Media Composer | Cloud VM vs. Media Composer

Media Composer | Cloud VM vs. Media Composer | Cloud Remote: A Comparison Guide

Take a closer look at the advantages of each

Facility and studio closures as a result of COVID-19 have highlighted the need for “work from home” solutions, so that video editors can remain productive no matter where they are. Media Composer | Cloud VM and Media Composer | Cloud Remote both help address these challenges, with some essential differences. This comparison guide will help you determine which solution best fits your needs.

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	Media Composer \| Cloud VM	Media Composer \| Cloud Remote
What is it?	Media Composer \| Cloud VM is a product license add-on option available for Media Composer \| Ultimate—this option provides a virtualized version of Media Composer, enabling anyone in your facility to access the software remotely using a workstation, laptop, or zero client with a high-speed network connection.	Media Composer \| Cloud Remote is a software option that works in concert with MediaCentral \| Production Management and Media Composer software*. It enables Media Composer users—no matter where they’re located—to connect to your main facility or data center over a high-speed Internet connection to access, transcode, upload, check in, download, share, edit, and collaborate on projects and media remotely in real time.
It’s ideal for….	Editors with older computers who need remote access to Media Composer \| Ultimate Facilities who want to gain efficiency and reduce costs by virtualizing their post-production environment On-premises or cloud network access to projects and media	Camera crews working in the field who need to upload locally shot media back to base Crews in the field who want to edit together locally shot media with media from MediaCentral \| Production Management in their timeline Cloud network access to projects and media Editors who need the full Media Composer \| Ultimate toolset Remote access to on-premises media
Setup
Projects and media	Accessible on shared storage and/or a centralized server (no projects or media are stored or saved locally)	Locally shot media can be uploaded back to base Work with local and remote media in the same timeline, while a background media delivery service syncs clips or sequences when desired Files can be stored and saved locally or uploaded to centralized storage in the production facility
User benefits	Get access to Media Composer \| Ultimate without needing a powerful computer or software installation Edit and play back media from a shared source, without having to maintain local media Access advanced workflows, including multicam editing, Edit While Capture functionality, and ancillary data (closed captions) Connect into any production, regardless of location, and access projects and media from anywhere	Connect into any production and access projects and media from outside the facility Enjoy smooth performance, as all media streams are bandwidth-optimized Automate media transcoding, uploading, downloading, and check-in to any connected MediaCentral \| Production Management system in the background—without disrupting your creative flow Transfer assets while editing to turn around projects faster—even begin uploading media before a sequence is finished Begin or continue working with local media even if you’re disconnected from the facility’s network
Business benefits	Extend production beyond the walls of your facility Enable real-time collaboration with the most streamlined and seamless editorial workflow Enable anyone in your facility to connect and start working from remote locations wherever there’s a network connection Get significant cost savings, as low-cost zero clients and older computers and laptops can be used to access your virtualized Media Composer Increase operational efficiency while reducing maintenance and resource costs, as the software can be easily deployed, managed, and updated from a single centralized server	Extend production beyond the walls of your facility Enable real-time collaboration with the most streamlined and seamless editorial workflow Accelerate production while reducing costs, as locally acquired media and finished projects can be uploaded to the facility immediately, putting an end to the media drive shuffle Scale your editing resources up as needed without having to invest in additional Media Composer licenses