Thoughts on the 10.1.4 Update to Final Cut Pro X

Posted on by Sudd


Yesterday, Apple updated Final Cut Pro X to version 10.1.4.

Here is a summary of what’s new in version 10.1.4:

Apple also released the Pro Video Formats 2.0 software update, which provides native support for importing, editing, and exporting MXF files with Final Cut Pro X. While FCP X already supported import of MXF files from video cameras, this update extends the format support to a broader range of files and workflows.

For more information about the new MXF support, read: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT6423


MORE DETAILS

Immediately after the release, my email lit up with people worrying that the limited new features in this update indicated a lack of interest by Apple in the application. Editors are an impatient bunch.

Keep in mind that this is Apple’s fifth free release in the past 12 months. The 10.1.2 update – which included significant enhancements to libraries, real-time LUT support, OS X Yosemite compatibility, ProRes 4444 XQ, and more – was less than six months ago.

Expanding on the bullet points above, the FCP X 10.1.4 release features key performance improvements including resolving an issue with automatic library backups; I’ve heard about that from a number of users. In addition, the new update introduces support for the AVC-LongG format. A relatively new format from Panasonic, AVC-LongG is part of the AVC Ultra family and provides high quality, high efficiency recording at smaller file sizes. It is being integrated into a number of Panasonic’s pro cameras and video recording devices, which are popular with broadcasters.

NOTE: AVC-LongG support is one of those features that you need if you own Panasonic gear and don’t care about in the least if you don’t.

This brings me to Apple’s Pro Video Formats 2.0 update. This provides native support for import, editing, and export of the increasingly popular Material eXchange Format (MXF). MXF is heavily used in pro video environments for editing, file delivery, and archiving. It’s specified as a delivery standard for European broadcasters, and it’s used as the audio and video packaging format for Digital Cinema Package (DCP).

While many US editors work with ProRes, the new MXF support is a significant upgrade for the video editors and facilities who work with that format. Many of these users are in Europe, where MXF is a delivery standard.

In the past, similar MXF support in FCP (Final Cut Pro 7 or Final Cut Pro X) required the purchase of expensive third-party plug-ins. MXF support is now built directly into not only Final Cut, but also Motion and Compressor and other media tools via today’s update, so editors can work seamlessly with other video products and platforms.

SUMMARY

Our industry is evolving at an incredible pace. All of us have our own wish list for Final Cut. Mine includes better collaboration support for small groups, improved audio mixing, better integration between FCP, Motion, and Logic, and improved speed and performance for Compressor. I’m sure your list is equally long and demanding.

None of these requests will surprise Apple. They are continuing to add staff to the Final Cut team and continue to aggressively improve the product. This was “only” a dot.dot.x release – principally bug fixes and performance improvements – with continued support for new codecs, cameras and workflows. It wasn’t intended as a major release.

There will be much more to come. Apple is not turning their back on the application, but releasing new updates and upgrades essentially every few weeks.

The recent growth of Premiere Pro and rapid development cycles from Adobe are an excellent incentive for Apple to keep pace. Competition is a wonderful thing.

Look at where we are today. Look at where we were a couple of years ago. The difference is pretty amazing.


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35 Responses to Thoughts on the 10.1.4 Update to Final Cut Pro X

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  1. Bob says:

    I’ve been working with a FCP tech for a week now on an audio waveform issue that started immediately after upgrading to Yosemite and FCP X 10.1.4 No solution yet.

    Waveforms are not drawing or are incomplete. Anyone else have this problem?

  2. Simone says:

    Hi Larry!

    Thank you so much for your article. I was hoping to see if anyone else was experiencing the strangest bugs — I’m running Final Cut Pro 10.1.4 on Yosemite, and some clip transitions aren’t working (they default to a cross dissolve), and the app itself isn’t in the Applications folder! I can only access it via Launchpad (and because I installed it in my Dock). It’s not anything major, but incredibly weird!

    Thanks!
    Simone

  3. Simone says:

    Update: Found the app; our IT guy installed it in some random folder. Gah!

  4. Faisal Khan says:

    Hi Larry
    I want to ask one thing currently i am working in FCP X 10.0 and i want to upgrade FCP X 10.1..4 so its effect on my FCP 10.0 project after upgrading. plz let me know because i have to start a new project and i want to upgrade my FCP before starting my new project .

  5. Faisal Khan says:

    Thank u sir:

    For your fast reply i think it will help me.

  6. Gsancho says:

    where is the project library tab? and why if they did, do away with this tab i can’t find none of my projects please help!

    • Larry Jordan says:

      Gsancho:

      Libraries and Events are all displayed in the Library List in the top left corner of the interface. Projects are now displayed in the Browser, at the top, before any clips are listed.

      I generally create two Events – one to store media and the other to store Projects.

      Larry

  7. Eleni says:

    Hi Larry,

    Thank you for the info. I was very excited that FCP could import MXF files natively from my SonyPMW-200. When I noticed closely I saw the strangest thing : clips were importing fine except the final 3 sec. of every clip that was getting trimmed. I have downloaded and installed both Pro Video Formats and Sony’s XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Apple.
    Any clue is appreciated!

    Eleni.

    • Larry Jordan says:

      Eleni:

      Very strange. And why 3 seconds?

      I don’t have a suggestion – perhaps another reader will. I would also contact Apple Support.

      Larry

      • Eleni says:

        Hi Larry,

        Thanks for the answer. After trying several ways, I found out that if I import directly from the camera to FCP X, without copying to Desktop, the footage is fine, right length. So I will just do that. I might also take your suggestion and contact Apple.

        Thanks for taking the time!
        Eleni.

  8. Rob Barros says:

    It would be nice if FCP 10.1.4 would ever become a grown-up editing tool. Alas, it has not.

    Why does it randomly drop footage from a timeline (from fifteen minutes previous) that hasn’t been touched in a recent session?

    That’s just the beginning of how this tool does not work.

    Very disappointed…

  9. Z. K. says:

    I have a Canon XC10 4K and I could not import MXF files into FCP X V 10.1.4 could you please help 🙂 Thanks.

  10. strauss says:

    Hi gus having a bit of a problem I wanna relink my files on fxcp 10.1.4.But th locate all option is not available.And the message that is showing is no camera,how can I relink them?

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