Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and Media Composer: Comparing the Big Three Editing Programs

Ask a group of video editors which software they use, and you will learn quickly that there are

three favorites: Adobe, Final Cut, and Avid. What makes each of these programs so popular?

What features makes each platform different? Each editing program has benefits and

drawbacks, but editors have found that each program is reliable for piecing together short clips

and long projects alike.

Adobe Premiere Pro CS6

With Adobe, you have two different options. You can either purchase Premiere Pro outright, or

you can subscribe to the newer cloud service. Unlike purchasing the software, subscribing to

Adobe Creative Cloud on a monthly or annual basis gives you access to all Adobe creative

products. Users who have compared Premiere Pro to Final Cut Pro have reported slower

rendering times, which can cause some aggravation. Custom markers and a less cluttered

screen are favorite features for editors who prefer Adobe to the other editing programs.

Final Cut Pro X

Apple's latest Final Cut offering, Final Cut Pro X, has run into some harsh criticisms from video

editors who feel that it isn't as useful or adaptable as previous incarnations. One of the biggest

complaints is the inability to import projects from older versions of the software, making it

difficult for editors to transfer ongoing projects to the new interface. Updates for the program

give you the ability to use plugins to import projects from Final Cut Pro 7, but many users agree

that third-party plugins are not the best solution. Still, there are many great features for this

software, including the ability to browse clips without having to use separate windows and the

addition of a clean magnetic timeline.

Media Composer

Avid's Media Composer is still widely used throughout the entertainment industry, and it is a

favorite for many editors, but its capabilities are limited when compared to Premiere Pro and

Final Cut X. Projects begun in Media Composer usually need to be completed in anther

program, typically After Effects. While Media Composer is excellent for film editing, its

applications for video editing are limited. That being said, Media Composer offers a speedy

interface and professional tools that make editing easy, especially when it comes to editing for

sound. The auto-tune and fader features give editors flexibility for sound adjustments in post-

production.

Pricing

The cost for each program varies widely depending on the plugins and companion software you

choose. Both Media Composer and Final Cut Pro X will most likely require you to invest in

additional software or third-party plugins. Adobe Premiere Pro won't require as much collateral

software, but its price tag is significantly higher unless you decide to subscribe to the Creative

Cloud.

Which program is best for you? That really depends on your project needs. Premiere Pro is not

as fast as Final Cut Pro X, and Media Composer is not always as handy for video editing, but all

three programs have major benefits that make each one a compelling purchase for both

amateur and professional video editors.

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