Malcolm, that's correct. v 2.8.3 is the last development they will do. The upgrade to MC costs $495 I think. It was just that I specifically asked Avid about Xpress Pro.

Hi Fredrik, I'd pay the $495 now, except that, while I've heard definitively that going from AXP to MC v. 3 (projected release: June) will cost $495, going from MC v.2.8 (which is what you get now if you upgrade to MC for $495) to v.3 might cost you more, i.e. you might end up paying twice...
Am waiting to see if AVID clarifies this.
Cheers,
Malcolm

It's here!
 

I have now finally recieved a digital delivery of Avid Media Composer 2.8.3 from Avid!!!

Finished installing minutes ago and it seems to be working. It imports all kinds of XDCAM EX-footage!! Although the Avid still does not have a 720p25-mode my overcranked 720p-footage imports nicely into a 1080p25-project. It seems to need transcoding though for full quality playback.

Also - from just playing with it for a few minutes it seems to be more responsive when scrubbing HQ-media and playing back and forth than previous releases were with HDV-media!!!

FINALLY we are side by side with the FCP-crowd again!!! It's been a long wait for someone who recieved his EX1 just before Christmas.

It does not seem to be up on the Avid ftp yet but if you give your local Avid rep a call they might be able to rush it to you like mine did.