User Guide

7
Preface
An Introduction
to Final Cut Express HD
Final Cut Express HD provides a professional-level
environment in which to edit video, mix audio, and add
effects together to create any kind of video program you
can imagine.
The last few years have seen a revolution in the use of personal computers for editing
video. Until recently, editing video projects would have required an array of
professional editing equipment. These projects can now be completed at home using a
personal computer and readily available consumer video equipment. A personal
computer with a fast processor and enough memory can now serve as a workstation
for capturing, organizing, and editing video. The finished movie can be played back on
videotape, burned on a DVD, or distributed over the Internet.
For hobbyist digital video editors, this development allows unprecedented
opportunities for increasing their creative control over their video projects. Now, using
Final Cut Express HD, video editors, including those with no professional video editing
training or experience, can create high-quality, polished digital video projects on their
personal computer.
What Is Final Cut Express HD?
Final Cut Express HD is a flexible video editing tool; when combined with a Macintosh
computer and FireWire, Final Cut Express HD can be used to capture footage from
nearly any DV camcorder. Final Cut Express HD is also a standard QuickTime
application, so you can import and export a wide variety of video, audio, graphics, and
animation file types. This flexibility makes Final Cut Express HD well suited for projects
ranging from family videos to feature-length independent films. The only limit is your
creativity.