Avid Liquid New in Version 7
Chapter
New in Version 7
This document presents an overview of the following changes and new features: Manuals and help page 2 Software interface and general improvements page 3 Aids for users upgrading from Studio page 4 High Definition page 5 EZ Capture page 5 Exchanging and importing media data and project data page 6 Editing page 6 Effects page 7 Audio page 8 Output and export page 9
Recommendation: Finish any current and important Projects using the current version before you install the new version. Also, read the ReadMe file for this version, which contains the latest updates to the manual and to this document (Windows Start menu > All Programs > Avid Liquid > Help).
Manuals/Help Pinnacle’s acquisition by Avid Technology, Inc. in the summer of 2005 has also affected manual and software design. Both were adapted to reflect Avid’s corporate design, although the process has not yet been completed. A substantial new chapter was added to the Reference Manual: AFX PlugIns (Effect Editors). The Export/Output chapter was completely rewritten to reflect a total redesign of the software interface in this area. All in all, text was added, deleted or revised at more than 350 different places in the manual. If you don’t find a topic (such as System Settings) in the Reference Manual, look for it in the Product Manual. Online Help and Online PDF files have the exact same contents as the Reference Manual. The User Guide wasn’t updated in every respect. In particular, consult the Reference Manual if you need information on the topic of burning to DVD or exporting to different file formats.
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Software Interface and General Improvements
Quick Access to Frequently Used Functions On the upper right in the title bar, functions frequently used are accessible under Input, Edit and Output (such as EZCapture for recording material to the system or DVD for output to disk).
Project Window in Place of Source Viewer A smaller version of the Project window that includes all its functions is displayed in the place of the Source Viewer. You can then switch the Master Viewer inlay to the Source Viewer and back again. This is especially practical if you use only one monitor.
Æ Reference Manual: Administration chapter, “Single Monitor Project View” Æ Software: View Switcher on the Task Bar (Eye icon), first selection from the bottom
Moveable, Freely Scalable TC Display A timecode display is available for the Master Viewer (Timeline) and Source Viewer that you can freely move within the software interface and resize as desired.
Æ Reference Manual: Edit chapter, “Scalable and Moveable Timecode Display” Æ Software: Tool button for the Timeline toolbar (right-click Timeline toolbar > Customize > Special: TC button)
Timewarp in Real Time The (linear) Timewarp is played back in real time (not applicable to MPEG2-IPB material).
Native Playback of Muxed Material Avid Liquid 7 performs native playback of DV-AVI and MJPEG-AVI, Windows Media 9 and DivX, MPEG2 program streams, and a previous demuxing (splitting of video and audio).
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Chapter
New in Version 7
HD Output via Pro Box A video image scaled down to PAL/NTSC can be output via the analog outputs of the Avid Liquid PRO Box . The TV or monitor must be set to 16:9; otherwise, the image will not be output in the correct aspect ratio.
Æ Software: Edit > Control Panel > Site > System Settings > Inputs/Outputs > Video Outputs > [CVBS/Y-C/Component] > HD Output
Supported Hardware As of Version 7, Avid Liquid also works with “700-PCI hardware” (formerly “Studio AV/DV Deluxe”). Important: In this case, capture is possible only if you use the new EZ Capture function (see page 5). It was already possible to operate 700-USB hardware (“Moviebox Deluxe”) under Avid Liquid Version 6. If you need a component input and digital audio, use the Avid Liquid PRO Box . The ATI 8500 VGA card (Version 5 Liquid Edition Pro), Moviebox USB (“Studio 500 USB”) and “Studio 500 PCI” do not run under Version 7.
Broadcast Options: Now Standard Functions such as XReceive from XDCam, P2 etc., 4:2:2 Codecs, InterKom and so forth, which the manual identifies as components of the “Broadcast” option, are a standard part of the Avid Liquid 7 scope of supply.
Error Message to Avid Liquid Development If Avid Liquid crashes, a dialog box appears in which you can briefly describe your last actions just before the crash. This information and the information automatically compiled on your system configuration help us pinpoint sources of error and eliminate them from future versions.
