bogiesan said:
Another attempt can be made via XML but i cannot recall if FCP4 had the capability, it might not have shown up till 4.5. which begs the question, 4.5 was free update, why didn't he do it.
In the big scheme of things, if you are going to be working together, forcing him to buy the upgrade to FCP5 or FCS is going to pay for itself in about a month of all of your wasted time trying to make what should be a simple thing work.
bogiesan
XML is a very effective choice... but only to go to FCP4.5 [FCP HD]. I have definitely had good luck with it, tho i have noticed that audio effects and dissolves translate strangely in some cases. And any variable speed effects will not transfer at all from 5 to 4.5, as 4.5 does not have native variable speed effects. Otherwise, I've found it to be quite efficient for simple projects, and decent for more complicated projects.
Also, note that 4.5 only inports Type 1 xml files, so you MUST export a type1 file from FCP5 - Go "File>Export>XML," then select "type 1." [sorry if this isn't exact, I'm recalling this from memory] Should work.
If 4.0 is your only option, an EDL may be your only choice. Good luck.