Avid Takes on Apple's iMovie with Avid Studio for iPad

While companies such as Avid and Adobe have attempted to capitalize on Apple's Final Cut Pro X missteps by wooing users in need of professional video editing and production software, AllThingsD notes that Avid is pushing forward on the mobile "prosumer" front with its just-launched Avid Studio [App Store] app for iPad.

avid studio ipad 1
The iPad obviously imposes some limitations on what can be done with the software compared with the full Avid Studio for Windows, but Avid suggests that it is full-featured enough to be used for editing on the go and is ideally suited as a companion to the desktop app.

The idea is that the iPad app and the desktop software are complementary, [Avid vice president Tanguy] Leborgne said, so that users who want to create and edit projects on the go can do so, but ultimately preserve them by taking them to the PC.

The Avid iPad app does have some nice features, including an interface that includes a storyboard area and an editing timeline. And while some video editors rely heavily on customized keyboards or a mouse, others might appreciate the ability to pinch and squeeze videos and images to scale them on the touchscreen of the iPad, or the ability to move text and titles around with their fingers.

avid studio ipad 2
Avid Studio for iPad is launching with an introductory price tag of $4.99, which will increase to $7.99 after the first month.

Related Roundup: iPad
Tag: Avid
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

cdemiris99 Avatar
152 months ago
Compare with iMovie

How does it compare to the iMovie app?

(Disclosure - I am one of the developers on Avid Studio App)
Avid Studio has a very different set of features than iMovie. Most important is that we have a real timeline with frame accurate trimming. We have 3 full audio tracks where you can view waveforms for editing to your music. We provide Picture-in-Picture, Pan-and-Zoom (which iMovie also has), multi-layer compositions (called Montages), and fully customizable titles (including motion titles). I think our media library is also very strong, especially in organization (we support Events, Albums and Faces and with a large amount of media our library is very fast).
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lone Deranger Avatar
152 months ago
Wait, an Avid version of iMovie?

They must not care about us professional editors anymore...

Exactly!! I can’t believe Avid’s doing this!!! I just switched my entire editing suite over to Avid after Apple’s FCPX farce and this is how they thank me? I’m furious!! :mad:
Oh and before anybody dares question my validity as a PRO-EDITOR-GOD, I am the personal private editor for the top Hollywood elite, with 124 triple A Hollywood blockbusters under my belt! On top of that, I cut 15 hours of footage a day that goes out to 3 billion homes every night! Anyone who has the audacity to challenge these here facts (that’s right) is an idiot!

I, PRO-EDITOR-GOD have spoken!
;)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arctic Avatar
152 months ago
Hope Avid also releases a Mac version if this is indeed good and "ideally suited as a companion to the desktop app.".
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
haruhiko Avatar
152 months ago
How does it compare to the iMovie app?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cdemiris99 Avatar
152 months ago
Exactly!! I can’t believe Avid’s doing this!!! I just switched my entire editing suite over to Avid after Apple’s FCPX farce and this is how they thank me? I’m furious!! :mad:
Oh and before anybody dares question my validity as a PRO-EDITOR-GOD, I am the personal private editor for the top Hollywood elite, with 124 triple A Hollywood blockbusters under my belt! On top of that, I cut 15 hours of footage a day that goes out to 3 billion homes every night! Anyone who has the audacity to challenge these here facts (that’s right) is an idiot!

I, PRO-EDITOR-GOD have spoken!
;)

Thanks Lone Deranger :)

To all who really are concerned about Avid's Pro dedication, understand that this product was developed by the "Creative Enthusiast" team at Avid (Pinnacle Studio and Avid Studio products). We worked closely together with the Pro (Media Composer) team to make sure that the app could appeal to professionals ('Spielburg on the beach' as we like to think of it). It definitely provides a major step up in professional features on the iPad, and we think it's still easy to use for those that just want to throw together a fun video slide show.

We will be making regular improvements and appreciate everyone's feedback.

- Chris Demiris
- (One of the developers on the Avid Studio App team)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cdemiris99 Avatar
152 months ago
My one big question: can I import an entire event camera roll event folder at once?

Biggest hangup I have now is gigabytes of imported raw video filling my iPad, and Reel Director requires I go thru a multi-tap-and-drag process for every single video I want to include and edit - prohibitive when one event folder can have over 100 videos. iMovie doesn't even run on iPad 1.

When you start Avid Studio App, it enumerates your entire photo/video library on your iPad, and properly categorizes by Event, Album and Faces (for Photos). It then provides very fast and easy access to your media. Videos and photos can be added to the project by either dragging-and-dropping from the album, or by quick double-tapping to add at the current time (you can start a project and simply double-tap to keep adding clips to the end of the project).

Avid Studio detects when your media changes and re-enumerates (a quicker enumeration to update our database)

- Chris Demiris
(one of the Avid Studio App developers)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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