The free version is great for putting your toe in the pool, whether to sample or train on. But yeah $60 is pitifully little to pay for what you're getting.

SMPse wrote:

There will always be people that will use the free version as long as it's able to accomplish the task at hand. Strip out the Mackie support, the "Recording" functionality, AAF, OMF, EDL, stereo support, the ability to use the console, and a few other more "professional" features, it's still a very capable NLE, way better than other free NLE's. If you're only a little thirsty, a sip from a fountain quenches just as good as a Perrier.

@khaver, Yes, of course there are, but I don't expect them to, not for the low price of the Pro version

To put it in perspective, you could buy one version of e.g. Avid MC, or for the same money subscribe to Lightworks Pro for 40+ years.

SMPse wrote:
If you wanted to upgrade that copy of Media Composer just once you wouldn't get much change out of $600. That would get you another ten years of Lightworks.

But back on topic - I assume that LightWork Design and O.L.E.'s product Lightworks both came into existence at about the same time. I can't understand how two such similar names could have been registered at the same time in broadly the same field in the same country.

Any old timers have any idea?

Educational support contract for Avid is $99 a year per license, this includes all upgrades and support (if you can call it support). They also now have a really good training to become an instructor program which is not too bad for educational institutions (easy to recuperate the money in the first class of 6 students). Still hoping this is approved in next year's budget and that there might be an extra seat when training time comes. The new training book is actually very good (MC101 and MC110) and comes with sample media to be able to do all the lessons.

I'm hoping Lightworks will be able to build their training to the same level (or better). Even better if they build this training around the free version so that it can be included with the book and perform all the lessons since time is not limited to 30 days like the Avid demo.