Avid Free DV

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Avid Free DV

Avid Free DV running on Windows.
Developer:	Avid Technology
Latest release:	1.8 (Mac OS X) / 1.6 (Win)
OS:	Windows, Mac OS X
Use:	Video editing software
License:	Proprietary
Website:	Avid Free DV Overview

Avid Free DV is a non-linear editing program made by Avid Technology. It is intended to give editors a sample of the Avid interface to use in deciding whether or not to purchase Avid software, so when compared with other Avid products it is relatively minimal. It is not limited by time or watermarking, however, so it can be used as a non-linear editor for as long as desired.

When compared with other consumer-end non-linear editors such as iMovie and Windows Movie Maker, it sports more powerful video processing tools, but lacks the ease-of-use and shallow learning curve emphasized in similar programs due to the fact that it is the full interface of the professional Avid system. However, Avid does offer a number of flash-based tutorials to help new users learn how to use the program for capturing, editing, processing, and outputting audio/video, amongst other things.

The limitations of Avid Free DV include allowing only two video and audio tracks, fewer editing tools than other Avid products, few import and export formats, and of course the capability to only capture and edit DV and not other formats such as SD or HD.

As the name implies, Avid Free DV can be downloaded for free, although users are required to complete a short survey on the Avid website before they are given a download link. In addition to using Free DV to evaluate Avid prior to purchase, it can also act as a stepping stone for people wishing to learn to use Avid's other editing products, such as Xpress Pro, Media Composer and Symphony. While additional skills and techniques are necessary to use these professional-geared systems, the basic operation remains the same.

Avid Free DV is available for Windows XP and Mac OS X.