Video Satellite/Media Composer 3.1 FAQ
What are the new features of Media Composer v3.1?
Media Composer v3.1 offers support for ISIS 2.0, support for Windows Vista, Mac OS X 10.5.?, and supports Digidesign Pro Tools 8 Video Satellite.
What is Video Satellite?
Video Satellite is a software option that allows Pro Tools HD systems to connect and synchronize to Media Composer running on a separate computer via Ethernet.
What version of Pro Tools is required to use Media Composer 3.1 with Video Satellite?
Pro Tools 8 or higher.
Can I use Media Station|PT 2.7 for Video Satellite with Pro Tools 8?
No, Media Composer 3.1 is required to use Video Satellite with Pro Tools 8. Video Satellite functionality is available with Pro Tools 7.4.x and Media Station|PT 2.7.
The web page says I can play back HD Video – what about SD?
All video formats supported by Media Composer are supported with Video Satellite.
Which operating system is required for Video Satellite?
Video Satellite is only supported by Windows-based Media Composer systems. The Pro Tools 8 system can be Mac- or Windows-based.
Can I use Video Satellite on Mac-based Media Composer systems?
No, however Pro Tools can be running on a Mac or Windows-based computer.
The web page says I won’t have to render for playback. Does Video Satellite improve the performance of Media Composer?
No. This is referring to the fact that when using Video Satellite for video playback with Pro Tools HD, you don’t have to create a flattened video track to send to the Pro Tools system (as is required when using an Avid video peripheral such as Mojo SDI with Pro Tools). Rather, Video Satellite allows you to open and play the full video sequence on a separate Media Composer computer running in sync with your Pro Tools HD system.
What Avid hardware is required for Video Satellite playback in real-time?
Video Satellite is supported with all video peripherals supported by Media Composer, and is also supported by Media Composer software-only, in which case performance will depend on the host platform.
Does Video Satellite work with older Avid hardware such as Adrenaline and Mojo SDI and Mojo Analog?
Video Satellite requires Avid Media Composer v3.1. Any system that supports v3.1 will support Video Satellite.
Does Video Satellite work with Media Composer software-only versions? What playback performance is possible?
Video Satellite is supported by Media Composer software-only, and playback performance will depend on the host platform.
Which system do I use to monitor the output of Media Composer? Does the video playback inside of Pro Tools?
Video Satellite does not enable video playback directly inside of Pro Tools 8, rather it is an Ethernet based communication protocol that allows the two systems (Pro Tools and Media Composer) to play back in sync. Media Composer output must be monitored separately from Pro Tools 8.
Does Video Satellite work with Avid Symphony? What other Avid products support this Pro Tools feature?
No, Video Satellite works with either Media Composer 3.1 and Pro Tools 8, or Media Station|PT 2.7 with Pro Tools 7.4.x.
How is Pro Tools with Video Satellite physically connected to Avid Media Composer?
The systems are connected via Ethernet. More details are available in the configuration guide.
Does Video Satellite support Avid Unity?
Yes, Media Composer and Pro Tools continue to support Avid Unity to the same extent that they always have.
Do I need a dongle to license Video Satellite?
Yes, the Video Satellite option ships with an PACE iLok dongle pre-authorized for Video Satellite.
Is it possible to connect more than one Media Composer system to Pro Tools with Video Satellite?
No, only one Media Composer system can be connected at a time.
What video formats and frame rates does Video Satellite support?
Video Satellite supports all formats and frames rates that are normally supported by Media Composer.
For more info, please visit www.digidesign.com.