Avid Makes Big Changes with Release of Media Composer 5

Final Cut lost one of it’s better selling features with the release of Avid’s Media Composer v5. Although Final Cut still retains it’s “one stop studio” (similar to that of the more consumer used Adobe Production Suite), Avid has now incorporated the drag and drop format for video and audio along with the ability to import footage without having to transcode. The latter being one of the biggest complaints of Final Cut users when working with Media Composer, since the ability to just grab (most) video formats and simply import them into your project in seconds has always been a primary function of workflow with FCP. Well, now Avid has finally added this convenient little feature to v5, and it will certainly take a little wind out of the sails of Final Cut’s ambitious climb to topple Avid in the post production market.

Along with this function, Media Composer v5 has also added the following

•Directly access and edit RED files through AMA, without transcoding (images are scaled to HD frame size)
•Work natively with QuickTime video formats, including Apple ProRes and H.264
•Keep high-end finishing projects in-house and gain great color precision with HD-RGB support (including dual-link I/O support with Nitris DX systems)
•Monitor video externally with support for the Matrox MXO2 Mini
•Mix and match frame sizes and aspect ratios — in addition to formats, frame rates, and resolutions — in the same timeline
•Take a break during long renders and have your system email you when the job’s done
•Import AVCHD files directly from cameras and other devices
•Capture to and edit XDCAM HD and DVC PRO HD formats from baseband without additional hardware
•Access low-res XDCAM proxies for offline work, with full-quality audio
•Import text-based ancillary data and embed it in the video signal with the new “Data Track” and SMPTE 436M support using Nitris DX- and Mojo DX-based systems
•View stereo audio tracks as single channels in the timeline for easier handling
•Create high-quality sounds and mixes with support for RTAS audio processing plug-ins
•Natively access and edit 4:2:2 MPEG-2 media from the new Canon cameras using AMA

The one most may find a little gimmicky but will soon realize is quite a handy feature is the “taking a break during long renders and have your system email you when the job’s done.” At a glance one might say “Eh, whatever…” but if you think about it practically, how many times as an editor have you actually sat there or worse constantly gone back and forth checking your render because your on a clock and the ‘approximate timer countdown’ (which is constantly changing depending on what it’s rendering) is not reliable enough. This gives us the piece of mind to actually walk away from a render and know that our project won’t be sitting there for an extended period of time without us knowing if it’s done.

The bigger piece of news for v5 is of course Avid’s continuous improvement to it’s AMA (Avid Media Access) which can now handle native support of some new formats including Red One files and Avid’s support for 4:4:4 HD-RGB color so that you can preserve the full-quality color process from beginning to end. To the seasoned professional these will come in huge when working on high budget productions in which clients expect the best and are constantly trying to see the “final look” of the project.

All in all, Avid Media Composer v5 has too many features and improvements to mention here but be rest assured although some Final Cut Pro users may not be swayed at first, this version does bring Avid a step closer to regaining the independent / mid level production market although price still may pose a huge factor to some when you compare exactly what you get with a Final Cut Studio and just an Avid Media Composer. For me, I’m proud to have and use both systems, as different situations and projects can sometimes factor in what I use, but I am very impressed with this new version and look forward to see if it sways the masses or effects those up and coming future editors looking for a system to get started on.

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