1.5

This chapter provides an overview of the Final Cut Server, including information about
the Final Cut Server workflow and how to install the Final Cut Server client.
This chapter covers the following:
• About Final Cut Server (p. 9)
• The Final Cut Server Client Workflow (p. 10)
• Installing the Final Cut Server Client (p. 11)
About Final Cut Server
Final Cut Server works similarly to other client/server computer networks. A client computer
sends a request to the server computers. Upon receiving the request, the server computer
performs a job to process the request and then sends the result (or message of completion
of the job) back to the client computer. Jobs can include uploading, copying, transcoding,
cataloging, and otherwise tracking media files. Media can be stored on the server
computer’s internal and external drives as well as on many supported network devices.
Larger facilities may use an Apple Xsan storage area network (SAN) for asset and
production storage.
The Final Cut Server client is the focus of this user manual. The Final Cut Server client is
software that communicates with the Final Cut Server server. The client allows you, one
of multiple users, to access the assets shared across your organization’s system. In your
Final Cut Server client, you can quickly search your organization’s asset catalog and transfer
media files between your local computer and the devices on which the assets are stored.
You can run the Final Cut Server client on Mac OS X and Windows XP or Windows Vista
operating systems. For information about system requirements, see the Before You Install
Final Cut Server and the Final Cut Server Setup Guide documents.
The Final Cut Server client provides many features to help you manage your media. These
features all use Final Cut Server assets. When you upload a media or project file to
Final Cut Server, an asset is created for it. This asset contains metadata, the original file
(called the primary representation file), and proxy copies of the primary representation file
that are used within Final Cut Server.
9
An Introduction to the
Final Cut Server Client
1