Avid Media Composer 6.0 is a completely rebuilt version of the software program that came to define nonlinear editing. The professional video editing software now has a speedier, more powerful 64-bit open architecture that allows the program to address more system RAM. The architecture also opens up easy integration with I/O hardware – not just from Avid but also from several third-party manufacturers, such as AJA, Blackmagic Design, and Matrox. Version 6.0 features a revamped (but still familiarly Avid) user interface, tools for 5.1 and 7.1 surround-sound editing, and comprehensive tools & workflows for editing stereoscopic 3D footage – no plug-ins required.
Media Composer 6.0 is fast, and as a 64-bit application it handles complex projects with aplomb, performing faster keyframing and effects processing. With a new full RGB 4:4:4 DNxHD codec (DNxHD 444), the software allows you to work with high-definition video at the highest levels of quality at reasonable bandwidths. Revamped Avid Media Access (AMA) architecture makes it possible to work natively with AVCHD and RED footage. On the Mac side, you can now decode and encode all the Apple ProRes codecs, for easier integration with workflows that involve Final Cut Pro.
The changes to the well-loved interface are subtle, but ones that professional editors will wholeheartedly appreciate, such as tabbed bins and dockable tabs. Version 6.0 software also includes a few modules that give you the tools you need to perform those crucial tasks that are ancillary to the craft of editing: create special effects, perform encoding tasks, and author DVDs by using Boris RED (Avid FX), Sorenson Squeeze, and Avid DVD, respectively. With support for the Artist Color interface, you can perform color correction & color grading with specialist-level ergonomic control.
Features and Worfkflows Introduced for Version 6.0
Full 64-Bit Power
Fast gets even faster with native 64-bit operation, so even when you layer together the most complex effects, things will still feel snappy. Experience smoother playback, faster rendering performance, and better handling with large bins – and say goodbye to the old memory limitations of the 32-bit operating systems
Better Performance – and 3D – with Avid Hardware
For the fastest capture/edit/monitor/output workflows, pair Media Composer with a Nitris DX or Mojo DX video interface (sold separately) and experience hardware-accelerated power that's second to none. You can now even customize Nitris DX with up to two Avid DNxHD or AVC-Intra chips for full support of stereoscopic 3D and HD RGB 4:4:4 workflows
Open for Business
Media Composer is now fully open thanks to Avid Open I/O, so you can work with your choice of Avid audio and video interfaces or third-party video interfaces, including those from AJA, Blackmagic Design, Bluefish444, Matrox, and MOTU. Manufacturers can simply create plug-ins using Avid Open I/O to have their hardware work with Media Composer, meaning you'll have even more choices to come
Sleek New Look and Avid Marketplace
Modern, smart, and sexy. Media Composer has a whole new look, but its familiar editing workflow stays the same. Work faster through the tabbed interface (no more window clutter!). Customize window configurations with Workspaces. Browse the Avid Marketplace for stock footage, video and audio plug-ins, software and hardware options, training materials, and more – right from within the app. You can even access user guides and other documentation without having to scour the Avid website
Work with 3D
Edit stereoscopic 3D material as quickly and easily as you do with standard 2D footage, with a full set of new features and workflows. Capture, edit, and manage the complete 3D end-to-end workflow. Mix and match 2D and stereoscopic 3D clips on the same track. Plus, work with full frame and frame-compatible sources, full-fledged editing tools, video effects, and more
Go Hands-On with Artist Color
Accelerate your color correcting and grading with Artist Color. With its highly responsive feel, you can keep your eyes on the picture instead of the interface while you make adjustments. And since you can tweak multiple parameters at once, you dramatically gain more speed and efficiency to complete time-consuming tasks quickly
Mix in Surround Sound
You want your audio to sound as spectacular as your video looks. Now you can record, edit, and mix studio-quality audio in up to 7.1 surround-right in Media Composer. Not only that, you can share mixes with Pro Tools editors (using AAF), and even record and monitor audio using a host of Avid audio interfaces
Edit Faster and Easier Than Ever
Open to Anything
You never know what kinds of media, projects, and people will arrive at your desk or doorstep. That's why Media Composer offers an open workflow, so you can take on whatever challenge awaits. Work with practically any media format, including tape and film. Capture and monitor with your choice of Avid and third-party interfaces. Accelerate editing with Artist Series control surfaces. Integrate into any professional production pipeline. Sync projects with Pro Tools editors using Video Satellite. And take your offline online to Symphony or Avid DS – without redoing work
Experience the "Waitless" Workflow
With AMA (Avid Media Access), you can instantly access and edit file-based media-including new RED/RED EPIC, new AVCHD, ProRes, QuickTime (including footage from HDSLR cameras), XDCAM, P2, Canon XF, and other formats – without transcoding, importing, or rewrapping files. Get a jumpstart on reviewing footage without the wait, and avoid bringing in unwanted material. And as new cameras and formats emerge, manufacturers can create and release their own AMA plug-ins independently from a Media Composer release
Work with Any Media
