Hi everybody.  Haven't been here in a while - have a question about my workstation.  I want to upgrade from XpressPro to Media Composer (Academic versions for both).  Could you guys look at my specs and tell me if my workstation will support MC? 

I can't afford to buy a new PC, but I really should upgrade to MC.  Did not see my system in the list I found in the main site, but you have to click around all over the place to hunt down that list, so I'm not sure if I got the most recent.

Also is the Academic version of MC just software only, no mojo?  And will it allow me to work with HDV or HD footage?

Oh, and the old XpressPro used to have a list of cameras and decks somewhere.  Where would I find one for MC?  Does Academic MC work with a Sony HVR-A1U?

Please let me know - thanks.

Hi,

I'm not sure about your system.  It looks like it might be a little underpowered, but hopefully someone with a simliar setup will chime in and verify that.

Dreamer D:

Also is the Academic version of MC just software only, no mojo?  And will it allow me to work with HDV or HD footage?

The Academic version works just like the Commercial version; it supports the same I/O boxes (Mojo, Adrenaline, DX, etc.) and works with the same footage (SD, HD, HDV, XDCAM, P2, etc.).  Also, the provisional ReadMe for Media Composer 4.0 says it supports Mojo, so you should be good to go with Mojo and HDV or HD footage.

The only difference between the Academic and Commercial versions is you're not allowed to make money with the Academic version (the license agreement is different), and the Academic version does not include the third-party software that is included in the Commercial version.

Dreamer D:

Oh, and the old XpressPro used to have a list of cameras and decks somewhere.  Where would I find one for MC?  Does Academic MC work with a Sony HVR-A1U?

Supported Device List for Avid Editor Products

good luck,
Carl

camoscato:

I'm not sure about your system.  It looks like it might be a little underpowered, but hopefully someone with a simliar setup will chime in and verify that.

Well, that would really stink if it wasn't good enough, since I got it specifically because it was certified to use with the Xpress Pro.  I made sure everything was certified, so it would be rather frustrating if an upgrade in software requires a whole new system.  Maybe I'll just keep using Xpress Pro -- but I don't really want to be left behind in knowing the program, so I feel I need to be well-versed in MC.  The school I've transferred to uses FCP, and I want to keep up with Avid.

 

Sigh.  Maybe there are things I can add to this machine to supe it up.  I'm not sure what you mean by underpowered.

 

Hi D,

Dreamer D:

I'm not sure what you mean by underpowered.

If you look at the MC system requirements, your processor is slightly too slow, and your video card is slightly too old.  Depending on how hard you run the system (how many streams of video, how many effects, etc), it might be a bit slow.

Then again, my system is totally outside the system requirements, and it runs fine.  If I were in your shoes, I'd take the plunge and upgrade.

good luck,
Carl 

Do you think there is a  way to upgrade my system in small ways so I can upgrade to MC without worry?

Dreamer D

One thing you can do is try the MC 30 day trial and see how that goes.  You need to make sure you dont have both editors installed but say next weekend if you have some free time, download the trial of MC from the Home Page of avid.com and give it a whirl.  My bet based on your spec's is you will be OK...  using HD and a lot of effects etc might give you the performance Carl mentioned but if you arent taxing the system you should be fine.

Once you know the outcome of the trial, then upgrade if it works out.

marianna 

Dreamer...My laptop specs are  very close to your specs. MC 4.02 runs very well on my laptop. I do run an external SATA II hard drive setup and dual displays.2gb RAM seems to be totally ok. I think the make/break is the video card

I would have thought the Quadro FX 550 was a little underpowered, myself.