Avid Media Composer v3.0 and Avid Newscutter v7.0 are now available!

> For customers with valid Assurance contracts, you can download the software for free from the Avid Download Center.  If you have access to the Download Center, but do not have a valid Assurance contract, you will be able to see these downloads but will not be able to run the dongle versioner required for the upgrade.

> Customers who purchased a new Avid Media Composer, Avid Symphony Nitris or Avid NewsCutter system or an Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Media Composer upgrade after March 17, 2008 can download the new editors from here.

> Customers that do not have a valid Avid Assurance Contract or purchased prior to March 17, 2008 need to go to the avid.com web store, call Avid sales at 800-949-2843 (option #1) or contact their local reseller.

This release continues to be supported in a Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista Business 32 and Windows Business Vista 64.  **It is required that users upgrading from XP to Vista perform a clean install of Vista PRIOR to installing Media Composer v3.

This release includes support for Quicktime 7.4.5.

The supported NVIDIA graphics driver is version 169.47 for qualified graphics cards.

You must be running the following software in shared environments: Interplay v1.2.4 and 1.4; Unity MediaNetwork v4.1.6, v4.2.4, v5.0.1, v5.1; Avid Unity ISIS v1.4, v1.5.  See the README for the specifics of your shared environment/Win OS combination.

New features in v3 include:

> Real-Time Timecode effect: RT effect that allows you to add timecode displays that update in real time to the video in the sequences.

> Frame Rate Mix and Match: Allows you to mix clips that have the identical frame rates but different interlaced and progressive field properties.

> CPU/GPU Acceleration of Visual Effects: With this release, effects leverage maximum possible performance, including real-time effects, by using available CPU and GPU resources in the host workstation.

> Subcap Effect: This release includes the SubCap™ captioning and subtitling effect, which allows you
to add subtitle or caption text to the video in your sequences.

> Surround Sound: Changes have been made to allow support for Surround Sound.This feature is supported with applications using the Avid Nitris DX hardware.

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As always, please post any comments and issues that involve downloads and installs here.  It helps to diagnose those issues all in on place.

If you have specific issues with running the software, please post those in a new thread.

Yes we have released the new editors.........

Word of caution folks....... Here are the three options available to customers:

1. Customers with valid Avid Assurance contracts can download the new editors on the Avid Download Center.    Sign in is required for access to this site.  Please note that customers without Assurance contracts that have existing Avid Download Center accounts, will be able to see the editors and download the software but will not be able to utilize the versioner to upgrade their dongle and will be stuck unless they buy the upgrade or fall into the March 17 2008 protection period (see below). 

2. Purchased after March 17 2008 - Customers who purchased a new Avid Media Composer, Avid Symphony Nitris or Avid NewsCutter system or an Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Media Composer upgrade after March 17, 2008 can download the new editors from the avid.com version protection page at www.avid.com/protect.

3. Customers that do not have a valid Avid Assurance Contract or purchased prior to March 17, 2008 should be directed to the avid.com web store or purchase or to Avid sales at 800-949-2843 (option #1) or their local reseller.

Note:  Any customer that enters their information required into the avid.com version protect page yet is denied access to the software and feels they are entitled as they purchased after March 17 2008, will receive an additional contact page that instructs them who they should contact at Avid.

A Public FAQ on 3.0/7.0 relating to upgrades, processes, features and functionality will be posted to avid.com later today. I will also be updating the forums with a new edition of the “Download Tips Document” that will be posted as “announcements” on the forums. 

Please note that we have released an upgrade for Avid Xpress DV to Media Composer Software.  The upgrade is a physical shipping kit (download is not an option) as a dongle is required.

Any questions, comments, issues……….I can be reached via email, AOL IM (avidmarianna) or private messaging.

Marianna

Marianna, what's the procedure for those of us who haven't upgraded to MC 2.8? do we have to buy the 2.8 upgrade @495 and then get a free upgrade to 3 or is there a way to get version 3 directly?

                     thanks,  sasha

 Hi Sasha,

The web store upgrades and such should go live around 12:30 EST on the US site.  Europe lags a tad due to inventory and timezones and pricing s it mght be a few more days.

There will be still the 2 options........  3.0 download without any 3rd party software at $395 US MSRP and 3.0 physical kit at $495 US MSRP that icudes the 3rd parties and manuals.

Marianna

Hi,

I'm getting ready to upgrade, but i'd really like to know how much i'm going to get dinged for "assurance" in order to be able to download updates etc..I couldn't find it on
 the Store, or anywhere in the knowledge base etc..I'm especially interesed in what the cheapest possible option is, so i can figure out the real baseline cost of ownership.

Thanks

Rob Tough

From what version of the software will you be upgrading?

Rob, read Marriana's post above yours again...

That applies to customers upgrading from 'Pro. If you are upgrading an existing MC dongle, I believe the price is $995.

BLKDOG:

I believe the price is $995.

Is this the "New thinking"

Get all Pro users to pay $395, minimum, for an upgrade (normally less than a hundred for past Pro Upgrade)

That way locking them into future MC upgrades at $995 or assurance?   

NICE  

Any Media Composer Software owner or a Media Composer Adrenaline owner can buy v3.0 software as a shipping kit $495 US MSRP ( No download available).

Marianna

Hey Marianna! Please forgive my "Vista Ignorance" but - will MC3.0 run on Vista Ultimate as well - or only Vista Business?

I cannot find a single reference to 3.0 products at the Avid store, either for upgrade or full license - all are 2.8x. Am I missing something?

   This is good news for MC Soft/Adrenaline owners, although it seems like people who have been paying  for assurance and/or have paid for updates are getting a little bit of an unfair treatment.

   I can see the logic of this from a support angle, as AVID surely wants everyone to get current so that there are less  mismatched versions and "legacy" systems out there to confuse things, and this should mean better support all around.

  But as an Xpress Pro user with Studio Toolkit, i feel a little short ended, as the extra value that I paid for the toolkit is now being given "free" to every other Xpress Pro user when they upgrade ( with the exception of AVID 3D....for now).However the 495 upgrade to MC is great!

   I just feel like i should get some plug-ins or something that people who didn't shell out the cash for the toolkit don't get.In retrospect,that $1300 would have been much better spent on After Effects or another third party app.I feel like a small competetive advantage has been stolen from me...

Maybe a period of AVID assurance free of charge?

Rob Tough

I have a slow connecton, is there an avenue available to get the upgrade on DVD rather than download it?

Sure, just purchase the Kit instead of the Download. It will be up on the site later today. If you are upgrading for free, then the only available software is via download.

Time for DSL?