Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express

Hi,
I am teaching a stop-motion animation class and need to order three seats of Final Cut Pro. I am trying to find out what I would be missing if I purchased the less expensive Final Cut Express.
Everyone I have talked to is a little sketchy about the features included in the less expensive software. For example, can I still layer clips in the timeline and change their opacity?
My course is on a tight budget so every dime counts.
Thanks

There is a comparison chart over at apple dot com between iMovie, FCE and FCP. Thats a good place to start.

[www.apple.com]

Only link I can find is Apple Austrailia but no matter. Ignore the prices.

As for real world in a classroom hopefully Tom Wolsky will see this and answer.

Michael Horton
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Final Cut Express is DV and HDV capable only! Final Cut Pro can edit DV/HDV-SD or true HD of many flavors. FCE has most of the features of FCP, except the 3 color corrector filter and a few other high end filters. I am not sure, but I think it now has timecode whereas, the first version of FCE didn't.

Also depends a bit on which Macintosh you are planning on using to host FCx.

Also, if you're teaching at a school, be it public or private, Apple has educational versions with special pricing available. A local dealer should be able to help with that.

ClayC

Hi,
I appreciate the information. It looks like the Final Cut Ex will be just fine for my class, which is stop-motion animation.
John

>>can I still layer clips in the timeline and change their opacity<<

Yes you can.

This has been FAQ'd here : FAQ : Should I get FCP or FCE?