Avid Technology has brought HD to its Xpress Pro editing system.The company has released Xpress Pro HD, the first portable HD version of its nonlinear digital editing software. Xpress Pro HD delivers support for native Panasonic DVCPro HD acquisition and editing, Avid DNxHD editing, and real-time multicamera functionality.The software is designed to meet two growing needs: the increasing demand for HD as more video editors make the switch, and the trend towards the convenience and portability that laptop editing affords.“Xpress Pro HD is an ideal companion application for Avid Media Composer, and an ideal product for use on film sets, where decisions can be made on the spot,” says Charlie Russell, Avid senior product manager, post solutions.Adds senior product marketing manager Tim Wilson, “Xpress Pro HD allows editors to work with DV, SD, HD and film media in a single sequence, making it easy for them to edit projects that originated from multiple sources.”Xpress Pro HD software includes features like DV50 capture and output over IEEE-1394, 24p and video effects output over 1394, and expanded film support. In addition, the software is easily integrated with other Avid editing and finishing products. Footage captured on Media Composer Adrenaline HD or Avid DS Nitris systems in DNxHD—Avid’s encoding technology—can be transferred to Xpress Pro HD using shared or local storage.Also, the conform capabilities across Avid’s product line allow customers to start projects on any Avid system and continue working in the portable Xpress Pro HD system before sending work back to other Avid systems for finishing.“No information is lost in the process,” says Russell. “If you start the process in one system and move it to another, every nuance moves with it.”Xpress Pro HD, available now for Windows-based systems, lists for $1,695. The upgrade price for existing Xpress Pro customers is $49.95. Purchasers are eligible for a free upgrade in mid-2005 that will offer native HDV editing capabilities as well as other new features. A Mac version will also be available in 2005.
Written by Peter Caranicas
