Does Protools 5.1 Include the Bounce to MP3 option

[u4s]

My free trial has run out on the bounce to MP3 option and I was wondering if this feature is included in 5.1 TDM or will it continue to be an additional purchase option.

Anyone know?

Thanks,
Wally

[Digiquick]

Gee .. I think it's only twenty bucks. But wait if you must!

[Avid]

MP3 Export option will continue to be a $19.95 paid option in Pro Tools 5.1. We still have to pay a fee to the Franhaufer Institute for the codecs license on a per user basis. This is why it has always been a separate purchase option. Otherwise, we would have to pay a license fee for every copy of Pro Tools software sold. That would raise the cost for users that may never use MP3 Export either because they use a different program or have no need for this function.

Existing owners will have their v1.0 MP3 Export option updated by the PT and PTLE 5.1 installer to v1.1 of MP3 Export option. The new version adds the ability to import MP3 format into Pro Tools 5.1 as well. This additional import integration is built into and requires PT 5.1 or PTLE 5.1.

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Bruce Paine
Digidesign Customer Service

[Avid]

I don't want to belabor the point to much, but they're your beans we're counting, not ours.

We still have to pay a per user fee for the codecs, so adding this to the application would mean something like:
"Upgrade to Pro Tools LE v6, now with built-in MP3 Export - $70"
or however much more this would add to the cost of a $50 upgrade or new purchase.

Other companies that build this into the app are either not using the Fraunhofer codecs, or they have to find a way to pass the cost on to the consumer. Like I said, if you don't use this function, we don't ask you to pay for it.

BGP

[Noiz2]

And Many people are happier not paying for a feature they will never use. Postproduction so far realy never uses MP3 -though w/ import and export I might just bite.
Anyway I think this is a very good choice on Digi's part and I think most users would agree.
Sk

[edworf]

um...that sounds like a pretty sad reason not to include mp3 support.

If you make your import/export as good or better than the other programs out there, people would rather have it built in than have to find another program to do it.

Silly bean-counter logic!

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Ed "Worf" Heller
Chicago
worf@edheller.com
(If you need a pro tools assistant in Chicago, drop me a line)