Pinnacle Systems Liquid - 7.0 Site Settings

Site Settings

Chapter Site Settings
“Site” refers to the computer system on which Avid Liquid is running and the video peripherals con­nected to it. Among others, the settings include the selection of connected players and recorders. These settings, which you can access under Edit > Control Panel > Site tab, apply to all system users and, therefore, are not saved for an individual user but are called each time the system is restarted.
The Site tab contains the following elements:
Parameters of connected players/recorders/other devices page 3
System Settings
Parameters and information on your computer’s software and hardware equipment page 17
Media Management Settings
Here you can define the drives and directories that should be used for digitizing For a detailed description of these parameters and options please refer to the Reference Manual, chapter “Administration”, page 346.
Codec Presets
These topic is also covered in the Reference Manual, chapter “Administration”, page 333.
FX Editors Settings
Settings for render and preview quality, etc. page 23
Plug-In Settings
Information on the storage location for third-party effects and Effect Editors page 25
2

Player Settings

Icon Player
Settings
Changing Parameters
How to change default values page 4
Settings tab
Device-specific settings such as drive ballistics, available inputs and outputs, etc. page 5
Connections tab
Here you can define the communication and signal interfaces used by your hardware page 15
Player Settings
Double-click the icon Player Settings (via Avid Liquid´s Start Menu > Control Panel > Site) to specify players and recorders connected to the system and video, audio and control connections. The dialog box that appears offers two tabs: Settings and Con­nections.
3
Chapter Site Settings

How to Change Parameters

This dialog box is similar to Windows Explorer in terms of its organization. The categories that can be selected appear on the left; to display subcategories, click the plus sign in the box. Use the right-hand field to adjust the parameters for each category by double-clicking a value, entering one with the key­board or selecting one from the appropriate drop-down menu.
4

