Apple announces a significant update to Final Cut Studio, with more than 100 new features and new versions of Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Color and Compressor. The industry’s leading video post-production suite, Final Cut Studio features Final Cut Pro 7 with new versions of ProRes to support virtually any workflow, Easy Export for one-step delivery, and iChat Theater integration for real-time editing collaboration from anywhere in the world. Motion 4 includes enhanced text and 3D tools that make it easy to create everything from basic titles to stunning motion graphics, and Soundtrack Pro 3 features voice-level match and dozens of new multitrack editing tools to streamline audio post-production. Color 1.5 includes wider format support and improved integration with Final Cut Pro, and Compressor 3.5 adds new features designed to simplify and speed up digital delivery.

Upgrade Pricing and Availability

Final Cut Studio is now available. The U.S. retail price of Final Cut Studio is $999. Current owners of Final Cut Studio, Production Suite, or Final Cut Pro can purchase an upgrade for $299. Upgrades are available only for retail versions.

Edit, animate, mix, grade, and deliver on a Mac with Final Cut Studio. It includes more than 100 powerful new features. Use new versions of the ProRes codec to edit at high quality with reduced file sizes in a wide variety of workflows. Work with clients or colleagues in real time from anywhere in the world using iChat Theater. Add dramatic 3D graphics, repair common audio problems, and automate delivery in just a few clicks. The leading post-production suite now includes significant upgrades to Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Soundtrack Pro and updated versions of Color and Compressor. It also includes DVD Studio Pro, the industry standard for DVD authoring.

Top Features

• Expanded ProRes family. Edit even faster at higher quality across workflows ranging from offline editing to broadcast events to high-fidelity compositing.
• Easy export. Use the new Share window in Final Cut Pro 7 or Motion 4 for single-click delivery to your Apple devices, the web, a Blu-ray disc, or a DVD.
• iChat Theater support. Work with clients or colleagues in real time from anywhere in the world. Just send your Final Cut Pro video to iChat Theater.
• New speed change tools. Change clip speeds with ease from the redesigned Change Speed window in Final Cut Pro 7. You can also create constant or variable speed changes in the Timeline.
• 3D shadows and reflections. Motion 4 lets you add dramatic shadows and dazzling reflections that respond naturally as objects and lights move through 3D space.
• Voice-level match. The new Voice Level option in the Soundtrack Pro 3 Lift and Stamp tools lets you instantly match dialogue levels across your project.
• Support for 4K files. Color 1.5 lets you grade and render at maximum quality, with a workflow that supports native 4K files from cameras such as the RED ONE.
• Batch templates. New batch templates in Compressor 3.5 let you automate end-to-end encoding workflows including settings, destinations, and post-encoding delivery.
• DVD authoring. Produce studio-quality DVD titles with drag-and-drop ease using DVD Studio Pro 4.

[Available from Apple Inc]

*Okay, it may not propel you back in time like the one in Back to the Future, but it sure would look cool in your car. According to ThinkGeek; “Please Note: ThinkGeek is not responsible for any problems created in this, or any other, time stream. Nor are we responsible if you are pulled over for speeding and try to get out of it by claiming you had to get up to 88mph.”

[$249.99 from ThinkGeek]

[Story removed by request - 5/18/2009]

While everyone is waiting for James Cameron’s Avatar, maybe with Panasonic’s new ”3D Full HD” camcorder, you can create your own masterpiece in 3D. The camera features two lenses that record two separate video tracks onto Panasonic’s proprietary P2 flash memory which should produce video that will work well with Panasonic’s recently announced 3D plasmas displays. While the picture to the left is just a concept photo from their NAB exhibit, Panasonic has announced they are starting ”development of a 3D Full HD Production System.”

[via Panasonic]