Re: Avid and FCP

This has been a great discussion so far, but there are some misconceptions that should be cleared.

[Gabe Cotto] "-- On a PC Avid has RAM limitations because it cannot run on Microsofts's 64 bit OS."

It's a 32-bit app. Even if it ran on a 64-bit Windows OS (which it will in version 3.0) it would have a RAM usage limitation. That's a coding issue with the program, not an OS issue.

[Gabe Cotto] "-- PC's have a well known problem with memory leakage, which can cause your machine to freeze, or starting having seizures if your run multiple programs at once, i.e. Avid, After Effects, or Photo Shop."

Personally, I've never had memory leak issues on a PC unless using Firefox, which is well documented. I've never had the issue with Avid, and haven't had my system "freeze" since Windows 2000.

[Gabe Cotto] "--PC's are more prone to virus's, files becoming corrupted at random, and hardware failure in general"

Viruses, yes, but your editing system shouldn't be online. If it has to be, take the proper precautions. Files becoming corrupted at random? I've had a few corrupt render files, but that's no different than FCP preferences being corrupted. Things happen on computers, but I don't believe PCs anymore than Macs. Hardware failure? Macs and PCs are built with the same hardware. The OS is the only difference. If you're using an e-machine, you'll likely have more failures because it's built with cheap parts. Go with a quality machine and they're all the same inside.

As far as your Avid problems--some of your issues aren't really issues. For example, mixing 16:9 with 4:3--absolutely possible. Mixing SD and HD--absolutely possible. You can't mix framerates, but you can definitely mix HD and SD if they're the same framerate. Check the help files for more on this.

If your Avid is losing track of the dongle you have a bigger issue. I've never seen this happen, ever. You might have a bad USB port. Switch it to another one and see if it happens, or call Avid and request a new dongle.

Sharing media is expensive with an Avid, but you can just consolidate it to external drives, cut away, then email the project back. It will relink without issue. Very, very simple and one reason why so many people use Avid.

Otherwise, if you've only been using Avid since January, give it more time, and don't try to drive it like FCP, because it's a vastly different workflow. You may never like it, but it has it's place and it is hardly outdated or uncomfortable. For many, it's the perfect tool for their workflow.

And the PC versus Mac debate--you can argue the OS till you're blue in the face, but the guts are the same. And the OS is a personal preference, that's it.

To the original poster, you really need to take a test drive on an Avid. Have someone who knows what they're doing show you around the interface, explain the strengths and definitely the weaknesses. There may be things you need in your workflow that Avid doesn't offer, or struggles with. If that's the case, then switching won't help you. But try it out to see how you like it.

Good luck!

Michael.