Tewksbury, Massachusetts-based Avid Technology Inc has begun volume shipment of Version 5.2 for its Media Composer and Film Composer digital nonlinear video and film editing systems. New features, which vary by model, include Avid Video Resolution 27. Avid’s two-field image resolution, enhanced real-time two dimensional digital video effects, software-based multicamera editing and support for third-party PhotoShop-compatible plug-ins Avid’s Media Reader option. Avid Video Resolution 27 is Avid’s two-field image resolution which provides sharper pictures on complex, detailed images and supports real-time effects available on Avid’s on-line Media Composer systems as well as extending previous frame size capabilities up to 30%. Also new in Version 5.2 is the Avid multicamera user interface, which enables editors to view and edit with four cameras, change camera angles while viewing a scene, and substitute corresponding shots from several different camera sources. The Media Composer and Film Composer systems provide support for third-party PhotoShop plug-in filters. The new 19 rack-mountable Media Reader option enables Media Composer and Film Composer systems to read and decode three lines of Vertical Interval Timecode or one line of Vertical Interval Time Code and one line of Longitudinal Time Code and provides on-screen timecode or key number burn-in. This means overall production time is reduced. Media Reader software support includes automatic sub-clipping based on breaks in any or all lines. Version 5.2 is shipping now. All current Media Composer and Film Composer customers on maintenance will receive Version 5.2 software at no charge. Current Media Composer online system customers will have the option of purchasing system upgrades to enable Avid Video Resolution 27.
