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Editor's picks

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  Editing with Avid Media Composer 5: Avid Official Curriculum

  Book (Peachpit Press)
  

  Rating (5 reviews):

  (4.4/5)

  

  Learning good editing habits in Avid

  Ashley Kennedy has written a book for beginners and intermediate users of Avid. It is so important to have a hiccup-free work-flow when editing, particularly in Avid. That's what you learn in this Avid Official Curriculum book. The lessons and lesson files are perfect and give you confidence in handling your own footage effectively and creatively. The book is well written and covers most of the basic editing issues. I particularly liked the emphasis on customizing your keyboard and using the keyboard shortcuts. It would be great if she would consider writing an advanced text book that would cover Audio editing, Effects, Color grading and Marquee. 5/5 Eduard Gfeller (Florida) - See all my reviews, November 7, 2010

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  Good starting point...

  This book was very helpful in getting started with the program and learning the basics. That being said, there is MUCH that you will still need to learn beyond the scope of this book. Just be prepared.Overall, I'm very happy with it and don't regret buying it at all. 3/5 CaliMan - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Editing with Avid Media Composer 5: Avid Official Curriculum (Paperback) This book was very helpful in getting started with the program and learning the basics. That being said, there is MUCH that you will still need to learn beyond the scope of this book. Just be prepared.Overall, I'm very happy with it and don't regret buying it at all. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , September 1, 2011

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  Great for Basics and Concepts

  A well structured introductory guide for a beginner to MC5 which deals with all the essential topics in sufficient detail to get you going. Media Composer 5 is an incredibly comprehensive editing application - but not a particularly intuitive one. This book quickly empowers the reader to get to grips with efficient editing techniques in MC5 which will save a great deal of time in video production. Readers who take the time to study the guide and do the all the practise exercises will be well rewarded for their investment in MC5. When used in conjunction with the Avid supplied Help, Guides and Reference Manuals, an MC5 editor will have all the tools needed to become a proficient and successful editor. 5/5 kernol - See all my reviews This review is from: Editing with Avid Media Composer 5: Avid Official Curriculum (Paperback) A well structured introductory guide for a beginner to MC5 which deals with all the essential topics in sufficient detail to get you going. Media Composer 5 is an incredibly comprehensive editing application - but not a particularly intuitive one. This book quickly empowers the reader to get to grips with efficient editing techniques in MC5 which will save a great deal of time in video production. Readers who take the time to study the guide and do the all the practise exercises will be well rewarded for their investment in MC5. When used in conjunction with the Avid supplied Help, Guides and Reference Manuals, an MC5 editor will have all the tools needed to become a proficient and successful editor. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , May 2, 2011

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  List Price: $54.99
  

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  Avid Agility: Working Faster and More Intuitively with Avid Media Composer, Second Edition

  Book (CreateSpace)
  

  Rating (19 reviews):

  (4.7/5)

  

  My review of "Avid Agility" from Post Magazine

  I haven't met Steven Cohen, but after reading his book, Avid Agility ($36.88), I feel like I have. Cohen was a pioneer in nonlinear editing, cutting the first studio feature to use Avid (Lost in Yonkers). He's taught at the AFI, was publisher of the Editor's Guild magazine and co-founded the Avid Editor's Advisory Committee. And, now, he's published the most ambitious and comprehensive book on Avid Media Composer I've read. (Avid should include this with every Composer system sold).This book could have had a number of other titles: "Avid Demystified," "Avid Revealed," or "Flying with Avid." I can promise you one thing... should you get this book, and I highly advise you do if you're a Media Composer editor, rookie or old pro, "Avid Agility" will make you a better editor, guaranteed.This is much more than a operating manual or how-to -- it's like having a seasoned pro sitting next to you, revealing his trade secrets, explaining and enlightening you, all for the... 5/5 flashcutter - See all my reviews This review is from: Avid Agility: Working Faster and More Intuitively with Avid Media Composer (Paperback) I haven't met Steven Cohen, but after reading his book, Avid Agility ($36.88), I feel like I have. Cohen was a pioneer in nonlinear editing, cutting the first studio feature to use Avid (Lost in Yonkers). He's taught at the AFI, was publisher of the Editor's Guild magazine and co-founded the Avid Editor's Advisory Committee. And, now, he's published the most ambitious and comprehensive book on Avid Media Composer I've read. (Avid should include this with every Composer system sold).This book could have had a number of other titles: "Avid Demystified," "Avid Revealed," or "Flying with Avid." I can promise you one thing... should you get this book, and I highly advise you do if you're a Media Composer editor, rookie or old pro, "Avid Agility" will make you a better editor, guaranteed.This is much more than a operating manual or how-to -- it's like having a seasoned pro sitting next to you, revealing his trade secrets, explaining and enlightening you, all for the... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , January 2, 2011

