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Avid Liquid.
Editing. Audio. DVD. Effects. One Application.

Avid Liquid software is a powerful SD and HD video editor for the PC that offers integrated DVD authoring, surround sound audio processing, and thousands of amazing real-time effects. Its integrated toolset provides all of the tools needed to create high-quality productions and quickly output to tape, DVD or web streams.

Avid Liquid product brief

Editing. Audio. DVD. Effects. One application

Avid Liquid combines powerful video editing integrated with DVD authoring from the timeline; surround-sound audio processing; and powerful visual effects. Editors only have to learn a single interface to create high-quality video productions with sophisticated effects and audio—and quickly output to tape, disc, or streaming media.

Complete HDV workflow

Avid Liquid offers native transfers and frame-accurate editing of 720p and 1080i HDV content. It also includes an MPEG IBP render codec that provides the same 25Mbit workflow editors use with DV media. It features a powerful real-time effects engine that provides multiple streams of HDV in real time; video monitoring either on the VGA monitor or downconverted to an SD monitor in real time using the available breakout box; and, most important, a smooth workflow for output to SD or back to HDV tape.

Format flexibility

Avid Liquid supports the Avid Open Timeline: mix content from a variety of sources without having to transcode between formats. Videographers can edit DV, MPEG I-frame, MPEG IBP, uncompressed SD, Windows Media, DIVX and MPEG-4, as well as HDV, in the same timeline. With such a broad palette of native codecs, editors can spend more time creatively editing instead of re-rendering from format to format.

Smooth DVD production

Using Avid Liquid Pro software and hardware, editors can capture footage to a DVD-compliant MPEG IBP codec. They can add titles and effects and then dive into a full-featured DVD authoring toolset to define the interactivity; create and customize menus and navigation; preview and modify the DVD from the timeline; add a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix; and then intelligently render out to a finished DVD.

Editing for everyone

Avid Liquid software offers a flexible user interface and functions that match any level of editing experience. As users move from other consumer-level or professional-level applications, the transition is smooth and efficient.

Avid Liquid Features

Avid Liquid Tech Specs

New in version 7

• Integrated SmartSound support
  • 44KHz bundled content.
• Native playback of WM9, DivX 5 & MPEG-4
• Native playback of muxed audio/video without the need to demux in advance: DV AVI, WM9, MPEG PS, DivX5, MJPEG AVI
• “EZ capture” - separate tool to capture muxed files to a user-specified file location. IEEE1394 device control only. Includes content based scene detection. Capture formats: MPEG2 (DVD/SVCD), MPEG1 VCD preset, DV to MPEG, DV, HDV, DivX5
• Single monitor project layout for optimized single screen display
• RT linear timewarp, (must be the first effect on source)
• Improved and extended export: more formats & presets, easier unified UI additionally supporting DivX 5, MPEG 4, Real, etc
• RT Image Stabilizer
• Commotion Clip FX (56 effects)
  • Blurs and Sharpen: Blur, Channel Blur, Edge Blur EZ, Edge Blur, Motion Blur, Radial Blur, Sharpen, Super Blur, Unsharpen Mask.
  • Channel: Shift Channels
  • Color Correct: Color Balance HLS, Color Balance RGB, Color Map, Replace Color, Tint.
  • Distort: Corner Pin, Hall of Mirrors, Mirage, Turbulence, Turbulence EZ, Turbulent Edges.
  • Image Control: Brightness and Contrast, Invert, Levels, Posterize, Threshold.
  • Keying: BlueScreen Key, Color Key, GreenScreen Key, LumiKey, Smooth Screen, Spill Killer, Spill Killer EZ.
  • Matte: Edge Finder, Edge Finder EZ, Matte Feather, Matte Feather EZ, Matte Feather Sharp.
  • Noise: Channel Noise, Median, MinMax, Noise
  • Particles : Fractal Clouds, Fractal Fire, Fractal Tunnel
  • Stylize : Alpha Ramp, Drop Shadow, Emboss, Framer, Grunge, Mosaic, Real Shadows, Video Feedback.
  • Video: Broadcast Safe Colors, Field Blend, Field Swap.
• New RT effects: DreamGlow, Soften, DuoChrome, Lighting, RGB Color Balance, White Balance, Turbulent Edges
• Studio 10 project import (Studio 9 projects must be converted to 10 first)
• SD output of HD timelines with RT downcovert on Avid Liquid Pro breakout box - requires latest graphics driver (ATI catalyst 5/10)
• Fullscreen monitoring on 2nd DVI head (monitors must be identical resolution)
• Timecode display in separate sizeable floating window
• WMV (XPM) surround 5.1 export
• Scaling size and aspect in clip properties
• Capture from JVC GY-HD 100 with 720/25p (no 24p or rec to tape support)
• Separate insert buttons for Overwrite/Filmstyle
• Clean up (trash can functions in project menu)
• “Broadcast Option” features included in all products – MXF support, P2 support, XDCAM support

