Avid Media Composer Is So F#$*-Up! - Snapping Command/Control + Click Buttons Not Working

 This has been a problem with Avid Media Composer for YEARS.

 For whatever reason, Avid MC (8.9.3 in my case) just ignores Command + Click and DOES NOT SNAP to anywhere in the Timeline. Granted one could turn on snapping in Timeline preferences, but that's cumbersome and not a good way to work, it's much more efficient to turn on snapping on the fly, when and only when you need it, by simply pressing Command.

 Only... It often does not work because some random app is opened at the same time and is interfering with Avid. What?? And according to innumerable users that have been suffering from this flabbergasting misbehavior, any app could trigger it: GMail, Anti-viruses, etc. It's not even well documented. People have spent hours re-installing macOS and MC app from scratch, to no avail! 

 By the way it's not the only thing that gets ignored... Holding Option and dragging a item from one Bin to another DOES NOT COPY the item. Avid ignores the Option key being pressed and instead moving the item.

 What random app causes this? In my case it is Bitwarden! Can you believe it? After I close Bitwarden, Avid behave normally. Control and Option keys do what they are supposed to do. What a wreck.

 Can you just for a moment fathom the antediluvian code that's still at the core of Media Composer? Come on Avid! You can do better!!

Updated to Avid Media Composer 8.9.2 on macOs Sierra 10.12.6

Updated "manually" again via downloading the installer from my Avid Master Account.

I always Uninstall the previous version completely before I install the new one. Worked great this time, no problem whatsoever, all plug-ins up to date, all good. :))

If you are updating via the Avid Application Manager, a reminder that the app downloads the installer(s) into the following folder: MacHD/Library/Caches/Avid/AppManager/Downloads

From the AppManager, I update in two steps: I click "Update" in the App Manager window. It first downloads the installer - you will see a progress bar.

Step 1 - Downloading

When this is done I do not click "Install" from the App Manager, instead I Quit the app, go to the Installer, and move it to a different location.

Step 2 - At this point, Quit the app, do not click "Install".

Step 3 - Copy/Move the installer to wherever you want it.

(I keep all installers together in case I need them later.)

Step 4 -  install "manually" from the newly copied installer.

This way I'm not dependent on AppManager behavior and I can keep the installer where I want it. After installation, the app restarts automatically.

Done.

In the case of MC itself  I can uninstall before I install, note that the Installer for the AppManager does not offer the option to uninstall.

I've had less problems doing it this way than blindly clicking "Install" from the AppManager.

How to upgrade to Avid Media Composer 8.8.2 - Part4

Allright, then onto Canon for updated AMA plug-ins.

Of course I am not able to download anything from the Canon USA page that Avid links to ...

The drop down menu on the right is not operative for me. What? Is it my browser?

OK fine, direction: Canon Europe.  What?!... Five software available...

1) AMA Raw

2) Mac OS X Raw

3) Canon LUTs

4) XF Plug-in for FCPX

5) XF Utility for MacOS X.

Alright grabbing the whole lot, but I will refrain from installing anything at this point.

Next step is loading my collection of camera footage to see what works and what doesn't. Until next time.

How to upgrade to Avid Media Composer 8.8.2 - Part3

Finally, I am able to launch AMC, and what's that? The Sony AMA plug-ins need an update. Alright.

"The AMA plug-ins that provide support for Sony XDCAM, XAVC, HDCAM-SR and SonyRAW are now being developed by nablet. Please uninstall the Sony AMA plug-ins and download/install the tablet AMA plug-ins from Avid.com/ama"

Recap of my installed AMA plug-ins in the console window:

OK then, FYI the AMA plug-ins live here:
MacHD/Library/Application Support/Avid/AVX_2Plug-ins/AMA

I'm moving the SonyXDCAM.avx and MVP_SonyXDCAMEX.avx to my "Old & Obsolete AMA Plug-ins" folder.

Then go to: http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Download/en394827 to download the new plug-ins.

Oh boy!

Landing page on nablet.com. Three plug-ins to choose from: XAVC-XDCAM, the one I'm interested in, also HDCAM-SSR and Sony RAW.

(Note to self: another possible point of failure?... Or an improvement? Time will tell.)

OK, downloading the goodies, and installing.

Four new plug-ins added.

And there you go, nablet AMA plug-ins for Sony.

How to upgrade to Avid Media Composer 8.8.2 - Part2

Allright, so the installation finally went through, firing up the software... And here we go again with the stupid "This software was released past your contract expiration date (12/1/2016) Please go to Avid Support Website for more details".

The lovely message, thanks Avid.

Just like a year and a half ago... I have a PERPETUAL plan, my contract expires on 12/1/2017. I don't know what to say.

