Final Cut Express vs. Adobe Premiere Pro CS4

Dec 10

MoggyComputer, Media, Software No Comments

As you may be aware, I proudly own Final Cut Express and have no intentions of ever switching from it because it is a truly fantastic video editing application.

However, I have recently downloaded the free trial version of Adobe’s Premiere Pro CS4 and tried it out, and here are, after a few days of use, are some good and bad things about Premiere compared to Apple’s Final Cut Express – from the point of view of a moderate (but getting professional) video editor.

Final Cut Express:

Adobe Premiere Pro CS4:
Awesome Stuff about Premiere Pro CS4:
  • You don’t have to render video you import just to play (correct me if I’m wrong, but in FCE you HAVE to render every time you make an edit just to play back)
  • There’s a built in browser that allows you to drag and drop files from the browser into the timeline easily.
  • When you set up a new project, a wizard setup allows you to set all your settings – very easily.
  • Got a nicer user interface (in many ways, in others not so much)
  • Audio tracks for left and right stereo mix are compressed into just one track, not two – saves space.

Not so good about CS4, stuff that I can do in FCE:

  • In my experience FCE has run a lot smoother on my MacBook Pro, but maybe thats just me.
  • [Although I know you can easily download more…] There are more filters and effects loaded into Final Cut Express
  • Simple layout in FCE – 4 windows clearly visible. CS4 is a bit confusing to the new user.
  • More motion controls for each clip in FCE

And there’s bound to be more reasons as to which is better/worse/etc. This is just me noticing some quick things a few days into use.

So, my general opinion: If you’ve got a PC, Adobe Premiere has got to be the way to go – really great and powerful video editor. For Mac users, where Final Cut is an option, I’d say go for Final Cut Express – it is cheaper, which is handy, but is also a very good way to get learning in video editing. That said, Adobe Premiere is also very nice, and you can get a free trail to try it out and compare (like I have).

Moggy

Editing Websites you don’t own on the web with this awesome Javascript code

Dec 07

MoggyUncategorized No Comments

When you are using Safari, Firefox, IE, what have you, simply paste the following code into the address bar on a loaded webpage:

javascript:document.body.contentEditable =’true’; document.designMode=’on’; void 0

And, BOOM, you can then start editing the text in the webpage. Here’s what I did to a Google Search for ‘Best person in the world’. Click for a larger preview.

Keyboard Shortcut for the Apple Logo

Dec 07

MoggyUncategorized No Comments

When using Mac OS X, a keyboard shortcut can be used to get the Apple Logo into any text field as a symbolic character. Press:

Option + Shift + K
which gives: 
I found this pretty much by accident, although I have seen other people with this tip, so in no way am I the first, lol.

iPhone 3G now available on ‘Pay & Go’ in the UK

Dec 07

MoggyApple, Technology, iPhone/iPod touch No Comments

For those of you that haven’t heard already, the iPhone 3G has only been a contract based phone – aimed at those who will use the phone lots. 

However, Apple and O2 have now introduced the iPhone 3G as a Pay As You Go option, so users who don’t use a mobile phone massively can still get one themselves. 
Prices for the handset are as follows:
  • 8GB (black) – £342.50
  • 16GB (black) – £391.45
  • 16GB (white) – £391.45
And then O2 charge:
  • 25p per min for the first 3 mins/day, then 5p per min for the rest of the day (although not to other UK networks)
  • 10p per text message
  • 15p per each call to voicemail
  • You get unlimited browsing for free for the first 12 months, the £10 per month thereafter (although this can be unsubscribed)
It sounds expensive, which it is, but if you are a heavy phone user, go for the contract which will turn out cheaper (believe it or not) in the long run.
See more about the phone at the Apple Store here.
See more about O2 call charges here.