Pro Tools 5.3.1 Offers Interoperability Between AVID & Pro Tools|HD Workstations
April 10, 2002
Digidesign is pleased to announce the NAB debut and imminent release of Pro Tools 5.3.1, a new software version providing cross-platform support of AVoption|XL for Avid Picture integration, FilmFrame for direct 24P video playback, DigiTranslator 2.0 for OMF interchange, and Avid Unity MediaNet shared storage for their newest Pro Tools system - Pro Tools|HD.
Pro Tools|HD is a high-definition audio production workstation that features more DSP power than ever before, support for sample rates up to 192 kHz, world-class high-resolution audio interfaces and peripheral options, higher track count and I/O capacity, expanded routing flexibility, and much more.
Now, with Pro Tools 5.3.1 for Digidesign's next generation Pro Tools|HD workstations, users have endless opportunities for improved workflow efficiency through true simultaneous sharing of media assets. Pro Tools|HD users can stream both audio and video from Avid Unity MediaNet, the facility-class network for content creators that enables media sharing between Avid video and Pro Tools audio production systems. In addition, users can benefit from Digidesign's suite of interoperability products: AVoption|XL, FilmFrame, (an option for AVOptionXL), and DigiTranslator.
AVoption|XL lets users import, record and play back Avid video files while FilmFrame adds support for playback of Avid 24P (progressive scan) media, allowing users to maintain a pure 24P workflow throughout the post-production process. This combination makes Pro Tools the workstation of choice for film audio professionals, and paves the way for multi-format delivery, including digital television formats.
Pro Tools' integrated DigiTranslator option uniquely supports import and export of OMF files and sequences directly from Avid Unity MediaNet and MediaManager systems, providing a seamless cross-platform workflow between Pro Tools|HD and Avid editing systems.
Pro Tools|HD Macintosh users additionally benefit from the following new features:
- Support for all 1% and 4% pull up/pull down combinations for interchangeability and delivery using 24P, NTSC and PAL standards with SYNC I/O.
- Support for PostConform, EDL Import/Auto-Conform software, enables automated capture and spotting of audio elements to picture for increased productivity.
- QuickTime DV movie playback via FireWire using Canopus' ADVC-100 DV Transcoder for working with projects from Avid's Xpress DV
In addition to introducing Avid interoperatibility to the Windows platform, Pro Tools 5.3.1 also adds support for QuickTime playback, DigiTranslator 2.0 and DirectConnect support to Windows-based Pro Tools TDM and LE systems.
Finally, Pro Tools 5.3.1 adds support for Digidesign's newest HD peripherals: Integrated support on the Macintosh for PRE, a remote-controllable world-class 8-channel mic. preamp; and cross-platform support for the 192 Digital I/O, a 24-bit/192 kHz, multi-channel audio interface featuring a wide range of high-definition digital I/O options.
Pro Tools offers everything an audio production department needs for complete control of all elements of the post production process. "The best work in the industry is being done on Pro Tools," states Paul Foeckler, Digidesign's Director of Corporate Marketing. "It's clear that the current landscape and future of all media workgroups is centered on interoperability of picture, compositing and audio systems, sharing files immediately. Digidesign's obvious links with Avid make Pro Tools the only choice for integrating audio into the creative flow."
For more information, visit their web site at www.digidesign.com. | 
