Compare our video editing apps
See how Media Composer compares to our other video editing apps and decide which version is right for you.
See how Media Composer compares to our other video editing apps and decide which version is right for you.
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Audience and availability |
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Ideal for... |
Aspiring video professionals and beginners | Professional editors and movie makers who work independently | Professional editors, movie makers, and journalists who work in a collaborative environment | Large broadcast and post-production teams with multiple roles contributing to the production that need administrative control and security, plus media education facilities |
Availability | A free download for anyone to use | Get a 1-year subscription and pay monthly or in full; a Media Composer perpetual license is also available for those who prefer to own the software | Get a monthly, annual, 2-year, or 3-year subscription; add the Media Composer | Cloud VM option to run Media Composer as virtual machine software; a Media Composer perpetual license is also available (does not include the software options that come with Media Composer | Ultimate) | Annual subscription |
Included software options | Media Composer | PhraseFind Option, ScriptSync Option, Symphony Option, and NewsCutter Option | Media Composer | PhraseFind Option, ScriptSync Option, Symphony Option, and NewsCutter Option |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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General |
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Projects | Unlimited | Unlimited, with support for Custom Projects | Unlimited, with support for Custom Projects | Unlimited, with support for Custom Projects |
Bins | 5 bins per project |
Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared bins and projects* * for perpetual licences only |
Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared bins and projects |
Unlimited bins Volume bins Favorite bins Shared bins and projects |
Video and audio plugin support |
AVX and AAX plugins from the Avid Marketplace only | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins |
Transcode | Limited | + | + | + |
Consolidate | Limited | + | + | + |
Backward licensing compatibility | Anyone can activate and run Media Composer | First 2018.9 and later* | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2018.9 and later* (see details for perpetual licenses here) | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2018.9 and later* (see details for perpetual licenses here) | Current subscribers can activate and run Media Composer 2019.6 and later* |
Access control | n/a | n/a | n/a | Limit or restrict access by user or group to projects, bins, media functions, and more |
* Get details on accessing older software in your Avid Account |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Features |
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Video editing |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence |
Best-in-class Trim tools Smart Tools Create sequence based on selection Script-based editing Auto-Sequence |
Multicam editing |
Group Clips 4-Way Split Display Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms |
Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms |
Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms |
Group Clips MultiGroup 4-Way Split Display 9-Way Split Display MultiCam Editing mode MultiCam Accelerator keys Swap Banks Previous/Next in Group Group by Audio Waveforms |
Video effects |
Limited core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp Stabilize |
Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize |
Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize |
Full core set Source Side Motion Effects TimeWarp TimeWarp Fluid Motion Stabilize |
FrameFlex | + | + | + | + |
Timecode tool | + | + | + | + |
Print Timeline | + | + | + | + |
List tool | + | + | + | |
Film workflows | + | + | + | |
Stereoscopic 3D | + | + | + | |
Color Correction |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels (Secondary and Relationships available through the Symphony Option) |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels (Secondary and Relationships available through the Symphony Option) |
CC Effect Predefined CC Effects HSL Controls Hue Offsets Luma Range Curves Color Info Channels (Secondary and Relationships available through the Symphony Option) |
Audio editing |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate |
Audio Tool Audio Ducking Audio Punch-in Audio Subframe Slip Audio Grouping Read Audio Timecode Audio MultiMix Change Sample Rate |
Audio effects | Limited core set | Full core set (see details) | Full core set (see details) | |
Workspaces |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Edit Color Effects Audio |
Interface customization | Customize the interface for any production role in your organization | |||
Titles | Titler+ |
Titler+ Marquee tool |
Titler+ Marquee tool |
Titler+ Marquee tool |
Background render, transcode, and consolidate | + | + | + | |
Settings |
Limited User settings Limited Project settings |
Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings |
Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings |
Full User settings Multiple Users settings Site settings Project settings |
Keyboard Mapping | Limited (based on available functions) | Full | Full | Full |
Source/Record color differentiation |
On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
Snap to Edit | On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
Auto-launch Effects Editor |
On by default | Off by default | Off by default | Off by default |
Video and audio plugin support |
AVX and AAX plugins from the Avid Marketplace only | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins | All AVX and AAX plugins |
Avid Marketplace | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade | In-app AAX and AVX Marketplace and software upgrade |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Shared bins and projects | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
MediaCentral workflow integration | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Avid NEXIS shared media workflows | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Role-based interface customization | + | |||
Limit access to features, functions, media, and locations | + | |||
Lock content export and publishing | + |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Tracks |
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Video tracks | 4 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