Settings Tab

This tab can be used for adjusting the technical parameters of the connected devices.
Avid Liquid recognizes three categories of players and differentiates among them based on the protocols used for remote control of the devices:
Live -
A virtual player that is not controlled.
i.Link DV -
Controlled via the DV protocol (as per the IEEE 1394 standard). Compatible with all the latest DV and HDV devices.
Betacam -
A control protocol that is processed via the serial interface as per the RS 422 (or RS 232) stan­dard. More precise than DV i.Link; used in professional environments.
With Windows XP OS it is possible to connect more than one DV device to your computer. All working DV devices are listed under System Settings > Inputs/Outputs. The device that is selected there configured here Settings dialog ( page 17).
How to assign and configure new devices page 6
Player Settings
can be
, in the Player Settings dialogs. If you want to switch to another device, turn to the System
Live Input page 8
i.Link DV (IEEE 1394) page 9
Æ Timing page 9
Generic Betacam driver (controlled via RS 422)
Æ Timing page 10
Æ Functional description page 11
Æ Options page 13
Æ Tape protection page 14
5
Chapter Site Settings
Assign and Configure Devices
The following options allow you to
select player and recording devices
configure these devices.
The devices that appear under Player Settings are available in the Logging Tool, for EZ Capture (DV devices only) and in the Record to Tape tool (recorders only). In the default configuration, three players are configured. You can add additional devices.
Assigned Name
For each default setting, a device has either a model, manufacturer or remote control name (e.g. Sony Device, LIVE, Generic Betacam driver or i.Link DV). Initially, this is the same name as the one listed
under Default parameters matching (see below). Consequently, you should first match the name. You can assign an individual name (such as “Player 1”) to each device. Double-click the default name, enter the individual name in the edit field, then press
select the dev ice and then
ENTER.
6
Player Settings
Default Parameter Matching / Select Device
Here you can configure your video devices.
First, click the device or connection name on the left of the dialog, then double-check the manufacturer name on the right-hand side. Select the manufacturer of the connected device from the list.
Select manufacturer
If necessary, you can enter the exact device name in the line above the manufacturer name. Double-click this line to edit it and press Additional device settings are not usually necessary. However, if you have problems controlling the device, see the information on device timing below.
ENTER to finish editing.
Add Devices/Remove Devices
It is possible to add devices to the list.
1 Right-click somewhere below the list of devices in the left-hand section of the dialog. In the
shortcut menu, select Add.
2 In the submenu, select the matching remote control protocol or an additional Live Player.
3 Select a precalibrated device from the list of devices as described above (Default parameters...)
4 If you like, assign an individual name for the new device (Assign ed Name).
To remove a device from the list, right-click that device and select Remove.
7
Chapter Site Settings
Live Input (Virtual Live Player)
Use the Live Player if the video or audio signal is not from a controllable source (such as TV) or if you are controlling the player source using the controls on the device itself. You can assign a user-defined name for the Live Player. See also “Assigned Name” on page 6.
A remark for users of Avid Liquid in combination with analog input/outputs: Use the Live Player to cap­ture analog signals. With IEEE 1394 (i.Link DV) remote control there is DV in/out exclusively This restriction does not concern Avid Liquid systems equipped with RS 422 interface. You can use ana­log inputs in combination with RS 422 control.
Options
You can add TC data to the live input signal or use the supplied TC data of the signal.
1 Click the plus (+) symbol,
2 click Options,
3 and, in the right-hand section, double-click the current Va l u e .
Choose one of three options:
Custom - It defines that a TC value manually specified in the Logging Tool should be used for gen-
erating timecode data. The timecode starts with the value entered in the Posit ion timecode field. Start/stop the TC counter by clicking Play (toggle button). See also “Timecode Position Field (A)” on page 116.
.
Time of day - The system time is used for generating timecode data. “Time of day” is only guar-
anteed with a correctly set system clock. TC count starts immediately after initialization of the Logging Tool.
Video - TC data embedded in the DV input signal. (VITC cannot be used.)
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Player Settings
i.Link DV Devices (IEEE 1394)
i.Link DV is a name for devices connected and remote controlled via a DV interface. Other, more or less synonymous names are Firewire or IEEE 1394 (the latter is the official standard name). This interface needs to be integrated in your computer or in the breakout box. With the exception of timing parameters, there are no further settings to define.
Timing (IEEE 1394, DV)
Double-click the Va l u e you want to edit. Selection varies according to your product version.
Wait After Sending Record [ms]
This value defines the length of time from the moment the record command is sent to the recorder until the actual Timeline play. When it is set to 5000, you automatically receive a black image for 5 seconds before the film is recorded.
Wait Before Sending Record [ms]
This value defines the length of time from the moment the Record button in the R ec ord To Ta pe dialog box is selected until the record command is actually sent to the recorder.
Almost all devices work perfectly with a value of 0. If your recorder does not record despite numerous attempts, we advise you to increase this value in steps of 1000 ms until the recorder records.
The reason for this problem is that some DV dev ices cannot be switched to record mode until an image is present and an immediate synchronization was not possible with a value of 0.
Max. Duration of Goto [s]
This entry determines the amount of time your DV device may require to go from one position on the tape to another position, such as a mark-in.
Preroll [frames]
This value determines the preroll time for Batch Digitize and Record to Tape.
The higher the value, the longer the preroll time. Some DV devices require a preroll time of at least 15 frames in order to guarantee a successful synchronization between Avid Liquid and the DV device.
If a clip cannot be cleanly digitized with Batch Digitize (e.g. the error message “Preroll Position not found” is issued), Avid Liquid automatically attempts to digitize this clip up to three times.
Send 2 Step commands [on/off]
Some players step field by field, some frame by frame. This means: Some transport the tape by one field, some by one frame, when a step command is received. This option forces the fieldsteppers among the players to move frame by frame, when you click the one frame forward tool button: 2 x field steps = 1 frame step.
9
Chapter Site Settings
Generic Betacam Driver (Controlled via RS 422)
This driver is used to control professional tape decks via a serial cable. See also “Device Control via RS 422 Remote” on page 24.
Timing
CAUTION: Change these parameters only when the connected device works inaccurately. With
Liquid
needed for RS 422 control. Please contact your Avid Technology, Inc. dealer.
