Avid Assistant

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 p...

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...

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...