Avid Media Composer 5 Production Suite

What's New

• Directly access and edit RED files through AMA, without transcoding (images are scaled to HD frame size)
• Work natively with QuickTime video formats, including Apple ProRes and H.264
• Edit video and audio by dragging and dropping elements in the timeline
• Keep high-end finishing projects in-house and gain great color precision with HD-RGB support (including dual-link I/O support with Nitris DX systems)
• Monitor video externally with support for the Matrox MXO2 Mini
• Mix and match frame sizes and aspect ratios--in addition to formats, frame rates, and resolutions--in the same timeline
• Take a break during long renders and have your system email you when the job's done
• Import AVCHD files directly from cameras and other devices
• Capture to and edit XDCAM HD and DVC PRO HD formats from baseband without additional hardware
• Access low-res XDCAM proxies for offline work, with full-quality audio
• Import text-based ancillary data and embed it in the video signal with the new "Data Track" and SMPTE 436M support using Nitris DX- and Mojo DX-based systems
• View stereo audio tracks as single channels in the timeline for easier handling
• Create high-quality sounds and mixes with support for RTAS audio processing plug-ins
• Natively access and edit 4:2:2 MPEG-2 media from the new Canon cameras using AMA

Work Directly with RED Using Newly Improved AMA

With Media Composer 5, AMA (Avid Media Access) has been completely reengineered, so you can work natively with more file-based media formats now and in the future. With the new and improved AMA, you can speed up RED workflows by directly accessing RED files (.R3D) in Media Composer without having to prepare them through MetaFuze (all footage is scaled to HD frame size). Plus, you have access to its full metadata and color management data too.

Edit QuickTime Formats Natively

Get native access to all popular QuickTime formats, with full access to clip metadata. Thanks to AMA, you can natively access and edit any movie that can be played in Apple's QuickTime Player (including Apple ProRes and .mov files captured by Canon 5D and 7D cameras) right in Media Composer--no transcoding, rewrapping, or logging and transferring required.

Drag and Drop Video and Audio to Edit

Get comfortable--with Media Composer 5, you can truly edit the way you like. In addition to the standard way of editing, you can also now directly manipulate elements in the timeline to edit video and audio. Drag and drop clips anywhere you want on the timeline to rearrange sequences. And grab a clip's in or out point and drag to trim a scene, dialog, or music.

Get Full-Quality HD-RGB Processing

Keep those finishing jobs in house, and deliver the highest quality color and effects work, with support for full-quality 4:4:4 HD-RGB color space processing in Media Composer. With the higher resolution detail, you can perform color correction, keying, and effects work with greater precision and ease. And if you have a Nitris DX-based system, you can digitize, process, monitor, and output (output in Symphony systems only) projects in HD-RGB, using the two HD SDI connections to handle the high-bandwidth resolutions.

Monitor Video Externally through Matrox MXO2 Mini

If you don't have a Nitris DX- or Mojo DX-based system, Media Composer 5 opens the door to third-party workflows, enabling you to monitor video externally using the Matrox MXO2 Mini interface, which is available for Mac and Windows systems. When paired with Media Composer software, MXO2 Mini becomes a dedicated, high-quality monitor-only solution for file-based or workgroup production, so you can view your video work in real time without any major expense.

Editing Done Right

Storytelling on the Cutting Edge

With the industry's most powerful, accurate, and flexible editing tools around, you can cut smarter and faster than ever. Trim on the fly with your mouse or keyboard, use dual-rolling trim, or nudge frame-by-frame. Slip and slide clips quickly with comprehensive 2-, 4-, or 6-frame display modes. Or drag and drop video and audio clips in the timeline to rearrange sequences or trim. Plus, you can customize the interface, shortcuts, and keyboard layout to maximize your speed and comfort.

Scripted Editing Made Easy

Take the work out of editing movies, television shows, and other script- and transcript-based projects, such as documentaries and reality TV. Add the unique ScriptSync option* and you can automatically sync all relevant clips to your script phonetically, so you can find the best takes fast. Line up dailies to the script in minutes--not hours--giving you more time to refine the story instead of digging through bins.

Mix and Match Media

Add and edit practically any combination of PAL, NTSC, SD, and HD formats in real time--regardless of the resolution or frame rate--in the same timeline, without rendering or transcoding. Whether you're editing online or offline, you can mix and match media of different formats, codecs, resolutions, and frame rates, and enjoy real-time broadcast-quality playback.

