Must Have Plug-ins & Software

Need to extract video from a DVD? Integrate Windows media with Final Cut Pro? Convert a sequence from Final Cut Pro to send to Avid or After Effects? Want a free set of on-screen guides and grids for title and graphic positioning? These options and others are among the software suggestions listed here.

DVDxDV: Convert non-copy protected DVD's back into high quality editable video in several QuickTime formats. http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm

HDVxDV: Convert HDV video from any camera into SD or HD QuickTime files that can be edited in Final Cut. http://www.hdvxdv.com/

MPEG Streamclip: Convert MPEG-1, 2, 4 into many different QuickTime formats. Click http://www.squared5.com/

Flip4Mac WMV Player: Free player for watching Windows media in QuickTime Player or the Safari web browser: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx

Flip4Mac: Several version levels depending on your needs. Used to convert Windows Media files (WMV) to QuickTime files for editing on the Mac. Export to WMV directly from Final Cut, QuickTime and other apps: http://www.flip4mac.com/wmv.htm

Automatic Duck: Conversion products to simplify what used to be very laborious processes. Convert FCP projects into Avid; Avid to FCP; Avid, FCP and Motion into After Effects; FCP to Pro Tools with more info than a Final Cut OMF export; Avid, FCP or Premiere into Combustion and more: http://www.automaticduck.com/

DH_Guides and DH_Grid from Digital Heaven: Two FREE plug-ins to overlay customized grids and guidelines in Final Cut for help with compositing split screens, titles, etc: http://www.digital-heaven.co.uk/freeware/dh_grid.php

VideoSpace from Digital Heaven: Free Dashboard widget to quickly determine media storage needs for Final Cut by entering codec, frame rate, frame size and media duration: http://www.digital-heaven.co.uk/videospace/index.php

FCP Rescue: Handy little shareware program that backs up, trashes and restores a backup of your preferences for various versions of Final Cut Pro: http://fcprescue.andersholck.com/

cineSpace: Color management system for precision finishing and consistency. Profiles, custom LUTS for monitors, digital projectors, film: http://cinespace.risingsunresearch.com/