HD For Indies

Go and hit up your Software Update folks - Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 is available right this minute.

Based on what I saw at IBC, new features should include:
-24p HDV support for Canon XL H1 and JVC GY-HD100U/HD110U
-improved scopes that are live during playback
-improved XML import/export
-and more stuff

From the limited Software Update info:

Final Cut Pro Update 5.1.2 provides important bug fixes and compatibility updates for certain Canon, Sony, JVC and Panasonic devices. This update is recommended for all Final Cut Pro 5.1 and Final Cut Pro 5.1.1 customers.


Compressor also got an update to 2.3 in the last day or two as well, no useful details given.

CinemaTools gets an update as well - Cinema Tools 3.1.2 addresses inter-application compatibility and fixes some potential issues with reverse telecine when using files larger than 9 GB. ...which will be relevant for folks working with big HD files.

There's also a Pro Apps Update as well - more info here, relevant parts:

HDVCodec

HDVCodec addresses compatibility issues with Sony's XDCAM-HD 1080p24 25 Mbps CBR format and playback for the XDCAM-HD 540-line VFR formats.

This update is required for customers using Final Cut Pro 5.1.1 and the "Cine Alta" filmmaker features of Sony's XDCAM-HD cameras.

Uncompressed 422

Uncompressed 422 delivers a fix for changes in color-space and/or gamma when moving clips between Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects and addresses a codec issue leading to drawing errors in 16bpc After Effects projects. It also fixes discrepancies found between former AltiVec and the current Intel (scalar) code and delivers some performance improvements on Intel-based Macs.

This update is required for customers using Final Cut Pro 5.1 and recommended for customers using any of the Final Cut Studio 5.1 applications and Shake 4.1.

IMXCodec

IMXCodec delivers a fix for ARGB encoding on Intel-based Macs.

This update is required for customers using Shake 4.1 and recommended for Final Cut Studio 5.1 customers.

LiveType Support

This fix improves application stability when doing round-trip edits between Final Cut Pro and LiveType or Final Cut Express and LiveType. This also addresses an issue where LiveType could cause OverTheEdge's Unity to stop responding.

This update is required for customers using Final Cut Pro 5.1 and Final Cut Express HD 3.5.

FxPlug

FxPlug delivers a single image-processing plug-in architecture for pro applications.

This update is required for customers using Motion 2.1

Requirements for the Pro Applications Update 2006-01

Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later
QuickTime 7.0.4 or later


From the PDF on Late Breaking News for Final Cut Pro 5.1.2

Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 addresses effects compatibility issues and video format compatibility,
and resolves long-standing issues with video scope performance and audio output. For
updated information about format support, choose HD and Broadcast Formats from
the Final Cut Pro Help menu.
Note:
The Download Only option in Software Update is disabled for the Final Cut Pro 5.1.2
software update package.
HDV Format Support and Easy Setups
Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 includes native support and corresponding Easy Setups for the
following HDV formats:
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720p24 and 720p25 (JVC GY-HD100 ProHD camcorder)
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1080p24 and 1080p25 (Canon XL H1 HDV camcorder); also called
1080F24
and
1080F25
DVCPRO HD 720p25 and 1080pA24 Support
Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 updates compatibility with DVCPRO HD camcorder devices by adding
two new Easy Setups:
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DVCPRO HD 720p25:
This Easy Setup is used for native editing of DVCPRO HD 720p25
footage imported from Panasonic P2 cards. Final Cut Pro does not support
DVCPRO HD 720p25 capture from or output to tape.
Â
DVCPRO HD 1080pA24:
This Easy Setup is used to capture and output DVCPRO HD
1080p24 footage with advanced pulldown (2:3:3:2) to and from tape. This format uses
the same advanced pulldown technique as NTSC 24p. The footage on tape is actually
recorded at 29.97 interlaced frames per second (fps), but Final Cut Pro removes
redundant fields, resulting in a 23.98 fps progressive scan QuickTime movie on
your scratch disk.
Panasonic P2 Support
Compatibility issues with Panasonic P2 camcorders have been resolved. For more
information, see the Panasonic P2 chapter in the HD and Broadcast Formats document,
available from the Final Cut Pro Help menu.
Sony XDCAM HD Editing Support
Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 supports native editing of XDCAM HD. Ingest and export of XDCAM
HD video requires additional software from Sony. You can find out more about the
XDCAM and XDCAM HD formats at http://www.sony.com/xdcamhd.
For a thorough explanation of how to use XDCAM HD with Final Cut Pro:
Â
In Final Cut Pro, choose Help > HD and Broadcast Formats and refer to the chapter
about XDCAM HD.
Â
See http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/markets/10014/docs/
FCP_XDCAMHD_whitepaper.pdf.
Real-Time Support for MPEG IMX at 30 Mbps
Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 solves an issue that allows real-time playback and effects support for
MPEG IMX at 30 Mbps (this includes both NTSC and PAL standards).


There's more, just keep reading, especially pages 6 & 7 about live video scope output. Actually, just keep reading - I'm sitting in a theater at FantasticFest, about to watch Shinobi...

-mike