Avid Announces Media Composer 6 in 64-bit and Blackmagic Designs offers Thunderbolt Support for Avid Rebuilt from the bottom up, Avid Media Composer version 6 is getting serious about an already powerful program. Sporting a new user interface, and 64-bit processing, Media Composer will also support AVCHD and RED Epic files. On the same front, last week Blackmagic Design also announced the new Desktop Video 9.0 software updates for support for the new Avid which is good news. Avid users will be able to work with Blackmagic Designs 3.0 Thunderbolt and PCI Express video capture and playback devices.(More Blackmagic details below) From Avid in a press release dated November 3, 2011: BURLINGTON, MANov. 3, 2011Avid today announced new versions of its flagship video editing systems Media Composer version 6, NewsCutter version 10 and Symphony version 6. Media Composer version 6, Symphony version 6 and NewsCutter version 10 are rebuilt from the core on an entirely new open, 64-bit architecture that raises the bar for performance, flexibility and productivity. With this version, Avid is also introducing a sleek, new User Interfacedesigned to speed workflows while simultaneously preserving the same functionality that so many professionals have built their careers on. In addition, these systems include support for third-party hardware, AVCHD and RED Epic support with Avid Media Access (AMA), an Avid DNxHD 444 codec, and support for Avid Artist Color. Together with existing Avid innovations such as AMA, for direct access to file-based media; Avid PhraseFind, powered by Nexidia, and Avid ScriptSync for phonetic searching and editing; and real-time Mix and Match, allowing multiple formats in the same timelinethis major release reinforces Media Composer, NewsCutter and Symphony systems as the ultimate professional editors on the market, specifically designed to meet the creative and technical demands of the broadest array of editing workflows. More Open, More Flexible Leverage existing hardware investments and easily add Avid editing systems into current workflow configurations thanks to the new Avid Open I/O, which enables support for popular video and audio cards from AJA Video Systems, Blackmagic Design, Bluefish444, Matrox and MOTU. Easily incorporate Avids high-performance hardware video accelerator, Avid Nitris DX the most versatile and powerful video hardware system optimized for Avid editing systemsinto high-profile film or TV workflows through its availability as a standalone hardware purchase at a new, reduced price. Nitris DX is available with one or two Avid DNxHD or AVC-Intra chips and supports full resolution and full frame stereoscopic workflows. With Symphony software, experience greater flexibility and choice for on-set and mobile editorial and color work, or meet increased facility capacitynow available as a software-only solution, at a lower cost. Enhanced Integration for the Most Demanding Post Production Workflows Increase flexibility for editorial and finishing with enhanced Pro Tools integration and 5.1/7.1 surround and extensive metadata management, which allows the transfer of more session data from Media Composer to Pro Tools. Additional metadata is available in the AAF interchange format. Extensive 5.1/7.1 surround support is also fully compatible with Pro Tools through the improved AAF capabilities. Maintain a familiar and trusted editorial process with new, industry-defining 3D stereoscopic workflows that offer full resolution, real-time editing, mixed eye workflows as well as a deep toolset, with title and conversion control. Editors can also easily export metadata into Avid or other third-party finishing systems for grading and high-end effects. Preserve full color information from HD RGB 4:4:4 sources without compromising system performance or storage through the new Avid DNxHD 444, a high-quality HD codec. Avid DNxHD 444 can help significantly enhance real-time HD production productivity with the highest color detail possible, is suitable for the most demanding productions, and is also an ideal archiving format. Additional New Editorial Capabilities to Increase Workflow Speed and Productivity Gain greater power and flexibility in high performance color correction with support for the Avid Artist Color control surface within Avid editing systems. Speed time to editing by eliminating timely transcode, re-wrap, and log and transfer processes through expanded AMA, which now offers native support for AVCHD and RED Epic as well as the ability to encode Apple ProRes (Mac OS-based systems only).
- Ease and expedite workflows and toolset expansion with the new Avid Marketplace, which offers in-system access to stock footage from Thought Equity Motion. The Avid Marketplace also enables customers to browse available video and audio plug-ins along with other products in the Avid Store to complete a suite.
Get questions answered quickly with a new Customer Assist Tool, offering direct, in-app access to guides, help, and configuration information. Gain up to 2.5 times faster encoding with Sorenson Squeeze v8, included with Media Composer, NewsCutter, and Symphony software. Avid Vantage Concurrent with the launch of todays announcement, Avid is introducing the Avid Vantage Program, an annual membership program for Media Composer and Symphony customers that provides many great benefits. The Avid Vantage Programwhich is also available to Pro Tools customersprovides subscribers with unlimited online technical support, plus deeply discounted expert phone support when they need it. They also gain access to a great collection of NewBlueFX effects (for Media Composer or Symphony subscribers) or audio plug-ins (for Pro Tools subscribers). And, for a limited time, theyll receive a high-value Avid Store coupon that can be applied to new software purchases or upgrades. Pricing and Availability New versions of Media Composer, Symphony and NewsCutter software will be available on November 15, 2011. Beginning with these releases, NewsCutter will be available for the same price as Media Composer, Symphony 6.0 will be available as a standalone software option and Nitris DX will be available as a standalone hardware option. Pricing for Media Composer 6.0 starts at $2499. Upgrade pricing starts at $299 USD. NewsCutter 10 starts at $2499. Upgrade pricing starts at $499. Pricing for Symphony 6.0 starts at $5,999. Upgrade pricing starts at $499. Nitris DX starts at $5,499. Pricing for Media Composer Academic version 6.0 starts at $295 USMSRP for educational institutions and students. Final Cut Pro (excluding Final Cut Pro X) users can purchase Media Composer with free online training to help them move from Final Cut Pro to Media Composer, for $1499. Avid Vantage Program The new Avid Vantage Program will be available during Q4 2011 to Media Composer, Symphony and Pro Tools users with all of the great benefits described above, for $149/year US MSRP. For more information about Media Composer, visit www.avid.com/mc. For more information about Avid Vantage, visit www.avid.com/avidvantage. [image:blog_post:13101]
Desktop Video 9.0 Key Features
- Certified by Avid for Avid Media Composer 6, Avid Symphony, Avid NewsCutter.
- Uncompressed and DNxHD capture and playback in Avid Media Composer 6.
- RealTime effects in Avid Media Composer 6.
- Advanced dual stream 3D workflow capturing left and right eye to separate files in Avid Media Composer 6.
Availability and Price Desktop Video 9.0 is available now free of charge from the Blackmagic Design web site.
