2024.2 Avid Media Composer for Education

Avid Media Composer Comparison Chart

License Types

For the most up to date informatuon on Avid Media Composer licensing, please read the Media Composer Licensing FAQ.

Media Composer now gives you more choices in how you acquire and use the software. Edit on premises or remotely through the cloud. Work on a Mac or PC. Access the software through a monthly or annual subscription or on demand with a floating license. Or own the software outright forever with a perpetual license. In addition, you can configure it your way with the options you need to get the job done, from real-time remote collaboration through Media Composer | Cloud (formerly Interplay Sphere), to advanced color correction and mastering tools, iNEWS and ENPS integration, and software for creating effects, titles, and more. It’s the only professional editing solution that’s available everywhere you need it, the way you want it.

Media Composer | Software gives you more choices in how you acquire and use the software. There are 3 License Models for the latest Software:

Subscription License (“rent it”)

A Monthly or Annual “pay as you go” type of license.  You are always entitled to the latest version of Media Composer for the duration of your Subscription.  If your Subscription expires, you are no longer able to launch any version of Media Composer.

A standard Avid Support plan is included with all Media Composer | Software subscriptions and purchases. But if your support needs are more demanding, you can buy an upgrade to Elite support, either as a monthly or annual subscription plan.

Perpetual License (“own it”)

A Perpetual license is one that you own outright.  You are entitled to the latest version of Media Composer as long as you keep your Upgrade and Support Plan current.  If your Upgrade and Support Plan expires you may still launch Media Composer, but only the last version that was released while your Upgrade and Support Plan was active.  If you let your Upgrade and Support Plan expire for more than 30 days you must re-purchase Media Composer (Perpetual or Subscription) in order to receive the current version.

Dongles will be supported as part of Avid’s perpetual license. In this case, the only difference is that you will need to purchase a yearly Avid Support plan, which will provide new features, patches, and enhancements as well as access to standard Avid Support.

Floating License (“lease it”)

Avid offers a Floating License Server for large sites such as broadcast and educational facilities. Floating Licenses allow you to purchase a pack of licenses and ‘lease’ them out as needed. This application can be installed on any Windows server and allows customers to distribute multiple licenses (minimum of 5 as of July 8 2016) of the editing applications and software options using a single Activation ID. Licenses are checked out when a client launches Media Composer and check back in when the user closes the application. Seats can also be reserved for a specified duration allowing the user to take the client system offsite.

Retrieving your Activation ID or System ID

Avid products that utilize the Avid Unified Licensing Platform will present the user with an Activation ID and System ID (for products that utilize a System ID) in the INFO tab within the Avid License Control activation application. Note that the complete Activation ID may not be displayed as a security measure. You may also obtain your Activation ID or System ID using the following methods:

• Avid Customer Support has access to all Activation IDs and can utilize customer information, device information, or System ID (if used) in order to look up the Activation ID for a specific product.
• For products that utilize a System ID, the Avid software registration process requires that the customer provide their System ID in order to complete registration. If your System ID has been lost, and the product has been registered, Avid Customer support can look up your System ID (and associated Activation ID) within the registration database.
• For products that have been associated to a customer’s Avid Web Account, the customer can log into their account and review entitlement information for all products under their account ownership (Note: Avid products that utilize the new Unified Licensing scheme and our updated registration process can also be associated to a customer’s Web Account. Information regarding previously purchased products that were obtained outside of the Avid web store may not be able to be accessed.)

How to return software

Customers may return products under the following conditions; as part of our 90-day Warranty program if they do not agree with the conditions of the Avid End User Licensing Agreement (EULA), or for a purchase refund if the product is unused (subject to the specific return policies of the point of purchase). Avid will require specific product and customer information as part of the returns process.

• Unopened: Unopened software can be returned to the original point of purchase or the customer can contact Avid Customer Support, open the software package, provide the CS representative with the software Activation ID contained inside and then dispose of the software package.
• Opened: (Only applies to products using the Avid Unified Licensing system.) If the software package has been opened prior to the return request, the customer must provide Avid Customer Support with the product’s Activation ID so that they can confirm that the software is not active. If the product was previously activated the customer must de-activate (see note below) any software prior to submitting a return request. Any return requests will be denied if the CS representative cannot validate that the software is inactive at the time of the request or if the return request was not submitted within a reasonable time after product activation.

