In August 2026, we told EVO customers editing in Avid Media Composer to hold off on upgrading to Media Composer 2026.8 while we tested it. That testing and collaboration with our partners at Avid is now complete, and the results are good news for EVO teams.
EVO is fully validated for Media Composer Enterprise 2026.8.
That includes the collaborative features Media Composer teams depend on: shared projects, shared media, and bin locking. All of which work as expected on EVO.
There have been a lot of questions and uncertainties surrounding the latest release of Media Composer and shared storage workflows, so let’s set the record straight. Here are some of the questions we’ve been fielding about Media Composer 2026.8 and our direct answers as a validated third-party storage provider for Avid video editing workflows.
What exactly did SNS validate?
SNS tested EVO shared storage with Media Composer Enterprise 2026.8 through both the beta and the public release. We validated:
- The functionality for multiple editors to work in the same project with shared media.
- The functionality to lock bins and ensure collaboration without overwriting each other’s work.
- The Media Composer workflow that editors rely on remains intact when powered by EVO shared storage.
We’ve tested this workflow in our labs, showcased it on the IBC 2026 show floor, and demoed it directly for Avid’s Media Composer team. If you’d like to see it for yourself, book a demo online anytime.
What’s changed in how EVO works with Media Composer?
Before 2026.8, EVO supported shared projects and bin locking in Media Composer by emulating the Avid file system in ShareBrowser. Teams could mount an AvidFS share like any other share. It was a solution that allowed our customers access to both the Media Composer features they loved and the EVO shared storage workflow they loved.
For Media Composer 2025.12 and earlier, this workflow remains intact.
In Media Composer Enterprise 2026.8, that emulation is no longer needed.
There are no additional tools or software to install or download to get Avid’s file system to work on non-Avid storage. Shared projects and bin locking work the same either way.
What’s the catch?
You’ll need Media Composer Enterprise.
Starting with Media Composer 2026.8, Avid requires the Enterprise tier for shared-project workflows on non-Avid shared storage, including EVO.
Most Media Composer teams using shared storage are already on Enterprise, so nothing changes for them. But if you’re on a lower tier subscription, the requirement is… frustrating.
Avid has published several discounts for affected customers, especially in education, to help offset the cost to upgrade. Even so, those discounts likely won’t last forever, and moving up a subscription tier just to keep the collaborative features you already had isn’t easy to accept.
We feel you. And we’re doing something about it.
SNS is offering exclusive discounts on new EVO systems for Media Composer users. If your team is required to increase your subscription cost to access these Media Composer features, mention this blog post for a special deal on your next EVO system.
How should my team plan the upgrade?
We give the same advice to any creative team managing widespread software updates or other production-critical changes. Plan it, schedule it, and back everything up.
Feel free to contact SNS or your authorized SNS reseller before you start the upgrade, and we’ll help you plan the transition. If you’re moving forward on your own, here’s what we recommend:
- Confirm your licensing and software versions. Make sure every editor who needs shared projects and bin locking is on Media Composer Enterprise and your EVO is running the latest EVO OS version.
- Back up everything (especially your Media Composer projects). Run a fresh backup of your media, projects, and metadata. Slingshot, included with EVO, can handle this on a schedule.
- Pick a quiet window and start small. Upgrade between projects or during a low-activity period, not mid-deadline. Move a few editors first, confirm shared projects and bin locking behave as expected, then roll out to the rest of the team.
- Keep support on speed dial. The SNS support team, your authorized SNS reseller, and the Avid technical support team can all help should you have any questions about the process.
Do we have to upgrade to Media Composer 2026.8?
No, you are not required to upgrade to Media Composer 2026.8 in order to use EVO shared storage with shared media and bin locking. EVO remains fully compatible with Media Composer 2025.12, so you can continue using earlier versions as long as the software is available and supported.
According to Avid’s Knowledge Base, Media Composer 2025.12 will be supported through December 31, 2028. So there’s no rush to upgrade.
What does Avid say?
Avid has confirmed EVO shared storage works as expected with the new third-party storage workflow enabled by Media Composer Enterprise 2026.8.
Rich Camp, principal product manager for Media Composer at Avid, said: “At Avid, we believe production teams should have the freedom to choose what works best for them. In addition to supporting Avid NEXIS® collaboration, Media Composer Enterprise 2026.8 expands support for additional shared storage platforms, like SNS EVO, enabling greater flexibility across different editing environments.”
He continued: “We’re grateful to partners like SNS for testing these workflows ahead of release, to ensure a reliable collaboration experience. For EVO users, 2026.8 makes it easier than ever to collaborate while using the tools they already rely on.”
Is SNS offering anything to help with the move?
Yes. In addition to the exclusive discounts available to Media Composer teams affected by Avid’s subscription requirement, we’re building training for Avid Learning Central and the SNS Training Academy to help teams get the most out of Media Composer with EVO shared storage and the included EVO Suite.
What’s the key takeaway?
EVO has supported collaborative Media Composer workflows for decades, and that continues with 2026.8. If your team is ready to upgrade:
- EVO is validated for Media Composer Enterprise 2026.8
- Shared projects and bin locking in Media Composer work on EVO
- You’ll need the Media Composer Enterprise tier
- Plan the upgrade, back up first, and give us a call if you need help
Contact SNS with questions, or read more about EVO for Avid Media Composer workflows.