Q: What is Pro Tools HD?

A: It is a full system containing software (e.g. PT11HD), a computer interface card (e.g. PCIe) and a selected audio interface (e.g. Omni). It has been available only in such a system configuration for several years. I'm pretty certain that buying just the software or deleting the audio interface are currently not possible at retail.

So here is the problem and potential legal issue in my opinion, straight from Avid's own documents. Another poster brought the following to my attention:

Quote:

Digidesign Hardware Transfer of Ownership Program To the Seller of Digidesign equipment and software: Digidesign Pro Tools core hardware systems include Pro Tools software and must be transferred and registered as a single unit. Pro Tools TDM core systems include Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools|24 MIX, and Pro Tools|24. Pro Tools LE core systems: 003 Family, Mbox 2 Family, Digi 002 Family, Mbox, Digi 001, AMIII. If you sell your master Pro Tools system core card (primary HD core, Mix core, d24, Pro Tools III Disk I/O card) or Pro Tools LE Core hardware, the Pro Tools software license will be transferred along with the core hardware from your record, and upon transfer you will no longer be eligible for software updates or upgrades associated with the core hardware sold. Registration of Plug-Ins and Optional Software Not Transferable: Digidesign will not transfer product registration for used plug-ins or other optional software from the original owner to another owner.

With PT12HD software, they are now apparently saying that the updated software license will NOT "be transferred along with the core hardware from your record", a clear contradiction with the prior Terms & Conditions as stated above. They can try arguing that the 12HD upgrade nullifies their previous Agreement, but I can't imagine them winning this one. It is an issue that Avid must address with clarity.

Sky

Q: What is Pro Tools HD?