Software manufacturers Apple and Avid are offering watered down versions of their editing packages in an effort to entice new customers.

Software manufacturers Apple and Avid are offering watered down versions of their editing packages in an effort to entice new customers.

Aimed primarily at new sectors, such as corporate or low-end markets, the bundles could be attractive to anyone who can't afford the full versions or who want to 'try before they buy'.

Avid is launching Avid Free DV - a cut-down version of its Xpress DV set-up - which will be available for free, while Apple is releasing a reduced version of Final Cut Pro called Final Cut Express for about $299 (£187).

Both will be fully functioning and optimised for DV video with most of the usual compositing and effects capabilities. According to the software manufacturers, both products are good starting points for anyone wanting to migrate to the full versions of the software in the future.

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