US product manufacturer Media 100 is the latest company to actively try to drive down the cost of post-production by introducing cheaper versions of its products, writes Will Strauss
US product manufacturer Media 100 is the latest company to actively try to drive down the cost of post-production by introducing cheaper versions of its products, writes Will Strauss.

The new 844/Xi editor/compositor product has the same layering capabilities as its big brother - the 844/X - but will be available to facilities at almost one-third of the price. The only significant compromise will be on speed as 844/Xi will be slightly slower. The introduction of cheaper products could help to drive down rates at post and graphics facilities.

Media 100 president and chief executive officer John Molinari, who is currently on a whistle-stop tour of the UK, told Broadcastthat while 844/Xi 'may not be everyone's cup of tea' its speed, 10-bit precision and Visual Voicing - a feature that allows editors to view or change any two layers in a multi-layer composition without having to re-render - makes it one of the most compelling compositing products on the market.

The new system, part of what Media 100 is now calling a 'family' of 844/X products, will be offered at around $24,995 (£16,000) and should be available before the end of the year. Existing users of 844/X will receive a discount if they purchase 844/Xi.

High-end product manufacturer Quantel is also set to launch a range of cheaper editing and effects products onto the market before the end of the year.

Topics