ADVICE ON AVID EXPRESS PRO

[M. Jones]

For what it’s worth. I came to Avid Xpress W/mojo from Discreet Logic Edit. And it has been sufficient. Here’s my advice. Learn AVID software in and out. And only buy what you need.
You may not need the full studio package. You can save money by getting an awesome computer, Avid XPress pro software, mojo, and possibly the digi 002.

You may not need the avid dvd,or pro tools,or avid 3d. You could save money and get a souped up PC. I suggest the HP xw8200

God Bless!

[Oakmozart]

The Studio Toolkit HD–which features Avid FX (Boris Red 3GL), Avid 3D (based off of the now-defunct softimage 3D from Softimage), and Avid DVD (Sonic DVD Producer)–features a whole bunch of powerful possibilities. There was a special going on recently, where you could get a copy of the Studio Toolkit HD for $995. That’s a limited time offer that may have already expired, but is also an insanely good deal. I suggest you look into Studio Toolkit HD a bit more before discounting it. Purchasing it will give you the Xpress Pro “PowerPack”, which you might consider buying as a single product. https://www.avid.com/products/studiotoolkit/

There is also another deal going on from Avid, where if you buy an Avid Mojo, you get a copy of XPro 5.2.2 free. Quite a deal. https://www.avid.com/promos/mojo/mojo_proUpgrade.asp

Don’t discount Xpress Studio, either…especially if you need the audio capabilities offered by Pro Tools LE, the appropriate Digidesign hardware (Mbox or Digi 002) and the DV Toolkit. It would be cheapest to simply buy Xpress Studio if this is the route you are planning on taking.

I also second the suggestion to get an HP xw8200…it’s an excellent computer. The best, in my opinion, and Avid’s certified workstation of choice. You can’t go wrong with it.

I will offer one last piece of advice: it’s January, as you well know. That means that NAB is only 3 months away, and that’s when Avid makes its major announcements for their big new products for the year. If you buy now, you might regret your purchase in 3 months should Avid announce something hot and new in the hardware (or software) department. It would likely behoove you to hold off on any purchases for another 3 months, just in case something big comes about. If you need XPro/Mojo now, go ahead and get it, but you may find yourself selling it in April or May if something better comes along. Selling something used on Ebay doesn’t always fetch you the price you’d like to get…especially when it comes to Avid products.

Take care.