Final cut express vs. videostudio pro x2 and cyberlink powerdirector

[maverickluke]

I have been a pc guy for years, and have been using both Corel Videostudio mostly and also cyberlink powerdirector. Both these programs I have found to be perfect for doing some creative video projects. I have also recently switched to the mac and love it. Has anyone used these programs to compare? Ho do the capabilities and features of final cut express compare to these others? Thanks for your help in advance.

[edDV]

Compared with any of the PC programs you will find yourself format constrained on the Mac. Format choices come down to DV or Apple Intermediate Codec unless your system can handle uncompressed. Other formats need conversion in Quicktime Pro or third party programs like Handbrake. (See stickies in Mac forum).

FCE compares more directly with Premiere or Vegas. You build effects from tools rather than run canned routines from menus. But it is a capable edit program once you master the tutorials.

FCE is constrained vs. FCP found in the $1000 Studio package. It lacks 24p support including inverse telecine, no-multicamera support, limited audio features and no batch import tools. FCE can import iMovie projects where FCP can't. FCE lacks Compressor so is much more constrained for MPeg2 encoding vs. the Mainconcept MPeg codec you are used to in Video Studio. Video Studio also has the realtime MPeg2 import encoder module that is lacking on the Mac.

FCE is an editor so lacks the limited DVD authoring tools found in Video Studio. iDVD is very limited so you must go to Toast or another third party authoring solution.