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  Sharpen your ax

  Cohen starts his digital NLE editing book with a quote from an unlikely source: Abraham Lincoln. "If I had eight hours to cut down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." It's an apt metaphor for the rest of the book.I learned Avid originally in 1992. One of the primary tools that helped me was an early, home-bound version of Steve Cohen and Basil Pappas' book about Avid, back before there were really ANY other books other than the manuals. That book opened my eyes to a whole new way of using the tools in Avid.Steve Cohen has taken his DECADES of experience editing on Avid and distilled them into a very readable, INCREDIBLY illustrated book. Cohen does start from the very basics, but I would say this is not a book for the Avid beginner. This is a great book for someone who wants to become a WAY more proficient Avid editor than they already are.After quickly getting through the basics, Cohen delivers the deep secrets. I have done a lot of Avid... 5/5 Setphen J. Hullfish "Steve HUllfish" (Chicago) - See all my reviews, November 2, 2010

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  Editors at all levels will benefit from this book

  I am a professional television editor working the Avid hard every day. I now keep this book on my console as an important reference tool. The Avid is such a deep program that there are many functions that do not get used on a daily basis. Steve Cohen has researched and tested them all. Through user friendly diagrams and easy to understand writing, he makes nagivating any operation easier. From Avid basics to the new sophisticated innovations on Media Composer version 5, users will find this book will help them cut (pun semi-intended) through any confusion and allow an editor to do what they want when they want to do it. I highly recommend it. 5/5 FLevy - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Avid Agility: Working Faster and More Intuitively with Avid Media Composer (Paperback) I am a professional television editor working the Avid hard every day. I now keep this book on my console as an important reference tool. The Avid is such a deep program that there are many functions that do not get used on a daily basis. Steve Cohen has researched and tested them all. Through user friendly diagrams and easy to understand writing, he makes nagivating any operation easier. From Avid basics to the new sophisticated innovations on Media Composer version 5, users will find this book will help them cut (pun semi-intended) through any confusion and allow an editor to do what they want when they want to do it. I highly recommend it. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , November 6, 2010

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  List Price: $46.95
  

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  Media Composer 6: Part 1 - Editing Essentials (Avid Learning)

  Book (Course Technology PTR)
  

  Rating (13 reviews):

  (4.3/5)

  

  A Thorough, Expert, But Somewhat Dry Slog

  MC is a serious piece of software, designed for and used by professionals. By the time I finish writing this review, the turf will probably have changed, but as of now (mid 2012) it is one of the few programs that can be considered one of the industry standards.The editors and authors of this book have decided to divide their book on MC 6 into two separate books which was probably a wise decision. More practical. Easier on the hands.What we have here is an expert, nicely-sequenced, and clear walk-through of basic to intermediate functions for MC 6. It is all about real-world applications, using some fun examples in the process. It is very screen shot-y which might suit your learning style or might not.This is not the most scintillating prose you will ever encounter, and it would be a stretch to suggest that this book is inspired. However, if you are looking for something that is part reference and part "learn-to" you should probably pick this one up. 4/5 Theseus "theseus" (US of A) - See all my reviews This review is from: Media Composer 6: Part 1 - Editing Essentials (Avid Learning) (Paperback) Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?) MC is a serious piece of software, designed for and used by professionals. By the time I finish writing this review, the turf will probably have changed, but as of now (mid 2012) it is one of the few programs that can be considered one of the industry standards.The editors and authors of this book have decided to divide their book on MC 6 into two separate books which was probably a wise decision. More practical. Easier on the hands.What we have here is an expert, nicely-sequenced, and clear walk-through of basic to intermediate functions for MC 6. It is all about real-world applications, using some fun examples in the process. It is very screen shot-y which might suit your learning style or might not.This is not the most scintillating prose you will ever encounter, and it would be a stretch to suggest that this book is inspired. However, if you are looking for something that is part reference and part "learn-to" you should probably pick this one up. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , April 24, 2012

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  Gives you the info, but reads like a manual.

