There are many places one can download the AVID Media Composer software. The most reputable choice would be from the official AVID website, or possibly the CNET website.
Steve Bayes has written: 'The Avid Handbook, Techniques for the Avid Media Composer and Avid Xpress'
Avid.
There are several choices for video production editing software. Some of the most popular ones are Apple Final Cut Studio, Adobe Production, Avid Media Composer, and Sony Vegas.
Digidesign is now called Avid. Pro Tools is available to purchase and download from Avid's official website. It can also be purchased in a boxed version from major computer software retailers including Amazon.
For Mac: Final Cut Pro 7 or Avid Media Composer. For PC: Adobe Premiere or the complete Adobe Creative Suite.
One can purchase Avid Editing software when one goes to the official website of Avid. On this site, there are details pertaining to the purchase of the software, as well as upgrade, local storage, and Avid online training.
Avid is better than Edius and Final Cut. I am a professional editor so I have tried all these platforms. Avid Media Composer 5 gives you more control over effects, audio effects, and the audio mixer. More effects are included with Avid as well. The others have effects that look like effects from 1970. Professionals use Avid, amatures use the others. The movie industry uses Avid. If you've seen Avatar or Iron Man 2, you've seen what Avid can do.
Alternatives to Final Cut Pro include Avid's Media Composer and Adobe's Premiere (See links below).
Avid
avid
You can use Final Cut Express, Final Cut Studio, Adobe Premiere, Avid Media Composer or if you are running a Virtual PC on a Mac, you can use any program Windows uses.
AnswerThe only editing tools really worth using are Avid and FCP. I wouldn't mess with the lower end versions of Avid. The lower end versions are not that good and too limited. Avid is really a high end tool and doesn't really become worthwhile unless you are on a Media Composer or Symphony. The software only version of Media Composer is not worthwhile either because you need the DX hardware to get the full power. Also, the way the software works is geared more towards professionals and will seem counter-intuitive until you have a full understanding of professional post production. It also takes a long time to learn because it's the most complex editing program out there and really isn't worth the time investment unless you have your aim at turning editing into some kind career. Basically if you aren't being hired to use a higher end Avid purchased by someone else you probably aren't meant to be using it.I would shoot for FCP as opposed to Premiere. It's more powerful and not that much more expensive. FCS is basically a post house in a box but I would read the book "Optimizing your FCP system" because FCP is less proprietary then Avid leaving allot of the options in your own hands which can lead to setting up the wrong system.