Avid's market share

R

rc444

Well-known member
Hi everyone,

I'm a 28 year old film student from NZ. A lot of people I've talked to say that Avid, is, and still is, the most used editing software. I agree.

We use FCP at film school. It seems to me that FCP is quite popular for more lower budget/indie films. This is probably a generalization, I as know a feature (Cold Mountain) was done in FCP. Whatever the case, FCP does seem to be gaining in popularity.

I know Avid is still the leader when it comes to editing, but if anyone had to put a very rough guess on it, what percentage of the industry uses Avid? Also, is there, or do you think there will be a danger of FCP perhaps for a lack of a better word, "threatening" Avid as it becomes more popular?

Thanks,
David
 
FCPro is kicking Avid's keister on a daily basis. I've been editing on Avid since 1991, and the market has changed drastically.

Avid still owns the market in a lot of the BIG post houses, but almpost everyone else I know has een the writing on the wall and has switched over to Final Cut.

At the last NAB, Avid's booth had almost no clients in it, whereas Apples was overflowing/standing room only.

Avid announced that they weren't going to NAB at all this year.

What does that tell you?

Is Avid a valid editing app? Absolutely!

But they have been losing market share to Apple for some time now.
 
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Woah. I didn't realise things have changed so quickly. I knew FCP was popular, but it sounds like it's more popular than I've imagined.
 
mcgeedigital said:
Avid announced that they weren't going to NAB at all this year.

What does that tell you?
Click to expand...
Avid will be in Vegas, they won't be on the floor at NAB. The likely scenario is that they will have a space at a nearby hotel. They are supposed to make an announcement in February. It's worth noting that a fews years back Sony did the same thing - they exhibited in Las Vegas during the convention but they weren't on the show floor. What ever happened to Sony? Are they still around?

Honestly, I think the Cold Mountain reference hurts Apple more than it helps. When you try to compare features cut on FCP versus features cut on Avid it's a joke. Most features are cut using Avid NLE's. Yet, you always hear the FCP editors shouting out "Cold Mountain", it really is sad.

And yes, FCP in the Low-No-Deferred Pay market is absolutely crushing Avid.
 
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Sure the have made small steps into features and television. But you not going to tell me that more features and television shows are cut on FCP. Because you know that's not true. Oh well, the argument of which NLE to choose is foolish and not worth the effort. Like the tired car cliche: Ford, Chevy, Mercedes, BMW, etc. etc etc. Who cares? Drive the car that you want to drive.

I use both FCP and Avid. I prefer Avid.
 
I have been using Avid for sometime (not long but some time) and lately I found my self moving towards FCP. The cost is much lower and the mantance of the system (hardware) is much easier. I don't have to makesure it is approve by Avid or else there will be some errors later on. And since I just own a Sony EX1, currently Avid can't edit 35Mb/s VBR file exported from the Sony Clip Browser. The only thing that draws me back from moving to FCP is because I already invested so much money in my current system. Until I've made enough money, I'll move to FCP.
 
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...and 24f from Canon.

As much as I hate FCP, I am making the move in February. I need to know both, not because FCP will pay the bills (it won't), but because Avid is picky about what and when they support the ever changing world of video. I think Avid knows they are losing the indie market and sometimes I think they are fine with that. My hope is that they cut AXP and drop the Media Composer in it's place and open up to outside developers (mojo versus black magic, etc.).
 
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I agreed with FatDaddy. I've never used a Mac before nor want to jump into FCP, but it seemed that as an indie film maker, I can't afford to continue the Avid's route. Lately, I was looking to purchase the Avid Media Composer but that means I have to upgrade my PC hardware and the software itself cost twice as much as FCP Studio.

And most of all, right now I cannot edit a single shot of my 35 Mb/s VBR file from my EX1 camera. That's a bum. I really wished I had invested in FCP to start with.
 
I think most people don't educate themselves about a system before they buy it. I f you are a professional editor (which I am not) I would imagine you would know what format your clients or industry, use prior to purchasing equipment. Avid is a solid efficient hardware accelerated NLE, its sync ability is unrivaled in the motion picture industry where editors work mostly offline, and cut intuitively and precisely without the headaches of hardware slopiness. Dead sync is really impotant when you are dealing with sound from seperate sources, and conforming on a totaly different platform. unless you understand the needs of you clients, shooting formats etc, dont jump to conclusions about market share. Remember by far the most used platform on the planet is the PC. FCP and Avids may be used by professionals but the truth is adobe premiere Pro, and elements are used by far more amateurs and pros alike around the world than FCP and AVID period. Talk about marketshare.

EVERYBODY ABOVE HAS THIER GRIPES , the question should be if you were to be given a fully configured free NLE for you specific use/ industry which would you choose? and why?
 
http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=E12F0B7D-62CF-4FD6-A003-5784CCA6EBBC

Just so you fanboys know Edius was and I think still lis the most used NLE system in Japan. Did any of you consider Asia and Europe in your tally?

http://www.editorsguild.com/v2/magazine/archives/1107/techtips_article01.htm

I thought everyone used FCP or Avid? Hype will only get you so far folks. I admit FCP has been used to edit a few movies but it does not mean it is the best solution. Apple is small potatos compared to Grass Valley in the world of Broadast Arts.
 
Agreed, If I were buying now, given that I use an HVX, I would almost certainly go the Edius route. As it is, I have AXP, (Via upgrades from XDV 4.5) and cannot afford to change now.
Dave
 
Granted, this debate is a bit tired but I'll chime in anyway. I'm sure Edius is probably a fine program. I've read good things. Some people seem to enjoy Premiere Pro. I don't know much about that.

I have been editing professionally on Avid since '94 and Final Cut since '04, mostly network series with the requisite spots and docs to keep things interesting. I own and operate both platforms for broadcast delivery.

Forget market share. Forget marketing hype. Especially forget the chatty ones on these and other boards. The focus should be on storytelling not software. Use what works for you and is comfortably affordable. If someone is preaching to you about a platform then they're not getting paid to cut on their chosen editing app. Interesting how the Avid guys are usually conspicuously absent from these discussions. I've actually visited this thread several times before posting. McGee's comments were such a retread Final Cut hoorah I couldn't resist. The link to some Apple marketing page really sealed the deal. Seems their brainwashing is working effectively.

For whatever it's worth, Avid gigs always pay more. Yes - it costs more. You truly get what you pay for. Final Cut gigs usually involve a lot of hand-holding with less-experienced production companies whining about budgets and software updates.

Also - one client's 10-year-old Media Composer 9000 (ABVB, OS8) is way more solid than any Final Cut box I've ever used. Regardless of all the future what-if?'s, Avid (except for Adrenaline) produces a solid workhorse.

Use what you like and can afford.
 
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