Supported hardware:

Capture and output:

• Avid Liquid Pro (YUV/RGB input only supported in Logging Tool)

Not supported:

• Moviebox USB
• Liquid v5 Pro option (ATI 8500)

For all issues with realtime performance, always check for the latest graphics card driver. For laptops check for the mobility drivers from the graphics manufacturer instead of the laptop provider.

Supported languages

English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Chinese simplified

Codec/format support

• RT playback: DV/DVCPRO 25, HDV, IMX, MPEG I/IBP 422P/ML@ML/HL, DVCPRO 50, SD/HD Uncompressed, WM9, DivX, MPEG-4
• Native capture (IEEE1394): DV/DVCPRO 25, MPEG2 IBP (MP@ML/HL), HDV
• Encode capture: DV/DVCPRO 25, MPEG2 IBP (MP@ML), Uncompressed SD, Uncompressed HD, DivX 5, DV to MPEG
• Render: DV/DVCPRO 25, MPEG2 I/IBP MP@ML/HL, 422P@ML, DVCPRO50, SD/HD Uncompressed
• Fuse: DV/DVCPRO 25 (MXF, DIF, AVI), MPEG2 I/IBP MP@ML/HL, 422P@ML (M2V, MXF), DVCPRO 50 (MXF,DIF), SD/HD,Uncompressed (YUV, 2VUY), WM9, DivX, MPEG-4
• Import of several audio formats: MP3, WAV, MPA, WMA. 32 bit float audio support
• Import of wide variety of standard graphics formats: BMP, TGA, TIF, PNG, PCD, PSD, PCX, BSI, JPG. LZW compression supported for Tiff import.
• Import of QuickTime and AVI movies
• Support for greater than video sized graphics with pan and scan (with classic effects editors)
• MXF: Capture/playback/fuse non-multiplexed MXF (MPEG I frame). Export multiplexed MXF, (MPEG I and IBP)
• Native P2 MXF support (playback/edit on P2 cartridge)
• DV MXF support
• XSend P2
• XDCAM FAM mode support
• XReceive/XSend eVTR

Media Management

• Flexible GUI for all resolutions, scalable to 1024x768, 1280x1024 or 1600x1200, full size Source and Program windows at 1280x1024 or 1600x1200
• Hierarchical data management with racks and folders, desktop as workspace
• Different text and picon display modes for clips
• Consolidate streams and Condense functions
• Tag media function for identifying used media in sequences and projects
• Clip Sync for resyncing video and audio tracks
• EDL import and export (GVG, Sony 9100, CMX 3600)
• ALE import and export
• OMF output
• Advanced search tool
• Import of Video Machine projects
• Project and media compatibility between different Pinnacle Liquid stations
• XReceive function for individual import interface (SDK available)
• In media tab sorting of projects in left window
• XML exchange of project (no racks supported),clips and sequences (Export optional)
• Pinnacle Studio interoperability

Logging

• Ingest Tool for file ingest and “edit while capture” on another Liquid system
• RapidCapture in Logging Tool - discard captures clips with a duration lower than "n"
• Full logging tool with 1394/DV machine control, RS-232/422 control
• Digitize to timeline with insert and overwrite, scrub timeline while in logging tool.
• Extended metadata fields with auto naming and auto increment
• Adjust audio levels on capture (non-destructive)
• Timeline viewer in Logging Tool
• Direct file import from Sony DSR-DU1 HD DV Recorder (XReceive Feature)
• Scene detection based on metadata (timecode) or on video content, automatic creation of new sub-clips

