Needs work
Second, some of the features feel half-baked. For example, while it technically supports ProRes RAW and allows you to import clips, the CST only decodes the RAW to Rec.709. Because of this, adding a LUT designed for Apple Log 2 makes the footage look terrible.
Additionally, as others have mentioned, there is no way to set custom aspect ratios. If I use Open Gate footage, I can't select my own crop or even work with 4:3 video.
Furthermore, there are no export customization options—by default, it exports to heavily compressed H.264 MP4. It would be great to have the ability to choose our own bitrate and codec for exports.
Finally, it would be nice to have a trial period for these features before being forced to purchase the full version. Since the app isn't quite ready yet, I wouldn't buy it in its current state.
Hopefully, this app continues to be updated and isn't abandoned like similar vibe-coded apps.
Response from developer
Hey I appreciate this feedback very much. And as a user myself I feel all these shortcomings. I’ve spent the past month or so working hard to not only fix these issues but enhance it to another level! Yesterday I submitted the new 3.0 version to Apple for approval so hopefully you’ll see the update in a couple days and feel the whole app take a big step towards polished. The only thing I can’t do (not for lack of trying) is the trial period. Apparently according to apples in app purchase workflow, the only way to do a free trial is if I then have a subscription model. I cannot do a like 7 day free trial and then offer a one time $10 purchase. Most people have praised my non subscription based model so far so the locked down free version with simple one time buy unlock is how I have to do it.
Great potential but so many questionable decisions
And that’s it. The executions, stability and limitations left me confused on if the app creator really designed the app for themselves or for the customers to test and waste time with.
Initially the app limits to 10 clips, ok that’s weird but maybe for some reason I may get later… no, the reason is for stability. The app gets HOT, quick. Somehow handling 4K 60 FPS log footage from a DJI Pocket 3 seems to be too much, with my phone reaching hot potato level of warmth.
Next are some settings: You can’t crop footage, you can either fill screen or move footage position in X & Y axis (why???); you cannot set custom project sizes, you are stuck with 16:9 & either landscape or portrait; export settings locks you to whatever project size you initially set up to, and all the footage exported to only 19.98 FPS (???).
The app needs more time to cook, and for the price asked for the app, I do not recommend to any professional that is short on time. You will either lost a lot of time figuring this app out, or join in and become beta tester at this time.
Update solved my issues
Response from developer
Hey! Sorry you experienced that bug. It absolutely should work with AppleLOG footage which is what I built it for. An update just got released yesterday which fixed a ton of bugs. If you would mind testing it again? If you still have any issues please email me michael@initialfocusmedia.com
Excellent
Also, the title template is blacked out in the final export.
Also, I’d love to be able to add background music to my project.
Once again, great work. I love it and I look forward to the updates with the bug fixes.
Response from developer
Hey thanks so much for the support! So the 10 video import but should have been fixed with the 1.5 update that came out a couple days ago so hopefully you’re good there now. The title bug I fixed and submitted a new update to Apple yesterday so you should get that in the next day which smoothed out and increases performance of the app a ton! Background music, separate audio, secondary video track and much more are in the works :)
Great App but needs optimization
Response from developer
First of all I appreciate you being one of the first to try the app 🙌🏼 secondly I hear you on those optimizations. I just submitted a 1.5 version to Apple which should be approved soon and fix a lot of bugs you may have experienced as well as added a ton of new tools. Export time is next on my list to speed up dramatically!