with RS 422 interface, some of the following options do not apply. A special 232-422 cable is
Avid
Position Request
This default set value should not be changed.
Play TC Delay [Fields]
Adjust this setting until the video is frame-accurately captured by the Logging Too l at the mark-in point. Use burned-in timecode instead of the ordinary timecode overlay to ensure the results are not affected by the construction delay of the timecode overlay. To generate a tape with burned-in timecode simply record the Monitor (Superimposed) Out signal on a second VCR and use this tape as a reference.
Rec TC Delay [Fields]
Place two successive clips on the Timeline and record (Insert) them to tape. Adjust this parameter until the hard cut from Clip 1 to Clip 2 appears at the proper position on the tape (same position as on the Timeline).
Edit Delay [Fields]
After having adjusted Rec TC Delay, adjust the edit delay until the recording (Insert) starts at the first frame of Clip 1.
Note: To obtain reproducible results, clean the area around the insert point before each attempt by recording over it with a different clip.
10
Encoding delay [fields]
This setting affects tape decks that work with a compressed format (such as DV) but should receive uncompressed signals. In this case, the uncompressed signal must first be encoded inside the device before it can be recorded to tape. The result is a delay in the device’s video path (encoding delay). To cor­rect this delay, enter the correction value for the corresponding number of fields here, i.e. for a delay of two frames, enter a value of 4.
Player Settings
Step Emulation Delay [Fields]
As the protocol does not define a definite single-step command this behavior is emulated with a jog com­mand at a speed of 1/10 for a certain period of time. With this parameter you can control how long the interface command (1 frame forward / backward) is to be maintained to emulate a one-frame step.
Functional Description (RS 422)
The technical options for the connected devices are described here. All entries in the functional descrip­tion section simply specify the functional features of the device. They are not intrinsically used by the driver but serve to help the software identify which features should be available if a specific device is selected.
You may use these options to configure a taylor-made machine, one, for instance, featuring a YUV-SDI converter at its output, which therefore can be described as being equipped with a SDI output.
NOTE: With
Avid Liquid
Machine Type
The Machine Type property informs the front-end about the recording capabilities of the device. The following options are available:
Player - the device does not possess any recording capabilities.Recorder - the device is capable of simple recording, i.e. striping and dumping, but no insert edit.Assemble Recorder - The device also has assemble mode but not insert mode.Edit Recorder - in addition to simple dumping, the device is also able to execute insert edits.
(with RS 422 option), some of the following options do not apply.
Digital Audio
If this parameter is activated, the recording device must be equipped with digital audio tracks which become visible in the Record to Tape tool's track settings dialog box.
Maximum Shuttle Speed
Defines maximum shuttle speed for a device. This parameter controls the mapping of shuttle values received from the (assigned to speed x2) and the maximum shuttle position. If improperly specified (usually too high), the device usually enters the maximum shuttle speed once the control ring/knob is moved past the x2 lock position.
Avid Liquid Control
(optional control panel) between the second grid point
11
Chapter Site Settings
Video Outputs
Depending on the individual device you find the following outputs, either assigned by default (Ye s ) or not available (No):
Composite (CVBS, FBAS)S-Video (Y/C)Component (Y/R-Y/B-Y)SDISDTISDTI x (hyper-speed transfer 2x, 4x)
The Ye s / N o settings here describe the standard features of the device. You may add outputs according to your specific studio setup. This serves as cross-references in the Settings > Player Settings > Connection dialog and defines the inputs that can be assigned to the editing system.
Audio Outputs
Mimics the video logic for audio outputs.
AnalogAES/EBUSDISDTI
The Ye s / N o settings here describe the standard features of the device. You may add outputs according to your specific studio setup. This serves as cross-references in the Settings > Player Settings > Connection dialog and defines the inputs that can be assigned to the editing system.
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Player Settings
Options
Minimum Preroll PLAY [s]
Controls the minimum preroll time used by the driver before automatic preroll adjustment has started during the initial digitization process. If it becomes apparent during the calibration process that the device will never lock faster than with 3 seconds preroll, this parameter should be set to 3 seconds to avoid unnecessary retries during the digitization of the first clip. However, this setting will not negatively influence the behavior of the driver if the value initially specified is too low. If it is too high, the driver will take longer than necessary to log a clip.
Minimum Preroll REC [s]
Controls the minimum preroll time initially used by the driver before automatic preroll adjustment starts during the first recording. Do not force the driver to use values less than 5 seconds since, unlike with tra­ditional linear editing suites, actual recording occurs rather infrequently and it is not worth performing unnecessary retries (which take several multiples of 5 seconds) by starting with a too low record preroll time.
ClipLink Safe Preroll
This setting affects the digitizing of DV tapes to which the ClipLink technique was applied during recording. If the camera was switched off between two takes, in some cases the cut between the first take and the second take may not be precisely flush, which can in turn result in timecode breaks in the preroll. To avoid problems when digitizing, you can configure a value for the ClipLink safe preroll here. The default value is three seconds. During these three seconds of preroll time, no data is digitized.
Record Color Frame Selection
Controls the Color Frame Select command sent to the device before any type of recording.
Timecode
Defines which type of timecode should be used for the device in timecode request. The setting can either be
VITC (Vertical Interleave Timecode)
LT C (Longitudinal Timecode)
CTL (Control Track)
Aut o (VITC/LTC); recommended setting
13
Chapter Site Settings
Ignore Reference Warnings
Avid Liquid displays an error message when the player or recording device signals an imminent problem with the sync or reference signal. Set this value On to ignore these warnings. However, we recommend to pinpoint the cause of the problem, because it may impede the editing accu­racy.
Tape Protection
Standby Off After (Active)
Controls the time in Still mode (Shuttle 0 or normal STOP) after which the device is switched to Standby Off when the device is being actively used (i.e. it is currently selected as the active device in the Logging or Re co rd ToTa pe Too l and at least one of these is visible on screen).
Standby Off After (Inactive)
Controls the time in Still mode (Shuttle 0 or normal STOP) after which the device is switched to Standby Off when the device is not being actively used (i.e. it is currently not selected as the active device in either the Logging or Record Tool = normal background operation).
14

