Avid vs FCPro. Avid & Video Hardware. Avid & AE Integration.

[JanBee]

Hi there,

with the HVX coming closer and my good old Media100 NLE coming to its years, I'm planning on buying a new NLE system. I'd prefer a windows based system (more performance for the buck, and I'm very comfotable with windows), but would stick with Apple if FCPro really would be much better.

I'm looking for something which is clearly professional and which is not embarrassing if I have clients in (one reason why Premiere clearly is a no-go; sad, but true). I'd like to edit DVCPRO-HD and (seperately) YUV and SDI acquired SD footage. I need a close integration to a decent compositing program, preferrably After Effects. I don't have a fixed budget, but look for anything up to $/€15.000 (with PC and storage - I'd love to spent less! *gg*).

The three most nagging groups of questions are:

1. Supported video hardware. It's said Avid supports virtually no foreign video hardware? If I'd go with Avid XPRESS Pro HD (or is there another Avid product?), what kind of hardware would I have to buy to digitize YUV and/or SDI SD video? I don't want to edit SD video in DV quality (most German TV stations don't accept that). I'll take it I can import DVCPRO-HD footage from the HVX without any further hardware...

2. How close does XPRESS PRO HD work with After Effects (Windows)? Can i transfer layers and layer settings? Is there a good alternative to After Effects? How good do the Avid compositing products compete with After Effects? Are AE-plugins "compatible" for use in Avid software?

3. Uhmm... I forgot!

Any advice is welcomed :beer:

 

[krestofre]

what kind of hardware would I have to buy to digitize YUV and/or SDI SD video?

Xpress Pro doesn't have any SDI options. You can get the Avid Mojo with Xpress Pro and capture 1:1 video over component, S-Video, or Composite signals. For SDI you need to jump up to the Avid Media Composer, which is significantly more expensive than Xpress Pro, but would do everything you're requesting.

How close does XPRESS PRO HD work with After Effects (Windows)?

Export a Quicktime from Avid. Import to AE. Do your work. Render to Quicktime, reimport into Avid, drop on timeline.

How good do the Avid compositing products compete with After Effects?

The Avid FX package is just a rebranded Boris Red. Which, in my opinion is a really good compositing / effects app. It benefits from a plug-in interface with Avid which helps workflow. It's nice, but if you're already familiar with AE, there's probably no reason to change.

Are AE-plugins "compatible" for use in Avid software?

http://www.profoundeffects.com/products/gasket/

Hope that helps!

Chris

 

[cellulararrest]

I'm looking for something which is clearly professional and which is not embarrassing if I have clients in (one reason why Premiere clearly is a no-go; sad, but true).

Just out of curiosity, why on earth does Premiere not look professional? It really looks pretty much identical to FCP if not more professional. I'll give it to you the original premiere isn't the greatest software, but Premiere Pro is a very good NLE (and very professional looking). I really wouldn't rule it out just yet. Especially if you want to stay with a PC based editing system.

I'd suggest testing the different programs out. FCP and Premiere are fairly similar, but Avid is very different. Make sure you know which you're most comfortable with.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I have both Avid Studio Complete and Final Cut Pro.

I've been editing on Avid since 1991.

Final Cut Pro and Apple do not limit what their products can do like Avid does.

Avid has to protect it's top end line, ie Adrenaline, so they give you substandard connectors on the Mojo and take away features from their mid-end products like Xpress Pro.

You say you are going to be editing DVCPro HD. In my opinion FCPro is better set up to edit at any resolution, from DV to 1080i HD than Avid.

My .02

Matt G

 

[Dmitry Kichenko]

I can't help but agree with mcgee. The only complaints I have about Avid Xpress all have to do with the certain ways Avid limits the workflow within the software. It feels like an LE version of a more powerful product, in fact, just like Digi's ProTools LE (here they decided to plainly tell us it's a lite version and not deceive with some ProTools AlmostPro).
I really do wish I was on a Mac. From what I have read so far and tried a little myself, it indeed seems like the most powerful and friendly piece of software. I am very used to the Avid workflow now, after over a year of excessive editing in it, but all the limitations are like tooth ache. Every time I want to taste a piece of sweet pie or icecream I can't enjoy it fully.