  I can't say this doesn't do its job, but part 2 of this was easier to read as the author occasionally jokes around and has a more 'readable' (I guess?) writing style. 4 stars because it gives you what you need, there are a few typos and things that weren't quite right but not enough for me to take a star off. I would have given it 5 stars except that I read the 2nd part and it was better. So now part 2 is my 5 star standard for Avid...although it also contains so typos. 4/5 Christopher Fox (Utah) - See all my reviews, April 16, 2012

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  The Right Book for Learning Editing with Media Composer 6

  I've had this book for three weeks now and I went through it several times, stopping here and there to check out the screenshots, before reading through it. I am not the target audience for this book, but having lived with the book for the short time I have, I feel I can say a thing or two about it.One, Mary Plummer never talks down to her readers. You get the impression that she really wants to help you with Media Composer. Her writing style almost comes across like she's in the room with you, guiding you. And for any book on software, that is a huge plus.Two, The book covers editing in Media Composer to the nth degree. I cannot imagine anything Ms. Plummer has left out.Three, The book has numerous screenshots illustrating absolutely every detail in Ms. Plummer's instructions.I do not have the program and probably never will, but I feel I understand it and that's saying a lot. This is an excellent instruction book. If you want to learn... 5/5 Shane Shogren (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews, April 4, 2012

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  List Price: $59.99
  

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  Avid Media Composer 6 Software Academic S 9935-65076-00

  Software (Avid)
  List Price: $287.57
  

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  Media Composer 6: Part 2 Effects Essentials (Avid Learning)

  Book (Course Technology PTR)
  

  Rating (1 reviews):

  (5.0/5)

  

  Well written

  Taking an Avid class in college right now. I have the Kindle version which has been pretty good. Fast navigation and such, but sometimes I still wish I had a physical copy. I really like how the author joked around a little throughout the book and it was easier to read than part 1. Few parts were not quite right, there was a quiz question or 2 where the answer and question didn't line up, but not enough for me to take off a star. 5/5 Christopher Fox (Utah) - See all my reviews, April 16, 2012

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  List Price: $59.99
  

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  Avid Media Composer Software V5.5, for Mac & Windows

  PC Accessory (Avid)
  

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  Media Composer 6: Professional Effects and Compositing (Avid Learning Series: Profession Certification)

  Book (Course Technology PTR)
  

  Rating (5 reviews):

  (5.0/5)

  

  A book with a mission!

  The purpose of "Media Composer 6: Professional Effects" is to aid someone in being professionally certified for Avid Media Composer.The book is about perfect for that task.It includes step by step instructions on how the effects work. The book comes with a DVD of real media materials and shows how to edit and add effects to produce professional products.Each chapter ends with a sample quiz from the certification exam.The book hits both the academic and hands-on aspects of learning.Bravo!The book might also be of interest to the casual Avid Media Composer user or the individual generally interested in software editing techniques and packages.The author, David East, has a very nice writing style that is engaging and conversational in tone. He liberally uses humor to make his points.All in all, it is an excellent product, and it is a must buy if you are studying for the professional... 5/5 Richard Staats (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews, May 8, 2012

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  Teaches the Editing Effects Available in Media Composer 6

  This is the second book in a two part course that will get you Avid certified in Media Composer 6. This book assumes you know the basics of video editing in the program, so starting with the first book is probably a good idea. This book can be used as a textbook, but it's easy to understand and full of color screenshots which accompany each step of the learning process.After an intro to audio effects the book moved to an intro of video effects, then onto transition effects, color and corrective effects and then onto motion effects. With Media Composer you can edit everything from a music video to a news broadcast or even a sitcom or a fast action movie and this book, in conjunction with Media Composer 6: Part 1-Editing Essentials, by Mary Plummer, will show you how. 5/5 D. Rowland (a Cool Dry Place) - See all my reviews, April 26, 2012

