The BBC announced last week that it will be [using Apple's Final Cut Pro HD][1] software for all its digital editing needs. The BBC is currently in the process of transitioning to high definition content. Initially the [BBC Factual series][2] (link is to an unofficial, but much better organized, site) will begin shooting in HD and by the end of 2010 the network aims to shoot all programs in tapeless HD.

The move to high definition is almost passé at this point, and indeed while researching an upcoming story on Final Cut Pro usage in the industry, I was somewhat surprised to learn the HD is more the norm than the exception, even if it is often still printed out to film.

However the BBC's decision to embrace Final Cut Pro HD right now seems a bit odd given that Adobe's video editing suite is rumored to be arriving later this year. Adobe Premier has been nipping at Final Cut Pro's heels for years, I think there's good reason to believe that Adobe may have some new tricks up its sleeve with the next release.

Certainly the BBC Factual is a feather in Apple's cap, and a pretty nice one at that, especially given that Final Cut Pro hasn't seen a significant updated in some time. If you can stomach the Apple PR slant, there's a video on the Final Cut Pro site that walks through [how the BBC uses Final Cut Pro][3].

For the video hardware geeks among you, the BBC Factual Studios will use Panasonic's AJ-HDX900 DVCPRO HD Camcorders well as other Panasonic equipment including the Varicam and AJ-HD1400/1200/1700 VTRs.

[1]: http://www.hdtvuk.tv/2007/03/bbc_factual_sel.html "BBC Factual selects Panasonic DVCPRO HD standard for high definition programmes"
[2]: http://www.tvfactual.co.uk/ "Unofficial BBC Factual series site"
[3]: http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/profiles/?profiles/apple_fcs_profile-bbc_h640 "BBC Final Cut Pro promotional video"