Ind-E-Focus

Avid Technology, Inc. Today announced that it has addressed customer requests for native support of the Sony XDCAM format, a ground breaking 3D Stereoscopic workflow and the "death of the dongle," with the release of Avid® Media Composer® (v3.5), Symphony™ (v 3.5) and NewsCutter® (v 7.5) software. In addition to an innovative new architecture designed to make these Avid solutions more open, the latest version of the software delivers a variety of new features that enable customers to take advantage of:

• More streamlined and efficient HD audio and video workflows;
• A number of offline editorial effects enhancements like Keyframeable Color Correction and a new Fluid Stabilizer feature;
• CPU/GPU acceleration of visual effects and;
• Improved interoperability with Digidesign® Pro Tools®.

"This new release of Media Composer will greatly improve the speed and efficiency of our workflow here at Discovery," said Mark Miller, Producer/Director at Discovery Channel Canada’s West Coast Office. Miller favors the seamless XDCAM HD capabilities and Keyframeable Color Correction in the new release. "By having the ability to natively ingest in the field, my producers, directors, and editors can start working with the media right away, and not waste time traveling back to the office to get a cut completed. Also, the Keyframeable Color Correction features are invaluable. We've been able to save a lot of time and money in the production process by being able to make color changes on the fly in run-and-gun situations where lighting can change and affect color over the course of a single shot. Previously, that could only be fixed in the online color correction."

Avid Media Composer and Symphony (v 3.5) and NewsCutter (v 7.5) software are available through local Avid resellers now and will be available on the Avid Web store beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST, today. For a complete list of new features, supported devices and operating systems, visit: Avid film and video solutions.

Avid is also offering a 14-day trial of the new Media Composer software. (Source: Avid Delivers Native XDCAM Support)