A02 - Advantages/Disadvantages of Final Cut Pro over iMovie

Final Cut Pro: Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors. The software allows users to log and transfer videos and still images onto a hard drive (internal or external), where it can be edited, processed, and output to a wide variety of formats.


iMovie: iMovie is a proprietary video editing software application which allows Mac, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 users to edit their own home movies. 


Advantages

1. Final Cut Pro has a lot of editing features in comparison to iMovie. However, this could make it more difficult for the user to use as it may be a bit to complex. For example: Effects -> Video Filters -> Border -> Basic Border.

2. You could add more clips onto your timeline in comparison to iMovie. On iMovie you can only add 18 clips whereas you can have as many as you want on Final Cut Pro. The image below is of a clip being added to the timeline on Final Cut Pro.

3. Final Cut Pro has more precise sounding which means that you can have as many soundtracks as you want or need in comparison to iMovie. The image below shows how and where this can be done.

Disadvantages

1. Final Cut Pro takes a lot more time to fully compose a whole production in comparison to iMovie. iMovie is mainly used to edit footage and still images.

2. iMovie is easier to understand whereas Final Cut Pro is a more complex user to understand. The boxes in iMovie is where you add your clips and still images, "Drag your clips here" section is your timeline which is where your overall production will come together and the media section is where you can add audio via GarageBand and the default sounds already on the program.

3. Both Final Cut Pro and iMovie can  sometimes corrupts your file if it isn't saved properly which would then lead to all of your work becoming lost. To save your work, you should do this every 5 minutes, just to make sure that your work doesn't corrupt.