Avid Media Composer 5.5 Crossgrade for Final Cut Owners FAQ
At NAB 2011 Avid announced that Final Cut users would now be eligible for a special "crossgrade" price of under $1,000! That's right, if you own Final Cut you can upgrade to the full version of Avid Media Composer 5.5 with Avid Production Suite for only $995.
Here's a complete FAQ from Avid with answers to all of your questions regarding the promotion and and more about Avid Media Composer for Final Cut Users:
I currently own FCP and would like to take advantage of the FCP to Media Composer promotional pricing. What is required?
All FCP customers qualify for the FCP to Media Composer 5.5 promotion. Customers must be able provide proof of FCP ownership. Your Final Cut Pro install guide and original unique serial number are qualifying proofs of ownership.
How much will the FCP to Media Composer Promotion cost?
To purchase online, customers will be required to present your original FCP documentation (such as your install guide) and your FCP serial number for verification and be instructed to complete and submit this form.
How long is the FCP to Media Composer promotional pricing good for?
The FCP to Media Composer 5.5 promotion will run from April 10, 2011 to June 17, 2011.
How do I buy the FCP to Media Composer Promotion from Videoguys.com?
To purchase online, customers will be required to present your original FCP documentation (such as your install guide) and your FCP serial number for verification and be instructed to complete and submit this form.
Can I try Media Composer before I buy?
Yes. Avid offers a fully featured 30-day Media Composer Software Trial
Can I purchase the FCP to Media Composer promotion as a software download?
No. The FCP to Media Composer 5.5 promotion is only offered on the physical shipping kit only. However you can download the fully featured Media Composer Software Trial and begin using the application while you wait for your product to be delivered.
The PhraseFind Software Trial is coming very soon. Sign up with Avid here to be notified when its available. For additional Information about PhraseFind go here.
How long ago did I have to purchase FCP in order to qualify for the promotional pricing?
Any FCP customer qualifies for this special promotional pricing as long as they can provide a valid FCP serial number. Note: One FCP to Media Composer 5.5 Promotion per FCP serial number will be provided.
Where can I find my FCP serial number?
Placement of the serial number may vary from release to release but typically is a sticker attached to the front of the user guide or install manual.
What version of MC will I receive if I take advantage of the promotional pricing offer?
The FCP to Media Composer promotion is for Media Composer 5.5.
What is Scriptsync and PhraseFind?
These are options which are available for use within the editing software.
Scriptsync is a unique time-saving software option for Media Composer, Symphony, and NewsCutter. ScriptSync accelerates your editing by phonetically indexing all text and audible dialog in your project automatically and then "syncing" the relevant source clips with the script itself. Once synchronized, you can find the best takes instantly by quickly comparing performances in the context of your story.
PhraseFind is a powerful new software option for Media Composer, Symphony, and NewsCutter. PhraseFind allows you to find the right clips fast, with highly accurate results. PhraseFind's powerful search engine automatically analyzes clips and indexes all dialog in your project's media phonetically, so you can quickly find clips by simply typing a word or phrase - right from within your software.
Can I add Avid hardware to the FCP to Media Composer 5.5 promotional offer?
Yes. Contact the Videoguys Avid Experts at 800-323-2325 for more information and pricing to add-on Mojo SDi or Mojo DX to this exciting promotional offer.
What will the FCP to Media Composer 5.5 promotional product consist of?
The Media Composer 5.5 product will consist of the following:
- Media Composer 5.5 - Edit SD and HD video
- Production Suite - Create effects, author media, and more; includes Avid DVD (PC Only), Avid FX, Boris Continuum Complete, SmartSound Sonicfire Pro, and Sorenson Squeeze.
- EDL Manager - Export timecode metadata
- FilmScribe - Export film metadata
- Interplay Transfer (standalone version) - Transfer media and metadata to Interplay
- Log Exchange - Convert shot logs into ALE files
- MediaLog - Manage logging and metadata
- MetaFuze - Work with stereoscopic files, DPX, and other formats (Windows only)
- MetaSync - Manager Create objects for interactive programming
- Getting Started training videos
- User guides and other documentation
Note that Media Composer 5.5 runs on both the PC and Mac platforms.
The Production Suite consists of 5 applications that compliment Media Composer.
- Avid DVD by Sonic - Author professional DVDs and Blu-ray Discs quickly and easily, with complete control over the entire process with Avid DVD by Sonic 6, which works with Windows-based systems (PC Only)
- Avid FX - Easily create dazzling 2D and 3D composites, titles, animation, and effects with Avid FX 5.8, a powerful collection of creative tools designed by Boris FX. This latest version sports a new interface and offers new 16-bit color, clone paint tool, image brushes, motion path and key tools, vector trace, optical stabilization, subtitle generator, and more.
- Boris Continuum Complete - Create the look you want with nearly 200 filters at your fingertips - including 15 new filters - using the new Boris Continuum Complete 6. This latest version offers significant performance gains and enhancements, so you can create dramatic effects quickly and easily.
- SmartSound Sonicfire Pro - Create music soundtracks for your films, TV shows, commercials, and other video effortlessly with SmartSound Sonicfire Pro 5. Choose from a variety of loops and pre-recorded soundtracks and then customize the music to fit your scene.
- Sorenson Squeeze - Optimize and deliver content in a create-once-publish-anywhere world. With Sorenson Squeeze 5, you can optimize content in a variety of formats (including HD, DVD, MPEG-2, MPEG-4/H.264, Flash, and 3GPP) for web or DVD delivery, author DVDs and Blu-ray Discs on Windows, and burn discs on a PC and now Macs too.
What are the system requirements for Media Composer and how will I know if my computer will work?
It is possible that your current system will meet the requirements for Media Composer 5.5 but you may also need to upgrade your system to meet they requirements. Avid has tested and qualified specific system requirements for Media Composer (Mac and PC) and recommends that customers use configurations that meet these Avid-tested specifications. It is possible that your current system will not meet the Avid minimum requirements for Media Composer especially if you are using FCP on a non-Intel based system. Customers should check the recommended system requirements of Windows-based or Macintosh-based qualified workstation and laptops for Media Composer systems before purchasing the promotion.
Is the Media Composer product a native 64 bit application?
Media Composer 5.5 is currently a native 32 bit application that is fully compatible on 64 bit PC opertating systems and the 32-bit kernel Mac OS 10.6.6/10.6.7.
What type of support should I expect once I purchase Media Composer?
Once you have purchased and installed Media Composer, you are encouraged to register the product at www.avid.com/register or upon initial activation of the software. Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirmation from Avid that includes a one-time setup call for customers who need help getting up and running. Customers interested in ongoing support can consider purchasing a yearly support contract through their regional Avid office or Avid Reseller. Yearly support contracts includes free software upgrades for the duration of the contract and are the best way to ensure you stay up to date and keep your costs low.
What other support offerings are available for Media Composer software?
Avid offers some of the following additional support options:
- Free online support via the Avid Knowledge Base which includes quick access to a variety of support-related issues, FAQ's and tips.
- Free Video Community so whether you need help, want to offer help, have clips to share, or want to connect with thousands of fellow Avid editors, you'll find a wealth of information and resources on the Avid Community site. Seek advice from the Avid staff and other customers. Stay up to date on the latest tools and techniques. Get helpful tips, tricks, and tutorials from others in the Avid Video Community.
- Fee-based support offerings including basic support which can be purchased on an annual basis. Basic support includes technical support, via telephone and email, Monday through Friday, during standard business hours, access to electronically downloaded software updates and proactive email notification regarding updates and patches.
- Training DVD's
Leave a comment