Final Cut Server

Final Cut Server
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Final release
1.5 / July 23, 2009
Operating systemMac OS X
TypeVideo editing software
LicenseProprietary
WebsiteArchived 2011-03-28 at the Wayback Machine

Final Cut Server is Apple's discontinued server-based backend for managing Final Cut Studio files (particularly Final Cut Pro) and for workflow automation. Based on Proximity's artbox package,[1] Final Cut Server includes media asset management tools[2] with access controls and was designed to catalog any media file type and allow addition of custom metadata to make those files searchable.[3][4] Final Cut Server runs on macOS, and is accessed through a Java client and QuickTime framework running on Windows and macOS. Apple announced the discontinuation of the software in June 2011, replacing it with Final Cut Pro X.

Release

Arising from Apple's acquisition of the Proximity Group in 2006,[5][6] the development of Final Cut Server was announced in April 2007 at NAB 2007.[7][8] It was released in early April 2008, with pricing at $999 for the 10-client license and $1,999 for the unlimited client license.[9][10]

On July 23, 2009, v1.5 was released,[11] coinciding with an update to Final Cut Studio.[11] The upgrade changed the pricing structure by eliminating the original 10-client license and reducing the cost of the unlimited client license to $999. Upgrades from Final Cut Studio v1.1.1 to v1.5 for both the unlimited license and the older 10-client license were $299. With the purchase of the upgrade, the 10-client license was converted into an unlimited client license. Feature updates in version 1.5 included the addition of global searches accessible to a workgroup, integration of Active Directory permission sets, updated search engine performance and further proxy settings.[citation needed] Version 1.5.2, which includes some fixes, was released in May 2010.[12]

In June 2011, Apple announced the discontinuation of Final Cut Server, as Final Cut Studio was discontinued in favor of Final Cut Pro X.[13][14]

Reception

In 2008, Macworld said of version 1.1, "Final Cut Server has powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use catalog and searching capabilities", has heavy integration with Final Cut Studio, and is better than other asset management systems by dynamically updating even from many small distributed volumes not directly connected to the server. However, there were some usability concerns.[15] In 2010, Definition magazine's extensive review praised it as transformative to even a single editor's workflow, from end to end, especially in synchronizing multiple workstations.[16]

References

  1. ^ Leathers, David (September 1, 2008). "Apple Final Cut Server". studiodaily.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023. Final Cut Server grew out of artbox, a digital asset management tool from a company called Proximity that Apple acquired at the end of 2006
  2. ^ Geller, Matthew (2008). Getting Started with Final Cut Server. Peachpit. ISBN 9780321510242.
  3. ^ "Final Cut Server Fact Sheet" (PDF). Apple. Retrieved November 21, 2023 – via macdailynews.com.
  4. ^ Nguyen, Vincent (February 14, 2019). "Apple Keynote From NAB 2007". SlashGear. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  5. ^ "Apple's Final Cut Server Built Off of Proximity Group's Artbox Enterprise". 9to5Mac. April 15, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  6. ^ O'Grady, Jason D. (April 15, 2007). "Apple announces Final Cut Studio 2 and Server at NAB". ZDNET. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  7. ^ "Apple Introduces Final Cut Server" (Press release). Apple. April 15, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008.
  8. ^ Kim, Arnold (April 15, 2007). "NAB: Final Cut Server, Final Cut Studio 2, ProRes 422, IO-HD [Event Over]". MacRumours. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  9. ^ Weintraub, Seth (April 8, 2008). "Final Cut Server now shipping from Apple". Computerworld. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  10. ^ Warren, Christina (April 8, 2008). "Final Cut Server released". Engadget. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Leathers, David (July 23, 2009). "The New Final Cut Studio". studiodaily.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  12. ^ Michaels, Philip (May 3, 2010). "Final Cut Server update contains a pair of fixes". Computerworld. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  13. ^ Hughes, Neil (June 21, 2011). "With release of Final Cut Pro X, Apple discontinues Express and Server". Apple Insider. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  14. ^ Golson, Jordan (June 22, 2011). "Apple Discontinues Final Cut Express with Launch of FCP X". MacRumours. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  15. ^ Curtis, Mike (July 23, 2008). "Review: Final Cut Server 1.1". Macworld. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  16. ^ Fice, Alex (May 5, 2010). "Review—Final Cut Server". Definition. Retrieved November 21, 2023.