Aids for Users Upgrading from Studio Several new functions were integrated to make the transition to Avid Liquid easier for users accustomed to Studio:
Studio keyboard assignment and reduced tool buttons Login as Studio User (in Login dialog box).
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Studio template for the Timeline Timeline Tracks arranged in the order typical of Studio (New Sequence > Layout template: STUDIO). EZ Capture plus Logging Tool EZ Capture is a fast and easy method for recording clips: File > EZ Capture. See also page 5. Importing from Studio 10 projects Transfer your Studio projects to Avid Liquid (important: from Studio Version 10 only; not from Version 9 or earlier): File > Import > Studio *.stx. SmartSound Long awaited by the Studio community, it is now also available in Avid Liquid under File > New > SmartSound Clip.
High Definition The High Definition chapter in the manual contains lots of new information, including a description of the limitations of the MPEG2 formats currently available and detailed workflows.
Æ Reference Manual: High Definition chapter
EZ Capture EZ Capture supplements the Logging Tool with a fast, file-based tool for recording clips via the HDV/DV input or the analog inputs on a breakout box. Clips can be saved in the DV, MEPG1, MPEG2, MJPEG and DivX formats.
Æ Reference Manual: Input chapter, “EZ Capture” Æ Software: Menu bar > File > Input Wizard > EZ Capture, or quick access buttons in the title bar: Input > EZ Capture
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Chapter
New in Version 7
Exchanging and Importing Media Data and Project Data
Importing Data from Pinnacle Studio You can import projects from Pinnacle Studio 10 to Avid Liquid. Projects from earlier Studio versions are not suitable for import.
Æ Reference Manual: Exchange chapter, “Import Projects from Pinnacle Studio Æ Software: File > Import > Studio *.stx
New Import Formats *.mpeg, *.mpg, *.m1v, *.vob, *.ts, *.tsp, *.m2t, *.mp2, *.mp4 (MPEG1/2 files) *.dvr-ms (Windows Media Center recorded TV) *.asf (Advanced Streaming Format) *.3gp, *.3g2 (video for cell phones) *.dtl (Title Deko menu background graphics) *.ac3 (Dolby Digital Audio) Æ Reference Manual: Input chapter, “What Can Be Imported?” Æ Software: Menu bar > File > Import > Media
Editing
New Sequence: Studio Timeline Template This layout template sets up Tracks in the order typical of Pinnacle Studio, with one exception: The Overlay Track is positioned above the Main Video Track, which is the sequence required by Avid Liquid for technical reasons (Track priority).
Æ Reference Manual: Edit chapter, “Sequence Editor / Sequence / Creating a Sequence” Æ Software: Menu bar > File > New > Sequence or by means of the usual tool button; Timeline Properties
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Replacing Transitions When you drag a Transition to a Transition on the Timeline, the former precisely replaces the latter.
Æ Reference Manual: Edit chapter, “Adding Objects” Æ Software: Drag&drop Transitions on the Timeline
Four-Point Editing This function lets you fit a clip onto the Timeline even if it’s actually too short or too long: If four edit points are set, the Timewarp effect automatically modifies the length (duration). In this case, the markins/outs on the Timeline and in the Source Viewer must not describe the same length.
Æ Reference Manual: Edit chapter, “Four-Point Editing” Æ Software: Set the mark-ins and mark-outs in the Source Viewer and on the Timeline to different durations and insert the clip using the Insert Arrow
Effects
New Effect Editors for CPU/GPU Realtime Effects The following features were added for realtime clip effects: Dream Glow (combines flare and blur effects); DuoChrome (reduces image to one foreground and one background color); Lighting (external light source aimed at the image); Reverse (plays in reverse); RGB Color Balance (channel-based color matching); Soften (combines softening and blur effects); Stabilize (stabilizes image); For audio effects (VST), Noise Reduction has been added, as well as various extensions to the Hollywood FX (transitions).