Editing

• Control (de-/activate) playback of video and audio tracks in source/clip viewer with button or keyboard
• Display of source timecode at Playline position in Timeline under the trackname
• Mark clips used in sequence
• Select clip in timeline with keystroke
• Mark clip: Set Mark In/Out in timeline around clip(s) under playline.
• Capture to Timeline -> Source Track Mapping in Logging Tool.
• Delete render and prerender files with "delete project incl .media”
• Goto position by entering timecode in empty timeline
• Fast scrubbing on the timeline with very fluid interaction
• Unlimited number of timeline tracks for video, audio, graphics and titles
• Desktop Storyboarding
• Filmstyle and Overwrite mode
• 3-Point Editing
• 4 point editing (auto-apply timewarp)
• Optimized 4-point insert
• Drag and Drop Editing
• Trim Editor with slip and slide
• Direct Timeline trimming
• Playline loop playback
• Match Frame, Match frame to project and to tape
• Extend Edit
• Move/Copy Range
• Add Dissolve
• Track SyncLock
• JKL shuttle
• Hardware Jog/Shuttle control (optional USB based)
• Container function (virtual mixdown) for advanced non-destructive compositing or management of long/multi-user projects
• Updated heads and tails at cutting clips
• Fullscreen viewer on VGA/DVI output monitor
• Replace clip (Use the "Ctrl" key to force replacement)
• Insert audio on separate tracks with drag & drop insert to timeline
• New advanced sequence dialog settings
• Multicam editing
• Input wizard (incl. scan for all media types)
• Output wizard
• Presets for Studio and Premiere (keyboard, toolbar)
• Backup/restore projects and media
• Modify clip properties on multiple selected clips
• Unlimited subtracks in timeline

Effects

CPU/GPU RTFX:

• Real-Time Effects in 2D and 3D: 10+ (on optimized CPU/GPU) DV streams of effects plus graphic overlays, seamlessly mix of 2D and 3D effects
• 2D transition effects include: DVE (move, scale, rotate, borders, soft shadows, cropping), Blur, Chroma Keying, Color Correction and pseudo-3D transformation (move, scale, rotate, skew in 3D)
• 2D clip effects include: Chroma Keying (real-time blue/green screen processing), YUV Color Correction, RT filters such as Posterize, Solarize, Mosaic and Cropping
• 3D transition and clip effects of all different kinds
• CPU based transitions: Dissolve, Dissolve through color, 2D DVE editor, 3D DVE editor, Gradient Wipe, Gradient Wipe with Border
• CPU based clip effects: 2D DVE editor, 3D DVE editor, Base Color Correction (YUV), Black and White, Blur, Chroma Keyer (YUV), Luma Keyer, Invert, Posterize, Roll/Crawl
• GPU Based Transitions: 2D DVE editor, 3D DVE editor, Page Curl, Page Peel, Cross Dissolve, Water Drop, Water Wave, Magnify, Replicate, Band Wipe, Barn Doors, Clock Wipe, Inset, Iris Cross, Iris Diamond, Iris Round, Iris Square, Push, Radial Wipe, Slide, Wedge Wipe, Wipe, TrackMatte
• GPU Based Clip Effects: 2D DVE, 3D DVE, Page Curl, Page Peel, Lens Flare, Magnify, Multishape Crop, Multishape PIP, Multishape Spotlight, Replicate, Water Drop, Water Wave, Color Adjust, Scale Crop, swirl, shards, sphere, tile, Accordion, Bevel Crystal, Cracked Slab, Falling Crystals, Curtain, Cylinder, Explosion, Reflection, Stained Glass, swirl, shards, sphere, tile
• Hollywood Effects
• NOTE: GPU Based effects require the use of a certified graphics card and driver.

