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Avid Media Composer 2018.7 - IP streaming for free!

Media Composer 2018.7 has brought native support for Newteks NDI... Support for NewTek® NDI Video over IP Avid Media Composer now includes support for transmitting NDI streams directly from the application when enabled. Similar to a client monitor, anytime you play or scrub footage others on your network will be able to see the stream using an NDI player. By default, NDI will broadcast only to your local subnet. But what does this mean to you and I? What's NDI? NewTek’s NDI - Network Device Interface - technology allows devices, and applications to connect and communicate over a standard IP network, specifically 1GbE, to share video and audio. This technology has been heavily adopted in the production world but can also be utilised in the edit process through the use of specific I/O hardware, for example, the  AJA Kona IP  or IO IP and with the release of 2018.8 Media Composer you can use the Avid Artist DNxIP  unit too. But if you want to allow people to view y
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UHD Fundamentals for Avid Assistants

This is a 'simple' post to help explain how to use  Ultra High Definition (UHDTV) material in Avid Media Composer. We're all very familiar with using High Definition content. This resolution is now the defacto 'norm' for editing with. But let's not forget the transmission from SD to HD . At the time there was a lot to get your head around. HD could be either 1920x1080 or 12080x720 . It could also be either Interlaced or Progressive , it could be shot at higher varying framerates from that of SD, such as 50 or 60fps and higher. It took a while for us to become used to the format. And here we are again with UHD.  UHD has become more and more common as an acquisition format. Even your phone can capture this 4K content. But what do we need to know about it, to work with it in Avid? Is UHD 4K? Is UHD the same as HDR? What's 2020 colour space? What's HFR? Let's have a look with respect to using Avid Media Composer... What is UHD? Ultra Hi
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Project Structure - Using folders to organise content

The secret to keeping any project on track is organisation. This can come in a number of forms but for this post, I wanted to look at how you can use simple folder structures to help organise and manage the content of your project. For most people, especially editors, when you use the word content they will instantly think of hours and hours of rushes, but in terms of a project, there is a ton of other 'stuff' that we will need to have to hand. The amount of 'stuff' we have will depend upon the type of project you are working on and the experience of the people you are working with too. Even if there is no information being offered to you, there are a number of things that you should be doing to ensure your project runs smoothly. Understand the workflow Make sure you have an understanding of the project's workflow. Talk with the producer, editor and cameramen if needed. Ensure you understand how the material is captured, backed up, delivered, ingested a
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Things to know about the new Avid Media Composer licenses...

NAB 2018 saw Avid release a new licensing scheme. There's a new license in town and the good news is, it's cheaper! But what's the catch? Here's a quick guide... Image from Avid Technology site. Well, actually there's not really too much of a catch unless you intend to use shared storage... let me tell you more. Licenses Licensing edit suites should be easy, but it's usually not. While it might not be your responsibility, it's a good idea as an Avid Assistant, to be aware of what license type you have on your workstation. Make sure it won't run out mid-project or, if it is a monthly subscription license, does your workstation have Internet access to reactive a monthly subscription? Let's get a better idea of how Avid licensing works. Electronic licensing for Media Composer is done through the Application Manager. You purchase your license through the Avid website as either a perpetual or subscription license. Once finalised, your licenci
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Creating the right Avid Project type

Avid Projects. It's the first thing you are greeted with once you have launched Media Composer. In days gone by creating a project was relatively simple with only 3 types being available. These were basically PAL (25 frames) NTSC (Drop and Non-Drop) and finally Film (24 frames usually). When High Definition formats turned up they added to the muddied waters with various raster sizes (1280x720 and 1920x1080) varying frame rates (50fps was now commonly available) as well as the usual Progressive and Interlaced fields issue. Today we now have 2K, UHD, and 4K to contend with too. These add further issues such as varying colour spaces and a myriad of various frame rates and raster sizes, such as the Digital Cinema Initiatives formats. DCI Flat, DCI Full, DCI Scope and Full Apature  to name but a few. If you are interested in the complete list of varying formats check this  Avid KB article  about currently supported project formats. For this short post, I'd like to look at
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Edit Suite Etiquette 101

You've worked hard to get your first Avid Assistant role so you need to keep that good impression going to make sure you'll be hired again! Stepping into an editing room for the first time can be a little overwhelming. I'm not talking about the technology but rather the day to day workplace interactions with others, especially the editor. OK, so some edit suits aren't too intimidating. Relationships with your co-workers are very important. You're not just trading off your technical ability but also your reputation as a great person to work with. Are you easy to get on with? Helpful? Punctual and well mannered? Can you work well under pressure and still be polite and helpful? All of these are important life skills and can make the difference between being hired and not. I know a number of Assistants who are technically brilliant but their personal persona has actually deterred editors from working with them. Don't forget, the editing profession i
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Essential free Avid Assistant kit.

When starting out as an Avid Assistant you will need to practice your skills constantly. So what are the essentials you need to be able to practice your skills and use on your first projects? Here's a short look at what you can get for free and a few items you may have to buy, but all of them under $25! I'll be making one (rather large) assumption here. I am assuming you already have a laptop, Mac or PC it doesn't really matter. I don't however, assume that it can run Media Composer, but if it is the right specification then great as this means you can practice your Media Composer skills anywhere! But if your laptop has seen better days it still has a place. Use it as your nerve centre in co-ordinating and researching projects. Ideally, you will have access to a computer that runs Media Composer in some way shape and form, even if it is at a facility that will allow you access to their system outside of business hours. Make sure you have a laptop bag too, you'
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