Final Cut Pro 4, the next generation of Apple's editing software for film, HD, SD and DV, introduces more than 300 new features, including RT Extreme for real-time compositing and effects, powerful new interface customization tools, new high-quality 8- and 10-bit uncompressed formats, full 32-bit floating point per channel video processing, advanced trimming and timeline tools such as support for dynamic and asymmetrical trimming, and enhanced audio editing capabilities with multi-track audio mixing and multi-channel audio output.

Final Cut Pro 4 also includes three completely new complimentary applications-LiveType for advanced titling, Soundtrack for music creation and Compressor for full featured batch transcoding.

"Final Cut Pro 4 stole the show at this year's National Association of Broadcasters convention, sweeping the best of show awards for non-linear editors," said Sina Tamaddon, Apple's senior vice president of Applications. "Packed with features light years ahead of the competition, including full 32-bit floating point per channel video processing for the first time in an editing system costing less than $100,000, Final Cut Pro 4 sets new standards in video editing."

"KTVX's newsroom recently replaced its Avid systems with a complete Final Cut Pro environment, and we can't wait to upgrade to Final Cut Pro 4," said David Bird, regional director of engineering, ABC's Salt Lake City affiliate KTVX. "The news business demands high-performing tools for getting stories turned around quickly. Our producers, reporters and editors are extremely impressed by Final Cut Pro 4's powerful and efficient editing capabilities, and we think it'll integrate seamlessly into our newsroom workflow."

With its open architecture, Final Cut Pro 4 is leading the emergence of a new ecosystem of professional video solutions based on open formats and industry standards. Final Cut Pro 4 fits into virtually any production pipeline and provides incredible developer extensibility through a new XML interchange format and FireWire-based I/O framework. Partners such as Panasonic, AJA, Automatic Duck, Quantel, Pinnacle, Omneon and Curious Graphics have already announced tools that integrate Final Cut Pro 4 into a wide range of production workflows.

Final Cut Pro 4 is one sale for a suggested retail price of $999. Registered Final Cut Pro users can upgrade to Final Cut Pro 4 for $399.