Apple has focused on online electronic delivery functionality in this release of FCP X, and on embedding direct compression and upload support for video streams on Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, and CNN's iReport formats, other Apple devices, DVDs, and the much-anticipated support for Blu-ray format.

The H.264 acceleration is amazingly fast compared to previous Apple tools, creating a full-resolution 1080p23.98 file faster than real time. No longer does it take hours to compress for website delivery. Compressor 4 has been fully integrated into Final Cut Pro X, providing easily importable export workflows for editors.

However, output options are currently limited due to the lack of third-party hardware devices. Without hardware output, the broadcast industry requirements to deliver HDCamSR videotape with a defined order of multiple audio tracks is seriously constrained. Capture and playback of content for live events has similar problems, since Final Cut Pro has been a growing staple in many live broadcast trucks for a number of years.

When there's a wholesale out with the old and in with the new, there's bound to be some irreconcilable losses. FCP X has its share.