Michael Hancock
Forum Replies Created
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Well, I can tell you that Avid isn’t designed to run on Leopard yet, or with the latest version of quicktime (7.3 is as high as you should go on an Avid), so it’s very likely that Quicktime or Leopard is the culprit. I’m putting my money on Leopard, because there are Avid folks who installed Qtime 7.4 on a PC and the Meridien codecs work fine.
Are there any programs that can search your hard drives and read the metadata of quicktime files to find all the Meridien renders on your system? If such a program exists you could just run a search, move all meridien quicktimes to the G5, do a batch conversion, bring them back and move the G5 out of the suite.
Sorry I can’t be of more help. Good luck, and let us know if you find a solution.
Michael.
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You say you transferred the Quicktime components from the old machine, but have you tried simply reinstalling the Avid codecs?
You may want to try that to see if they how up. Something may have been missed when you transfered them from the other system.
Michael.
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I agree with you Brendan, but the poster seems to be in a unique situation. The client never asked for his rate, so they have no idea that 1.5x what he normally charges is 1.5x is actual rate. As far as they’ll know, it’s his normal rate.
On the other hand, I believe it would be underhanded to present your rate increase as your standard rate. If they talk to any of your other clients…and they will if they can find them…they’ll realize really fast what happened and it may be the last time you work for them and probably anyone else they talk to.
Not much to do here except charge your normal rate and learn from it (as Brendan suggested), or charge 1.5x your rate and explain why it’s so much more and hope they understand.
Good luck. Let us know how it turns out if you can.
Michael.
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I apologize, I did give bad information.
For the last fews days on the Avid forums there have been mixed answers, but it looks like–right now–you cannot upgrade your Academic Xpress Pro to a commercial license of MC. However, if you still have Academic status, you can buy MC for $295.
That said, here’s the FAQ about the EOL of XPress and MC pricing and upgrade pricing.
COPIED AND PASTED FROM COMMUNITY.AVID.COM/FORUMS
Upgrade price from any version of a commercial license of Xpress Pro to Media Composer with 3rd party software bundle: $495 (US)
Upgrade Academic Xpress Pro (any version) to a Commercial version of Media Composer (Including 3rd party Add-ons) is not an upgradable product at this time. Please contact your reseller for a price.
Upgrade pricing is available for Xpress ‘Pro academic to Media Composer Academic. Again, contact your reseller.
Purchase Media Composer Academic: $295 (US) (Anyone holding a valid State Educational Institution ID)
Purchase Media Composer Software: $2495 (US)
European prices are 500 Euros and 310 GBP.
Xpress Pro will continue to be sold through Q2 of 2008.
Avid will support Xpress Pro through March 13, 2013, but the program will not be updated beyond the current version (5.8).
Regular Mojo and Mojo-SDI will work with Media Composer.
If you’re running an Avid certified machine with the newest version of Xpress Pro, your computer will most likely run Media Composer sofware. Check the Media Composer specs to see where you system might be lacking. Media Composer System Requirements
Purchasing Assurance Contracts: Changes (if any) are not determined at this point, to be announced at a later date if changes will be made.
When will the Xpress Pro to Media Composer upgrade price expire? This is currently considered a set price for the upgrade from Xpress Pro to Media Composer with no expiration date set.
I need 720p/25 support, which is slated for a future release. Will it be added to Xpress Pro? No. Xpress Pro will not be further updated. You will need to update to the Media Composer version when 720p/25 is supported.
Will Xpress Pro run on Leopard or Vista? Not in a supported configuration. Again, Xpress Pro will no longer be developed, so Leopard and Vista will not be supported for Xpress Pro. Upgrade to Media Composer when the software supports these operating systems.
Is there any price cut on hardware? There have been no hardware announcements to date.
Can I update Xpress DV to Media Composer? Yes, but not all in one install. First, buy the upgrade to Xpress Pro for $495 and update your dongle. Then buy the Xpress Pro to Media Composer upgrade for $495 and update your dongle for Media Composer.
Do I get third party programs with the upgrade? Yes. Upgrading a commercial license of Xpress Pro to Media Composer will include the third party software bundle, including Boris CC effects. Currently, BCC is not a part of the software download purchase from the Avid store. Avid online is currently working to get those plugs bundled with the download but no word on how long that will take
Sorry again for the misinformation.
Michael.
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I have good news for both of you.
Gabriel–definitely upgrade if you can afford to. Also, if you’re running an Avid approved system for Xpress Pro, there’s about a 99% chance it’ll run Media Composer without a problem. The system specs are identical, except that Media Composer suggests more horsepower/RAM. I think it’s because there’s no artifical limitation to uncompressed realtime streams of SD media.
David–you have the Academic license for Xpress Pro, right? For $495 you can upgrade your Xpress Pro (Academic) to Media Composer (Commercial license). The catch? You won’t get the third party software bundle (Boris Effects, Avid DVD, Sorenson, etc…), but you’ll have a full commercial license of Media Composer, and you can buy the third party stuff when the budget allows. I say go for it.
Michael.
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Sapphire also has a great Soft Focus plugin that’s perfect for this kind of thing. Otherwise, you could double up the video, add a slight blur to the top layer, add a Transfer effect, set it to screen, then lower the opacity. It will give everything a softer, dreamier look.
Michael.
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Thanks Richard.
I won’t be the one using the programs, but the fellow who will be was on a plane over the ocean, so we couldn’t ask him. I’ll tell the client to send the InDesign file–the Photoshop guy can export a layer at a time if he needs to.
Thanks again.
Michael.
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Are you PC or Mac? What version of Avid? What version of the operating system on your PC or Mac? What version of Quicktime? If on a PC, what drivers for you video card? Which video card do you have? Have you updated anything no your system lately?
We need a lot more info before we can start to help. Right now there are too many variables missing to make an educated guess.
Michael.
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In Xpress Pro? There really isn’t one. If you’re on Media Composer (or upgrade to Media Composer–$495 upgrade price) you can use Animatte.
If it’s a moving shot and you’ll be basically rotoscoping, take it to After Effects. Avid Xpress and Media Composer weren;t built to be compositors, and while it can be done–it would be a lot faster and easier in AE.
Michael.
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You have to cut it in multiple times, or take it to After Effects, set it to loop until it’s the duration you want, then render it and import that.
I’d just cut it in a few times. Doesn’t take long.
Michael.