http://www.avid.com/freedv/

Does YUV, displays time code, some compositing, some RT effects...

A better and cross platform iMovie?

Anybody tried it yet?

I've tried it briefly and it's very slow and unresponsive on my dual gig G4 under OS 10.2.6. But that's just a first impression and I haven't done much beyond capture a couple of clips. I must say compared to the Apple products it is incredibly awkward to set up and use (for an Avid newbie).

I have it set up on 3 G4's (one is powerbook) and I have had no problem with sluggishness. As to the interface, all NLE's have their own set of quircks and ways of doing things. It has taken me a while to pick up on FCP4.

Hi Jeff,
How long does it take for the tooltips to come up? On my system, it takes an age!

Yep, it's slow loading on mine too, Denis. Otherwise, everything seems to be performing well.

The whole purpose of Avid free is to introduce people to the avid interface. Always take the "Intuitive" adjective with a grain of salt. Interfaces are more dificult to "unlearn" than to learn. Two recent reviews of FCP 4 remark on how the changes to its interface are much more "Avid like" in an effort to recruit avid editors. (DV magazine and another mag that is not on my desk right now.)

<<<-- Two recent reviews of FCP 4 remark on how the changes to its interface are much more "Avid like" in an effort to recruit avid editors. (DV magazine and another mag that is not on my desk right now.) -->>>

And there are some similarities. Terninology and some functions are very similar.

You are so right about the "unlearning" process. It's really difficult when you have spent years using one NLE. Old habits are hard to break!

Any more input out there on FreeDV? I have just installed it. Can anyone compare it to Imovie or FCE?
Regards,
Shawn

A comparison to Imovie and FCE would be a bit of an apples oranges dillema. As a "free" program, it is more advanced than say Imovie, and you are learning an interface that translates to a high-end product. (The admitted purpose of FreeDv.) It is considerably less "loaded" than FCExpress, which is understandable since FCExpress costs several hundred dollars. ($200, $300?)

You have to take AvidFreeDV for what it is. An introductory "demo" for the interface, designed to lure people into buying the more advanced version. Before it's release, it was difficult to even demo the Avid interface, as there were no trial versions of its products available for download.

This is potentially a great solution for companies that are seeking to allow students and other learners a path to learning their expensive software, without letting them resort to piracy.

Now, there really is no excuse for stealing Avid's software, which is very common right now. I think if more companies offer something like this, it could make a significant impact in the 'warez' world. It is a common excuse for those downloading and cracking software that 'how else can I learn' or '30-day trials give you nowhere enough time'. Well, now there is a way, and it's legitimate and legal.

Several comments today at http://macintouch.com/ about Avid Free.

Apparently the installer rewrites some files that are basic and essential to the Mac's operation, and can foul things up.

So be sure to back up your operating system before installing Avid Free. You might not be able to uninstall it later.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions.

And it seems to be a hit and miss problem. I have it installed on three Macs with no problems whatsoever, but all software was up-to-date before the installations.