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  Thorough and Well Written

  This is one of several books that I got for my musically inclined daughter, who has moved back in with mom and dad after having lived away for the duration of her college education. When she entered college, she was going to be a lawyer, now she's going to be a composer.Media Composer is expensive software, but you can download a free trial and try it out before you buy it, which is probably a good idea. However, my daughter has the program and she planted a great big kiss on my cheek when I presented her with this book.I am not musically inclined. Tone deaf is what I am, but despite that musically disability I spent a fair amount of time in recording studios when I was younger and I've edited a lot of tape. I was pretty doggone good with a splicing bar and a razor blade. Those days are gone. Today it's all done in software and if you have Media Composer and want to use it to move from editing audio to editing and adding effects to music videos, then this is a... 5/5 Ronald Hammond "Hooker" (Key West, FL USA) - See all my reviews, April 25, 2012

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  List Price: $69.99
  

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  Avid Media Composer 5 Upgrade - OPEN BOX

  PC Accessory (Avid)
  

  Rating (1 reviews):

  (2.0/5)

  

  BUYER BEWARE

  AVID PRODUCTS CANNOT BE USED ON THE SAME COMPUTER, ACCORDING TO AVID. YOU MUST BUY A SEPARATE COMPUTER FOR EACH AVID PRODUCT, ACCORDING TO AVID. IN MY CASE THAT'S 1 COMPUTER FOR AVID (PINNACLE) STUDIO, A 2ND COMPUTER FOR AVID LIQUID, A 3RD COMPUTER FOR AVID MEDIA COMPOSER, A 4TH COMPUTER FOR PRO TOOLS. IF YOU TRY TO LOAD PRO TOOLS AND MEDIA COMPOSER, MEDIA COMPOSER MUST BE LOADED FIRST (OR NEVER), BUT AVID WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT.IN MY CASE, I PAID AVID A LOT OF MONEY FOR MEDIA COMPOSER, LIQUID, STUDIO, PRO TOOLS, WITH A NEW HP COMPUTER WITH 4 GB RAM. BUT WITH WINDOWS VISTA7, 1.5 GB RAM IS REQUIRED JUST TO TURN ON THE EMPTY COMPUTER, SO YOU NEED AT LEAST 6 GB RAM TO USE MEDIA COMPOSER ACCORDING TO AVID. ALL VIDEO PROGRAMS STOPPED WORKING, UNABLE TO UNINSTALL USING VISTA7, HAD TO USE A GENERIC UNINSTALLER TO REMOVE ALL (STILL UNABLE TO REMOVE 100%). REINSTALLED MEDIA COMPOSER, STILL THE GRAY SCREEN OF DEATH. I AM UNABLE TO PRODUCE MY TV SHOW AND RADIO SHOW WITH AVID POS, NOR... 2/5 John D. Lee 2 (Knoxville, Tennessee, uSA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Avid Media Composer 5 Upgrade - OPEN BOX (Electronics) AVID PRODUCTS CANNOT BE USED ON THE SAME COMPUTER, ACCORDING TO AVID. YOU MUST BUY A SEPARATE COMPUTER FOR EACH AVID PRODUCT, ACCORDING TO AVID. IN MY CASE THAT'S 1 COMPUTER FOR AVID (PINNACLE) STUDIO, A 2ND COMPUTER FOR AVID LIQUID, A 3RD COMPUTER FOR AVID MEDIA COMPOSER, A 4TH COMPUTER FOR PRO TOOLS. IF YOU TRY TO LOAD PRO TOOLS AND MEDIA COMPOSER, MEDIA COMPOSER MUST BE LOADED FIRST (OR NEVER), BUT AVID WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT.IN MY CASE, I PAID AVID A LOT OF MONEY FOR MEDIA COMPOSER, LIQUID, STUDIO, PRO TOOLS, WITH A NEW HP COMPUTER WITH 4 GB RAM. BUT WITH WINDOWS VISTA7, 1.5 GB RAM IS REQUIRED JUST TO TURN ON THE EMPTY COMPUTER, SO YOU NEED AT LEAST 6 GB RAM TO USE MEDIA COMPOSER ACCORDING TO AVID. ALL VIDEO PROGRAMS STOPPED WORKING, UNABLE TO UNINSTALL USING VISTA7, HAD TO USE A GENERIC UNINSTALLER TO REMOVE ALL (STILL UNABLE TO REMOVE 100%). REINSTALLED MEDIA COMPOSER, STILL THE GRAY SCREEN OF DEATH. I AM UNABLE TO PRODUCE MY TV SHOW AND RADIO SHOW WITH AVID POS, NOR... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , October 15, 2011

