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

Thursday February 2, 2012 5:46 am PST by Eric Slivka
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.


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 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 (Buy Now)
[ 119 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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Avatar
Lone Deranger
100 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!
;)
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
cdemiris99
100 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).
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
arctic
100 months ago
Hope Avid also releases a Mac version if this is indeed good and "ideally suited as a companion to the desktop app.".
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
haruhiko
100 months ago
How does it compare to the iMovie app?
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Mad-B-One
100 months ago

Please. "Prosumer?" They are consumers who don't know how to edit / tell a story. Just take the "pro" out of there and leave the editing to real professionals. Evvvvvvveryone's an editor these days apparently.


Wait, an Avid version of iMovie?

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


I wondered if there would be a "boohoo" cry from the "we are above you" editors in here - and indeed, it didn't take long. You must be so high up there that you even cry if someone releases a product for other people to use. I don't do any editing and I frankly don't care much about it beyond putting my home videos on DVD for the relatives so they see my son grow up (since my family lives overseas). I feel sorry for you guys who see their inflated ego threatened if someone resleases some app which makes it easier for us tech-savvy users who are willing and able to work their way into some software for hobby editing.
What I take from your post: You must not do a very good job if an app like this makes you feel that if they bring this app, they don't care for you oh so holy professionals. Does that mean you feel that what you do is actually easy to do with this program and they take away your ability to cash in?

I know this was sarcastic and sartiric, but my point is: There are quite some video editor trolls out there thinking no one else is as "pro" as they are. Once they know a program and can make cool stuff, every change or advance is seen as a threat to their ego. :cool:
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
akdj
100 months ago

Sounds good. I'm constantly surprised Apple worked so hard on iMovie and GarageBand for iPad, only to release them on iPhone as well. It's nice that there's a tablet-only video editor.


Huh? Only to release it on iPhone? I don't get it...what you're insinuating that is. iPhone has obviously gotten much more powerful...and if you're a musician...or composer...or at all interested in music...you'd get it! It's a Unbelievable tool...and now that it's on the iPhone...even more portable for laying down some tracks on the go.


Please. "Prosumer?" They are consumers who don't know how to edit / tell a story. Just take the "pro" out of there and leave the editing to real professionals. Evvvvvvveryone's an editor these days apparently.


LOL...if indeed you cut (edit), your days are indeed limited (I do too). These days...the intricacies aren't there...the software is phenomenal (Doesn't matter WHAT software you choose)...and IF you have a story, it now CAN be told. That's up to neither you nor I to judge WHO can tell that story. Nothing to do with pros/prosumers/consumers. Irrelevant these days...Indeed, editors that actually direct, produce, write, shoot, cut and distribute their story have a motivation to 'Get it Right'

I am excited to see AVID jump in to the tablet fray. These are very powerful computers we're carrying in our pockets these days...and the ability to edit and play with footage on the fly without the laptop...Awesome! Garage Band and iMovie for the iPad are nothing short of Phenomenal!!! True testaments are REAL software to actually produce...as well, the third party, cottage industry is flourishing in music and audio production...Synths, drum pads, multi track and MIDI compatibility....there are so many incredible ways to "Produce" Content these days...the iPad, in less than two years has become the one device in my 40 years of life that I never knew I needed!

**Disclaimer** I am not a spread sheet jockey, nor a novelist or math/engineering dude...I run an audio and video production business...have been in the business for 22 years now...and I will testify, "One CAN Create with the iPad!!!"**

Nice Job AVID! And Thank-You:)

Jer
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
cdemiris99
100 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)
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
Renzatic
100 months ago


I also like the idea that one person would have time to edit 15 hours of footage per day (Which would take about 75-150 hours each day)


DO NOT QUESTION PRO-EDITOR-GOD, FOR HE BADE THE SUN TO SLOW ITS CEASELESS MARCH ACROSS THE SKY! :mad:
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
cdemiris99
100 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)
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
slowloris615
100 months ago

I wondered if there would be a "boohoo" cry from the "we are above you" editors in here - and indeed, it didn't take long. You must be so high up there that you even cry if someone releases a product for other people to use. I don't do any editing and I frankly don't care much about it beyond putting my home videos on DVD for the relatives so they see my son grow up (since my family lives overseas). I feel sorry for you guys who see their inflated ego threatened if someone resleases some app which makes it easier for us tech-savvy users who are willing and able to work their way into some software for hobby editing.
What I take from your post: You must not do a very good job if an app like this makes you feel that if they bring this app, they don't care for you oh so holy professionals. Does that mean you feel that what you do is actually easy to do with this program and they take away your ability to cash in?

I know this was sarcastic and sartiric, but my point is: There are quite some video editor trolls out there thinking no one else is as "pro" as they are. Once they know a program and can make cool stuff, every change or advance is seen as a threat to their ego. :cool:


I agree, im a professional video editor and the easier the software the better. Good editors aren't good editors because they can use software but because they can craft stories well. Most of the "editors" who freak about this are clinging to an old way of thinking and are on their way out in this business.

On a side note. this would be great if it worked off low res proxies of files so producers in the field could access video and string out storyboards and rough cuts etc etc. Would kick ass. Avid is doing amazing things nowadays and I recommend anyone who wants to get into video editing to start with it.
Rating: 3 Votes

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