So I'm signing out, restarting. Waiting for the Application Manager to do its thing... Be patient.

Alright, now deactivating and reactivating... Be patient.

Signing-in again, waiting for the account to synchronize... Be patient.

Firing-up the App, and... SUCCESS!!!

How to upgrade to Avid Media Composer 8.8.2 - Part1

Avid has a new look for the Application Manager (v. 17.4.0):

New look for AAM

I had problems before with AAM and had to download the installers from my Avid Master Account instead. See this post.

This time however, the installer takes forever to verify, showing no progress it seems that it is stuck. I'm not sure why.

Installer downloaded from Avid Master Account stuck there for over a minute. Be patient it will open eventually.

Anyway, not a big deal, I believe it should just work fine if you use AAM to download and install the update.

One thing that I do not like with using AAM is that Avid is hiding the actual installers from you, and after installation it deletes the installer automatically from your drive without asking for permission. Tss, tss.

So FYI Avid downloads the installers in: MacHD/Library/Caches/Avid/Downloads

Avid is hiding the installer files in here.

Before you hit the "Install" or "Update" button though, copy the installer to another location on your drive, this way you will still have a copy after installation is completed.

One thing I always do is to Uninstall AMC before installing a new version:

Run Uninstall first, then run Install.

Here we go again with another verifying window that seem to be stuck, showing no progress. Again be patient, it takes a couple minutes.

Avid Media Composer 8.6.4 needs an updated R3D Plug-in

Looks like I need to update my current R3D Plug-in for MC - R3DSK v4.6, also known as Avid Media Access (AMA) RED R3D Plug-in 1.11.0

- Where to find the old one:
/Library/Application Support/Avid/AVX2_Plug-ins/AMA

It shows as: "MVP_MSP_REDR3D.avx", move it away (I keep my old AMA Plug-ins in an OBSOLETE AMA folder.)


- Where to download the new one from Avid: Red Ama Plug-in

The new one is: v6.2.2, also known as Avid Media Access (AMA) RED MVP & MSP plug-in 1.19.0.10000

Do We Need A Dedicated SSD Device For NLEs Caches? YES! Definitely For Large Projects (Features.)

Are we at a point where we now need a dedicated -fast- device exclusively reserved for Caching?  Will that decrease response time and thus will make our apps more responsive?

-- Bruce Johnson from Provideocoalition says YES! In the case of PCs and Adobe Premiere.

-- Definitely a boost for FCPX as well

-- How about Resolve?

The location of Cache can be set in FCPX in the Library Properties/Storage Location/Modify Settings:

in Premiere under Project Settings:

 AND under Preferences/Media (Previews):

in After Effects under Preferences/Media and Disk Caches:

in Avid MC under Settings/Media Cache:

in Resolve under Project Settings/General Options:

Now, you will notice that these Apps cache different things... Also Caches can grow really big in the case of AE, quickly eating hundred of GB out of your disk.

Adobe explicitly explains in AE that it is best to use a SSD separate from your footage:

So, for the sake of experiment, I will be adding a SSD to my main Mac soon, and I will set the Caches to this dedicated SSD, see if I get improved performances on these apps.

Let me know what kind of results you get with your own experimentation!

Need to update Sony AMA Plug-in for Media Composer 8.6.3

The joy of tracking software across multiple manufacturers websites to keep your editing station going. Today: Avid Media Composer 8.6.3.

Dang!

- How to check installed plug-ins in MC:
Project window / Info

This is what I have:

AMA Plugin Info:

 MediaCollector MVP Plug-InAvid Technology, Inc. 2.1.1.3415

 AS-11 Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.5.0.3431

 AVCHD MSP Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.3.9.3435

 Avid MXF MSP Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 2.1.1.3414

 MSP_MXF Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.15.5.3452

 WaveAiff Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.4.1.3414

 AVCHD MVP Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.3.9.3435

 AS-02 Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.6.0.3452

 Avid Image Sequencer Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.2.1.3414

 QuickTime Plug-In Avid Technology, Inc. 1.6.7.3444

 MVP_CanonXF64 CANON INC. 2.0

 RED R3D Plug-In (R3DSDK v4.6) Avid Technology, Inc. 1.11.0.6745

 MVP_MSP_SonyXDCAMEX_64bit Sony Corporation 1.9001

 SonyXDCAM_64bit Sony Corporation 3.4000.0.381

So these two underlined Sony XDCAM 64bit have to go.

- AMA Plug-ins folder location (on Mac OS X 101.10.5 Yosemite):
Boot HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/AVX2_Plug-ins/AMA

Actual folder content. Two Sony XDCAM Plug-ins in there. Bye now.