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  Avid Editing, Fourth Edition: A Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Users

  Book (Focal Press)
  

  Rating (6 reviews):

  (4.0/5)

  

  Avid is not easy, but Sam Kauffmann strives to make it easy

  Recently, I took a one week Avid Course at geniusDV and found Sam Kauffmann's book a welcome addition to what I learned in the course. Sam reviews all the basic operations that should get a beginner started; and it should be a valuable resource, as well, for the intermediate video editor who needs to look up a thing or two. Avid has an enormous amount of options of how to do things that can be overwhelming to the beginner. Sam offers a common sense basic approach that enable the beginner to edit successfully in a short time. The references he adds are helpful, especially after one grabs the basic concepts. Avid used to be the high-end editing application for Pros. It is becoming more available for consumers, and books like Sam Kauffmann's should accelerate that process. 5/5 Eduard Gfeller (Florida) - See all my reviews, June 15, 2009

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  Some useful bits, but...

  This book started out well, introducing the reader to the world of non-linear editing and Avid using a clear writing style and hands on tutorials. There are a few areas where Kauffmann says to use buttons that are slightly off (i.e. "option" instead of "shift+option"). This could be because it was written for an earlier version of Avid. Or it could be a mistake.Eventually, the book gets incredibly frustrating. For some reason, Kauffmann barely takes advantage of the disc full of media and projects that comes with the book. His chapter on audio is very informative but doesn't give you any exercises using the disc. His chapter on trimming in two directions shows you figures of what that looks like and encourages you to try it. But wouldn't it be nice if he provided you with a sequence to try this on?Later, when explaining the "replace" tool he writes "What's shown in the picture Figure 10.12 is taken from "Swim Take 1. You cut this into the timeline." I did? I... 2/5 Walter1234 - See all my reviews This review is from: Avid Editing, Fourth Edition: A Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Users (Paperback) This book started out well, introducing the reader to the world of non-linear editing and Avid using a clear writing style and hands on tutorials. There are a few areas where Kauffmann says to use buttons that are slightly off (i.e. "option" instead of "shift+option"). This could be because it was written for an earlier version of Avid. Or it could be a mistake.Eventually, the book gets incredibly frustrating. For some reason, Kauffmann barely takes advantage of the disc full of media and projects that comes with the book. His chapter on audio is very informative but doesn't give you any exercises using the disc. His chapter on trimming in two directions shows you figures of what that looks like and encourages you to try it. But wouldn't it be nice if he provided you with a sequence to try this on?Later, when explaining the "replace" tool he writes "What's shown in the picture Figure 10.12 is taken from "Swim Take 1. You cut this into the timeline." I did? I... Read more Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  Was this review helpful to you? , June 10, 2011

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  Instrumental in Helping Me to Understand Avid

  I love Avid Media Composer because I think it's the editing software of the pros. But there are so many different components within this program that it could be intimidating to learn all you can do with the program -- until this book.Kauffmann simplifies complex editing techniques and has a grasp of every aspect of the program. Whenever I have a difficult question, there's an simple answer in the book. Needless to say, I refer to it regularly. To anyone who wants to be proficient in the number one editing system out there -- get the number one book out there: this one. 5/5 Lou Comunale - See all my reviews, April 20, 2010

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  List Price: $49.95
  

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  Media Composer 6: Professional Picture and Sound Editing

  Book (Course Technology PTR)
  List Price: $69.99
  

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