PRONEWS AWARD 2024 / Vol.07
PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Post-production Nominees Announcement
This PRONEWS AWARD category recognizes new post-production products and updates released between January and December 2024. For 2024, some broadcasting equipment is also included in the awards nominees.
The video editing industry has seen a rapid spread of AI-enabled features since the launch of voice-to-text in Premiere Pro in 2021. Premiere Pro has matured, covering a wide range of areas including transcription, editing, color, audio, and subtitles, but Premiere Pro has not established a monopoly. Final Cut Pro 11’s strength lies in its integration with Apple hardware, and Avid is highly trusted by the film industry. Blackmagic Design boasts the strength of its hardware and cloud integration, and EDIUS is characterized by its light operation, and each editing software has its own unique strengths.
In the 2024 update, each company has evolved by taking advantage of their own unique strengths.
Now, let’s announce the finalists for this category.
RAID “SIRIUS”
RAID’s SIRIUS system is an optical transmission device that was developed based on the operational track record of the POLARIS system released at NAB2024 and feedback from TBS Act, with the goal of being more reliable, having a portable setting, and at an affordable price.
Initially, the cameras compatible with the SIRIUS system were RED Digital Cinema’s KOMODO, KOMODO-X, V-Raptor, and V-Raptor (XL), but the number of compatible models is steadily increasing. It is now compatible with the VENICE and FX6, and at Inter BEE 2024 it was announced that it will be compatible with Freefly’s Ember S5K. SIRIUS aims to be “multiple camera compatible,” and plans to continue increasing the number of compatible cameras.
Blackmagic Design “DaVinci Resolve 19”
DaVinci Resolve has been updated every year, but in April 2024, version 19 is attracting a lot of attention for its collaboration with Blackmagic Cloud, editing functions, and new AI tools. Particularly impressive is the AI-based high-precision tracking function “intelliTrack.” DaVinci Neural Engine AI enables accurate tracking even when hidden behind an object. AI-based noise reduction “UltraNR function” and ColorSlice, which consolidates the main controls on the color page in one place, are hot topics.
Adobe Premiere Pro 2025
Version 25.0 was released in October 2024, and various specification changes were made. The biggest change is the abolition of Essential Graphics. Until now, text editing was done in Essential Graphics, but with this update, it has been changed to setting it in the Properties panel. With the necessary functions consolidated in the panel, operability has improved, and it seems that you will be able to work more conveniently once you become familiar with it.
Premiere Pro has completely redesigned the timeline clip design to be more modern, consistent and easier to read over time, and one of the biggest improvements is the ability to change the properties of multiple clips at the same time for the first time.
Avid “Media Composer 2024”
One of the notable updates in recent years is PhraseFind AI and ScriptSync AI, which are supported by “Media Composer | Ultimate” or “Media Composer | Enterprise”. PhraseFind AI allows you to quickly find related clips just by entering a word or phrase, and ScriptSync AI allows you to quickly find the best take or clip. In addition, transcription has been enhanced in “v2024.6”, and the effect-based tool “Avid Titler+” has been updated to improve performance in “v2024.10”.
Grass Valley “EDIUS”
The hot topic is the “Auto Color Correction” function added in EDIUS 11 version 11.20. It automatically analyzes the image and adjusts the brightness and white balance to create a neutral image. Even after applying the correction, it can be fine-tuned with simple operations, so it can be used in a variety of situations. EDIUS is currently the only one-time purchase, and its low price is also an attractive point.
Apple “Final Cut Pro 11”
It has been released for both Mac and iPad platforms. The main feature is the AI-based “Magnetic Mask.” Magnetic Mask makes it easy to separate people and objects in a video clip from the background without using a green screen or rotoscoping. It is possible to blur the background or things you don’t want to show. The iPhone-compatible “Final Cut Camera” is also interesting. It is simpler and easier to use than the Blackmagic camera.
Sakura Eiki “ALBA e Medico”
This file-based insert application enables insert editing into XDCAM HD422 files, and addresses industry challenges such as streamlining editing work and simplifying operations. It is also possible to make edits to video files that have already been exported. Since you can preview only the parts that need to be replaced, the time required for edits is significantly reduced, improving efficiency. It can be said that a long-awaited app has arrived for TV program editing.
The following products are nominated for the post-production award:
PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Post-Production Category Finalist
- RAID “SIRIUS”
- Blackmagic Design “DaVinci Resolve 19”
- Adobe Premiere Pro 2025
- Avid “Media Composer 2024”
- Grass Valley “EDIUS”
- Apple “Final Cut Pro 11”
- Sakura Eiki “ALBA e Medico”
PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Post-Production Category Gold Award
Blackmagic Design “DaVinci Resolve 19”
Every year I am amazed by the evolution of DaVinci Resolve, but this year I was especially surprised by the arrival of DaVinci Resolve Replay. DaVinci Resolve Replay has the potential to change the game in replay systems.
The cut page of DaVinci Resolve 19 has been reconstructed as a replay system. It is realized by utilizing multiple devices such as Blackmagic HyperDecks and combining them with Resolve. This is a very innovative attempt, so much so that it is hard to tell what kind of software DaVinci Resolve is.
EVS is well known as a live production server, but with the arrival of DaVinci Resolve Replay, replay systems may become more familiar to everyone.
PRONEWS AWARD 2024 Post-Production Category Silver Award
Adobe Premiere Pro
The big topic is the beta version of Premiere Pro that is available for trial. It finally has new generative AI features for video. It has a dream feature that uses generative AI to seamlessly add frames to the beginning or end of a clip.
Caption translation is also a hot topic, and Premiere Pro can now automatically generate multilingual captions to create content for global audiences. In fact, the beta version features a new color management system that instantly converts images into consistent footage upon import without the need for LUTs. This is also big news.