Avid AMA Support Page:

http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Download/en394827

Avid AMA Plug-ins Compatibility Chart:
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/compatibility/Media-Composer-AMA-Plugin-Compatibility-Chart

Sony Software Download page:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/software_for_sony_equipment

Sony XAVC / XDCAM AMA Plug-in Download Page - Version 3.51 is the one for MC 8.6:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/pdzk-ma2

Now installed, and showing the proper version in MC:

MVP_MSP_SonyXDCAMEX_64bit Sony Corporation 1.9300

SonyXDCAM_64bit Sony Corporation 3.5100.0.398

IBC 2016 Avid feel the b(md)urn!

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/20160909-02

So now BMD has the whole apps deal:
- A NLE (which need more work for sure) and a robust image finishing solution in an all-in-one platform: Resolve,
- A robust GFX solution: Fusion,
- The seeds for a robust audio finishing solution: Fairlight.

Are you feeling the burn Avid? Yes obviously you are! Good!
http://www.avid.com/pro-tools-hd/pricing

Get ready to lower your prices though, because I don't think BMD will offer Fairlight "Studio" software-only at $999, no, no, I think more like $450ish, but I might be wrong.

Think for a second, we''ll get a free version as well, just so it matches the rest of BMD software offering. Eh, eh, and I bet it will have 5.1 capabilities. Maybe if it does not, you can kill this sorry ProTools FirstFree of yours Avid.

Difference between Fairlight "Studio" and free? More than 48 I/O, beyond 256 tracks, 256 busses, 256 inserts; beyond 5.1 (7.1, Dolby Atmos, etc.)

Then you'll be able to buy some crazy modular Fairlight hardware: tactile mixer, I/O boxes, DSP galore, and more starting at a few thousand $.

If I were BMD, I would split Resolve and the NLE. Ala FCP "legacy" + Apple Color. But FCPX, Premiere and Avid are still big players and competitors. And after all, Apple Color got killed eventually, so... What do I know.

What to make of all this? Well, I expect Avid to do the right move and up its offering all the while lowering their prices. It won't take long for BMD to set foot into the ProTools sandbox, and if PT is not significantly more attractive it will perish. As I said you can forget ProTools First, and ProTools vanilla will quickly start to look pretty limited.

Avid has really made huge progresses with Media Composer, thanks to the pressure exercised by Adobe and Apple, maybe they will continue to push ProTools to keep competing.  I say it's good news for us users in the long run. Of course all manufacturers keep their promises more or less loosely... Right?

OK, who's next? Apple, something to announce maybe?

Alleluia! Me Avid MC (8.5.1) is finally working as it should! (For now.)

The license snafu (http://humanuser.blogspot.com/2016/01/really-avid.html) has been FIXED! Or so it seems, since I can now start MC 8.4.5 8.5.1 with my OWN system ID and Activation #.  Alleluia!!

Application Manager 2.5.2.160 seems to be working as it should!  Previously I had to go to my Avid Master Account, (http://humanuser.blogspot.com/2015/11/avid-media-composer-842-upgrade-like-pro.html) to find the installer and download it to my computer, since clicking "Update" was not working.

Now, I click "Update", and off it goes!  It's downloading now, we'll see if it goes through.

Yes it did, ah!  Unlike Adobe Creative Cloud, AM does it in two steps, ONE it downloads the img installer inside:  Boot/Library/Cahces/Avid/AppManager/Downloads, then TWO you must click "Install", which simply runs the img installer.  OK, fine.

And... Done!  Good to go!  MC 8.5.1 installed, up and running, finally!

Avid Media Composer 8.4.5 ... License snafu. Really Avid? Really?

Dowloaded AMC 8.4.5 installer just fine, no lost connection this time, but when I try to launch the app, I get the message: "This Software was released past your contract expiration date (1/12/15) Please go to Avid Support Website for more details."
Really AVID?  Really?

Update:
Allright, after a couple of hours on and off the phone with Avid Cust Rep, we fixed the App Manager wrong date, good, now it's the same as my Master Account, cool.  On the other hand, no go on launching MC 8.4.5.  Same message... Really?

They got me a temporary license, since mine can't work at the moment and is being "investigated" by Avid.  Whoa!  Sounds like a noir movie.

I should get my license working again in a day or two.  We'll see.

Can't download Avid Media Composer 8.4.4 - "Network connection Lost"

Trying to download AMC 8.4.4 just like the previous two installers, but this time I get the crippling "Network connection Lost" message and I cannot download the damn disk image.

Tried the first day, could not do it, try the second day, could not do it, tried the third day, same old.

--- Update: Finally made it happen, after waiting for a few days, still had to go through several attempts, over the course of several hours, having to re-start the download that still got interrupted three or four times, but it went though at last.  All is good.

