If you're a creative editor, you want an editing tool that not only makes storytelling simple, but helps you track your project, organize your media, and pull you through the trouble spots. That's why so many professionals trust their best ideas to Avid Media Composer. Unsurpassed creative tools, rock-solid media management, and the highest quality effects and output make Media Composer the most powerful editing solution available.

Editing done right
Editing is about speed, flexibility, and "feel." Refined editing tools, integrated media management, and seamless conform help you stay relaxed and focused on telling the best story. And Avid's Open Timeline lets you juggle formats and ideas- offering real-time editing and playback of multiple SD and HD resolutions.

Seamless integration into any workflow
Native integration of P2, XDCAM-HD, and HDV formats lets you focus on editing, not getting data into and out of the system. The Avid DNxHD36 codec provides the perfect solution for HD offline. Need to go out to DVD, Blu-ray, or the Web? Sorensen Squeeze and Avid DVD by Sonic (PC only) are included for multi-format output.

Engineered for collaboration
Share media, projects, and ideas and make the best use of resources and staff skills. Media Composer integrates directly with Avid Unity shared storage solutions and the Avid Interplay nonlinear workflow engine, for real-time collaboration at every level.

Get the look, effects, and quality you envision
Match shots quickly with the industry-standard Avid color correction toolset. Work in high-quality HD with Avid DNxHD. And push the envelope with SpectraMatte keying, Fluid Motion time effects, Boris Continuum Complete, and a wide range of third-party AVX2 plug-ins.

A worldwide, world-class community
Avid forums connect you with other editors. A range of support and training programs tailored to your needs and budget keep you on top of your game. And our online and real-world user communities provide feedback, news, and support.

• Support for Mac OSX Leopard and Windows Vista
• Additional HD codec support, such as Sony XDCAM-EX (using the Sony Clip Browser software), Panasonic AVC-I & JVC 23.976p & 25p HDV
• Improved real-time performance for non-full-raster HD codecs
• Improved real-time effect performance with optimized CPU/GPU acceleration
• Improved render performance with optimized multi-threading on multi-core CPUs
• MetaFuze tool, for quickly merging single-frame files (such as DPX and TIF) from film scanning or CGI systems into a single media clip. (Windows only)
• Real-time multi-window timecode burn-in tool
• SubCap subtitling tool

Color Correction
Save time and maintain quality with a fully integrated 10-bit color correction toolset. Only Avid offers NaturalMatch to quickly and accurately match shots. Or use the large palette of easy-to-use manual tools for corrective or creative adjustments.

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

SpectraMatte
Create a high-quality key, even with compressed HD codec material. Eliminate guesswork and get the perfect key using the interactive interface. Preview your keys in real time and with online quality with 16-bit SpectraGraph technology.

Effect plug-ins
Increase your effect library using third-party plug-ins, such as the bundled Boris Continuum Complete. Save time using the real-time playback capabilities of selected AVX2 effects. AVX plug-ins are fully integrated into the Avid user interface using the Avid AVX2 standard.

Effect performance
Get the best real-time multi-layer effect performance using Avid's advanced effect acceleration*, which leverages both the CPU and GPU (graphics card) as well as optimized multi-threading technology on multi-core CPUs.

Avid DNxHD support
Edit HD material in real time on your software system using Avid DNxHD encoding, including HD offline using Avid DNxHD36 media. The high-efficiency Avid DNxHD codec is designed to maintain image quality during multi-generation editing.

System Requirements

Qualified operating systems

• Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)* on Intel DuoCore and PowerPC hardware
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (32 bit)
• Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32 bit)*
• Microsoft Windows Vista Business (64 bit)*

• For detailed Mac and Windows hardware support information, visit the system requirements page.

File-based support

Sony XDCAM / XDCAM HD

• Native editing of all listed SD and HD data rates (see above)
• Native editing of proxy media, with Batch Import function for high-resolution media
• Import via File Access Mode (FAM) over IEEE-1394
• Ingest via FTP client over Ethernet
• Write-back of finished program to XDCAM media over IEEE-1394

• Native editing for all listed data rates (see above)
• Import of MXF files, as exported by Sony Clip Browser application (Windows only)

• Native DVCPRO HD editing of all listed HD formats (see above)
• Direct edit of P2 media from cards or disk drive
• Support for P2 Store
• Write-back of finished program to P2 media via IEEE-1394 (currently not supported on Leopard)

• All DNxHD formats
• Refer to the DNxHD White Paper for details
• Playback only, no capture

• AVR (playback only)
• 4:1s, 2:1s, 3:1, 2:1 (no capture)
• 15:1s, 20:1, 10:1
• 35:1p, 28:1p, 14:1p, 3:1p, 2:1p
• 4:1m, 10:1m, 3:1m(p), 8:1m(p)

Project formats

NTSC

• 23.976p
• 24p
• 30i

• 24p
• 25i
• 25p

• 720p/23.976
• 720p/25* NEW
• 720p/50
• 720p/59.94

• 1080p/23.976
• 1080p/24
• 1080p/25
• 1080p/29.97* NEW
• 1080i/59.94
• 1080i/50

What's in the box

Software

• Avid Media Composer
• Avid MediaLog
• Avid Log Exchange
• Avid FilmScribe
• Avid EDL Manager
• Avid MetaSync Manager
• Avid MetaFuze* (Windows only)
• Avid Interplay Transfer (standalone version)

• Avid DVD by Sonic - Industry-leading DVD and Blu-ray authoring (Windows only)
• Boris Continuum AVX - Comprehensive library of customizable video filters and transitions
• Sorenson Squeeze - Multimedia export with customizable compression templates
• SmartSound SonicFire Pro - Automated music track creation

• USB application key (dongle)
• Keycaps labels

• Basics Guide
• Advanced Effects Guide
• Avid Resource Guide