Management You Can Count On

Whether you work alone or as a team, never worry about losing source material and rendered files with the most reliable and robust media management available keeping track of all project assets and metadata for you. Create custom metadata fields to track media the way you want. And easily search, sift, and sort to find information beyond the scope of OS-level searches.

Real-Time HD Editing

Edit HD material in real time, and in optimal mastering picture quality, using Avid DNxHD encoding. Whether your HD workflow is online or offline, you can maximize your productivity, reduce storage requirements, and maintain the highest image quality--even over multiple generations--without additional hardware.

Seamless Integration into Any Workflow

Tapeless Becomes Waitless

Experience the fastest tapeless workflows in the industry with AMA (Avid Media Access). Directly access RED, QuickTime, XDCAM HD/EX, P2/AVC-Intra, GFCAM, and other media and metadata on a connected disc/card or device without having to transcode, import, or rewrap files. And download support for additional formats as they become available.

Work Natively with SD and HD Codecs

Start editing footage right away, with native support for a wide range of SD and HD codecs, including RED, QuickTime, DV, HDV, XDCAM HD/EX, DVCPRO HD, AVC-Intra, GFCAM, and more. No need to transcode, even when mixing codecs in the same timeline.

Total Conform

Streamline your offline/online workflow, and get a seamless path to finish and master projects, with complete integration between Media Composer and Avid Symphony and DS systems. Directly share offline projects and media for finishing, with all media clips, edits, and effects directly available, so you can start the online without delay.

Work with 3D Stereoscopic and Other Single-Frame Files

With MetaFuze, you can quickly merge DPX, TIFF, or even stereoscopic 3D files from film scanning or CGI systems into a single native Avid DNxHD or uncompressed media clip for editing. You can even display and edit 3D material offline--without conforming--using industry-first stereoscopic editing tools and workflows. ¹

Please Note:

MetaFuze works with Windows-based computers, including Windows XP and Vista, and Macs running Windows through Boot Camp or other emulation.

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Sync with Pro Tools Editors

Make the audio post workflow easier by making projects directly accessible to Pro Tools audio editors through Video Satellite. No need to render effects, transcode video, or copy files for the audio team, as they can simply tap into any Media Composer system to open and play Avid HD and SD sequences (including DNxHD) in high quality, in full resolution, and in sync with their sessions.

Film Focused

For film, you have the industry's most powerful and accurate film workflow in your hands with the award-winning Avid Film Composer toolset. Save time with automatic audio and video syncing and seamless tracking of timecode, Keykode, and other metadata. Plus, with support for 4:4:4 HD-RGB color, you can preserve the full-quality color process from beginning to end.

Timecode and Subtitling Ease

With the Timecode Generator, you can create onscreen timecode displays in real time to speed up any online or audio post workflow. And with the SubCap Generator, you can easily create open captions and subtitles, and import and export in Avid DS and standard EBU N19 subtitle formats.

Ready For Delivery

Whether you need to output your project for the web, electronic delivery, or back into the tapeless pipeline, you have the tools you need to quickly deliver your work in the absolute highest quality. Optimize your video for the web, and burn projects to DVD and CD. If you're using a Windows-based system, you can also author DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and fast-turnaround approval DVDs (use native authoring tools on a Mac).

Smoother BWF Workflows

Ease the post audio workflow when exporting timeline audio tracks as BWF (Broadcast WAV) files. Just insert the sequence timecode based on your project type as you're exporting the tracks to create a fast and easy sync reference for downstream processes that don't support OMF or AAF, such as slave playback devices.

Get the Look, Sound, and Quality You Want

Advance Color Correction

Save time and maintain the highest quality production with the fully integrated and flexible 10-bit color correction toolset. Quickly and accurately match colors from shot to shot using NaturalMatch. Gain better precision with 4:4:4 HD-RGB color handling. And get fine control over shots with animatable color correction, or dive into the large palette of easy-to-use tools to manually refine settings or get creative with the color.

FluidMotion and FluidFilm Effects

Create incredibly smooth slow-motion effects and "fit-to-fill" video using Avid's patented FluidMotion pixel morphing technology. And get the look of progressive film with interlaced video material using the exclusive FluidFilm feature.

SpectraMatte Chroma Key Effect

Create a high-quality key, even with compressed HD codec material. With SpectraMatte, you can eliminate all guesswork, correct common keying issues, and get perfect keys using the interactive interface. Preview your keys in real time and in online quality with 16-bit SpectraGraph technology.

