When you purchase an upgrade from Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Media Composer software on the online store, you will receive a physical shipping box. Inside the box is a card with a sticker that explains the steps required to upgrade the application key (dongle).   

Many of you who’ve upgraded your Avid Xpress Pro software over the years online through a download process received your product key on the store confirmation order form.

Important: With a physical upgrade, the process is different in that the product key is inside the box on the upgrade card. 

To update your application key (dongle), you will need to download a dongle updater (.avd) file from Avid and update your dongle.

Download Your Dongle Updater: (These instructions are also on your upgrade card.)

1.      Install but do not launch your new Avid Media Composer software.

2.      Connect the application key (dongle) to a USB port on your computer.

3.      Determine your system ID and serial number by doing one of the following:

a.      Note the system ID and serial number on the tag attached to your dongle. If you have a dongle labeled with both Windows and Mac system IDs, use the Windows system ID and serial number, even if you’re using a Mac.

b.      If the tag is no longer attached to your dongle, run DongleManager to obtain your system ID and serial number. DongleManager is located in one of the following locations on your computer:

Windows:

ProgramFiles\Avid\Utilities\DongleManager\DongleManager.exe

Mac:

Applications/Utilities/DongleManager/DongleManager.app

Double-click the DongleManager application file and then click the Scan tab. Click Rescan, and write down the following information:

Avid System ID _______________________________

Dongle Serial Number __________________________

4. Once you have your system ID and serial number, go to www.avid.com/upgrade.

5. From the pull-down menu, choose Avid Media Composer 2.8.

6. Follow the online instructions to download and save the dongle updater file (.avd) to your computer. You will need to enter your system ID, serial number, and your upgrade key/product key (the one on your upgrade card) as well as your name and email address from when you originally registered your Xpress Pro system.

Update Your Dongle

1. Double-click DongleManager to launch it (see the instructions above for the application’s location).

2. Click the Update tab.

3. Click the Open button, navigate to the dongle updater (.avd) file, and then click Open. An automatic test occurs to make sure your dongle matches the dongle updater file. The updater file works only on the dongle (or dongles) for which it was assigned.

4. Click Update to update your dongle.

Important — You only need to run the updater program on one platform (Windows or Mac). After you’ve updated the dongle, it enables both the Windows and Mac versions of your Avid software.

Please note that the upgrade/product key on the upgrade card can be used only once. 

Additional Avid Product Information and Links
• Avid local storage solutions
• Avid Media Composer
• All Avid products and solutions
• Avid technical support options

·          Avid online courses
• Avid product training and certification

HTH

Marianna