FCP or FCE?

[killapenguin2001]

I've been using iMovie for editing my home movies, and am ready to graduate to the more advanced non-linear editing software. So far they have all been just home movies, but I am considering a small side-business of filming surfers for $$$. Being a student, I can get Final Cut Express for the great price of $150 or go Pro for only $400. Being a student, though, that $250 difference is a lot of dough.

On the other hand, FCP comes with Composer, which would allow me to put royalty-free soundtracks on my movies, which would be great if I actually do start trying to sell my own productions. Anyway, I am curious as to what people have to say about either FCE or FCP. I have never used either, don't think I need all the tools in FCP. But for the price, would it be a bargain? Does FCP even support miniDV?

Thanks for any insight you may provide.

Aloha,
Joseph

[terryj]

FCP comes with Soundtrack, which if you Garageband already,
you wouldn't need Soundtrack. FCE is more like iMovie,
and going to it first then to FCP would help with any "learning curves".

Plus, you can put the $250 into a good USB midi keyboard,
and buy some stock in blank dvds.

[FCPguy]

I think it all depends on you. Is this going to be for semi prof use? or just yours? If you plan on ever selling any of that stuff, I'd recommend using FCP. It has a lot more tools and can do things FCE hasn't even thought of. They do look a lot alike, so UPgrading to FCP from FCE would be easier than just jumping into a lot of tools and menus, FCP comes w/ a lot of filters, options, and other apps that FCE doesn't. I wouldn't ever go and sell something off of FCE though and try to pass it as prof, but that's me. FCP does support mini dv, and my advice slightly differs from above, by saying:
if the movies are for you and friends- than get FCE and the dvd media and maybe a keyboard, or put some $ into savings for a better camera, or if you plan on really getting some money for your videos- definitely get the pro app. There are a lot of sites devoted to helping that community (and they aren't near as nice if they have to convert their answers into FCE, in fact you may not get your answer if you tell them that) Sad, but some people aren't cool! But feel free to shoot questions out and hopefully someone will hear your cry
Good luck and remember either way, you're about to get a kick ass piece of software!!! Peace out-

[tgpo]

If you plan on ever selling any of that stuff, I'd recommend using FCP.

You can't. Student versions are for learning only, you're only "allowed" to sell things created with full versions.

[FCPguy]

That's part of why I was recommending buying the actual program (BTW, Your webpage is marked as a great lesson on making templates for DVDSP, really well done homie! Hope you're as excited about 3 as I am!) Peace

[tgpo]

That's part of why I was recommending buying the actual program (BTW, Your webpage is marked as a great lesson on making templates for DVDSP, really well done homie! Hope you're as excited about 3 as I am!) Peace

Thanks man. I'm looking forward to 3 and seeing what all it has to offer.

[killapenguin2001]

Thanks for the good info. I'll probably end up getting FCE for learning purposes, as a "stepping stone" to the pro app. I wasn't aware of the policy about not making money off of educational software, but I guess it makes sense. javascript:emoticon('')

Plus the smaller shell-out of cash will work a lot better with my wallet.

aloha,
joseph