Video Editing with Avid: Media Composer, Symphony, Xpress

This is the first comprehensive guide to editing on Avid from a PAL standpoint, also including NTSC information where appropriate, making this book a worldwide manual.

If you are already using Media Composer, Symphony, or Xpress and want to improve and consolidate your basic methods, or if you need to learn these systems from scratch, then this book is for you. This invaluable reference source explains, from beginner to intermediate level, the similarities and differences of these three packages and will ensure you get the most out of your Avid system.


Based on his experience as a film and video editor and trainer, Roger Shufflebottom imparts all the information you need in a clear, accurate and easy to follow format. He provides a comprehensive guide to all the main editing tools of Media Composer, Symphony and Xpress. The text covers Media Composer versions 7-10, Xpress versions 2-4, and Symphony versions 1-3. Extra information is also included on Media Composer version 10.5, Symphony version 3.5 and Xpress version 4.5. Specific Apple Mac and Windows NT information is included.

Moving beyond basic editing, 2D effects, 3D effects and graphic import are explained in detail. By working through the text you will be able to complete an Avid project competently and intuitively and you will learn some efficient and powerful working techniques.

Roger Shufflebottom has been an editor since 1974, began training in 1993 and has run courses for major broadcasters including the BBC, Carlton, BskyB, Pearson Television and the American Forces Network as well as many facility companies. He is an Avid Certified Instructor and has written many articles for 'Avid User' magazine.