CUPERTINO, CA — Apple (apple.com) has announced a new update to Final Cut Pro X, which introduces support for ProRes RAW, providing users with the visual and workflow benefits of RAW video and the performance of ProRes. The update also adds advanced closed captioning tools that allow editors to easily view, edit and deliver captions from right within the app.
Apple states that there are more than 2.5 million Final Cut Pro seats in the market currently. The new release is Version 10.4.1.
With ProRes RAW, editors can import, edit and grade high quality footage with RAW data from the camera sensor, providing a large amount of flexibility when adjusting highlights and shadows. This makes it well suited for HDR workflows. And with performance optimized for MacOS, editors can play full-quality 4K ProRes RAW files on MacBook Pro and iMac systems in realtime without rendering.
ProRes RAW files are smaller than ProRes 4444 files, allowing editors to make better use of storage while providing an excellent format for archiving. Final Cut Pro editors can work natively with ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ files created by Atomos recorders. The format will be available as a free update for owners of Atomos Sumo 19 and Shogun Inferno devices. The format will also be available as part of a forthcoming upgrade package to users of the DJI Inspire 2 drone and Zenmuse X7 Super 35mm camera system designed for aerial cinematography.
As closed captioning becomes increasingly important around the world, Final Cut Pro now includes powerful closed captioning tools for professional filmmakers, YouTubers and students, who can now add captions without the need for third-party software or services.
Apple is also adding complementary new features to Final Cut Pro companion apps, Motion and Compressor. Motion 5.4.1 and ProRes RAW enable motion graphics artists to take full advantage of RAW image quality with a high level of performance and flexibility when designing graphics and effects. Compressor 4.4.1 gains support for closed captioning with comprehensive controls to view, adjust and deliver captions as part of a batch or iTunes Store package.
Final Cut Pro 10.4.1 will be available on April 9th as a free update for existing users, and for $299.99 for new users on the Mac App Store. Motion 5.4.1 and Compressor 4.4.1 will also be available on April 9th as free updates for existing users, and for $49.99 each for new users on the Mac App Store. Education customers can purchase the Pro Apps Bundle for Education for $199.99.
At NAB, Apple is participating in a number of presentations. The schedule includes the FCPX Guru Gathering
(www.rippletraining.com/2018-fcpx-guru-gathering) on Monday, April 9th at 7pm at the Hard Rock Cafe; and the Supermeet (https://supermeet.com) on Tuesday, April 10th at 7pm at the Rio Ballroom.