Avid has been a Hollywood NLE platform for sometime. Now a new version is in the works and it’s free. What does this mean? The offering is still in the works and is scheduled for release later this year. I remember “Avid Free DV”. I think that’s what they called it. It didn’t really gain traction but I like to see Avid get aggressive and having a free version to get people in the door is a good move. Check out the FAQ to see what Avid is offering in Media Composer l First. Below are the three most interesting outtakes from the FAQ.
Q. Media Composer | First is free – are there any hidden costs?
A. No, there are no hidden costs. When it’s available, you’ll be able to download and use Media Composer | First at no cost. Media Composer | First uses software licensing; it does not require a hardware key (dongle).
Q. Media Composer | First seems to be aimed at beginners, does that mean you can’t do much with it?
A. You can do a whole lot with Media Composer | First. The software is designed to be easy to use yet powerful, and a great introduction to professional video editing software. Media Composer | First has all the tools to create a project from start to finish and to deliver a finished movie in professional formats and to popular web outlets, unlike some freeware products that disable critical features like saving or delivering finished projects. It includes many of the same features as industry-standard Media Composer. It also lets you expand those tools and feature sets through additional purchases including plug-ins, options, and additional applications. You’ll also be able to buy stock footage and music. All Media Composer | First projects are stored in the cloud; some projects and cloud storage space are included,, with the opportunity to purchase more. Additionally, users have the opportunity to upgrade to a full version of Media Composer without losing any options, plugins, projects, add-ons etc. that were purchased with Media Composer | First.
Q. Who is Media Composer | First designed for?
A. Media Composer | First is perfect for aspiring video professionals, video enthusiasts, students, and people interested in experiencing the video editing software used to create 99% of primetime television shows and the vast majority of major motion pictures. It’s a great way to get started in video editing. For people experienced with other video editing software, from those who have outgrown basic freeware to those using other commercially-available video editing software, Media Composer | First provides a step up. While working professionals and filmmakers will likely find Media Composer | First too limiting, they can always purchase more project and storage capacity, plug-ins, options, and additional software, and can of course upgrade to full Media Composer.
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