Æ Reference Manual: Realtime Effects chapter Æ Software: Library tab, Realtime Clip FX > Editors
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Chapter
New in Version 7
AFX PlugIns This is a collection of AfterEffects-compatible PlugIns that were originally developed for Pinnacle Commotion. AFX PlugIns allow you to create highly complex effects. With the particle generator, for example, Fractal Fire kindles a veritable firestorm. At the same time, however, AFX PlugIns also place high demands on system performance.
Æ Reference Manual: AFX PlugIns chapter Æ Software: Project > Library tab > Clip FX
RT Timewarp Timewarp effects (linear) are displayed in real time (with I-frame formats only; not, for example, with MPEG2 for DVD).
Reference Manual: Special FX chapter, “Linear Timewarp”, “Timewarp Editor” Software: Clip shortcut menu > Linear Timewarp; Library tab > Classic Clip FX > Editors > Timewarp Editor
Audio and Audio Effects
SmartSound SmartSound generates music from different genres and in any length and fits it precisely to the image. Music from the included library (more available for purchase) can be used without any additional licensing fees.
Æ Reference Manual: Audio chapter, “SmartSound” Æ Software Menu bar > File > New > SmartSound Clip
DirectSound and 5.1 Multichannel audio output is also possible using DirectSound-compatible sound cards (Microsoft DirectX 9.1 and later). The use of ASIO hardware and drivers (Version 2.0 and later) continues to be possible. Windows Media Audio/Video can also be exported as 5.1.
Æ Reference Manual: Audio chapter, “Basics / ASIO and DirectSound”; Export chapter, “Export to File / Windows Media”
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Æ Software: Menu bar > Edit > Control Panel > Site > System Settings > Inputs/Outputs > Audio Outputs > Sound Device File > Export to File > Windows Media > [5.1 profiles]
Audio Scrubbing: More Than Two Tracks The Audio Editor’s Output Mapping now includes Audio Scrub as a virtual output. You can use it to select the Logical Output Busses that you want to monitor during Audio Scrubbing (for example, on the Timeline). The earlier restriction to scrubbing no more than two Timeline Tracks at a time has been eliminated. You can now scrub any number of Tracks. Under Audio Editor > Output Mapping, you’ll find a virtual output called Audio Scrub that lets you assign Logical Output Busses to an audio output that is used specifically for scrubbing.
Æ Reference Manual: Audio chapter “Audio Scrubbing and Monitoring”; “Output Mapping” Æ Software: Timeline Track Header, Audio Playback column, change Audio Playback(loudspeaker) icon to a contour (SHIFT+click icon); Audio Editor > Output Mapping > Audio Scrub
Behavior of Audio Key Frames The Audio Key Frames that were previously a standard feature at the beginning and end of the audio clip have been eliminated. When no Key Frames are set, the Volume or Pan Line can be adjusted only in the vertical direction. The original behavior is restored only as of the first Key Frame set.
Æ Reference Manual: Audio chapter, “Rubberbanding” Æ Software: Volume/Pan Line with the Audio Editor open
Output and Export (DVD, Tape, File) This area was completely redesigned for Version 7. All the output options can be accessed under Menu bar > File (a few of the most frequently used export options are also available via quick access buttons on the upper right title bar). The following export formats were added:
DivX, RealMedia, MPEG4, 3GPP and Windows Media HD formats (provided the codecs are installed on the system. Not all of the codes are included in Avid Liquid’s scope of supply. Download the latest versions from manufacturers’ websites).
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Chapter
New in Version 7
Standard Profiles are available for all export formats. For special situations, you can also customize these Profiles.
Æ Reference Manual: Export chapter, “Export to File”, “Burn to Disc” Æ Software: File > Export to File > [export format]; File > Burn to Disk [DVD, SVCD, VCD]
Miscellaneous Restrict subclips to Mark In/Out Project Properties: Use this option to apply a sort of “brake” to mark-ins and mark-outs that prevents the subclip from extending beyond the current mark-in or mark-out during playback or scrubbing. Quarter size Edit > Control Panel > Site > System Settings > Inputs/Outputs > [analog outputs]: Relevant for Avid Liquid PRO Box only. This option reduces utilization of the USB output by reducing the video signal to a quarter of its original resolution.
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