The folks at Canopus, (San Jose, CA), were so confident about version
3.3 of their Edius Pro HDV editing software for the PC that they
offered a free 30-day trial version of the software online. In less
than three months, 190,000 people have downloaded the trial, which
gives customers full access to the product’s real-time HDV and
mixed-format (SD, HD, HDV, DV, MPEG-2, and MPEG-1) editing features.

Leveraging its variable-bit-rate Canopus HQ codec, the company said the
$700 Edius Pro 3 package is designed for high-volume production houses
that require high-quality output, yet need to produce finished, edited
content quickly.

Edius Pro 3 includes professional features, such as real-time HQ batch
capture from 1080i HDV cameras and decks, advanced audio tools and
frame-accurate color correction controls. Edius Pro 3 is part of
Canopus's line of hardware and software editing solutions that now
includes its new Edius NX system that allows editors to cut an
unlimited number of video, audio and effects layers.

The company also offers a series of optional Format Support Modules
that include compatibility with the Material eXchange Format (MXF), as
well as Sony’s XDCAM (DVCAM mode), Panasonic P2 and Panasonic VariCam
cameras.

As part of a summer promotion, Canopus has also made available a free
Edius Pro 3 Training DVD. Customers can download the trial software
(also available on CD) and order the free training DVD from the
company’s Web site (www.canopus.com).

For those making the trek, Canopus, which also has offices in the U.K.,
Germany, Italy, Australia and China, will demonstrate EDIUS Pro 3 at
the IBC conference, in Amsterdam, at Stand 7.531.