Avid has announced it is shipping a USB version of Avid Cinema that works with iMacs or any USB enabled PowerMac G3. While the new product does not have the same power as the higher-end PCI products from Avid, it is a very powerful consumer product. According to Avid:

This new version of Avid Cinema includes the popular Avid Cinema video editing and publishing software, as well as a new USB video capture device to enable consumers to easily create high-quality Web video for home, school or office - without the need for additional hardware. The Avid Cinema solution for Macintosh with USB enables users to distribute video in multiple electronic formats, including streaming over the Internet, posting on a Web site or sending as video e-mail.

With the Avid Cinema solution for Macintosh with USB, consumers no longer have to open up their computers to install a video capture device. Users simply plug the small external USB video capture device into the USB port of the iMac computer or any USB-enabled Power Macintosh G3 system and are ready to create and publish movies. Apple's QuickTime enables users to easily capture full-motion video, still images, audio or graphics from a VCR, camcorder, TV or the Web. In addition, the solution offers hot-pluggable capabilities, enabling consumers to attach or detach video cameras without the need to shut down the computer. Academy Award-Winning Editing Technology.

Using drag and drop techniques, users can arrange their captured video on a timeline, apply more than two dozen special effects, and add voice-overs, soundtracks, animated titles and credits. Advanced Publishing Options with RealNetworks' RealMedia G2.

With a click of a button, users can publish their finished video content to CD-ROM or export as a QuickTime file for use in multimedia presentations, Web sites or the Internet. Avid Cinema for Macintosh with USB utilizes RealNetworks' RealMedia G2 technology to enable users to stream video from a Web site or send video e-mail to friends, family, colleagues or target customers.

Avid Cinema for Macintosh with USB is priced at US$299. The product should be showing up in retailers soon and will be available directly from Avid's online store.