Avid | Media Composer
v2020.12.8

Updated 6-Feb-2023

Product

Media Composer | First (free version) – Media ComposerMedia Composer | UltimateMedia Composer | Enterprise
Win – Mac

You will find the Master FAQ here (most questions answered here)

More info about Media Composer | Enterprise: Check the FAQ here

Avid MediaCentral Production
(aka interplay)

If you are installing the interplay components on an editor, please use this guide for what interplay components that you install on the Media Composer Client, see page 2:
R = What you install on the client
S = What Interplay server this client can work with

You can find more compatibility guides here for Pro Tools, Media Central Cloud UX, Cloud Remote and more.

Media Composer | First
Media Composer
Media Composer | Ultimate
Media Composer | Enterprise

Media Composer | First is the free version of Media Composer
Start with checking the Compatibility Matrix and Download it from here

Here is a comparison with the differences between the different packages, and the FAQ.

Is my OS compatible?
Do I have the correct drivers?

MC 2020.12.8 Supports macOS 11.6.x*, 10.15.7*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6  – Win10 2004 or later
MC 2020.12.7 Supports macOS 11.6.x*, 10.15.7*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6  – Win10 2004 or later
MC 2020.12.6 Supports macOS 11.6.x*, 10.15.7*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 2004 or later
MC 2020.12.5 Supports macOS 11.6.1*, 10.15.7*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 2004 or later
MC 2020.12.3 Supports macOS 11.4.0*, 11.3.1*, 11.2.3, 11.1.0*, 10.15.7*, 10.15.6*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1909 or later
MC 2020.12.2 Supports macOS 11.1, 10.15.7*, 10.15.6*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1909 or later
MC 2020.12.1 Supports macOS 11.1, 10.15.7*, 10.15.6*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1909 or later
MC 2020.12 Supports macOS 11.1**, 10.15.7*, 10.15.6*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1909 or later
MC 2020.10 Supports macOS 10.15.7*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1809 or later
MC 2020.9 Supports macOS 10.15.6*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1809 or later
MC 2020.8 Supports macOS 10.15.6*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1809 or later
MC 2020.6 Supports macOS 10.15.5*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1809 or later
MC 2020.5 Supports macOS 10.15.5*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1809 or later
MC 2020.4 Supports macOS 10.15.4*, 10.14.6, 10.13.6 – Win10 1809 or later
Avid KB here!

This link is really good for checking OS Compatibility

* Note, Catalina does not support Mojo DX, Nitris DX, Title Tool, Marquee Titler – see FAQ

Qualified Hardware
Mac/Windows &
Slot Configuration
CPU & RAM requirements for different codecs, formats and workflows

Here’s a link to a guide with information about system requirements depending of what kind of workflows,
codecs, and resolutions you are going to work with.

My personal recommendation:
16GB or more for smaller, simple timelines
32GB or more for larger timelines
32GB for smaller timelines (Media Composer Interplay Client)
64 GB or more for larger timelines (Media Composer Interplay Client)

Be very careful with setting a high Video Memory Cache, it is the same as pulling out RAM from the computer!

 

AMA Link Plugins extends support
for various cameras and formats.

Make sure to install updates to your AMA plugins, get the latest ones from here:
www.avid.com/ama

Great PDF workflow guides available here and here

Where can I download updates for my Avid Video Product?

You can for download Media Composer 2020.x from here

From your account page: https://my.avid.com/products
Download Center direct link for updates: https://my.avid.com/esd
Or use Avid Link – Download the installer for Avid Link from here –  Here’s the install guide

Trouble accessing download center? Make sure you have created an account, then access your account to get updates.

For more info about your Master Account: Click Here

Avid Link

All licensing and activation is now handled by Avid Link
Download Avid Link from hereor hereApp storegoogle play
More details in the install guides and here in the FAQ.

If you have an Activation Card or Activation Key go here to register/login and activate
Note! Mac dongle drivers need manual install

Keep Avid Link up to date, no matter what Media Composer version you are running

Effect plugins for Media Composer

Here is a handy Avid Plug-In Finder page.

For more info, and guides on NewBlue Titler check this page here.

Avid Artist I/O Info & FAQ

Avid Artist I/OOpen I/ODocumentationFeature Comparison

Get drivers here https://my.avid.com/esd section: Avid Artist | DNxIO

Slot configuration guidelines for DNxIO What slot should I use?

Avid | Artist DNxIV, DNxIP
Avid | Artist DNxIQ

DNxIQ Support Page

Product PageDocumentationFeature Comparison

Get drivers here https://my.avid.com/esd section: Avid Artist | DNxIQ

Slot configuration guidelines for DNxIQ What slot should I use?

Avid | Artist DNxIO

DNxIO Support Page

Product PageDocumentationFeature Comparison

Get drivers here https://my.avid.com/esd section: Avid Artist | DNxIO

Slot configuration guidelines for DNxIO What slot should I use?

Nitris DX & Mojo DX

Nitris DX brochureMojo DX brochure
Capabilities LinkFeature Comparison
Note: Nitris DX, and Mojo DX is not compatible with macOS Catalina, Big Sur, Windows 10 version 2004 (and higher)

If I’m stuck, where is the
Avid Knowledge Base?

http://www.avid.com/support
Scroll down to search the Knowledge Base – Search for keywords that are unique to an error message, or format, or version. I normally search sorted on date.
Here is a direct link to the KB Search for Media Composer Sorted on date.

What level of support can I get for my Avid product?

Info about the different support levels: Standard / Expert Plus / Elite and a brochure

Need to call Avid Support? ..and you got Expert Plus, or Elite Support
Contact Avid Broadcast and Video Support

Here is a guide on how to create a support case.

If it’s not a technical issue, but Web-Store support, or Physical Returns, or Digital Returns.
Then you can use This Link

 Use this form if you have problems with your Portal Account or problems accessing support pages.
..and you just need to contact Avid support without the need to login.

Security Guidelines and Best Practices

What antivirus software is qualified? How should it be configured?

Link to KB or http://www.avid.com/securityupdate

Media Composer and Quicktime
Media Composer 2020.x uses UME (Universal Media Engine) and longer requires QuickTime to be installed.
However on Win10, or Mac (Not including Catalina and newer) if you still have the old QuickTime Player installed, you can also link using the older and much slower QuicktTime engine. Right-Click in source browser during linking to specify what you want to link with.
High-Resolution workflow guides
Avid Community pages

Talk to fellow Media Composer, NewsCutter and Symphony users on the
Avid Community Forums:

Professional Video Editing ForumsBroadcast NewsRoomAvid Options