FluidStabilizer Tracking Engine

Easily stabilize shots that contain even the most jittery camera movements. FluidStabilizer works in conjunction with SteadyGlide and Stabilize to deliver extremely precise image stabilization, enabling you to filter out unwanted motion while retaining any underlying motion you do want, such as a camera pan.

Get More Effects with Plug-ins

Get the look and effects you want through AVX and AVX2 plug-ins, which you can install and use right from your editing interface. Build up your effects library by choosing from tons of third-party AVX plug-ins available.

Powerful Effects Performance

With Avid's advanced effect acceleration - architecture that closely ties multi-core CPU processing, GPU (Graphics Processor Unit), and PCI Express I/O hardware into a single high-performance pipeline--you get the best real-time effects performance around.

Get Better Sounding Audio

With support for RTAS audio processing plug-ins, you can greatly improve the quality of your video soundtrack. Choose from hundreds of professional audio plug-ins available--including sound compressors, reverbs, and EQs--that'll help you make dialog clearer and smoother, sound effects more compelling or ambient, and the overall mix more cohesive.

Dazzle and Deliver with the Included Production Suite

Create stunning visual effects and transitions. Design titles and graphics that animate across 2D or 3D spaces. Set the mood with music you generate and control. And deliver projects in the highest quality for the web or on DVD. With the included Production Suite, a powerful collection of popular third-party creative tools, you have plenty of options to get the look, sound, and quality you want.

Designed for Collaboration

Share Media, Projects, and Ideas

Experience the most collaborative workflow and get things done on time and on budget. Seamlessly integrate with Avid Unity media networks, and you and your team can access and play the same files and capture media to the same volume simultaneously, in real time. And because media bins aren't linked to specific projects or users, you can open bins and access files from other projects--even when in use by others--without having to copy media.

Share Projects for Audio Post

Collaborating with Pro Tools audio editors, remixers, and sound designers is easy. Export audio from your video projects to Pro Tools for audio production, with all media and metadata intact. Or for the fastest workflow, add Video Satellite to have Pro Tools editors sync directly with Symphony Nitris DX projects, eliminating having to render, transcode, or copy files.

Take Your Settings with You

Forget about tweaking settings or re-orienting your workspace each time you move from one Avid system to another. Take all of your settings with you to any project through your own user profile--even when moving from an offline workstation to Avid Symphony finishing system. All shortcuts, keyboard, and screen customization are accessible, so you'll be up and running in no time.

Raise the Bar with Interplay

When the stakes are high, bring collaboration to the highest level with Avid Interplay asset management systems. Instantly access media and secure files from unauthorized use. Always have the current production elements in play and synced through automated tracking. And with sophisticated multi-contributor asset management, multi-resolution workflows, and rules-based transcoding, you can put the flow in workflow for total facility-wide collaboration.

A Worldwide, World-Class Community

The Industry Leader

Avid understands professional content creation. We've been in this industry for over 20 years, designing the tools used by more film and television professionals than any other product. In fact, Symphony Nitris DX is certified by ACE (American Cinema Editors), and received both an Oscar and Emmy Award. And though we are the industry leader, we continuously strive to innovate and make our products the best they can be, so you can keep doing what you do more easily and more efficiently. Learn more about Avid.

Avid Editors Wanted

For projects large and small, studios and production companies around the world constantly seek the skills and advice of Avid editors, as they're widely considered to be the best in the industry. Whether you want to do freelance or join a team, or are looking for talented Avid editors to help you with a project, you'll find opportunities and Avid editors everywhere.

Get Expert Support

When you need help, expert assistance is just a web click or phone call away. Choose from a wide range of Avid Support programs that fit your needs and budget, including free web-based support, pay-per-case phone support, an Avid Support contract, and complete installation services.

Get Training

Get the most out of your investment through Avid training. Whether you simply want to learn how to use your Avid software and/or system to the fullest or want to up your game through certification training, you can choose from several self-paced books, online courses and classroom training, and customized training programs.

Connect with Others

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 users. Stay up to date on the latest tools and techniques. Get helpful tips, tricks, and tutorials from others in the community. Meet others by joining an Avid User Group. And much more!

Starting with Media Composer 5, Symphony 5, and NewsCutter 9, ScriptSync-a feature that has long been a coveted tool, enabling you to blaze through script-based projects and find the best takes fast-will be offered as a separate, purchasable option. If you've been using ScriptSync in previous versions, you'll get a new license for the ScriptSync option when you upgrade to the versions above. When we ship new versions in the future, we'll provide you with upgrade paths for our editing software and ScriptSync.