Question about Pro Tools 11 HD (And Not Upgrading to pt12 until later)

[mmk]

Lets pretend I'm someone who doesn't get out much or read the internet to find out about this new Avid policy on pro tools.

Lets say I never find about about the support plan or updates or any of that and just keep working happily on my PTHD Native rig for a few years. Because it works so well and I dont feel a need to upgrade or check for an upgrade.

Then a new operating system version comes out and has a few features I would want to use, and the version of Pro tools 11 that I had is no longer compatible. What would be my choices? Would I be able to simply purchase a pro tools HD upgrade like in the past or has that gone away? In the past you could buy a regular upgrade from HD 9 to HD 11 and things like that. Will that still be possible? Without support plans and stuff like that?

I read if you dont purchase some kind of upgrade by December 31 2015 you will never be able to get another update again? Is this information correct? So what would I do with my HD Native system if i needed to update it after. I dont feel like in the next year I am going to update it. It's actually really good right now and it will be for a few years I think. So lets say in a few years I decide to upgrade my Mac OSX version and PT 11 is no longer supported. What would I do then? Just buy another HD License on Ebay for full price? or will I even be able to do that?

From what I hear if I do not upgrade by december 31 2015 im basically stuck at 11 with my hardware forever. That seems unfair for a customer that spent 4 thousand to upgrade from a Digi 003. I spent a lot of money and it was a burden for me to spend it. I don't regret it as the software and hardware is great, but I have no other money at this time and I spent the money so it would last me. So what is going on? Please let me know before I assume anything.

I dont know what to think about these upgrades from the FAQ to all the people complaining. Does anyone have any information on things like this?

[Craig F]

It will not be as it was but the details on HD are not finalized.
Please ignore the doom and loom set that will be descending on this thread like locus.

So stay, alert to announcements. Don't hide under a rock.

[mmk]

Originally Posted by Craig F

It will not be as it was but the details on HD are not finalized.
Please ignore the doom and loom set that will be descending on this thread like locus.

So stay, alert to announcements. Don't hide under a rock.

ok thanks. thanks for the information and response I'll just keep an eye open. I'm glad the details on HD are not final as I really hope they dont take away the option to upgrade hd outright without some sort of support plan or paying extra money. All i need is to be able to upgrade when I feel at my own will for a fair price. I hope they consider that

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by mmk

I'm glad the details on HD are not final as I really hope they dont take away the option to upgrade hd outright without some sort of support plan or paying extra money. All i need is to be able to upgrade when I feel at my own will for a fair price. I hope they consider that

Indeed. They didn't expect such a backlash when introducing this new program and there might be some changes. Let's hope so.

[Park Seward]

I found this on the Avid web site:

"The Avid Support Reinstatement Fee is a charge that is assessed to any customer who chooses to re-activate a lapsed Avid Support contract or who chooses to activate an Avid Support contract after the standard warranty period for their product has expired. The fee is added to the cost of the Avid Support Contract. Customers that re-activate their support contracts after allowing them to expire enjoy the same benefits of the most up-to-date technology as those customers who consistently maintain their coverage. The reinstatement fee ensures that all customers share equally in the cost of continual improvements to their Avid solutions."

"The fee is 25% of the total cost of the Avid ExpertPlus Support contract (or the Standard Support cost for Software Only systems) for the Avid system being covered. In some cases, it may be more cost effective for customers to back-date the new Avid Support Contract to cover the time that has elapsed since the expiration of the original contract. This option is usually preferable for systems that have been without active Avid Support Coverage for less than 90 days. An Avid reseller can help you determine which choice makes sense for you."

http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/e...Paper/en279501

This is not referring to the current issue dealing with PT11 but rather other support contracts going back to 2008. The page was last updated in 2012. It may be of help understanding Avid's past dealings with support contracts, but it may not be an indicator of future policies. It appears to apply to the Media Composer product.

[Barry Johns]

That reference is from 2008, I doubt it has any relevance to today.

[WombatStudio.Org]

Originally Posted by mmk

All i need is to be able to upgrade when I feel at my own will for a fair price. I hope they consider that

That's what we all want - unfortunately, Avid have decided it's time you must pay annually to use their software ... the hardware is yours to keep!

[Fidelis]

Best thing to do is to wait… and see later on what Avid is gonna announce for HDX users. Until then, there is nothing we can do.

[mmk]

Originally Posted by WombatStudio.Org

That's what we all want - unfortunately, Avid have decided it's time you must pay annually to use their software ... the hardware is yours to keep!

Originally Posted by Fidelis

Best thing to do is to wait… and see later on what Avid is gonna announce for HDX users. Until then, there is nothing we can do.

Thanks for the replies. Yeah lets just wait and see!

[roberts]

Originally Posted by mmk

I read if you dont purchase some kind of upgrade by December 31 2015 you will never be able to get another update again? Is this information correct? So what would I do with my HD Native system if i needed to update it after.

They can't do that to HD hardware owners that would be the death nail to ANYONE buying Avid - nobody would even buy Avid hardware ever again.
From what I was told nothing is changing for HD owners.But then Avid Avid's messages is messed up these days - sounds like the guy at the top is clueless to me.