Avid releases Avid Free DV

[Array]

Originally posted by fig
Seems like something worth checking out if you're looking for a low-end editing solution for demo reels, etc.

http://www.avid.com/freedv/index.asp

chris

sweet. thanks for the heads up.

[Tex3D]

Downloading now :love:

-Dave

[hardimage]

if it only would be compression lossless

[azazel]

if only it worked on w2k....... :thumbsdow

[RormanKnockwell]

WAIT! Before you install this, have a look at the Avid FreeDV forum (http://www.avid.com/cgi/forumscgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Avid+Free+DV&number=41&DaysPrune=20&LastLogin=).

People have reported serious problems with the OS X version. I got my copy, but will not be installing until all this is fully worked out. Yeah, I know that there will always be a few "your software wrecked my system!" posts, but I still would like to see the problem explained before I take a chance.

Furthermore, the installer asked for my password in mid-install, and displayed it as plain text. :thumbsdow

[klingspor]

Wow, this is great news!

I've been wanting to learn Avid editing for quite some time now and this is like an invitation to do so.

Looking at the feature table it seems like they didn't bother to leave many features in it though... but I suppose that's to be expected from a free version.
Anyway, I'm happy to get a chance to play around with it...

[Tex3D]

LOL

I thought that too!! I was left wondering what exactly CAN you do with it. But then I felt like an ass realizing that I didn't even know what half of that stuff was anyways..:blush:

-Dave

[scad3dmacguy]

Hey guys,

Just downloaded and installed it on my 1.25 G4 without a problem. Runs and works great. Now its time to play:applause:

-Josh

[fig]

Originally posted by azazel
if only it worked on w2k....... :thumbsdow

yeah, same thing for me...ah well :hmm: i am curious to hear what those of you who can run it think tho, let us know :)

chris

[klingspor]

Well, for me it's working ok so far! The interface does take some getting used to and many things aren't where you'd expect them to be in other apps. That all comes with experience, I guess.

Anyway, I've just played with it for five minutes so I can't comment on the overall usefulness of the program quite yet, but what I've seen, I like...

[JamesMK]

The fact that XP is the ONLY supported WinOS really blows... :thumbsdow

Oh well, back to the weirdness of other freeware editors then.

[NUKE-CG]

Yeah, Avid did something quite annoying, not support Windows 2000 for 3.5.. :thumbsdow

Most Cg artists are only dealing with small amounts of footage anyway, Xpress is for actual editors.. Premiere/Video Studio would be better for most anyway..

XP.. MEH!

[slaughters]

You can not edit AVI files with Avid Free DV. When attempting to import one you get the message, "Avid Free DV only supports import of PICT, JPG, and QuickTime files"

Oh well, that was a quick install-to-uninstall cycle for me. I do not want to have to convert files to MOV format just to be able to edit them.

The import is slow also. I have a 1.5 GHz machine and it took over 35 minutes to import a 13.3MB MOV file. That's roughly 2 minutes per MB. Kind of a long wait to just initially load a file for editing. Anyone notice any slowness in saving and editing?

P.S. The initial window set-up actually overlaps windows panes at 1024x768. You'll need to run at higher-rez to use Avid comfortably.

[Gilgamesh]

This install just crashed my roomate's G4 running OS 10.2. It wont start up now, so be forewarned!
Also, if anyone knows how to fix this, he would appreciate it. (unplugging the ethernet cable as suggested in the AVID forum didn't work.)

[lowkey]

I do not want to have to convert files to MOV format just to be able to edit them.

this is necessary for avid software makes use of it's own indexed format called OMFI, which is pretty handy when re-digitizing footage in higher resolution formats or re-editing projects at a later point of time.

though it might seem limited in comparison to 'semi-professional' NLEs like premiere or FCP first, it's really great once you've got used to it.

on the other, it's just another editing solution, don't be fooled by it's highend renown, it doesn't do magic!

;)

[slaughters]

Originally posted by lowkey
this is necessary for avid software makes use of it's own indexed format called OMFI, which is pretty handy when re-digitizing footage in higher resolution formats or re-editing projects at a later point of time. My point was that they crippled the FREE version by not allowing it to import AVI files. So, I would have to convert my AVI to a MOV just so Avid could then take 2 minutes per MB to import/convert that to their own internal format.

Really, just not worth it for something no more advaced that a "Windows Movie Maker" version of the product.

[lowkey]

just not worth it for something no more advaced that a "Windows Movie Maker" version of the product.

considering the functionality of that free version, you're definitely right.

but thinking about the aspect of learning avid interfaces i have to disagree. no one should have expected them to give away an unlimited production tool for free. :)

[slaughters]

You're right. If they had just included the AVI import, leaving the other limitations in place, then I would have at least played with it a little more and gotten familular with their product. Which was of course the whole point of Avid releasing the free version.

It's strange they would do it this way for essentially an LE version of their product. It looks like they were mainly targeting the MAC people. Isn't MOV the native MAC animation format?

[lowkey]

yes, it seems AVID's main target is the MAC platform and i think it's always been like that.

lot's of production facilities i know edit their footage using MACs, i guess it's because in the beginning there was no NT version available. :shrug:

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