Connections Tab

Use these functions to combine video and audio inputs and outputs of the editing system with the out­puts and inputs of the connected players, recorders and live sources. Also select the remote control set­tings for connected devices. Begin by specifying (click on device name) in the left field to which recorder, player or live source the subsequent settings are to apply.
Communication Port (IEEE or RS 422) page 15
Video and Audio Inputs page 16
Video and Audio Outputs page 16
Communication Port
If you have connected a controllable DV device (camera or recorder/player) via the IEEE 1394
interface (as opposed to a non-controllable live source), click the device name or i.Link DV/1394 in the left-hand box and check that IEEE 1394 appears as a Communication Port.
This selection refers to the device that was selected in System Settings > Inputs/Outputs > Video inputs (in case that more than one device is connected).
Player Settings
With
Avid Liquid
connected.
RS 422: select the COM port (serial interface) to which the 232-422 cable is
If you wish to use image and sound material via the Live Player (i.e. not controllable), make sure
the following list options are selected. In the list Video Input: Liquid: IEEE 1394; in the list Audi o Input: IEEE 1394, or, provided your product version supports this, the appropriate analog inputs.
This restriction does not concern can use analog or digital inputs in combination with RS 422 control.
Avid Liquid
systems equipped with RS 422 interface. You
None - Choose this option if you want to control the player/recorder directly on the device itself
and not via Avid Liquid.
15
Chapter Site Settings
Video Inputs
1394 - Choose this option if you connected the selected player via an 1394 input (i.Link DV,
Firewire).
Note for users of Avid Liquid versions equipped with analog signal inputs and outputs: Use the Live Player to input analog signals. With analog video inputs there is no remote control via IEEE 1394 possible. CVBS refers to the cinch connector video input on the break-out box (usually marked yellow).
CVBS (Composite) - Choose this option if you have connected the selected device via the com-
posite input (LIVE player or RS 422).
Y/C (S-video) - Choose this option if you connected the selected players via the S-video input
(LIVE player or RS 422). S-video offers superior quality compared to CVBS.
None - Choose this option to operate the selected device without a video interface.
If you have a inputs, YUV and RGB. Select according to actual signal input.
Avid Liquid PRO Box
Audio Inputs
DV Embedded - Choose this option if you want Avid Liquid to use the audio signal at the DV con-
nector. The video input switches automatically to 1394.
Only for users of Avid Liquid versions equipped with analog signal inputs and outputs:
Ch1-Ch2 - Choose this option if you want Avid Liquid to use the audio signal at the analog audio
connectors (cinch connectors on breakout box).
None - Choose this option to operate the selected device without an audio interface.
If you have a audio inputs: AES and SPDIF. Select according to actual signal input.
Avid Liquid PRO Box
connected to your system, the selection offers two component
connected to your system, you have two additional digital
16
Video Output
These settings concern the actual video outputs of the computer or the breakout box (if connected). Select the output to which the recording device is connected. This setting will be used in the Record to Ta p e tool. Entries with a preceding “Liquid:” refer to generic interfaces of the computer, such as a built-in DV (IEEE 1394) connector.
Audio Output
Assign an audio output to the selected device.

