Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro X was released in June 2011 to nearly unanimous poor reviews.  Why? The Apple developers decided to essentially start over with the application (hence the jump from 7 to X), and in doing so dropped dozens of features that pro editors relied on.  Missing features included: broadcast monitoring, multicam editing, output to tape, compatibility with older versions of Final Cut Pro, etc.  Many editors, myself included, felt that Final Cut Pro had been "dumbed-down" to appeal to a larger audience.  Now that it has been out over a year and has had five crucial updates, some editors are coming around, as the Apple developers have added back in some of those missing features.  Here at the Student Multimedia Design Center, we are still teaching and using Final Cut Pro 7, but we are getting ready to add Final Cut Pro X sometime in the next year.  The applications are so different that we will initially have both installed so that users have the choice which to use. Here are a few resources, if you are interested in learning more:

Background:

Apple's Final Cut Pro X Overview - biased, but is a good introduction to the new features.

Steve Martin's Overview is good if you are familiar with previous versions of Final Cut Pro, and want intelligent analysis of the major differences.

NY Times Article outlining video editor's complaints back when it was released.

Creative Cow's "Apple FCPX or Not: The Debate Forum" is a lively place for discussion on Final Cut Pro X and the alternatives.

99 Requests for Final Cut Pro X - With the faster release cycle, Apple seems more responsive to suggestions to improve the software.  These 99 requests are interesting to browse.  I know I hope for selective copy and paste of attributes. I use that all the time in FCP 7.

Tutorials/ Training:

Lynda.com (paid) is leading the charge right now, with over 20 hours of video training on FCPX.

Youtube Playlists (free) some of these might be useful.  I know Larry Jordan is a trusted source for Final Cut Pro info.

Ken Stone (free) always has some good free articles.

Creative Cow Video Tutorials are usually good for picking up specific skills/tips.

Creative Cow Forums are great for asking questions and troubleshooting.