The current range includes Avid Media Composer 3.0, NewsCutter 7.0 and Symphony 3.0 software, plus Mojo DX and Nitris DX hardware configurations. Avid says the systems distribute video and effects processing across the available CPU, GPU and PCI Express resources to improve real-time HD editing performance and responsiveness.
The effects architecture connects the CPU, graphics card and PCI Express bus closely with Avid software and hardware. Dave Ballard of LAB 601, a beta tester for Media Composer Nitris DX, said speed and stability were essential for completing projects within budget and deadline, and described the system as faster than previous Media Composer configurations while remaining flexible in daily work.
The new generation of Avid editing systems
The systems provide real-time output of major SD and HD formats without rendering through the Avid DNxHD codec. A multicore CPU, GPU and PCI Express hardware operate as one high-performance pipeline for HD effects processing.
Native format support includes thin-raster DVCPRO HD and XDCAM HD with real-time multichannel HD output, AVC-Intra at 50 and 100 Mb/s through the established P2 and DVCPRO HD workflow, Sony XDCAM EX with Sony Clip Browser software currently available only on Windows, and JVC 23.976p and 25p HDV codecs.
Operating-system support covers Mac OS X Leopard and 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista. MetaFuze combines frame sequences such as DPX and TIFF into one media clip on Windows. It can create Avid DNxHD 36 media from DPX or TIFF masters for offline editing in a digital-intermediate workflow, followed by final conform on an Avid DS system.
A multi-window timecode burn-in tool places several timecode and sequence fields over the video during output and playback. Avid DVD by Sonic adds Blu-ray output on Windows. FilmScribe exports source-side and record-side sequence metadata, including change notes, as XML. Transforms can then produce EDLs such as scan lists and ASC colour metadata.
Kirk Arnold, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Avid Video, described the range as another milestone in the company’s New Thinking campaign.
System configurations, availability and pricing
The new HD systems were expected to become available in several configurations from the second quarter of 2008. Media Composer and Symphony configurations were certified for Mac OS X Leopard, Windows XP and Windows Vista; NewsCutter was certified for Windows XP and Vista. Media Composer and NewsCutter configurations share the same software toolset, with additional capabilities determined by the selected hardware.
Media Composer Software targets independent and mobile film and video editors requiring portable offline and file-based editing. Its listed price was €2,250 including VAT.
Media Composer Mojo DX targets smaller studios, production companies and on-location work, with standard digital SD and HD input and output. Its listed price was €9,163 including VAT.
Media Composer Nitris DX provides analogue and digital input and output with Avid DNxHD encoding and decoding. Its listed price was €13,685 including VAT, with eight-core Mac Pro or HP xw8600 workstation configurations starting at €20,111.
Symphony Nitris DX for Mac and Windows combines Media Composer features with secondary colour correction and universal mastering. Its listed price was €32,606 including an eight-core Mac Pro or HP xw8600 workstation.
NewsCutter Software targets on-location, tapeless and networked newsroom environments. Its listed price was €4,522 including VAT.
NewsCutter Mojo DX provides suite-based news editing, multiformat playback, real-time effects and standard digital SD and HD input and output. Its listed price was €18,207 including an eight-core HP xw8600 workstation.
NewsCutter Nitris DX combines the NewsCutter toolset with comprehensive analogue and digital input and output plus Avid DNxHD encoding and decoding. Its listed price was €22,729 including an eight-core HP xw8600 workstation.
- All prices are supplied without guarantee.
