quicken by at least 50%, esp. due to the way FCP 7 rendered out clips as you waited.
How about FCPX for the iPad? How long are we going to be sold the “iPad Pro is more powerful than most computers” yet still lack the bread and butter apps that would make a good iPad useful (like a computer)?