Before You Install Final Cut Pro 3
This document contains system requirements and things to do before you install the application. It also includes information on new features, how to access late-breaking news, where to start, and using the tutorials. For the latest information on product updates, tips and techniques, third-party software, and qualified third-party devices, visit the Final Cut Pro Web site at http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro
System requirements
You'll need the following hardware, software, and video equipment for Final Cut Pro:
Hardware and video equipment
- Power Macintosh G3/350 megahertz (MHz) or faster with built-in FireWire
- PowerBook G3/400 MHz or faster with built-in FireWire
- iMac 350 MHz or faster with built-in FireWire
- iBook (Dual USB) 500 MHz or faster with built-in FireWire
- A CD or DVD drive
- 256 MB random access memory (RAM) (384 MB or greater required for G4 Real-Time editing)
- A 6 gigabyte (GB), Audio/Video rated disk drive (20 GB or greater recommended)
- Dual-monitor support (optional)
- A Final Cut Pro-qualified video capture card for capturing video from an external source or exporting video to tape (optional)
- The correct FireWire or device control cable and any additional cables you may need for connecting your deck or camcorder to your computer
- A DV (digital video) source, such as a camcorder or deck, connected to your computer via a FireWire port (FireWire is also referred to as IEEE 1394 or Sony i.LINK.)
- An analog video source, a Final Cut Pro-qualified video capture card or device, and an adapter cable to connect the video source to your computer
Note: G4 Real-Time editing requires a single or dual-processor Power Macintosh G4 500 MHz or faster (PowerBook G4 667 MHz or faster recommended for real-time mobile DV editing). For more information about G4 Real-Time editing, see the Final Cut Pro Web site at www.apple.com/finalcutpro.
Software
- Mac OS 9.2.2 or Mac OS X 10.1.1 or later
- QuickTime 5.0.4 or later
Before you install Final Cut Pro
Important The French, German, and Japanese versions of Final Cut Pro are only supported on a matching localized French, German, or Japanese version of the Mac OS. Multiple localized versions of Final Cut Pro from different countries on a single system are not supported. For example, if your computer has the French version of the Mac OS installed on it, you cannot install both the French and German versions of Final Cut Pro. For more information, see the Final Cut Pro Web site at http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro
Make sure you do the following before you install the software:
- Turn off any virus protection and security software that you may have installed on your computer.
- Upgrade to Mac OS 9.2.2 or later
Final Cut Pro for Mac OS 9 requires you to use the Software Update control panel to upgrade to Mac OS 9.2.2. If you don't have Mac OS 9, you need to install it on your computer before you can upgrade to Mac OS 9.2.2.
- Upgrade to Mac OS X 10.1.1 or later
Final Cut Pro for Mac OS X requires that you upgrade to Mac OS X 10.1.1. This requires you to first upgrade to Mac OS X 10.1, then use the Software Update pane of the System Preferences to install the latest Mac OS X updates.
- Install QuickTime 5.0.4 and unlock QuickTime Pro
QuickTime 5.0.4 is included on the Final Cut Pro CD for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. See the "Final Cut Pro and QuickTime Pro Registration Numbers" document that came with Final Cut Pro or the installation chapter in Volume 1 of the manual for instructions on installing this software. To unlock QuickTime Pro, you need the registration number that's located on the front of the document.
Finding out about new features, late-breaking information, and an overview of the application
After you install Final Cut Pro, you can learn about new features and late-breaking information on known issues.
- To get the latest information about known issues with the application, choose Final Cut Pro Help from the Help menu and click "Late-breaking news."
- To find out about new features and enhancements, choose What's New? from the Help menu.
- To get a brief overview of the major tasks and windows in Final Cut Pro, choose Where Do I Start? from the Help menu.
Using the tutorials
There are several tutorials that come with Final Cut Pro. These are available in print in a separate book.
Using the documentation
The Final Cut Pro user's manual has been divided into three volumes for ease of use. Also included is a new features addendum, What's New in Final Cut Pro 3.
- Volume 1, Getting Started, Input, and Output, covers everything you need to know to set up your Macintosh with Final Cut Pro, capture video for use in your project, and output to a variety of formats.
- Volume 2, Editorial, focuses on basic and advanced editing techniques in Final Cut Pro, including transitions, trimming and working with audio.
- Volume 3, Effects and FXScript, covers Final Cut Pro's compositing tools, including motion settings, filters, generators, and how to use FXScript to create your own custom filters and generators.
- What's New in Final Cut Pro 3 covers new tools and commands that are available in Final Cut Pro 3.