Audio tracks | 8 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
Data tracks | Not supported | Fully supported | Fully supported | Fully supported |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Video and color |
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Linked file support |
Full decode SD, HD, >HD File, Volume, and third-party export not supported |
Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD |
Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD |
Full encode and decode SD, HD, >HD |
Video file formats | See the latest | See the latest | See the latest | See the latest |
Project formats | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080 | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom | SD PAL, SD NTSC, 720, 1080, 2K, UHD, 4K, 8K, 16K, Custom |
Frame rates |
23.978p, 24p, 25i, 30i/p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p No progressive support for SD rasters |
23.978p, 24p, 25i/p, 30i/p, 47p, 48p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p, 60p, 119p, 120p | 23.978p, 24p, 25i/p, 30i/p, 47p, 48p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p, 60p, 119p, 120p | 23.978p, 24p, 25i/p, 30i/p, 47p, 48p, 50i/p, 59.94i/p, 60p, 119p, 120p |
Native compression | JFIF, DV, ProRes (encode on Mac only), XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG | JFIF, DV, ProRes (encode on Mac only), XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K | JFIF, DV, ProRes (encode on Mac only), XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K | JFIF, DV, ProRes (encode on Mac only), XDCAM, AVC-I, IMX, DNxHD, DNxHR, DNxUncompressed, XAVC-L, AVC-LongG, J2K |
Floating point timeline (32-bit) | + | + | + | |
Color spaces | 601/709 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy, ACES 1.0 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy, ACES 1.0 | 601/709, RGB 709, S-Log3, SMPTE-2084, DCI-P3, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy, ACES 1.0 |
Desktop display LUTs | n/a | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy | Rec. 709, DCI-P3, sRGB, Rec. 2020, ACES Proxy |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Audio |
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Audio resolutions | 32, 44.1, on-the-fly conversion to 48 kHz; 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit | 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz; 16- and 24-bit |
Audio channels | Mono, dual mono, stereo | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround | Mono, dual mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 surround |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Import |
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Source Browser | + | + | + | + |
Drag-and-Drop Import | + | + | + | + |
Drag-and-Drop Link | + | + | + | + |
Photoshop w/Layers | + | + | + | + |
Capture | + | + | + | |
Dynamic Media Folders | + | + | + | |
IMF Link | With Symphony Option | + | + | |
OP1a Native Link and Import | + | + | + | + |
OpenEXR decoding | + | + | + | |
AAF Import | + | + | + | |
EDL Import | + | + | + | |
ALE Import | + | + | + | |
Shot Log Import | + | + | + | |
SCC Import | + | + | + | |
Edit While Capture | + | + | + |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Export |
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QuickTime (.mov) formats | Limited: H.264, DNxHD, PCM, WAV | + | + | + |
Publish to YouTube | + | |||
Publish to Vimeo | + | |||
Graphic Export | Limited: TIFF, JPEG | + | + | + |
AAF Export | + | + | + | |
ALE Export | + | + | + | |
AFE Export | + | + | + | |
Shot Log Export | + | + | + | |
SCC Export | + | + | + | |
TTML Export | + | + | + | |
AMA File Export | + | + | + | |
DPX Export | + | + | + | |
AS-11 MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
DNxHD MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
DNxHR MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
J2K MXF OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
OP1a Export | + | + | + | |
IMF Export | With Symphony Option | + | + | |
Export to Device | + | + | + | |
Send to... | + | + | + |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Hardware interfaces |
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Avid Artist | DNxIQ | + | + | + | |
Avid Artist | DNxIV | + | + | + | |
Avid Artist | DNxIP | + | + | + | |
Avid Artist | DNxID | + | + | + | + |
Avid and third-party audio interfaces | Limited to 2-channel I/O | + | + | + |
Third-party video interface
AJA Video Systems Matrox |
+ | + | + |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Control surfaces |
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Avid Control | + | + | + | |
Avid Dock | + | + | + | |
Artist Control | + | + | + | |
Artist Mix | + | + | + | |
Artist Color |
+ | + | + | |
Artist Transport | + | + | + |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Software options |
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Media Composer | Symphony Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
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Media Composer | NewsCutter Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
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Media Composer | ScriptSync Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
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Media Composer | PhraseFind Option | + |
+ (included) |
+ (included) |
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Media Composer | Production Pack | + | + | + | |
Media Composer | Distributed Processing | + | + | ||
Media Composer | Cloud VM | + | + |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Interplay | Production | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Interplay | MAM | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
MediaCentral | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
MediaCentral | Cloud UX | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
Avid NEXIS shared bins and projects | Perpetual licenses only | + | + | |
iNEWS | Perpetual licenses only | + | + |
Media Composer | First
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Media Composer
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Media Composer | Ultimate
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Media Composer | Enterprise
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Minimum system requirements | Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |
Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |
Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |
Avid-qualified Mac or Windows-based computer (get the details) |