Avid updates Media Composer and Symphony

03.11.2011
Avid has announced new versions of and , professional video editing programs targeted to independent video professionals, post-production houses, broadcasters, and media companies. These new versions are designed to increase performance, collaboration, and productivity.

Media Composer 6 and Symphony 6 have been rebuilt on a new 64-bit architecture that promises to boost performance and flexibility. These applications feature a sleek, new interface and include support for third-party hardware, AVCHD and RED Epic with (AMA), Avid 444 codec, and .

The new software is compatible with existing hardware and lets users add Avid editing systems to current workflow configurations with the new Avid Open I/O. This supports video and audio cards from AJA Video Systems, Blackmagic Design, Bluefish444, Matrox, and MOTU.

With Symphony, which is now available as a software-only product--users get greater flexibility for on-set and mobile editorial and color work, the company says.

In addition, Avid has enhanced integration and 5.1/7.1 surround, and extensive metadata management. Users can transfer more session data from Media Composer to Pro Tools. Additional metadata is available in the AAF interchange format.