Avid
announced today that they will be rolling Avid Express Pro into Media Composer cutting the price of the software version of Media Composer from $5000 to $2500. This means that Avid Express Pro will be discontinued by the end of Q2, 2008 (meaning by the summer). This also means that the software will now be in a more competitive price range with Final Cut Pro. I know that now I will be getting it...as soon as I wrangle up $2500 (I did just buy a new system after all).
AND...Avid
is starting a new is revamping their
support community that
will have has users helping other users with the software. It used to be lacking in many ways, including the interface, but it looks much improved. Much like what Apple does on
their forums, and what you can get for FCP at
Creative Cow,
LAFCPUG,
DVXUser. Although the Creative Cow also has a great
Avid forum as does
DVXUser.
Quick thoughts? I am excited about this. I am a huge Avid fan (avid fan...always like that expression) and find it not only viable, but often the only solution for many workflows...just like I think that FCP is the only solution for other workflows. And I think that lowering their price will only help them gain back some market share and footing they have lost in the past.