Background Rendered Effects

• Add dissolves on all edits on active tracks between Mark In/Out on timeline
• High quality software render effects: 2D and 3D DVE with inside and outside borders, transparent soft edged drop shadows & Page turns
• Luma/chroma key, blue/green key, RGB difference key, lasso key with softness
• Clip effects including mosaic, posterize, solarize, and gaussian blur
• Full wipe editor with softness, blur, inside and outside borders
• All Effect Editors with preview and unlimited keyframes (except CC editor) with interpolation
• Linear TimeWarp for fast and easy speed changes, Fit to Fill function
• Single click Freeze Frame function
• TimeWarp Editor for sophisticated dynamic slow/fast motion effects, Strobe and Trailing effects
• Background processing of all effects, no waiting for rendering or playout as DV, real-time effects can be background rendered when not playing back.
• Sub pixel effects processing at rendering with user assignable quality levels
• Real-time non-destructive primary color correction on clips with RGBL high, mid and low, HLS
• Color effects including brightness, contrast, hue, luminance, saturation, RGB gain, equalization, gamma
• Color Correction Editor (Option) with: Primary Color Correction with RGBL high, mid and low, HLS plus Auto White Balance, Histogram- and Hue-match, Legalizer, Tone-, Gray-, Color-balance etc. Secondary Selective Color Correction with color vector based or selective correction.
• Full frame vectorscopes including waveform, histogram, cube, Lightning & vectorlight

Additional Effect Features

• Integrated TitleDeko title generator for still, roll and crawl titles
• Adobe Premiere®—compatible plug-in interface for plug-ins such as Ultimatte and Boris FX Red
• Containers for nesting complex effects
• Display keyframes of other editors (option in editor menu of RT FX)
• Matte-tracks on timeline
• Clip effects can also be video track effects
• Classic effects included in CPU RT FX: 2D, 3D (no trailing supported)
• Parameter curve keyframe editing
• Channel processing (blur, gaussian blur, 2d/3d (clip/trans.), invert, position, posterize)
• Individual effects quality control in RT effects editors
• Privacy effects: Blur and Mosaic RTFX with cropping.

Audio

• Advanced audio track mode (mono/stereo)
• Advanced audio mixer
• Audio track effects
• Send buses
• Advanced audio routing
• VST Plug In support
• Audio timewarp (incl. in video timewarp)
• Dolby Digital 5.1 and virtual surround with AC3 encoding for DVD export
• Surround mixer and output
• ASIO host, support of all ASIO compatible soundcards
• Adjustable digital audio scrubbing, also at trimming
• Real-time playback of up to 16 audio tracks
• Immediate Waveform display (mono/stereo) in Clip/Source Viewer and Timeline
• Rubberband editing for volume and panning
• Advanced audio editing tools (auto fade, dB tooltip etc.)
• Virtual audio mixing console with groupable fader
• Audio Mix Automation function
• Real-time parametric 3-band equalizer, echo and maximizer
• VoiceOver function, full duplex
• Midi support for external audio fader
• Customizable audio output routing
• Insert stereo audio clips separated (or combined) to the timeline

DVD/SVCD/VCD Authoring

Integrated DVD Authoring

• SVCD support
• Export to DVD: auto loop playback for single stream DVD
• IPB settings: Constant (CBR), Storage (StorVBR), Statistical VBR (StatBVR),
• Advanced IPB File Source analysis: Allow all valid DVD video sizes (improved VCD check); support of NTSC 704*480, 352*480, 352*240 and PAL 704*576, 352*576, 352*288 DVD video sizes for ES or PS MPEG-2 IPB source-files
• Easy timeline based authoring with drag & drop, incl. DVD wizard, templates, linkage editor, preview, title save
• Absolute and relative chapter marks, automatic links, autoloop/autostart w. timeout
• Multiple linkable menus, incl. motion backgrounds and buttons, complete menu editor, menu snapshot, editable highlights, “.psd” menu support

DVD export features:

• HDV support: advanced profile/level/bitrate setting for custom video sizes; (Note: HDV support doesn’t mean, that Liquid supports HD-DVD; all video sizes will be converted to the standard PAL/NTSC DVD needed sizes or the standard (S)VCD sizes by the DVD Export)
• Splicer integration for native IPB export
• Dual Layer support (all CD/DVD media capacities, incl. 8.5 GB)
• miniDVD
• 16:9 Menu
• Set disc volume name
• No menu needed for single stream export with timeout=0 (auto-play): video starts immediately (no autoplay-loop)
• Advanced audio bitrate setting (64-448)
• Handling of more than 99 titles per disc / handling of more than 99 chapters per title
• Native IBP files do not need to be re-encoded at export
• HD support: advanced profile/level/bitrate setting for custom video sizes; support of 422P@HL, MP@HL, 422P@ML, MP@ML (422 support optional)
• (S)VCD image (.pdi)
• Set disc volume name for DVD, SVCD, VCD

