If your post-production team relies on Avid Media Composer and SNS EVO, you probably have questions about what Media Composer 2026.8 means for your workflow.
The new Avid release is expected to change how Media Composer works with shared storage, and your storage and editing environment are not things you can casually change on a Tuesday afternoon and hope for the best. So, what does this mean for your team and your workflow?
The short answer: there’s no need to panic, and no need to upgrade anything yet. SNS is part of a select group beta testing Media Composer 2026.8, and we are in active discussions with Avid to help ensure the best possible outcomes for our shared users.
If you’re using EVO with Media Composer 2025.12 or earlier today, we recommend staying on your current version for now. We’ll continue sharing guidance via our Knowledge Base, newsletter, and social media as more information becomes available. Follow us for updates.
Ready for the long answer now? Let’s get into it.
Why is everyone talking about Avid Media Composer 2026.8?
Media Composer 2026.8 changes how shared-project workflows using third-party storage are handled.
Avid is introducing a new, authorized path for Media Composer to work with third-party shared storage. As part of that change, the third-party storage workflows customers have relied on in previous versions will no longer work the same way and will require the Enterprise subscription tier in Media Composer 2026.8.
For teams that have built their workflows around EVO and Media Composer, that naturally raises some questions. What changes? Do we need to upgrade? Will our existing projects still work? What does this mean for our Media Composer subscription? Those are exactly the questions we’re working through with our customers to make sure their workflow isn’t negatively impacted by a premature upgrade.
How will this affect my EVO and Media Composer workflow?
For now, SNS recommends staying on Media Composer 2025.12 or earlier. If you don’t upgrade to Media Composer 2026.8 yet, your current workflow remains intact.
If you do move to 2026.8, the Media Composer subscription tier you need may change. Avid requires an Enterprise subscription to use non-Avid shared storage, such as EVO, for shared-project workflows in Media Composer 2026.8. That’s an important consideration to understand before you upgrade, particularly if you’re managing multiple editors or a larger facility.
What does Avid say about all this?
Avid has published a Knowledge Base article outlining the changes to collaborative Media Composer workflows on third-party storage. Avid’s guidance confirms that if you stay on your current version of Media Composer, your current setup is unaffected. Only customers upgrading to Media Composer 2026.8 need to take action.
In a recent post, Avid also said: “For the first time, we’ve invited third-party storage vendors into the beta process to test the new Shared Projects capability, provide feedback, and prepare configurations ahead of launch.” SNS is part of that select beta group, and we are in ongoing discussions with Avid to ensure the best possible outcomes for our shared customers.
What is SNS doing to support EVO customers editing on Media Composer?
We are working closely with Avid to minimize any workflow disruptions and to support our valued mutual customers. That includes testing EVO shared storage workflows in Media Composer 2026.8 beta. We are also offering a discount on select new EVO systems to help offset the cost of upgrading your Media Composer license to access bin locking and project sharing. And we are currently developing exclusive training for Avid Learning Central and the SNS Training Academy to help users get the most out of their Media Composer workflow with EVO shared storage and the included EVO Suite.
When should I upgrade?
For now, our recommendation is to wait. If your current Media Composer and EVO workflow is working well, there’s no reason to introduce an unnecessary variable into your production environment. Stay on Media Composer 2025.12 or earlier, and when we have more information to share, we’ll make sure you have it.
What if I need to upgrade to Media Composer 2026.8?
Sometimes waiting isn’t an option. Maybe a project requires a newer version. Maybe your IT team has a broader upgrade schedule. Maybe you simply need a feature or fix included in the release. If 2026.8 is something your team needs to move to now, talk to SNS first. We can help you understand what to expect as you make the transition.
Will EVO work with Media Composer 2026.8?
EVO has supported collaborative Media Composer workflows for decades, including shared projects and bins, and we’re committed to continuing that support as Media Composer evolves.
SNS is actively testing Media Composer 2026.8 in beta and working closely with Avid to ensure the best outcomes for our shared customers. Because the goal isn’t simply to make something technically work, it’s to make sure it works reliably for the real-world environments our customers depend on every day.
What’s the key takeaway?
Media Composer 2026.8 introduces a significant change for teams using third-party shared storage. That doesn’t mean EVO customers need to change anything today. Our recommendation today is:
- Stay on Media Composer 2025.12 or earlier
- Watch for additional guidance from SNS in our KB, newsletter, and social media channels
- If you need to upgrade now, talk to SNS or your trusted EVO reseller so we can help you plan for the change
We know your editing environment is more than a collection of software versions and storage systems. It’s where your team does its work, and an unexpected workflow change can have real consequences for production deadlines.
That’s why we’re taking this seriously, working with Avid, and keeping our customers informed as we learn more.
Contact SNS with questions, or read more about EVO for Avid Media Composer workflows.