Exhibit 5.1
                                                                -----------

                                         July 25, 1996



         Avid Technology, Inc.
         Metropolitan Technology Park
         One Park West
         Tewksbury, MA  01876

         Gentlemen:

              We have assisted in the preparation of a Registration
         Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), to be filed
         with the Securities and Exchange Commission, relating to 100,000
         shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Shares")
         of Avid Technology, Inc. (the "Company"), issuable under the
         Company's 1993 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended (the
         "Plan"). 

              We have examined the Third Amended and Restated Certificate
         of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Company and all amendments
         thereto, the Registration Statement and originals, or copies
         certified to our satisfaction, of such records of meetings,
         written actions in lieu of meetings, or resolutions adopted at
         meetings, of the directors of the Company, documents and such
         other documents and instruments as in our judgment are necessary
         or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions expressed
         below.

              In examination of the foregoing documents, we have assumed
         the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all
         documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original
         documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or
         photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such
         latter documents.

              Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the
         opinion that the Shares have been duly and validly authorized for
         issuance under the Plan and the Shares, when issued against
         payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will
         be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

              We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit
         to the Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            /s/ HALE AND DORR
                                            
                                            HALE AND DORR