I know you folks are geniuses, but amongst the web pages out there in Google land, I am looking for a very concise short answer to what is probably an easy question.

I bought a DV Xpress 4.8. 0.  Just upgraded to 4.8.1.  All is well in the world.

First, is 4.8.1 considered Avid Xpress DV Pro?

Second, what is the next upgrade from there if I want to work with better quality video or HD video.  I want to take material digitized in DV50 at an off site location and use it at home on my system.  Will 4.8.1 will play DV50?  The capture tool only has DV25 as its only option so that has me thinking it cannot play DV50.

Finally, what is the resolution rate for HD video?  1:1?

My ignorance thanks you in advance.

Well, there was a version of 'Pro called 4.8.1 but XDV also had a version 4.8.1. IF, as you said in another thread, you are launching the software without a dongle, then you have XDV and not 'Pro. 

If I remember correctly, that version of XDV could capture only DV 25 but it would play back DV50.

HD Video is not simply a resolution but a different project type with its own frame rates and sizes.

Oh...and your next upgrade would have to be to a copy of Xpress 'Pro 5.x (the latest version is 5.8.3) if you want to work with HD files/projects. 

XDV was discontinued after the version you have. Xpress 'Pro was discontinued this year.

I understand.  Thank you for clarifying.  It is confusing knowing there are actually TWO 4.8.1s--one for DV Xpress pro and one for DVX.  I guess 5.8.3 is in my near future.  Too bad there isn't a discount for upgrading the 4.8.1 I just got.

There is. It's not to 'Pro as that product no longer exists but you can upgrade to a full blown Media Composer rather cheaply Here.

Well, except that says you need to have a version that came with a dongle so you may be out of luck.

...which brings me back to the original problem.  Apparently, according to the link you supplied, I need a USB dongle to upgrade to MC, which is absent on my XDV.

(at least I am grasping this now).

Yep...see my post above.

So in finality, let me get this straight.

Avid made a program called Avid Xpress DV and it contained a dongle.  It has been discontinued

Avid also made a program called AVX and it did not contain a dongle.  It has been discontinued.

Both shared the same software version numbers.

The next upgraded version was 4.8.1.

This was now considerded Avid Xpress DV Pro for the dongled version.

This was NOT considered AVX Pro for the non dongle versions even though it shared the same version number as Avid Xpress DV Pro.

And finally, the only way to upgrade to Media Composer is to have a dongled version of Avid Xpress DV Pro and AVX users are dead in the water.

Did I get this right? 

Nope. three Products:

1. Avid Xpress DV (XDV)

2. Avid Xpress Pro (AXP)

3. Media Composer (MC)

XDV started out requiring a dongle but, in later versions went with a serial code.

AXP has always required a dongle as does MC.

Yes, that upgrade path is for systems with dongles.

According to:

http://store.avid.com/us/index.cfm?page=templates/product_grp_index&categoryid=69

You could buy the Xpress DV to Xpress Pro upgrade for $495 (4th offering down), then, buy the Xpress Pro to Media Composer upgrade for $495 (3rd offering down).

The Xpress DV to Xpress Pro upgrade specifies, "Available for users of Xpress DV 4.6 to 4.8 only with a software based license".