Apple's powerful moviemaking package now supports the latest AVCHD cameras, features an open format Timeline, provides iMovie '08 compatibility, and offers sophisticated effects and filters.
Import video
Capture the most popular formats - DV, HDV or AVCHD - from your camcorder. Or export projects from iMovie '08 for a final edit in Final Cut Express 4.
Create the perfect mix
Use multiple audio tracks, audio level automation, advanced audio filters, and the new Soft Normalize and Gain feature to achieve pro results easily.
Edit like a pro
Mix different video formats in the new open format Timeline, editing them in real time using the same precision tools found in Final Cut Pro.
Add custom titles with LiveType
Add dynamic animated text to your video projects using LiveType with its exclusive LiveFont animated font technology and huge library of textures and effects.
Make composites and add effects
Create impressive composites and easily enhance video with sophisticated transitions, filters and effects, including a wide assortment of FxPlug plug-ins.
Built-in AVCHD - NEW
Offering plenty of creative options, Final Cut Express 4 lets you edit footage captured in the most popular formats - including AVCHD*. Simply connect your camcorder to your Mac, preview and select the AVCHD clips you'd like to import, and start editing your video.
Open format Timeline - NEW
No need to worry about formats, frame rates or conversions. Final Cut Express 4 provides an open format Timeline that handily accommodates DV (both NTSC and PAL) and HD footage simultaneously and in real time. Just drop video into the Timeline and edit away
Import iMovie '08 projects - NEW
With iMovie '08, putting together a great movie is as quick as drag and drop. When you want to add professional polish to your project, simply export to Final Cut Express 4 and edit like a pro.
Sophisticated FxPlug effects and filters - NEW
Add cinematic looks to your project with an expansive library of professional-quality transitions and filters. Experiment with over 50 brand-new video effects, including Soft Focus, Vignette, Light Rays and Line Art.
* AVCHD video requires a Mac with an Intel processor.
What's New in Final Cut Express 4
- Ability to import iMovie '08 projects
- Editing of AVCHD, HDV and DV — NTSC and PAL — in a single Timeline
- AVCHD support (Intel-based Mac computers only)
- Support for FxPlug third-party plug-ins
What Comes with LiveType 2.1
- More than 200 customizable text effects
- 500MB of royalty-free animated content
- Sophisticated project templates
- FontMaker utility for creating custom LiveFonts
What's in the box
- DVD containing Final Cut Express 4, LiveType 2, and LiveType content
- Electronic documentation
- A Mac computer with a 1.25GHz or faster PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, Intel Core Duo, Intel Core Duo 2, or Intel Xeon processor
- For AVCHD: A Mac computer with an Intel processor
- 1GB of RAM or more
- An AGP or PCI Express graphics card compatible with Quartz Extreme; or an Intel GMA integrated graphics processor in a MacBook or Mac mini computer
- Some FxPlug filters are not compatible with integrated Intel graphics processors.
- A display with 1024-by-768 resolution or higher
- A DVD drive for installation
- Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later
- QuickTime 7.2 or later
- 500MB of disk space to install Final Cut Express and LiveType
- Additional 500MB to install LiveType content
- Upgrade information: Requires a previous commercial version of Final Cut Express (version 1, 2, 3, or HD 3.5) for installation. Academic and not-for-resale versions are not eligible for this upgrade.
