Avid adds native XDCAM Support to Media Composer

Avid has released Media Composer v3.5, Symphony v3.5 and NewsCutter v 7.5, which adds native support of the Sony XDCAM format, and a groundbreaking 3D stereoscopic workflow. The upgrade also removes the need to use a hardware dongle with the software, which is replaced with a software activation system.

The upgrades offer complete end-to-end native support for the popular Sony XDCAM HD formats, at all bandwidths. Users can now playback and edit directly from the disc, render, mixdown, export sequences and clips with eight audio tracks, and writeback with sequence timecode.

Stereoscopic 3D editing enables customers to acquire, edit and display stereoscopic (3D) material. Content can be displayed with stereo-monitoring capabilities in both the composer window and full screen playback -- eliminating the need for costly conforms previously required to screen 3D material.

Customers can automatically link clips from a third-party volume (Panasonic P2 or Sony XDCAM HD/EX) devices into an Avid editing bin, without having to transcode or store the media on their system.

Keyframeable colour correction provides editors with the ability to make most colour adjustments using advanced keyframes in the offline editorial process. The new fluid stabilizer effect equips customers with a new 2D tracking engine designed to track and remove camera motion, when used in combination with the Avid SteadyGlide feature.

General effects enhancements include the ability to copy Keyframes at position as well as enhanced 3D Warp, Quality and CPU/GPU performance to quickly render and process effects.

The upgrade also offers improved Pro Tools integration and enhanced audio capabilities

Avid Media Composer v3.5 runs on Mac OS X and Windows platforms and costs £380 as an upgrade, or £1,932 plus VAT for the full software.

Read our review of Media Composer v3.0.