System Settings

Systems Settings contains parameters which affect the system itself, such as the still image display or the render file storage location. Double-click the icon Systems Set- tings to open the dialog box.
Icon Systems
Settings

Changing Parameters

Procedure for changing default values page 17
General Tab
Contains the General, Video Display and Rendering areas page 18
Inputs/Outputs Tab
Lists audio and video inputs/outputs available in the system page 19
Changing Parameters
System Settings
This dialog box is similar to Windows Explorer in terms of its organization. The categories that can be selected appear on the left; to display subcategories, click the plus sign in the box. Use the right-hand field to adjust the parameters for each category by double-clicking a value, entering one with the key­board or selecting one from the appropriate drop-down menu.
Restore Initial State - Click this button to restore the settings that were activated when you first opened the item.
17
Chapter Site Settings

General Tab

This tab contains the following sections:
General page 18
Video display page 18
Rendering page 18
General
Digital Audio Reference Level -
You can set the audio reference level in single steps in a range from -9 dBFS to -20 dBFS. The red range (start of overload limit) of the Avid Liquid audio level meters is adapted accordingly (for instance in the Audio Tool).
Video Display
Still Display - Select one of three options:
Both (fields) Odd (fields) Even (fields)
Double-click a value to open a selection menu. Odd is default; this setting avoids the flickering of the still image on the video monitor (the inlay is not affected). These settings have no effect on progressive video.
18
Viewer Mode -
Choose Overscan or Underscan. Overscan is the default setting; it roughly corresponds to the pic- ture area that normally appears on a TV monitor. Und ersc an and Overscan affect all video inlays of the software. If you select Indiv idual, you can use the tool buttons of each Viewer to toggle Un derscan and Overscan.
Rendering
Destination Volume -
Enter the directory for saving rendered files. Double-click Va l u e to open an edit field (quit with a destination directory.
Holdoff -
The value entered here defines the time in seconds, after which rendering should begin after the last processing step of an effect. If you enter 3 seconds, the system begins rendering 3 seconds after the effect was last processed.
ENTER), or click the “three dots” to browse for

