Avid | Media Composer
v2026.8

Updated 31-Aug-2026

Product

Media Composer

Here you will find more details of The changes in shared storage

Media Composer | First – Free version
Note: Starting with Media Composer First 2026.8
Projects are now compatible with the full version of Media Composer!
Don’t forget to check Compatibility Matrix first

 

 

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

Here is a comparison with the differences between the different packages
Start with checking the Compatibility Matrix and Download it from here

Avid MediaCentral Production
(aka interplay)

MC 2026.8 not yet qualified, stay tuned
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 Media Composer Client
S = What Interplay server version this Media Composer client can work with

Another great collection of compatibility guides here for Cloud Remote, Distributed processing, Pro Tools, Media Central Platform (Production management, Cloud UX, Ingest, Capture, Airspeed, Nexis), Interplay production and more.

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

MC 2026.8 Support macOS:
macOS 26.x Tahoe, macOS 15.7.x Sequoia, macOS 14.8.x Sonoma, and macOS 13.7.x Ventura.

MC 2026.8 Support Windows:
Win 11 Pro and Enterprise (22H2 or later) are supported.

More details here in the Avid Version Matrix

This link is really good for checking OS Compatibility

 

 
Qualified Hardware
Mac/Windows &
Slot Configuration

Link to: Media Composer System Requirements

Avid Qualified (=tested) systems:  Qualified Mac And Windows Systems

For improved stability, Install Mac/Windows following the guides here:
System Configuration Guidelines and Slot Configurations Link

 

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.

Apple Silicon Media Composer 16GB RAM Memory Considerations

My personal recommendation:
16GB or more for smaller, simple timelines
32GB-64GB or more for larger timelines and if you are have ScriptSyncAI/PhraseFindAI

If Media Composer is a Media Central Production Management/Interplay Client.
32GB for smaller timelines
64GB or more for larger timelines

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

 

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

 
Where can I download updates for my Avid Video Product?

You can for download Media Composer from this link

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 link at the end of the page –  Here’s the install guide

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 here
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

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.

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

http://support.avid.com
Use the field 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

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

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

To create a support case you have all details in this guide

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?

Check out: Avid Security Guidelines and Best Practices for Dealing with Virus Threat!

 

Media Composer and Quicktime
Media Composer 2020.x and newer versions uses UME (Universal Media Engine) that no longer requires QuickTime to be installed.
 
Here is a list of file-types supported without QuickTime Installed
 
High-Resolution workflow guides
Avid Community pages

You can find a lot of help and friends through the Avid Community forums:
Avid Media Composer Users is quite popular.
You also have the Avid forums: Professional Video Editing ForumsBroadcast NewsRoomAvid Options