Avid Application Manager different expiration date than Master Account

Are you experiencing the App Manager not updating the Expiration date of your Standard Support Plan?

Even though it's updated and show the correct date on the My Avid Master Account (I just bough the yearly plan for another year until dec 2016), Application Manager refuses to show the new Expiration date - it still is stuck in 2015.

Hey! We are not alone:
http://community.avid.com/forums/p/136720/776661.aspx

Update:
Oh boy! And now I even get emails from Avid telling me my plan is about to expire... Even though it's good up to dec 2016... Get it together Avid!

Renew your Upgrade & Support Plan AVID MASTER ACCOUNT CONTACT A RESELLER

Important Notice About Your Product Dear Media Composer Customer, This email is to notify you that your Media Composer Upgrade & Support plan is expiring. In order to receive software upgrades, your Media Composer perpetual license must be covered by an active Avid Upgrade & Support plan, or you must have an active Media Composer Subscription. To ensure you can receive future software updates and support, you can either renew your Avid Upgrade & Support plan within 30 days of expiration or switch to a subscription license. To renew, contact your reseller or log in to your Avid Master Account. For complete instructions on the renewal process, please review this article. For those customers that have Symphony and Newscutter, don’t forget to renew and upgrade here along with your Media Composer. To switch to Media Composer subscription, visit the Avid Web Store and purchase a Subscription Crossgrade, or click here to have an Avid representative contact you. Notice: if you choose not to renew your Upgrade & Support plan or to switch to a subscription license, your Media Composer software with a perpetual license will continue to work. However, you will not be able to upgrade your license or receive software updates. Thank you. AVID MASTER ACCOUNT CONTACT A RESELLER

Sony A7s footage import in Avid MC, FCPX, Resolve, Adobe

Avid MC 8.3 doesn't like the Mp4 (AVC) files created by the Sony A7s.

I can actually AMA link, but there is no image, and Avid gives me a "Wrong Format" instead of an image.  Now, the AVCHD .MTS footage from the A7s imports just fine in Avid.

FCPX 10.1.3 and 10.1.4 import the Mp4s, BUT IGNORES THE TIMECODE!
Here is a frame grab of the import window, All clips start at TC 00:00:00:00

Resolve Lite 11.1.2 imports them, BUT IGNORES TIMECODE as well.  ;((

Adobe (CC 2014) Premiere, After Effects and Adobe Media Encoder imports them just fine WITH Time Code.


Adobe has the upper hand here people...

Apple, BMD, Avid please make the A7s AVC files recognized properly!



Notes:
I have the latest XAVC Sony Plug-in installed for Avid: PDZK-MA2_v3.32  PDZK-MA2_v3.40
I have the latest XAVC Sony Plug-in installed for FCPX: PDZK-LT2_1.2.1


What's your experience with A7s footage?  Leave comments!

Avid MC 8.3 gives me a "Wrong Format" error when AMA linking A7s Mp4 footage

--- Update 1/25/2015 ---

All right, as of Jan 30, 2015 there is now a (SUPPOSEDLY) MC 8.3 compatible Plug-in which is PDZK-MA2_v3.40, available here: http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/pdzk-ma2

But first, uninstall the old v3.32, on Mac: 
1) Navigate to <SYSTEM DRIVE>/Library/Application Support/Avid/AVX2_Plug-ins/AMA/
2) Delete the MVP_SonyXDCAMEX.avx and SonyXDCAM.avx files
3) Empty the Trash to completely erase the files from the system.

Then Install v3.40.

In MC's Console ama_listplugins it shows the following:
MVP_MSP_SonyXDCAMEX_64bit Sony Corporation 1.9001
SonyXDCAM_64bit Sony Corporation 3.4000.0.381

And... IT STILL DOES NOT WORK, STILL GIVES THE WRONG FORMAT!

In Console, I get the following:

------ AMA Link To File(s) ------

The video track contains non-trivial edit list(s).Forcing sample provider mode for video.

Color transfer characteristics information unavailable

Color primaries information unavailable

And If I select the accompanying XML file to the MP4. I get an error message:
Unable to link to file or volume.
You may need to Download & install the AMA plug-in from the Avid AMA website.

Great!  What a great compatibility!  I'm not the only one.
http://community.avid.com/forums/p/131877/752994.aspx


--- Old article below ---

I have Sony's PDZK-MA2_v3.32 plug-in installed.

In MC's Console ama_listplugins it shows the following:

MVP_MSP_SonyXDCAMEX_64bit Sony Corporation 1.9001

SonyXDCAM_64bit Sony Corporation 3.3200.0.287

I can import the Mp4 footage, but I cannot open it.