Production Sound & Video

Winter 2020

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1197261

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 54 of 55

and Media Composer's paired utility features in order to optimize workflow efficiency. The result is a product that stands well on its own but continues to improve the more you explore the family of products surrounding it. But when users need to venture outside of the Avid eco- system, Media Composer has the tools necessary to do it. The current editions of the program support the export of AAF, OMF, and EDL utility files, allowing media and timelines to be sent from the world of Avid into a vari- ety of third-party applications such as DaVinci Resolve, Adobe After Effects, and Pro Tools—Avid's own digital audio platform. Unfortunately, Avid's patchwork software approach can be confusing to new users, especially considering how many different price points there are for licensing. Users must exercise caution and do a fair bit of research in order to make sure they are getting the best price for their needs. It's also worth noting that while the com- plete edition of Media Composer | Ultimate has function- ality intended for sound design and mixing, no version of Media Composer includes a license for Pro Tools. As Media Composer reshaped the landscape for film edi- tors, Pro Tools reshaped the world of sound and has set the standard for audio production and post-production workflows. Users who also require a comprehensive digi- tal audio workflow solution will be required to purchase two separate licenses. This stands in sharp contrast to Avid's principal competi- tor, Adobe Systems, whose entire Creative Cloud applica- tion suite is available in its entirety for $52.99 per month with no need for additional subscriptions or hardware to utilize its core functionality. This puts Media Composer in the somewhat odd position of being both more expen- sive and less expensive than its rival, depending on what components customers choose to license and which they do not. Moreover, workflows that are reliant on external hardware for acceleration or versatility can be difficult to support on sets in remote locations. As Avid Media Composer celebrates its thirtieth birthday this year, it remains the most prolific nonlinear editing platform within our industry. More Academy Award- winning films and Emmy Award-winning series are cut on Media Composer than any other system. In spite of this, competitors from Adobe Systems, Apple Inc, and Blackmagic Design have all begun to encroach on its market share. In the coming issues of Production Sound & Video, we will provide spotlights on these products as well so that members can make the most informed deci- sions when determining which nonlinear editing family is the best investment for them. options can all be licensed annually in one lump sum, annually on a monthly basis, or as part of a month-to- month contract. Newscutter and Production pack can only be purchased through one-time payments of $499 and $699 respectively. Before licensing all of those individual options, users should look to the Cadillac software package from Avid—Media Composer | Ultimate. This bundle, which includes all of the features of the standard Media Composer application and the Symphony, Newscutter, ScriptSync, and PhraseFind options, is a compressive end-to-end post-production platform. It also includes tools and features for multi-user editing and project col- laboration, granting users the ability to make real-time reviews and revisions when working in tandem with one another. Media Composer | Ultimate is only avail- able as part of annual or monthly subscriptions. Annual licenses cost $499 for a year with discounts available for multi-year contracts. Customers can also pay $49.99 per month for a one-year license or $74.99 per month on a month-to-month basis. Unlike their competitors, Avid Technology both manu- factures and endorses high-end hardware to support their software products. Users can purchase a wide vari- ety of both first-party and third-party breakout boxes, I/O devices, and hardware accelerators that Media Composer can take advantage of in order to increase functionality, improve application stability, and render the most chal- lenging of products. When paired with these products, Media Composer becomes one of the most powerful ren- dering platforms commercially available. Their advanced storage solutions are also optimized for Media Composer integration, incentivizing productions using Avid NEXIS network-attached servers to take advantage of NEXIS As Avid Media Composer celebrates its thirtieth birthday this year, it remains the most prolifi c nonlinear editing platform within our industry.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Production Sound & Video - Winter 2020