Inputs/Outputs Tab

On this tab, you can configure the inputs and outputs.
(Recorders and players are assigned on the Player Settings > Connections tab.)
Video Inputs
IEEE 1394 -
each available DV device is listed here with its manufacturer name and a number; if no device is connected, it says so: No device. The system receives this information directly from the Windows operating system, which in turn checks all i.Link (DV, Firewire, IEEE 1394) connections of the computer and on the breakout box, if connected. If more than one device is connected, you can select one. The device you select here that is controlled by the DV remote interface. It can be used in EZ Capture and in the Logging Tool for clip logging and capturing of AV data to the system’s hard disks. Please note: the software does not list DV interfaces but devices connected to an interface: a DV interface remains invisible until an operating DV device is connected.
Only for users of Avid Liquid versions equipped with analog signal inputs and outputs:
Y/C -
PA L Setup: B,G,H or SECAM NTSC Setup: NTSC M or NTSC M-J; Hue
System Settings
is the one
CVBS -
PA L Setup: B,G,H or SECAM NTSC Setup: NTSC M or NTSC M-J; Hue
Component YUV -
see CVBS.
Component RGB -
see CVBS.
19
Chapter Site Settings
Video Outputs
IEEE 1394 > Selected Device -
same functionality and setting as described above.
IEEE 1394 > DV Output Format -
Select either DV or DVCPro 25 . If you want to output DV captured material via Record to Tape on a DVCPro device, you need to switch formats (and v.v.). Be aware that Timeline clips will be rendered to the other format before the recording can start.
IEEE 1394 > MPEG output format -
These options are important for outputting MPEG2 video (HDV) via the IEEE-1394 interface. First select an output format that the connected device can record:
- Micro MV (PAL or NTSC frame rate)
- DVH S (25 or 30 fps)
- HDV 1 or 2 (see remarks below)
The output interface is now ready. The following is a brief overview of the subsequent procedure: Call the Record to Tape module, check whether the correct recorder is selected, and click Start. The Time- line Sequence is rendered in the format configured in the Timeline Properties.
If this format is not supported by the selected recorder, an error message will appear. Select a different Timeline format. Refer to the manual for your recorder to determine which formats (based on resolution, frame rate and interlacing) are permitted. It is generally best to configure a suitable format before begin­ning the Timeline editing process.
20
Following a tape query, recording begins. Because no image is displayed in the inlay and no sound is played via the sound card, it is recommended that you connect a monitor and speaker to the recorder (looped signal). The recorder stops when the entire Sequence has been played.
System Settings
HDV variants
In many ways, the HDV field is still under development. Standards have not yet been established, not
even under specific names, and different manufacturers are pursuing different interests, even though
they all refer to it as “HDV”.
As a rule of thumb, select HDV2 for a Sony device and HDV1 for a JVC device. Additional criterion:
HDV1 for up to 1280x720 pixels; HDV2 is always 1440x1080. The numbers 50 and 60 refer to the
(former) PAL and NTSC regions. If in doubt, test your devices using one of the two settings.
CVBS, Y/C and Component (with analog outputs only, depending on current video signal and
product) -
- Under Setup, you will find the NTSC and PAL modes;
- Loopthru ... This option applies (in the Logging Tool/EZ Capture) to the video display on a video monitor connected to the breakout box (Pro Box, MovieBox, AV/DV): If the LIVE output (“Monitor” icon on the taskbar) is set to Liquid: None, either the signal from the connected player (Loopthru = On) or from the standard color bars (Loopthru = Off ) can be displayed.
- Quarter resolution ... This option reduces the load on the USB interface by reducing the video signal to a quarter of its original resolution. Image quality is somewhat compromised. This option is recommended if, for example, only a USB-1.1 interface is available (generally, however, the USB-2.0 interface is recommended!).
Component > Mode -
Avid Liquid PRO Box
- YUV (normal)
- YUV Progressive (non-interlaced full frames)
- RGB (RGB signal output)
- Y/C (Y and C separated on two connectors)
- Tr i pl e FB A S/ CV BS (identical CVBS signal on three connectors).
: several options for the component output:
21
Chapter Site Settings
Audio Inputs
IEEE 1394/DV Embedded -
Here you can mute the incoming audio signals (On), provided that the player is not in play mode.
Audio Outputs
Sound device > Selected Device -
If you have a choice here, select the sound card or driver that you would like to use for your sys-
tem’s audio output.
You may use high-quality audio cards based on the ASIO standard, e.g. for 5.1 or 7.1 sound.
Make sure that the ASIO version is 2.0 or higher.
For ASIO drivers, manufacturer-specific editing options are available that vary with regard to
their scope.
Normally, you will find your DirextX sound card or the sound chip on the motherboard here.
Many current models support 5.1 sound.
Your selection here will affect what you see in the Output Mapping of the Audio Editor.
Digital > Mode -
Applies to
output via the optical digital audio interface.
Avid Liquid PRO Box
: Select either the SPDIF or ADAT mode that should be
22

FX Editors Settings

These settings influence the quality of effects, both in finished sequences and in the preview in the Effect Editors. Double-click the icon FX Editors Settings to open the dialog box.
Icon FX Editors
Settings
Please be aware that these settings apply only to rendered (Classic) effects. Realtime effects are not
affected by these parameters.
Render Quality Tab page 23
Preview Quality Tab page 23
System Tab page 24
Advanced Settings page 24

Render Quality Tab

Select either Best, High or Preview Quality for rendering effects. Preview delivers the fastest results, but
the lowest quality. Always use Best for masters.
FX Editors Settings

