Avid questions - could use some assistance.

[Nevada]

I am at the point where I want to buy an editing program. I am currently taking a class in school on editing and we use FCP. I am a pc user however so I am thinking of going with avid. It’s hard to justify the cost of a new computer, especially the overally expensive apples. I will be getting the student version. Is the student version a complete version or streamlined. Would I have the ability to work on a project in both FCP and Avid? I would not mind working on school projected this semester outside the lab if possible. My pc config is 2 gigs of ddr400 ram, NVIDIA 7600gs video card, AMD FX55 proc, running on a gigabyte 8kns ultra 939 board. Can I run the program? The support list on avid's site does not show my cad or chip but it appears to be based on some older hardware. Ay thoughts or suggestions appreciated!

 

[MarkG]

There are two limitations I'm aware of with the student version of Xpress Pro:

1. you're not supposed to use it on commercial projects.
2. the third-party software (e.g. Sorenson Squeeze) isn't included.

I don't think you can directly import FCP projects into Avid, though there may be some external program you can buy or download to do so, or possibly you could export an EDL from FCP and import that into Avid.

I believe Avid only claim to support Pentium chips, but some AMD users said it worked for them. You might want to try downloading the 'Free DV' version to see if that runs on your system... I think it's basically a cut-down version of Xpress Pro 4.

 

[Nevada]

thx!

thx!

thx for the help. i wil try the download and check. i appreciate the help!

 

[Evan2100]

AVID or FCP

AVID or FCP

in making you decision remimber avid and FCP are basically the same program. Avid & apple got mad at each other and stopped working together then Apple did a rip off of avid and made it more user friendly. Both are excelent programs Avid will run on windows and Apple. Both are the main programs in the video industry, you will be safe using either just a matter of how much money you want to spend. In my opinion avid is the better of the two still.

 

[Evan2100]

ALSO

ALSO

i have use the AVIDFREEDV it is ok to get a feel for avid express pro, you are limited to 2 video tracks and 2 audio tracks, almost no effects, its just a super stripped down version. The student discount version is not for any commercial use (i think that was a question or comment?)

Hope i helped!

 

[Nevada]

thx!

thx!

thx all. i will be going with avid (the student version). is it pretty close to the professional version?

thx!

 

[MarkG]

As far as I'm aware it's the same, other than the limitations above (no commercial use and no third-party software included). Later when you have some money to spare you can probably get a cheap upgrade deal to the commercial version though.

 

[professor aire]

Okay, so it's a bit tardy to the discussion, but I think it begs to be noted that when you purchase the student version of Avid Xpress Pro, you're elligable to upgrade to Avid Media Composer for only $1,000 when you graduate from school.

That's a $5,000 piece of software you end up getting for $1,300... And it's the full commercial version so you can use it in those money making projects of yours.

 

[Filmosity]

Okay, so it's a bit tardy to the discussion, but I think it begs to be noted that when you purchase the student version of Avid Xpress Pro, you're elligable to upgrade to Avid Media Composer for only $1,000 when you graduate from school.

That's a $5,000 piece of software you end up getting for $1,300... And it's the full commercial version so you can use it in those money making projects of yours.

Or you could just get the full pro version of FCP and all it's sister programs for $1500.

 

[MarkG]

Or you could just get the full pro version of FCP and all it's sister programs for $1500.

And a Mac .

Though frankly, given how much Vista appears to suck, I may be buying a Mac next time anyway.

 

[Filmosity]

Or you could just get the full pro version of FCP and all it's sister programs for $1500.

And a Mac .

Though frankly, given how much Vista appears to suck, I may be buying a Mac next time anyway.

ha! Guess I should have actually read the original post clearly. Yeah, Avid's the best bet for a PC. But for video and graphic work, I'm a Mac man all the way....my PC laptop hates me for it.

 

[professor aire]

The nice thing about Avid though is its OS independent; I work in both PC and Mac environments and being able to port between the two is convenient; especially as you're given a license for both PC and Mac use with the purchase, so you can install it on a Mac in one location and a PC in another...

 

[JayEmm]

I would be shocked if AVID only supported one brand of processor... that would be marketing suicide (and probably illegal). Your rig should be able to run it and edit HDV fine. I have also purchased the Student edition of AVID and to be frank, if you ever got given a budget for a film you could upgrade to the full version of AVID easily anyway.

The student version is missing a few "bundled" programs but the core functionality is IDENTICAL - so you aren't really missing out. TBH if you can sell your project you could afford to upgrade. £1200 may sound a lot but it's a good investment to make.

In the meantime.. learn your craft and good luck!

James Martin

 

[BenB]

First, Apple and Avid never got mad at each other. They never worked on an NLE together. Simple historical fact is, Macromedia had an NLE development project they put up for sale, and Apple bought it, simple as that. Apple dominated the print market, and saw the advent of digital video as the next logical step.

You can in fact use Automatic Duck to go easily between Avid and FCP. It's proven, stable, and an industry standard work flow at this point in time.

As for Macs being overly expensive, if you put the same components into a PC, you won't see any price difference. But you can build a cheaper PC using lower end, lower performance components, along with all the viruses that come with it.

Let's also keep in mind that a recent marketing study shows that Final Cut Studio dominates the independent production and broadcast markets at the moment, with Avid being second. Avid still dominates the film market, but that is slipping since Final Cut systems can be put in place for less money than high end Avid systems.

If you need to go PC, Avid is the way to do, as Vegas is not there yet, and Premier Pro is very much behind the times...