Apple has just launched  Final Cut X. This should have been cause for much interest in the professional world but it's quite the opposite. I've been editing at Seven on Final Cut for the last couple of months and had got to quite like it. It's really the same as Premiere Pro with a few minor differences.

I had planned to write a comparison about the differences but now I think that's a bit redundant. I'll be interested to see FCP X but from what I've seen/read so far it's more interesting to see where Apple are placing it in the market.

The harsher critics are calling it iMovie HD and that is what it looks like. It will sell for only $299 which puts it firmly in the consumer market price wise. There are no packages with DVDs anymore. It'll be an iPad like app download. It'll compete against Premiere Elements. I'm guessing they're partying at Adobe tonight as they realise the professional market is now theirs for the taking.

The less harsh critics point out that the new FCP can do more than the old FCP. Yes it can. So can Premiere Elements  but I won't buy that for my Pro work. FCP X is simpler. Yes it is. So is Elements but I won't buy that because I need complexity for my professional world.

If you look hard in Elements all the things you need can be had. It's just harder to have everything at hand. Pro has everything laid out for you to use productively. So too did FCP 7. There was a reason for the price differences beyond just the "Pro" label. For the same reasons pros buy Photoshop not Photoshop Elements.

Even if it can deliver the goods what production house is going to have high paying clients sit in a suite that looks like the software on their home computer? It's the old argument about cameras. I can shoot professionally on my HV40 but the client is not going to be impressed. They still want to see the full big rig. Dumb but true. Size matters and now it matters in software.

Looks like Apple have chosen to bail out of the pro market to me... time will tell.

By Steve Turner

I started in TV as a videotape operator for Channel Nine in 1980 and went to News editing in 1984, becoming Senior News editor for Nine Adelaide.

In 1988 moved to production editing (doing everything from sport to station promotions and programs) and then in 1989 moved to London to work for Sky News UK. This was just starting up and I helped set up the news editing operation.

The highlight of this year was covering the fall of the Berlin wall (where I location produced and edited continuously for five straight days and nights - grabbing sleep here and there). The best bit was interviewing people crossing the wall for the first time in years.

I returned to Adelaide in 1990 and freelance vision switched and also did graphics for news and production. Left again in 1991 to backpack the planet for 12 months with my partner Rochelle.

Back in 1992 and returned to production editing and graphic design for Channel Nine. I worked on all the Adelaide Formula One races (1985-1995) bar 2 (while away) doing foreign broadcast editing - packages for overseas networks in their languages.

Began Directing news in 1997 and started my own production business doing weddings and corporate work. This was followed quickly by producing science films for Flinders University and the setting up of our web business selling science related videos, CDroms, and now DVDs.

Started writing for Australian Video Camera in 2003 then Auscam when it started. Produced and shot news features for the Ten network and worked freelance on the Athen's Olympics in 2004 for Seven.

Left Channel Nine to join Channel Seven in 2005. Involved in the setup and operation of Seven's new news operation and regularly direct the six o'clock news. Directed and produced Seven's Anzac day telecasts for 2005/6 and independently produced the 13 part series "Fishing and Boating" for Channel Seven.

Produced and shot a documentary on drug abuse with an Indigenous Elders group as well as a two part docco with the RAAF. Current project include a docco on Alzheimers and another on the lives of siblings of disabled people.

I have three gorgeous small children and am a part time stay at home Dad...

...It's a busy life!!