Preview Quality Tab

Use this tab to specify the quality of the effect preview display. Keep in mind that the system has to do a
lot of processing to display clips at maximum resolution. Therefore, clips in the effect preview display
may appear a bit jerky, especially if the effects are complex - even at maximum quality.
If you choose Fast Preview First and Best Quality Last, the effect preview will first appear with a
low resolution. This gives you a quick look at the effect. Maximum resolution is then used for the final preview so that you can ultimately see the effect at maximum quality.
Whether or not Fast Preview First and Best Quality Last can be selected depends on which pre-
view quality you selected. With Best, Best Quality Last is automatically selected. With Fast Pre- view, Fast Preview First is automatically selected. With High Quality, either Best Quality Last or Fast Preview First can be selected.
First click the required main preview quality: Best, High or Fast Preview and then the corresponding
options Best Quality Last or Fast Preview First.
23
Chapter Site Settings

System Tab

Video Draw Method - Bitmap (BMP) is the default setting. Other options are Video Driver, Vide o
for Windows and Bitmap (DIB).
Image Cache Size - used for specifying cache size. Default setting: 64megabytes. If your system is
well equipped with RAM, increase the setting to achieve higher performance.
Avid Liquid supports the MMX function of Pentium processors. If your computer can handle
MMX extensions, activate this function to increase system performance.
SSE1/2 relates to a subset of Intel processor commands. If you’re using one or more SSE capable
CPU(s) in your system, check these options to enhance system performance.

Advanced Settings

Use Advanced Settings to fine tune effect rendering parameters. You should, however, edit these parame­ters only if you’re knowledgeable in the field of render mathematics. We recommend consulting special­ized literature before you make any changes here, since a detailed description is beyond the scope of this reference manual.
24

Plug-In Settings

Icon Plug-In
Settings
To remove a plug-in directory, select the path and click Remove. If you remove a plug-in from the direc-
tory window, only the path to this plug-in is deleted and not the plug-in itself.
Use the Move Up and Move Down arrows to change the order of the paths in the plug-in directory win-
dow.
Whenever you add a plug-in or delete a plug-in from this directory window, you must restart Avid Liq-
uid in order for the changes to take effect. To save time, therefore, make several changes in a single proce-
dure before confirming your actions by clicking OK.
Once you have followed this procedure to add new plug-ins, Avid Liquid identifies each plug-in as either
a Transition Plug-In or a Clip Plug-In and stores it in the Project window on the
available in the PlugIn Racks and can be used like any other effect.
Plug-In Settings
These settings are used for specifying which folder contains the additional video fil­ters and video effects to be used with Avid Liquid. The plug-in files must be compat­ible with the “Adobe Premiere interface for plug-ins” (*.prm). Double-click this icon to open the Plug-In Settings dialog box.
Click Add and select the directory containing the plug-in you want to add. As soon as you confirm your selection by clicking OK, the path is entered in the plug-in direc­tory window.
Library
tab. It is then
25
Chapter Site Settings
26

