The new v4.0.2/v8.0.2 editor files are expected to be available at 3:00 PM ET today, September 21, 2009. 

The following products will be launched on the avid.com download page and the Support Download Center (login and password required) at this time.

·         Avid Media Composer v4.0.2 (Mac and PC)

·         Avid Symphony v4.0.2 (Mac and PC)

·         Avid NewsCutter v8.0.2 (PC)

Additional Notes:

·         As previously announced, new system shipments of Avid Media Composer v4.0, Avid Symphony v4.0, and Avid NewsCutter v8.0 began on September 16^, 2009. 

·         Customers that bought a new Avid Media Composer v4.0, Avid Symphony v4.0, or Avid NewsCutter v8.0 are entitled to download the v4.0.2/v8.0.2 upgrade on the avid.com download page, although they are not required to do so. The version 4.0.2/8.0.2 update corrects a Trial Software Activation anomaly that affected the dongle, and therefore is irrelevant for new software purchases which are not supplied with dongles.

·         Software Download purchases from the Webstore will also be available at 3:00 PM ET today and will be v4.0.2/v8.0.2.

·         Upgrade purchases (Physical Shipping Kits) will begin shipping on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 in the US and September 25, 2009 in the rest of the world.

·         Software downloads via the Download Center, avid.com download page and the webstore will contain Avid Media Composer v4.0.2 and Avid Symphony v4.0.2, and Avid NewsCutter v8.0.2 due to the the Trial Activation Software anomaly.  Customers that wish to continue to use their dongle should use v4.0.2/v8.0.2.

Key Announcements with v4.x/v8.x:

-          Mix and Match format support

-          720P proxy transcode

-          GFCAM 100 mb decode

-          Panasonic AVC-I encode

-          Macintosh Media Composer as Pro Tools Video Satellite

-          Production Suite updates to Boris Continuum Complete, SmartSound SonicFire, and Sorenson Squeeze

-          Free upgrades for four years for any student who purchased and registered an academic version on or after March 1, 2009

Official Launch

Due to the lead time required for translation of documentation, sales and marketing information, web pages and customer letters across the globe in many languages, the public announcement for the editor family will take place September 30,^, 2009.  Because the official announcement will be delayed as noted above, please expect customers to comment and ask questions online regarding this new release.  Customers also might inquire about web page updates, system requirement specification etc. that will not be updated until September 30, 2009.  Please note that the ReadMe documentation now includes a supported configuration section which should assist when questions surface.  I have attached the latest ReadMe documents to this notice so you are prepared to address any questions that might arise. 

Editor Pricing        

1.       Media Composer Software                $2,495              US MSRP

2.       Media Composer Software                $2,295              US MSRP Software Download Only – no hardcopy manuals or Production Suite             

3.       Mojo SDI                                         $2,495                  

4.       Production Suite applications             $195                 US MSRP 3^rd party Software Only

Note:  For any pricing related to: NewsCutter, Mojo DX, Nitris DX, Symphony Nitris DX, etc. customers should be referred to their reseller or Avid directly.

 Editor Upgrade Pricing

1.       Any version of Avid Xpress DV and Avid Xpress Pro or Avid Media Composer prior to v3.5 to Media Composer v4.0 Upgrade (Physical Shipping Kit with Production Suite) - $ 495 US MSRP

2.       Any version of Avid Xpress DV and Avid Xpress Pro or Avid Media Composer prior to v3.5 to Avid Media Composer v4.0 Upgrade (Software Download Only – no hardcopy manuals or Production Suite)  - $ 395 US MSRP 

3.       Avid Media Composer v3.5 to Avid Media Composer v4.0 Upgrade (Software Download Only - no hardcopy manuals or Production Suite) - $ 295 US MSRP 

4.       Avid Media Composer prior to v3.5 to Avid Media Composer v4.0  Upgrade  (Software Download Only – no hardcopy manuals or Production Suite) - $ 395 US MSRP 

5.       Any Avid Media Composer version to Avid Media Composer v4.0  Upgrade (Physical Shipping Kit with Production Suite) - $495 US MSRP  

** Upgrades from Avid Xpress Pro or Avid Xpress DV, to Media Composer Mojo DX or Media Composer Nitris DX, requires a two step process.  First, the customer must upgrade from Xpress DV or Xpress Pro to Media Composer Software-only, and then add the Mojo DX or Nitris DX.  Contact the reseller or Avid directly for pricing.

