Apple today introduced Final Cut Server, a powerful new server application that works seamlessly with Final Cut Studio 2 to provide media asset management and workflow automation for post production and broadcast professionals. A scaleable server application that supports workgroups of any size, Final Cut Server includes a cross-platform client that enables content browsing, review and approval from within a studio or over the Internet. Final Cut Server automatically catalogs large collections of assets and enables searching across multiple volumes via an intuitive user interface. Final Cut Server is designed to manage the flow of work, as assets and projects move from producer to editor to artist through the entire production process.
“Final Cut Server’s powerful media asset management capabilities simplify managing the thousands of assets that make up a typical edit,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing, in the press release. “And Final Cut Server’s sophisticated workflow automation tools ensure projects flow smoothly through an organization, enabling everyone to be more productive.”
“Apple has done it again—they’ve taken media asset management, simplified it and made it affordable, and most importantly, it works right out of the box,” said Jeffrey Birch, vice president, Engineering, CBS Television Stations, in the press release.
Final Cut Server automatically catalogs content, generating thumbnails and low resolution clip proxies in the process. Broad search capabilities extend from simple keywords to complex combinations of IPTC, XMP and XML metadata. Final Cut Server can configure a range of highly specific access controls that define user permissions on an asset or project basis.
Final Cut Server includes customizable templates that manage the flow of work typically found in broadcast, post and education environments. Sophisticated watch-and-respond systems can be configured to track the progress of assets, alert editors as projects move through the production pipeline and automatically notify producers by email when a project is ready for evaluation. In addition, location-independent review and approval tools enable clients to view, annotate and approve content from anywhere.
Final Cut Server includes a time-saving shot selection and editing tool that supports drag and drop integration with Final Cut Pro 6 projects. An offline/online workflow enables editors to work with HD proxies in the field on a MacBook Pro. Final Cut Server integrates directly with Compressor 3 for delivery and provides pristine format conversions for publishing to broadcast television, web, iPod, Apple TV, DVD and mobile phones.
Final Cut Server will be available this summer through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of US$999 for one server and 10 concurrent client licenses, and $1,999 for one server and unlimited client licenses.
Full system requirements and more information on Final Cut Server can be found at http://www.apple.com/finalcutserver
The countdown to the WWDC begins..
How well this works outside of a press release remains to be seen, the devil is always in the details.. but what other obsticles are in Apple’s way to take over the video content production business from AVID?
Are there any major pieces of the puzzle that Apple doesn’t have covered?
You have to remember that Final Cut Server is probably heavily (i.e. almost totally) based on Proximity’s artbox and that Apple acquired Proximity lock, stock and barrel back in December 2006.
I would imagine that the intervening period has been spent giving it the Apple pro apps look and feel.
Expect Videoripper to turn up as an ingest system at some point in the future, and expect Xenotrack/Xenostore to turn up as Aperture Server.
Aperture Server… you vastly overestimate the demand for such a system, methinks
As I posted on the NAB thread, I think at WWDC Steve Jobs will call 2007 (or maybe 2008) the “Year of 3D”.
Just look at the box for Final Cut Server.
I was a Mike once. Once.
This server app will rule if it does what it says it will.
The price is right and positions it for all small and medium sized production houses. But I wonder how large it scales in terms of client number, etc… we’ll see.
Andrew Hamilton
Video Production Las Vegas
http://www.hiproductions.com
Aperture Server… you vastly overestimate the demand for such a system, methinks
Possibly.
What we have here is a workflow management tool. What Apple SHOULD have done was created a general workflow manager, and had Final Cut Server be an proof implementation of it.
Such a manager would make a fine addition to a theoretical Apple office suite…..
Hmmm… interesting thought.. workflow management, Apple style..
Guess lets see what Apple cooks up for Leapard in WWDC.. come on June!
Hey, just lettin’ ya know: Still a DOUCHE!!!
Man, that box cover art reminds me of some stamps I licked once in 1969.
Oh pleez, stop all the announcements before I faint. 2007 is clearly the year of the Mac. The flood of Mac-related releases is overwhelming. I, for one, can’t take much more excitement. Please Apple, SLOW DOWN!!!!!
Quit it! Yer spoutin’ so much shit up there that I can’t keep up, iMaki.
Such a manager would make a fine addition to a theoretical Apple office suite…..
—
Because… every home demands a workflow management tool from their $79 iWork suite.
@cubert
Umm.. the year of 3D was many years ago. You could’ve said that 1955 was the year of 3D, at least at the movies.
I would not think that SJ would say anything like the Year of 3D…. it’s been out for awhile now…
hey andrew
who the hell cares about your link to your dumbass website ?
Maybe you and DL Meyer should go out and do lunch !
http://mytop-in.net/go/030207160042.html .
ok,. shut the fuxk up already with your whining about people posting their website addys. If they want to do it and you don’t like it, then don’t click the link. The only thing more anoying than their links, is your constant baby like behavior toward it.
and no, this isn’t coming from Andrew or dl meyer ya putx
@-@head
Dropping web links that are not associated with the story or discussion thread is the same spamming. I don’t like it either. These guys are simply looking for free advertising and popularity ranking. This site has ENOUGH ads without fake commenters dropping their links here like so many turds.
Whilst I don’t really mind Andrew posting a link to his site, when I click on it I immediately know I’m never going to use Hamilton International Productions…
…Andrew, sort your site out ASAP, it’s revolting. Was it designed in the dark by a team of monkeys?
“Was it designed in the dark by a team of monkeys?”
I think Blind Monkey Web Designs might be offended.
;-p
While it doesn’t particularly bother me that people drop their own adlinks I do have to say that Andrew’s site is just fugly.
Dude, give me any of us a call as any decent Mac user with a Web design app like SandVox can redo your site in all of 1-2 days and make it look 1000 times better.
For a modest fee, of course.