Final Cut Pro 3 - Technical Specifications

Final Cut Pro 3 System Requirements

• Macintosh computer with a 300-MHz or faster PowerPC G3 or G4 processor and built-in FireWire.

  • 500-MHz or faster single or 450-MHz dual processor Power Mac G4 or PowerBook G4 required for G4 realtime effects.

  • 667-MHz PowerBook G4 required for mobile G4 realtime effects in DV format.

• Mac OS 9.2.2 or Mac OS X v10.1.1.

• QuickTime (included).

• 256MB of RAM (384MB recommended for G4 realtime effects).

• 40MB of available disk space required for installation.

• Video Capture.

• Simultaneous video output to a computer monitor, an NTSC or PAL TV monitor, a VCR, or a camera..

• Multiple resolutions and transcoding options.

• Batch digitizing into bins.

• Support for making subclips during logging.

• Ability to add scene, shot, take, and comment notations to footage as it is being logged.

• Hardware-accurate waveform monitor and vectorscope.

• Autosync compensator.

• Long-frame indicators.

Video Capture

• Simultaneous video output to a computer monitor, an NTSC or PAL TV monitor, a VCR, or a camera.

• Multiple resolutions and transcoding options.

• Batch digitizing into bins.

• Support for making subclips during logging.

• Ability to add scene, shot, take, and comment notations to footage as it is being logged.

• Hardware-accurate waveform monitor and vectorscope.

• Autosync compensator.

• Long-frame indicators.

Editing

• Source/record three-point editing model.

• Unique mode-free user interface for seamless movement between editing, trimming, and effects functions.

• Realtime effects support through out-of-the-box G4 realtime effects architecture or select realtime PCI cards for realtime editing with render-free playback of dissolves, wipes, motion effects, titles, and color correction.

• Match frame.

• Extend and split edit functions.

• Support for multiple timelines in projects.

• Multiple actions, including insert, overlay, and replace.

• Ability to back-time edits in a single step.

• Active track targeting.

• Numerical trimming from timeline.

• Slip-and-slide, ripple, and roll tools.

• Through-edit indicators in timeline.

• Support for editing and trimming using black (null) space.

• Sync detection and automatic correction.

• Markers with or without comments and durations.

• Choice of editing with offline or online files.

• One-step transition and superimpose edit mode.

• Editing palette containing the most-used functions.

• Timecode Overlays and Quick-Sync indicators.

• Ability to paste and remove attribute commands.

Advanced media management

• Use the Media Management tool for clip— and sequence-based moving, transcoding, consolidation, trimming, and archiving.

• Convert sequences and projects between formats using the graphical before and after indicator.

• Take advantage of EDL import/export for efficient workflow between third-party offline and online systems.

• Frame accurate “digital cuts” to tape.

• View the Edit Decision List in a text window.

• Protect your work with 99 levels of undo and the time-stamped Autosave Vault.

• See the source timecode of every frame using Timecode Overlays.

• View synced clips across timeline tracks using Quick-Sync indicators.

• Take advantage of the external editor preference to define additional applications to launch and edit project elements.

• Capture video directly from most DV devices.

• Return easily to previous stages of a project with the Autosave Vault.

• Store clips and effects in multiple bins and folders.

• View icons and list views by name and other parameters.

• Open multiple sequences and programs.

• Use multi-item sorts, sifts, and Boolean searches, and display long clip names.

• Store clip information in 41 bin categories, such as file size, frame rate, and comments.

• Use optional subclips.

• Scroll through thumbnails in the Browser window.

Printing to tape and exporting

• Insert and assemble to tape using device control.

• Up to 4000-by-4000-pixel resolution in any combination, including ITU-R 601 720-by-486-pixel and 720-by-576-nonsquare-pixel options.

• Compressed or uncompressed output.

• 60-field processing.

Compositing and effects

• Create virtually unlimited layers of sophisticated effects using integrated, proxy-free compositing and effects architecture.

• Use Bezier curves with movable motion paths, graphs, and numerical controls to apply and control effects and animations with precise keyframe control.

• Supported PCI realtime cards (including \Matrox RTMac and Pinnacle Systems’ CinéWave) use QuickTime-based realtime architecture for seamless integration with the Final Cut Pro motion tab and effects.

• Create stunning 2D and 3D animated titles, multisided video cubes, and page curls with effects tools from BorisFX and CGM.

• Manipulate video and images directly on-screen.

• Use unlimited compositing layers.

• Import Adobe Photoshop files complete with layers to assemble effects and motion.

• Apply effects with qualified third-party After Effects plug-ins.

• Enjoy the accuracy of subpixel interpolation rendering.

• Insert fully editable nested sequences.

• Use standard and advanced 3D and Scrolling Text generators.

• Use keyframe-based filters to adjust effects over time.

• Smooth compositing animations with Ease In/Ease Out motion paths.

• Build complex effects with realtime wireframe playback.

• Create custom FXScript plug-in filters and transitions using the FXBuilder scripting language.

• Apply effects to time ranges, not just clips.

• Use Photoshop-like transfer modes, such as multiply and lighten.

• Work with multiple compositing methods such as alpha, blue and green screen, and luminance, including automatic alpha compositing.

• Use time effects including slow motion with frame blending.

• Use motion blur and sophisticated image deinterlacing.

• Reduce unsteady still frames from interlaced video with the flicker filter.

• Move an entire motion path using the Canvas.

• Use low-quality render options for fast review; each of four quality settings has a separate render cache.

• Take advantage of more than 60 predefined transitions and 75 built-in filters and keying effects.

Audio

• Eight tracks or more of audio playback in real time.

• OMF audio export for easy workflow with industry-standard mixing and finishing systems.

• Built-in audio filters, including reverb, EQ, echo, and noise gate.

• Subframe audio editing to 1/100th of a frame.

• Sampling at 8 to 48 kHz and 8 to 16 bits.

• Audio level meters.

• Audio pan controls.

• Logarithmic audio fades.

• Scrubbing with or without pitch shifting.

• Automatic, single-step audio transitions.

• More than 12 audio filters, including three-band and parameter equalizer, compressor/limiter, 60/120-Hz hum remover, and noise gate.

• Audio peak detection for clips and sequences.

• PeakDV audio-editing tool for time compression/expansion, VST plug-in support, and batch file processing (included).

Architecture

• Mode-free user interface for fast, seamless transitions between editing, trimming, effects, and compositing.

• Video Native YUV-based rendering engine.

• QuickView preview for viewing complex effects without waiting to render.

• Selective device control and Easy Setups for multiformat acquisition.

• QuickTime-based for outstanding support for cross-platform delivery.

• Support for Adobe After Effects plug-ins and Final Cut Pro 3 FXScript plug-ins.

• Designed for seamless performance with all current Macintosh computers.

• Optimized for PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine, including dual processor Power Mac computers.

Input and Output formats

• NTSC and PAL DV video using FireWire.

• Composite and component NTSC and PAL analog and uncompressed standard definition support using third-party capture cards from Pinnacle Systems and others.

• HD support for formats including 1080i, 23.976, 24p, 25, 29.97, and 30 fps (requires third-party PCI hardware).

• QuickTime video and file format export, including M-JPEG, Sorenson, Cinepak, and web streaming.

• Standard image format import (BMP, JPEG, MacPaint, Photoshop, PICT, PNG, QuickTime Image, SGI, TARGA, TIFF) with alpha channels maintained.

• Standard audio formats supported, including AIFF, and WAV.

• Import and export of common EDLs with pre-read options.