Note: For international pricing, please direct the customer to their reseller or Avid regional office.

Production Suite

The Avid Production Suite includes:

·         Boris Continuum Complete v6 (Mac and PC) – Comprehensive library of customizable video filters and transitions

·         Avid FX v6 (Mac and PC) – 2D & 3D compositing, titles, animation and effects

·         Sorenson Squeeze v5 (Mac and PC) – Multimedia export with customizable compression templates

·         Avid DVD by Sonic v6.1 (PC only) – Industry leading DVD and Blu-ray authoring

·         SmartSound Sonicfire Pro v5 (Mac and PC) – music creation software

Version Protection

Any customer that purchased a copy of Avid Media Composer Software after September 1, 2009 is entitled to a free upgrade from v3.5.x to v4.0.2.  The protection page will be live today September 21, 2009 at 3:00 PM ET at www.avid.com/protect  The upgrades MUST be obtained via download before September 30, 2009 as the page will be removed at that time.

SW Licensing and the Dongle

Much like with v3.5/v7.5, new unit purchases of Avid Media Composer v4.0, Avid Symphony v4.0 and Avid NewsCutter v8.0 will use software licensing.  Existing customers with a dongle can continue to use their dongle, and if they do so, they should be encouraged to download and install v4.0.2/v8.0.2, or transition to the SW licensing scheme.

Hi Scott, the pricing in the above post refers to Media Composer, will the upgrade price from MC to Symphony be available online? TYFYA

Anyone know the upgrade price from Symphony 3.5 to Symphony 4.0?

According to my notes the upgrade price for Symphony to 4.0 is $995 US MSRP unless you have a valid support contract and then it is a no charge downlaod.

marianna

luca.mg:

Hi Scott, the pricing in the above post refers to Media Composer, will the upgrade price from MC to Symphony be available online? TYFYA

My mistake. See Mariannas post above.

Thanks Marianna,

My support contract expired. Does the $995 include the manuals and 3rd party software? Can I upgrade through Avid or do I need to go through a reseller?

Scott, I'm asking about pricing for upgrades from Media Composer to Symphony, if any.

Why does it cost more to upgrade Symphony compared to MC, does the Symphony have some new features?

Or is the extra $500 needed to upgrade MC4 to Symphony MC4?

NICKB:

Why does it cost more to upgrade Symphony compared to MC, does the Symphony have some new features?

No extra features... bend over.

NICKB:

Why does it cost more to upgrade Symphony compared to MC, does the Symphony have some new features?

Or is the extra $500 needed to upgrade MC4 to Symphony MC4?

Symphony has a higher price point, which is why I assume the upgrade costs more.

TCurren:

NICKB:

Why does it cost more to upgrade Symphony compared to MC, does the Symphony have some new features?

No extra features... bend over.

Well maybe universal mastering is being kind of available for MC too now with mix and match feature, but still Symphony has better colour correction.

Scott, is there an upgrade price from MC to Symphony, and if yes: I haven't been able to spot it, could You point me in the right direction or is this something to be discussed with resellers only?

Scott Carnegie:

Symphony has a higher price point, which is why I assume the upgrade costs more.

Thats like saying the rich should be charged more for the same upgrade!

NICKB:

Thats like saying the rich should be charged more for the same upgrade!

Yes but then the rich are able to charge our clients 4 times as much as those peasant Media Composers.

One should be able to pay for the upgrade after just a few hours work.  

luca.mg:

Well maybe universal mastering is being kind of available for MC too now with mix and match feature, but still Symphony has better colour correction.

Does the new mix and match feature replace Universal Mastering? If so, the Symphony is in desperate need of new features. All that's left now is color correction and the price tag.

It's very disappointing that there aren't any new developments for Symphony. 

Abeyta:

Does the new mix and match feature replace Universal Mastering?

No.

Abeyta:

the Symphony is in desperate need of new features.

Yes ;-)