Final Cut Studio Gets New Features, Leopard Support

Apple updated all of the apps in Final Cut Studio with official support for OS 10.5 today (the updates also work with 10.4.11, also out today.) But wait, there's more! If you call now, you'll also get support for some of the new high-def cameras.

The XDCAM EX format is now supported under FCP 6.0.2. So footage from Sony's PMW-EX1 is now supported. AVC-Intra, which Panasonic is using on its high-end cameras, is supported. And JVC's HDV recordings in 720p60 and 720p50 are supported. There looks like there is also more support for progressive recording from Canon's cameras and Sony HVR-V1. Check out the release notes for all of the details.

I looked at the release notes for the other products and nothing jumped out at me. It looks like Color got a lot of bug fixes based on the release notes.

Mike Curtis offers more detail and some commentary on the new features at HDforIndies.com.

Leopard Blogwad

Leopard/OS 10.5 has been for about a dozen days. I'm never an early adopter of OS upgrades because there are bound to be bugs. If you are in a rush to install Leopard, here's some suggested reading.

"Apple chastised for ignoring two Mac data loss issues"
Data loss bug in Leopard--also talks about suspect hard drives in MacBook's and MacBook Pro's

"Suggestions for a Better Leopard Installation"
Good advice here. I clone boot drives before I upgrade the OS.

"How-To: Know your APE status before upgrading to Leopard"
A version of Unsanity's APE (Application Enhancer) has been causing problems with Leopard installs--systems hang up for really long times after the install.

"Getting your Mac ready for OS X 10.5"
More reading before you install Leopard. Focuses on prepping the system for the upgrade by installing latest 3rd party updates, removing unneeded files, and using software with uninstaller libraries. For the advanced or fastidious.

"My Leopard (aka OS X 10.5) experience "
"Leopard stuff for editors"
HD for Indies posts on installing Leopard on the blogger's souped-up FCP systems. AJA has not issued drivers for Leopard. Blackmagic released drivers very quickly.