How is this going to affect how Avid handles assurance with their software only MC software?

Is there any free assurance time with the upgrade??  This was not in the memo.

Also... it's saying the online solution versus calling and speaking to Customer Support?  Is this outside of an assurance contract as well?  Were assurance contracts hit with this new offer for software only MC as well?

I'm a Media Composer guy so I'm pretty happy since I received the email yesterday

Interesting shift........

As I mentioned earlier, During the announcement we asked this question. We were told that Avid is not prepared to discuss their plans for assurance yet. 

This info will be forthcoming.

 Hey BLKDOG, I'm very impressed with your dedication to this forum and answering the plethora of questions fired at you from everywhere with this latest bit of news...great job!

I have to ask though...do you get to actually spend "down time" editing anymore?

I just got the email today, and I think this is a great move at a great price.

Keep up the good work!

Fortunately I had a Client Cancel yesterday. Otherwise you guys would be on your own!

BLKDOG:

this is EXACTLY why you will never see anyone at Avid quote a timeframe for a release.

Never???  to repeat - from the 720p25 thread

19 Jan 2008 "Avid tech Michael reports 720p25 will be in the next release, slated for 2nd quarter. "

to give you your due Blkdog you hinted at a little caution -

19 Jan "Avid is hoping that it will be ready to go soon but I have been hearing "Next release for a while now."

but then on  21 Jan from Marianna -

Wow...could barely read that type.

You need to listen very carefully. The new version of software very well may be released in Q2 HOWEVER no one at Avid should have PROMISED you anything because stuff happens in these development cycles all the time and, if you are betting the farm on Michael's ill advised mention of Q2, then you could be setting yourself up for failure. We may get to the end of the cycle and 720p/25 is the one feature they pull because it didn't work. THEN where would you be?

You need to stop hanging on one mention of a quarter and start planning your workflow around what happens if it's NOT released. It's the only way you will be safe.

Now, there's no way I can even begin to guess what the upgrade will or will not cost. However, i can tell you that this feature, if it ends up in the final release, will require the upgrade to the current version of the software.

I have a question regarding the differences between Xpress pro and Media Composer.  Are the keyboards the same, and are there a lot of differences in shortcuts etc?

 I just upgraded to 5.8 xpress and now this new news.  One of the unmentioned part of this subject is how much new equipment wil be needed to one the Media Composer.

That could mean that a lot of us smaller editors will slowly be out of the market. 

To what new equipment are you referring? CPUs?

beckirk:

I have a question regarding the differences between Xpress pro and Media Composer.  Are the keyboards the same, and are there a lot of differences in shortcuts etc?

There are some differences in the pre-mapped keys and a couple of the shortcuts are on mapped to different places but it's not too much different..

Minor minor minor minor interface changes.  Nothing you can't overcome in 5 mins.  Really.  I'm bouncing back and forth between MC and XPro constantly.  DO the upgrade. you'll love it!

BlkDog:

Followup to the earlier question:

Will we need any new equipment or will MC play as smoothly as it does with AXP.

 MC-software and MC with Mojo requieres the same equipment as XPP. What the new version requieres does only Avid know.

 I guess i should asked this a different way, but it looks like you have to have a mojo for MC to really work effectively and based on the specs, we will need to move up to 4gig ram and windows xp.

Is that correct or have i read the information incorrectly.

Based on the requirements and minimum is not a requirement for avid (imho), then it would mena that we will need a special build on a PC since all the new machines are coming with windows vista.  AND what what a PC tech said, Microsoft is planning on discontinuing any new installs and support of XP before end of june 2008.

DO you have any word on this or how the operating system changes will impact this MC upgrade.

If you currently work with Xpress Pro, nothing changes. Mojo is really just an advanced Firewire-video convertor (think of it as a bigger and slightly badder Canapus 110). If you haven't needed it up 'til now, you can live without it in MC. Same thing for CPU and RAM requirements. Xpress and MC are the same code through-and-through. No special build computers.

As for Vista, as long as there is eBay, you will always have access to copies of XP...