• Avid Media Composer

  Upgrading Question

  Posted by Zoetrope on November 6, 2006 at 8:03 pm

  Greetings,
  I am still using a Meridien-based MC (v12.0.5) running on a Mac G4 and it appears to be dying a slow death. So, I’m trying to determine if I should stick w/AVID or look at other NLEs, say FCP on the newest Mac Intel. In terms of editing, I often edit multiple-screen shows, anywhere from 3-10+ screens. The AVID MC was great because it let me “mock-up” low-rez, multiple screens by submastering P-i-Ps. I could edit/composite a 3+ screen show and was only slowed down by rendering/CPU power. Maybe this is a FCP question but, would I be able to do the same thing using FCP? The AVID has been such a workhorse for editing several vid streams at once – can FCP do this? If I stick with AVID, is there any reason to go with a Mac Intel versus a Windows PC? I’ve been using a Mac-based AVID MC since the early 90s. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate your input.

  Tucklis replied 19 years, 6 months ago 3 Members · 2 Replies
• 2 Replies

• 

  Mike Cavanagh

  November 7, 2006 at 1:54 am

  Good questions. The rendering on a G5 quad Media Composer (both Adrenaline and the 5k software version) screams. Macpro systems will be out at end of quarter. FCP can also handle multi camera, just the overall media management is not yet up to Avid speed, although Steve Bayes may change that come next April. Overall, if you like the MediaComposer and know it well, stay with the platform. The new ones work on software via firewire, Mojo (Analog or SDI) or with an Adrenaline bob. Adrenaline’s are mostly for compression and the DNxHD inputs. An FCP/AJa will be less cash up front, but not as much as it used to be. What the big factor is the learning transition curve. The Avid can work on either PC or Mac. If you’re used to the Mac and are not on a network, I’d stay that way. The Macs are actually a little less money than the comparably confirgured HP boxes.
• 

  Tucklis

  November 8, 2006 at 10:32 pm

  Just gone through the same problem!!!!

  Ended up turning x3 Meridian System 8.x into x4 Adrenalin systems running on G5 quad processer Tiger machines. It’s a very close match as long as u r able to add on an unbalanced to balanced audio convertor, a Mackie Big Knob and some speakers and cables into the package. The extras are to unhook the DNA box to run as software through firewire, for audio scrubbing…….If u want the same system then do it this way….otherwise go for FCP……..

Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up