AVID INTRODUCES V.4.0 FOR MEDIA COMPOSER FAMILY
Version 4.0 is designed for overall productivity increases and its most notable new feature is an expanded timeline that allows users to mix and match media of any frame rate and resolution, all in realtime. Mackay says this includes SD, HD, PAL, NTSC, progressive and interlaced video, with broadcast quality playback and output.
The improved timeline accommodates more material, benefiting those who produce documentaries and corporate videos, where varying formats are used. The elimination of the transcoding process previously necessary before importing into the editor speeds up the editing process.
Three of the five applications included in the Media Composer productivity pack have been updated. There are new versions of Boris Continuum Complete, with new filters and transitions; SmartSound Sonic Fire Pro is now in V.5 release for those looking to create custom audio tracks; and Sorenson's Squeeze has also been improved.
Avid's AMA architecture has been expanded to support Ikegami cameras, with direct access to file-based material. This includes full metadata support. And, Media Composer users can now encode to Panasonic's P2 format, allowing them to preserve and deliver masters in the P2 format.
Stereoscopic enhancements in Media Composer 4.0 include the ability to use interlaced stereoscopic material, allowing for a greater choice of monitors. Additionally, 1080p/24 HD material can now be viewed in realtime on an SD monitor, allowing customers to continue to use their standard definition monitors.
And, a new 720p proxy feature creates low-rez proxies that weigh less and take up less disk space. Mackay says this is particularly useful in sports broadcasting.