I don't know if anyone has info, but I've heard that Avid plans to sell a software only version of DS for $10K and it will come with a copy of MC.

While it sounds like a lot of money, it's actually a freaking steal if you ask me. DS Nitris used to sell for over $100K not so long ago. DS is a legit finishing platform that can do 4K, DPX, etc..

MC it's self sells for $2.5K. So DS is actually selling for $7.5K... if this info. is correct.

That's the deal of the DECADE if true. And would truly signal Avid's move away from proprietary hardware. Wow.

I can't afford it, and don't really need it, but for someone running a post house, that cuts edit station costs by nearly a factor of 10. Being able to implement 5-6 stations for the previous cost of 1 (still need to buy the hardware to run it on) could really open up doors for a lot of smaller facilities.

Well it's actually happened:

Avid DS 10.5 has been released! - Avid Community (http://community.avid.com/forums/t/91883.aspx)

Anyone who though Avid wasn't serious about becoming the dominant player in the game again should stand up and take note.

A lot of small post houses are going to be very very happy.