File-based media, analog and digital tape, stereoscopic 3D material, film – bring it on. Media Composer offers a wide range of features, workflows, and options that enable you to work with everything, from old-school media to the latest camera technologies. Experience the fastest tapeless workflows in the industry. Capture footage directly from digital cameras. Or add an Avid or third-party video interface to capture from other analog or digital sources. Plus, with support for 4:4:4 HD-RGB color and DNxHD 444, you can work efficiently while preserving the full-quality color detail from beginning to end
Take Storytelling to the Cutting Edge
It doesn't matter how you learned to edit – Media Composer goes where others leave off, enabling you to work faster and in ways you're most comfortable. In fact, its tools are ACE-certified. Trim clips and manipulate transitions on the fly using the Smart Tool (see the Smart Tool in action), or perform ultra-precise edits using traditional tools. Mix and match media formats, frame rates, resolutions, and more in the same timeline – in real time – without rendering (see Mix and Match in action). And edit HD material in real time – in mastering picture quality – using Avid DNxHD or DNxHD 444
Collaborate with Ease
Share media, projects, and bins – locally and across the world – to complete projects on time and on budget. With Avid ISIS (sold separately), you and your team can access the same assets and capture media to the same volume simultaneously. Access files – even when in use by others – without copying media. Collaborate across mixed editing platforms, including Final Cut Pro through AMA, which supports ProRes encoding (Mac only) and decoding. Share audio mixes with Pro Tools editors – and vice-versa – using AAF. And bring collaboration to the highest level with Avid Interplay (sold separately)
Find the Right Clips and Best Takes Fast
Working on a scripted or dialog-heavy project such as a reality TV show, documentary, or interview? Save hours of wasted search time using two dialog search options for Media Composer. For script-based projects, the ScriptSync powered by Nexidia option (sold separately) phonetically indexes all clip dialog in your project and then syncs all relevant clips to your script – automatically – so you can find the best takes fast. The PhraseFind powered by Nexidia option (sold separately) offers the same phonetic audio indexing, but enables you to pull up all relevant clips quickly by searching on a key word or phrase
Gain Peace of Mind with Reliable Media Management
Whether you work alone or as part of a team, you won't have to worry about losing your assets. Media Composer provides you with 20+ years of industry-proven media management innovation, which keeps track of all your projects, assets, source material, rendered files, metadata, and more, so you don't have to. Not only that, you can customize it to track your assets the way you want
Shop the Avid Marketplace
Conveniently browse for stock footage, video and audio plug-ins, hardware, and more, right from within Media Composer – no shoes, shirt, or pants required. Search for and preview stock footage from Thought Equity Motion, download comps for editing, and make purchases once editorial is complete. Shop for video and audio plug-ins to get the look and sound you're after. Discover software options that'll greatly speed up your workflow. Shop for audio interfaces and other hardware. You'll even find training and other media that'll help perfect your skills
Get the Look, Sound, and Quality You Want
Design and Dazzle with Visual Effects
Give your projects that professional polish using the bundled and built-in design and effects tools. Create eye-catching 2D and 3D composites, titles, animation, and effects with Avid FX (aka Boris RED), a powerful collection of creative tools designed by Boris FX. Add visual impact, drama, and depth with a host of built-in 2D and 3D effects, title tools, transitions, key and motion effects, and more. Add focus and fix issues with motion tracking and stabilization tools. And expand your visual palette with third-party partners' effects, many of which can be purchased within Media Composer from the Avid Marketplace
Create Studio-Quality Soundtracks
Make your projects sound as good as they look using the built-in audio recording, editing, and mixing tools (see the audio tools in action). Record and monitor voiceovers, overdubs, and more using select Avid audio interfaces. Edit and mix multitrack audio in up to 7.1 surround. Share mixes with Pro Tools editors. Polish sounds with 20 included AIR effects – the same ones that come with Pro Tools. And expand your sound with the industry's best compressors, reverbs, and other sound processing plug-ins, many of which can be purchased within Media Composer from the Avid Marketplace
Color-Correct and Color-Grade with Precision
Save time and maintain the highest quality production with the fully integrated 10-bit color-correction toolset. Quickly and accurately match colors from shot to shot using NaturalMatch. Gain better color precision with support for full-quality 4:4:4 HD-RGB color space processing. Get fine control over shots with animatable color correction. Speed up your color work with Artist Color (sold separately). And dive into the large palette of easy-to-use tools to refine settings or get creative
Design and Deliver
With Avid DVD and Sorenson Squeeze included, you can author DVDs and optimize media for the highest-quality playback-online or on disc. Author professional DVDs and Blu-ray Discs using Avid DVD, which works with Windows-based systems (including emulation software on Macs). With Sorenson Squeeze, you can optimize content in a variety of formats (including HD, DVD, MPEG-2, MPEG-4/H.264, Flash, and 3GPP), author DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (on Windows), and burn discs on a PC or Mac
Excellent Support
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