Online Editing on Non–Final Cut Pro Editing Systems
The offline/online editing workflow is the same regardless of the type of editing
systems you use for each phase. The critical step is generating a project interchange file
that correctly translates your edit decisions from one system to another. Transferring
from an offline Final Cut Pro system to an online Final Cut Pro system is easy because
both systems recognize the native Final Cut Pro project file format. However, there are
situations when you want to use a non–Final Cut Pro system for online editing, usually
to take advantage of the unique features of that system.
Transferring your sequence to a non–Final Cut Pro system requires an intermediate
project interchange format. Some examples of non-Final Cut Pro online editing
systems include:
 Tape-based linear editing suites: These are traditional online suites, complete with
high-quality monitors, a waveform monitor and a vectorscope, several playback
decks and a record deck, a video switcher with effects, and a computer-based edit
controller. These systems usually only recognize EDLs, which are the oldest and most
limited project interchange format.
 Other nonlinear editing systems: These are systems similar to Final Cut Pro, such as
Avid, Media 100, and Premier Pro. These systems each recognize their own native
formats, and some also recognize the AAF format. The Final Cut Pro XML Interchange
Format can be used in conjunction with third-party plug-ins to export Final Cut Pro
sequences to the native formats of other nonlinear editing systems.
Note: Some systems recognize OMF project files, but Final Cut Pro can export only audio
information in the OMF format, so this is not an option for transferring video editing
information to another system. In Final Cut Pro, OMF is used only for audio interchange.
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Part I
Media and Project Management