I guess in my experience most users I know consider Squeeze better than Compressor except for the distributed rendering factor. Compressor I think gets a leg up because that is the only compression software many Mac users know (other than QT Pro or MPEGStreamclip). The only encoder I think is better than Squeeze on the Mac platform is Episode. But that app is too far from flawless.

But of course this is besides the point. I don't think it is in Avid's interest to package another PC (or Mac) only software. While there are some already in the package, more in that direction is not a good idea.

Dom Q. Silverio:

I think is better than Squeeze on the Mac platform is Episode.

Then you haven't had the chance  to use Bitvice.

Ahhh forgot about BV. Is it still MPEG centric?

 Hi,

I'm in the process of downloading V3.0 now. I notice it states that no 3rd party software is included in the download and anyone looking to upgrade sorenson, Avid DVD , Boris etc should go  to the store or local reseller. Can't find anything in the store, does anyone have any idea how much people who already took the step to upgrade to 2.8 are going to be charged to get the current software that people uprading now effevtively get for free?

I will be interested to see how the 'new thinking' pans out over this.

Graham

 sasfog.......

The way it works today is that all new product purchases and all full packages come with the complete complement of 3rd party applications.  We also offer a number of lower cost downloads, but these include only the Avid software.

Customers looking to obtain updated versions of 3rd party software that was included in their original purchase can either purchase a full packaged v2.7->v3.0 upgrade at $495 US MSRP from the Avid web store or from their local reseller. The 3rd party software components are not covered by the free upgrade offer for customers who purchased subsequent to March 17th.  

3rd party components can also be purchased directly from the 3rd party manufacturer.

If things change, I will report back.

Marianna

Marianna:

The 3rd party software components are not covered by the free upgrade offer for customers who purchased subsequent to March 17th.

 Should have told us this at that time. I would have waited. New Thinking indeed...

Hmmm.... i guess it was just me that I never thought third party apps was going to be part of the free upgrade to 3.

 To be honest I never really expected it, but in line with 'new thinking' hoped that maybe things would change. I may be corrected but it seems to me that pretty much all the current versions of Boris, Sorenson, Avid DVD were available at the time but for some reason the boxed upgrade came with oldedr versions. It seems avids New Thinking is that I should pay for another boxed upgrade at $495 to get some updates on TP software that is given free to people parting with their monney now.

Seems a strange way to conduct business, normal practice is to encourage early take up on a product maybe even offer incentives. It seems to me the best way to buy Avid products is to wait and wait just to make sure that a better offer is not just around the corner. Currently people are holding back because of uncertainty surrounding assurance contracts. Surely an open and transparent approach from the start would create an air of confident purchasing and Avid would find more people  giving them their money earlier.

Any way moan over, I'm now off to price up exactly how much my willingness to buy Avids latest products has cost me

Graham 

These are free TP softwares that cost more individually...not like they charged you MSRP.

Second, bundling of TP stuff is dictated by your agreement with TP vendors. Maybe the agreement was not ready until last week. Maybe only Boris package was going to be upgraded. So why make promises that may not end up being fulfilled? Point is, you where given a heavily discounted price and the exact components of that package. Moaning over free TP products is really pushing the whole 'new thinking' argument. The incentive was the lower price AND the TP apps.

 Just done some quick pricing

Upgrade Sorenson 4.5 to V5 - £100 (approx as it is $199)

Upgrade DVDit etc to Avid DVD - £71

Upgrade BCC4.2.2 to V5.03 £177.43 assuming  the Xpro Upgrade works - £359.55 if not.

Total £348.43 (min)

It seems Marrianas idea of buying another box is actually the cheepest route and I'll get new manuals that may refer to Nitris and Mojo DX instead of Adrenelain.

I am so glad I was keen to give Avid my money, they really know how to make me feel good. I'll just wait see if they really are listening[:'(]

 Dom,

I hear what you are saying but at the end of the day, for whatever reason, I and many others that bought the product early ( a good thing for Avid surely?) have ended up with an inerior bundle than those who held back. Part of me feels that Avid probably held back on the newer product so that they could be included for the first time with the launch of V3.0. If the various TP providers are hhappy to bundle the latest versions of their software now i see no reason why they would not have done in March. Sorenson actually upgraded me to V5 for FREE before they shut the door on that.

Rightly or wrongly Ii am left with a bad taste in my mouth which is not something Ii would wish to do to my customers.

My new thinking will be to view everything with extreme caution, delay buying anything until I have heard the experiences of others, not an approach i would like my customers to have towards me but there you go.

I guess nothing can be done about it now, I've got it off my chest - I'll move on now

Graham 

Dom Q. Silverio:

Hmmm.... i guess it was just me that I never thought third party apps was going to be part of the free upgrade to 3.

Dom - I am with you.  There are just certain costs involved in being in business.  This is one of them.  You pay it and move on.  If you are looking for the cheapest way, maybe this is not the one for you.

It amazes me to see so much angst about 3rd party apps when a world class software like MC 3.0 is available at such a reasonable cost.  I guess it just proves that I am old, and remember the days when editing systems could only be afforded by an exclusive club.

I mean, if you take the costs of the 3rd party apps and divide them over a month of billable hours, its easily paid.  If not, don't buy them.   I guess thats just me (and Dom).

 My new thinking will be to view everything with extreme caution, delay buying anything until I have heard the experiences of others,

sasfog, You are absolutely right.

Fred

switthaus:

I mean, if you take the costs of the 3rd party apps and divide them over a month of billable hours, its easily paid.  If not, don't buy them.   I guess thats just me (and Dom).

Well, not all of us do it for a living. I don't bill my friends and family for their digital memories. I'm just a prosumer with a good budget, but not that good. Was hoping Avid would throw us a bone... Oh well, just trying to save a few bucks.

In my day job I use a $MILLION$ dollar app with $200,000 upgrade prices, and a $50,000 yearly service contract and they behave just as Avid does.

TowerFan:

Was hoping Avid would throw us a bone... Oh well, just trying to save a few bucks.

Avid IS throwing you a bone. You are getting the same tool as high-end Hollywood post houses. The same software that was used to cut LoTR, Sex and the City, Spiderman and various Oscar winning films. Not only that they gave you a bunch of FREE third party software and some of them cost more than the upgrade price alone!! I think you meant you wanted Avid to throw in a kitchen sink.

I think we are at the point of losing the $495 perspective here.