Downloaded Software / Web Purchases: 

• For products using the Avid Unified Licensing system: The customer must provide Avid Customer Support with the product’s Activation ID so that they can confirm that the software is not active. If the product was previously activated the customer must de-activate (see note below) any software prior to submitting a return request. Any return requests will be denied if the Avid Customer Support representative cannot validate that the software is inactive at the time of the request or if the return request was not submitted within a reasonable time after product activation.
• For all other Avid products: It is only possible to return a download/digital product by sending a Letter of Destruction. You may also scan and email the document to shop.avid@arvatosystems.com. You will be refunded within 10 working days. Should you have any questions regarding the procedure, you may contact Avid Customer Support.

In-App purchases: In-App purchases are returned using the same method as downloaded software/web purchases (see above). Please note that Studio In-App purchases, such as Concert, are non-refundable. If you are having technical issues, please refer to our online forums for assistance or contact Avid Customer Support.

Rental Downloads: Please note that Activated Rental Downloads are not refundable once they have been activated. Packaged Systems (Hardware and Software): If the software portion of a packaged system has been unopened, the system can be returned to the point of sale. If the software has been opened it must first be deactivated prior to the return request (see Packaged Software > Opened above).
Note: You can deactivate your software using either the Avid License Control activation application or the help menu. Deactivation requires that the product is connected to the internet.  If no internet connection is available for your system, you will need to complete a Letter of Destruction form.

Switching from one license type to another
Certain products allow you to switch from one license type to another as part of the product upgrade process. For example, Media Composer allows users to switch from a Hardware Key licensing method to a Software node-locked license as part of the upgrade process (but not the other way around). Refer to specific upgrade information within each product web page for more details. Switching license types outside of the upgrade process for products that offer various licensing schemes may only be available on an exception basis and requires the involvement of an Avid Sales representative.

Moving a license within a legal entity
Transferring software rights within the legal entity that activated the software is authorized by the Avid EULA. If your license is limited to one hardware device, you may transfer your licensed copy of the software to a different device for your internal business use or your own personal enjoyment provided that you completely deactivate the software from the former device.

Changing ownership of an Avid software product
Avid allows for the one time permanent transfer of software licenses to another end user or legal entity. Academic and evaluation licenses are prohibited from any transfer of ownership (refer to the Avid EULA for more information).

For optimal performance and reliability, be sure that your computer or laptop meets the minimum system requirements for the latest version of Media Composer.

• Please see the Avid Media Composer Documentation and Version Matrix for up-to-date system requirements.

Mac OS X
14.0 to 14.3.x (Sonoma – no dongles)
13.x to 13.6.x (Ventura – no dongles)
12.x to 12.7.x * (Monterey – no dongles)

Windows
Win 11 64-bit 22.H2 or later Pro and Ent
Win 10 64-bit 22.H2 or later Pro and ENT

* Nvidia drivers 451.01 to 461.40 may cause MC Exceptions and hangs. Avid has qualified a fix from Nvidia starting with driver 461.72 on all Nvidia GPU cards.  The previous qualified driver 443.66 does NOT have this issue.

Important: Avid dedicates a significant amount of engineering resources and time to test and qualify specific platform configurations. Our Customer Success and Engineering teams are equipped with these systems in our development and support labs. For an optimal experience with Media Composer, we strongly recommend choosing an Avid-qualified system. We cannot guarantee performance, compatibility, or the resolution of issues with other systems.

Avid Installation Notes/Videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist

What’s New Avid Media Composer 2024.2 (v8)

Transcription Database Available Across Multiple Projects

With the latest improvements to the transcription database for PhraseFind AI and ScriptSync AI, transcripts for clips that have already been transcribed are now available for use across multiple projects.

Export Transcript and Export SubCap from a Sequence

In addition to exporting a transcript from a clip, Media Composer can now export two types of transcripts from a sequence: “Export Transcript” and “Export SubCap”.

Transcript Settings for Language Hint Selection

Although Media Composer’s AI transcription is multilingual by default, users can define a particular language hint to use while indexing their clips, which gives the indexer a useful suggestion before transcription begins.

Speaker ID Added to Transcript Exports

Transcriptions with multiple speakers that are exported from Media Composer now include identification of each speaker.

Display Source Track Name in Timeline

Media Composer can now access metadata from cameras, audio recorders, and other devices used in production, adding their information directly to the Timeline.

Public Preview of OpenTimelineIO (OTIO)

OpenTimelineIO is an open source, interchange format designed for the exchange of information between video applications used primarily in VFX and online workflows.

Avid Media Composer Licensing FAQs