Publishing

• Export to disc: including ES, PS, SVCD, VCD, VOB or DVD image including burning up to 15 Mb/s
• Export to DVD/SVCD/VCD with editable presets for CBR and VBR MPEG encoding, burn to multiple discs, disc capacity calculator
• Fuse sequence (copy process, faster than real-time)
• Export to AVI, WMF, MPEG2 IBP, QuickTime, DivX, WMV, Real, Mpeg4, etc...
• XSend to, After Effects (incl. timeline compositing), , or others, either as fused clip or combination of source clips
• XSend to WaveLab
• XSend SDK

Avid Liquid System Requirements

Avid Liquid FAQ

What is the difference between the Avid Liquid and Avid Liquid Pro products?

The key difference is that the Avid Liquid Pro product comes with a USB2 - based breakout box that provides composite, component , and s-video I/O, along with stereo audio input and surround audio output. Additional information on the breadkout box can be found on the Avid Liquid Pro features page. In addition, the Avid Liquid Pro product supports capture to uncompressed video and MPEG-2 IBP video. Avid Liquid software is a software - only product that uses the computer's built-in 1394 port to capture from DV or HDV cameras and decks.

What is the difference between the Avid Liquid and Avid Liquid Chrome HD products?

The Avid Liquid Chrome HD product combines Avid Liquid software with Avid Liquid Chrome HD hardware for standard - and high-definition Serial Digital Interface (SDI) I/O. The different Avid Liquid Chrome configurations also provide a variety of other professional I/O formats. For more information on these connections, see Avid Liquid Chrome HD system requirements . Other than the I/O, the Avid Liquid Chrome HD product has the same Avid Liquid software interface as Avid Liquid software, with the exception of configuration tools for the I/O. Note, however, that the Avid Liquid Chrome product is currently shipping with Avid Liquid version 6 software, while the Avid Liquid product is now shipping at version 7.

Can I exchange projects between the Avid Liquid and Avid Xpress Pro products?

Avid Liquid software does not support total conform with the Avid Xpress Pro and Avid Media Composer families of products. Customers looking for a workflow that includes conform on higher - end Avid systems should start with Avid Xpress Pro software. Interoperability that is supported includes: exchange of Avid bins using the ALE (Avid Log Exchange) format; project output from Avid Liquid software to Avid Xpress software using OMF, and project input and output between Avid Liquid software and Avid Xpress software using industry standard EDLs.

What formats does Avid Liquid software support?

Avid Liquid v7 software can natively edit the following formats: DV25, HDV, 1:1 (uncompressed SD and HD), MPEG-2 I-frame & IBP, WM9, MPEG-4 and DivX.

Avid Liquid Chrome HD v6 software can natively edit the following formats: DV25, HDV, MPEG-2 I-frame & IBP & 1:1 (uncompressed SD and HD).

Can I work with film with Avid Liquid software ?

Avid Liquid software does not directly support film - based workflows. Customers are advised to choose Avid Xpress Pro software for this type of work.

What type of system do I need to run Avid Liquid software ?

Please see Avid Liquid specifications for the latest system information on Avid Liquid software. Key factors in choosing a system for Avid Liquid software include: 1GB system memory, a latest - generation graphics card with at least 128MB memory for SD operation and 256MB memory for HD , and a USB2 controller for Avid Liquid Pro hardware. The Avid Liquid Chrome HD product is only certified today on the HP XW8200 workstation.

Does Avid Liquid run on the Mac?

No. Avid Liquid software is a PC - only product. Mac customers should consider Avid Xpress DV or Avid Xpress Pro software.

Why should I choose Avid Liquid software over competitors in its category?

Avid Liquid software offers a host of advantages over similarly priced products. Avid Liquid software offers an integrated environment for editing, surround audio mixing, DVD authoring and thousands of real-time effects. Avid Liquid software also offers flexible I/O options, native HDV editing, support for multiple codecs in the timeline, and a host of other features.