Avid's new patent-pending MetaSync technology allows users to synchronize virtually any kind of metadata with video and audio content during the postproduction process. The MetaSync feature is now standard within Windows-based versions of Avid Symphony 4.0, Media Composer 11.0, Film Composer 11.0, Media Station XL 11.0, Avid Xpress 5.0, and NewsCutter 3.0 products.

Avid's new MetaSync technology enables postproduction professionals to tap into new revenue streams such as closed captioning, subtitle text insertion, digital rights management, and interactive TV content as well as new "converging media" such as motion simulation rides, movie theatre effects, internet devices, and interactive toys. All of these applications can be made
to react to triggers embedded within standard film, video and TV content.

As long as a file type or process can be represented in the appropriate XML format, it can now be imported into Avid editing systems using the MetaSync feature and synchronized with video and audio. In the timeline, pointers to the original file can be positioned, trimmed and edited just like video and audio clips. The file can then be launched in its original format from directly within the Avid system to be viewed or updated, and any changes made are instantly reflected in the timeline and bin.