The Avid Online Store: 

Download Tips for Avid Media Composer Software

June 2008

Avid has developed this document to assist customers with upgrading from either an Avid Xpress DV or Avid Xpress Pro system to Avid Media Composer Software on the Avid Online Store.

This document contains specific information on:

·          upgrading an existing registration

·          how to expand downloaded zip files

·          how to access and order confirmation

·          what is a product key

·          how to update the dongle, and more

Background

Most Avid Xpress DV and Avid Xpress Pro customers have upgraded their software over the years through either an online download process on the Avid Download Center or through an upgrade purchased on the Avid online store. 

- Avid Xpress DV (not dongle based) customers were required to upgrade their existing product registration on www.avid.com/register to ensure they would be eligible to access periodic software downloads on avid.com. Avid Xpress DV did not utilize a dongle so the process for upgrading an Avid Xpress DV system to Avid Media Composer Software requires a physical shipping kit (requires the physical shipment of a dongle to run the Avid Media Composer).

- Avid Xpress Pro (dongle based) customers were required to upgrade their existing product registration on www.avid.com/register and would utilize their System ID and Dongle ID to access free software downloads on avid.com as this product require a dongle updater. If purchasing a fee-based upgrade on the Avid Online Store, you would receive a product key on the online store confirmation order form. The process for the Avid Xpress Pro to Avid Media Composer Software (download only) remains the same and the product key is required to access the dongle update file is located on your order confirmation. 

Product Key

The product key is required for most software downloads both on the Avid Online Store and on avid.com. It is used in the upgrade process to retrieve the dongle updater file from Avid.com or used to verify that the customer is entitled to download software. Using the product key at www.avid.com/register helps ensure you will be able to download all updates you are entitled to in the future.

Download Recommendations

Avid recommends that software downloads occur on a wired network or direct connect through a cable modem (LAN or DSL connection). 

- Avid does not recommend that customers attempt to download software via a wireless (WiFi) network. Should there be a glitch in the network traffic or an interruption of service, the integrity of the download may be suspect.

- Avid does not recommend that customers attempt to download software over a dial-up service as the speed of the connection might affect the integrity of the download.  

Once the software has been downloaded to your computer, it is important to follow the steps below for unzipping the file, as they are specific depending upon the unzip utility you have on your system. 

Zipped Download Files

Downloads on avid.com and the Avid Online Store are compressed, which means they are in a format that makes their file size smaller. Before you can use these files, you must decompress them.

How to Decompress or Unzip a File

Usually, you can simply double-click the compressed file you downloaded. On most Windows and Macintosh systems, a decompression utility will automatically unpack the file to a location you choose. If the utility doesn't launch automatically when you double-click the compressed file, you may need to install a decompression utility on your system. Common decompression utilities are:

·          WinZip (Windows)

·          WinRaR (Windows)

·          StuffIt Expander (Windows, Mac, Linux/Unix)

Following the installation of the utility, consult the documentation that comes with the decompression software for instructions.

Order Confirmation

Once you have placed your order and it has been processed you now own the upgrade. You will receive an order confirmation email from orders@digidesign.com.

The order confirmation email will contain the following information about your order: bill to and ship to addresses, product ordered, quantity, pricing, serial number, and product key (i.e., Avid upgrade key if for a software download). You are instructed to save this email for reference as this information may be required in the future.

Important Note: After your order confirmation is complete on a software download order if you download the software and determine the integrity of the download is suspect, you may need your order confirmation with product key to obtain the software download again from the Avid Online Store or to retrieve the software from avid.com.

Your Account

To view items such as your order confirmation, you will need to access your Avid Online Store account. To access the Your Account page, please enter the email address and password you provided when you first placed your order.

Software Download Orders

Once your order is processed, you should see several line items listed on your order for download even though you purchased only one product.

Both Mac and PC versions are always included with your purchase, whether it be a shipping kit or a download version. Note for downloads: you can download the Mac or PC version separately. 

