Cinema Tools is a software program for filmmakers, to use in conjunction with Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...

. It facilitates the creation of an integrated film database

Database

A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...

, allowing the management of film material through telecine

Telecine

Telecine is transferring motion picture film into video and is performed in a color suite. The term is also used to refer to the equipment used in the post-production process....

.

Overview

Cinema Tools is software bundled with Final Cut Studio

Final Cut Studio

Final Cut Studio is a professional video and audio production suite for Mac OS X from Apple Inc., and a direct competitor to Avid Media Composer in the high-end movie production industry...

 that combines film database tools with conversion tools. It is used to log and keep track of film as well as to reverse telecine

Telecine

Telecine is transferring motion picture film into video and is performed in a color suite. The term is also used to refer to the equipment used in the post-production process....

 or perform advanced pulldown from standard 30 frames per second to 24 frames per second. Since NTSC

NTSC

NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...

 standards are 29.97 frame/s (frames per second), digital formats must be recorded via telecine to NTSC standard from the 24 frame/s source. Cinema Tools pulls out the redundant frames

Data frame

In computer networking and telecommunication, a frame is a digital data transmission unit or data packet that includes frame synchronization, i.e. a sequence of bits or symbols making it possible for the receiver to detect the beginning and end of the packet in the stream of symbols or bits...

 and/or fields

Field (video)

In video, a field is one of the many still images which are displayed sequentially to create the impression of motion on the screen. Two fields comprise one video frame...

 associated with the footage and converts it back to its native 24p

24p

In video technology, 24p refers to a video format that operates at 24 frames per second frame rate with progressive scanning . Originally, 24p was used in the non-linear editing of film-originated material...

 format.

History

The application was first released in 2002 as a stand-alone product http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2002/apr/05cinema.html. It was then included as part of version 4 of Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...

 (see press release).

See also a release history in context with the rest of Final Cut Studio.