For example, your order might appear as:

Upgrade Instructions for Mac

Upgrade Instructions for PC

Avid Media Composer 3.0 StartUp Project for PC

Avid Media Composer 3.0 for MAC

Avid Media Composer 3.0 for PC

Avid Media Composer 3.0 StartUp Project for Mac

PDF_Upgrade_Instructions.pdf

Customers that want to download the Media Composer v3.0 for Macintosh should select the download link next to Avid Media Composer 3.0 for Mac OS and then the link next to the appropriate documentation and project. Customers that want to download the v3.0 PC version should select the download link next to upgrade for Avid Media Composer 3.0 for PC and then the link next to the PC documentation and project file.

Upgrade Your Existing Avid Xpress DV or Avid Xpress Pro System

Once you have you have downloaded the new Avid Media Composer Software or received the physical kit and installed it, you must go to: www.avid.com/register/upgrade.asp  and register your existing Avid Xpress DV or Avid Xpress Pro system as the new Avid Media Composer version. 

From the pull down menu, you should select Avid Media Composer v3.0. Remember, customers must do this when upgrading to a major point release or a new editor like Media Composer Software. 

Avid Xpress Pro customers - Your product key is required for software downloads both on the Avid Online Store and on avid.com as it is used in the upgrade process to retrieve the dongle updater file from Avid.com or verify that you are entitled to download the software. Using this product key at www.avid.com/register helps to ensure you will be able to download all updates you are entitled to in the future. You will be asked to enter specific product information including: System ID and Dongle ID (you can find the System ID and Serial Number/Dongle Number on the tag attached to your purple USB dongle) as well as product key, which is listed on your Avid Online Store order confirmation sheet.

Avid Xpress DV customers – your 3.0 dongle will be included in the physical shipment; it will be updated already for use with Media Composer v3.0.

To obtain your updater file follow the steps below:

1. Install but do not start your new Avid Media Composer Software.

2. Make sure the application key (dongle) is connected to the USB port on your computer system.

3. Use one of the following methods to determine your system ID and serial number:

·          The system ID and serial number are on the tag attached to your dongle. If you have a dongle labeled with both Windows® and Macintosh® System IDs, use the Windows system ID and serial number, even if you are using a Macintosh computer.

·          If the tag is no longer attached to your dongle, run the DongleManager application to obtain the system ID and serial number. The DongleManager application is located in one of the following locations on your system:

Windows:

ProgramFiles\Avid\Utilities\DongleManager\DongleManager.exe

Macintosh:

Applications/Utilities/DongleManager/DongleManager.app

·          Double-click the DongleManager application file and then click the Scan tab. Click Re-scan and write down the following information:

Avid System ID _______________________________

Dongle Serial Number __________________________

Avid Xpress Pro customers - Now you are ready to obtain your application key (dongle) for your new Avid Media Composer Software.

4. Go to www.avid.com/upgrade

5. From the pull down menu select Avid Media Composer v3.0

6. Follow the online instructions to obtain your dongle updater file. You will need to enter the system ID, serial number, and the upgrade key (product key) that is located on this order confirmation, as well as your name and email from when you originally registered the Avid Xpress Pro system.

7. Download the dongle updater file (.avd) to your system.

To update your dongle:

1. Save the updater file (.avd) to your system.

2. Double-click DongleManager (see the previous instructions above to locate the DongleManager application). The Dongle Manager application starts.

3. Click the Update tab.

4. Click the Open button, and navigate to the dongle updater (.avd) file, and then click Open. An automatic test occurs to make sure your dongle matches the dongle updater (.avd) file. The updater file works only on the dongle or dongles for which it was assigned.

5. Click the Update button. Your dongle is updated.

Important Note - You only need to run the updater program on one platform (Windows or Macintosh). After the dongle has been updated it enables both the Windows and Macintosh versions of your Avid software.

The product key on the order confirmation can be used only once.

HTH and any questions, please email me directly or send along a private message.

Marianna