Index Site Settings

Index Site Settings
A
Advanced Settings (FX) 24 AES/EBU
Audio Output (Player Settings) 12
Analog
Audio Input 16 Audio Output (Player Settings) 12
Audio
DV Embedded 15
Audio Reference Level
Adjusting 18
Auto (VITC/LTC, Player
Settings) 13
C
Capture Preroll 9 Component
Video Output (Player Settings) 12
Composite
see CVBS 16
Connections 15
see also Inputs/Outputs Audio DV Embedded Audio Inputs 16 Communication Port (IEEE
15
1394)
Remote IEEE 1394 15 Video IEEE 1394 15 Video Inputs 16
Control Panel
Site Settings 2
CTL (Player Settings) 13 Customize
Site Settings 2
15
CVBS
Video Input (Connections) 16 Video Output (Player Settings) 12
D
Destination Volume
Rendering (System Settings) 18
Digital Audio
Player Settings 11
DV
Embedded (Audio) 15
DV Output format (System
Settings) 20
D-VHS 20
E
Edit Delay 10 Effect
Render Quality 23
Effect Editors
Properties 23
Effect Settings
Advanced 24
Encoding delay 10
H
HDV (Output) 20 Hold Off (Rendering, System
Settings) 18
I
IEEE 1394
Audio Input 16 Interface (Connections) 15
Image Cache Size (Render
Options) 24
Inputs
see also Connections Audio
16
Video 16
Inputs Audio (Connections) 16
Analog 16 DV Embedded 15 IEEE 1394 (Audio) 16
Inputs Video (Connections)
CVBS (Composite) 16 IEEE 1394 15 Y/C 16
L
Live
Player Settings 8
LTC (Player Settings) 13
M
Max. Duration of Goto 9 MicroMV 20 MMX (Render Options) 24 MPEG2 20
O
Outputs
Audio (Player Settings) 12 Video (Player Settings) 12 see also Connections
Overscan
System Settings 18
27
Index Site Settings
P
Play TC Delay 10 Player Settings 3
Assigned Name 6 Changing Parameters 4, 17 Default Parameter Matching 7 Functional Description 11 Live Source 8 Options 13 Remote IEEE 1394 15 Tape Protection 14 Timecode 13 Timing 10
Players/Recorders, Settings 5 Plug-In
Settings 25
Position Request 10 Preroll
Player Settings 13
Properties
FX Editors 23
R
Rec TC Delay 10 Recorders/Players, Settings 5 Rendering
Hold Off 18
S
SDI
Audio Output (Player Settings) 12 Video Output (Player Settings) 12
SECAM 19 Send 2 Step commands 9 Site (Control Panel, system-specific
Settings) 2
SSE1/2 24
Step Emulation Delay 11 Still
Display (Odd/Even/Both) 18
S-VHS
see Y/C
S-Video
see Y/C
System Settings 17
DV output format 20 Holdoff 18 Restore Initial State 17 Still Display 18 Underscan/Overscan 18
T
Timecode
Live Source (System Clock) 8 Player Settings 13 VITC/LTC/CTL/Auto 13
U
Underscan
System Settings 18
V
Video Inputs (Connections) 16 VITC 8 VITC (Player Settings) 13
W
Wait After 9 Wait Before 9
Y
Y/C
Video Input (Connections) 16 Video Output (Player Settings) 12
28
Avid Liquid
Reference Manual
© 2005 Pinnacle Systems GmbH. All rights reserved.
November 2005 / Pinnacle Systems Documentation, Munich, Germany
liquid.documentation@pinnaclesys.com

Copyright and Protective Rights

This manual or the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated or reduced to
any machine readable form without prior written approval from Pinnacle Systems GmbH.
Pinnacle Systems GmbH AG PROVIDES NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFT-
WARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH
REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR SUCH OTHER INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL
INNACLE SYSTEMS GMBH BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES,
P
WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE
THEREOF.
Pinnacle Systems GmbH reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained
herein at any time without notice.
The software described herein may also be governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement.
YOU MAY USE THIS SOFTWARE TO ASSIST YOU IN COPYING MATERIAL IN WHICH YOU OWN THE
COPYRIGHT OR HAVE OBTAINED PERMISSION TO COPY FROM THE COPYRIGHT OWNER. IF YOU DO
NOT OWN THE COPYRIGHT OR YOU HAVE NOT OBTAINED PERMISSION TO COPY FROM THE COPY-
RIGHT OWNER, YOU MAY BE VIOLATING COPYRIGHT LAW AND YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO CLAIMS
FOR DAMAGES AND/OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES.
2

Trademarks

© Avid Liquid,
Avid Liquid PRO
Pinnacle Systems and the Pinnacle Systems logo are registered trademarks of Pinnacle Systems, Inc.
Sony, ClipLink, DV, DVCAM, Digital Betacam, Betacam SP, Betacam SX, Hi8, Video8, HDCAM, D2, Digital8, D8,
i.LINK and the i.LINK logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation; D3, D5, Panasonic and DVCPRO are trademarks
of Matsushita Electric Industrial Company; D9, Digital-S and D-VHS are trademarks of JVC; Dolby A, B, C, SR
and Dolby Surround are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories; Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
© 1992-2003 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved. Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories; OMF
Medi aLog are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc.; Media Cleaner is trademark of Terran Interactive - a subsid-
iary of Media 100, Inc.; FaderMaster Pro is trademark of JL Cooper - a department of Sound Technology; Java is
trademark of Sun Microsystems; Photo CD is trademark of Eastman Kodak Company; Acrobat Reader and Adobe
AfterEffects are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc.; Microsoft
MS-DOS
ness Machines Corporation; Intel
mark of Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd.
Parts of this product have been produced using LEADTOOLS
RIGHTS RESERVED. Parts of this product are based on the work of the independent JPEG-Group.
All other nationally and internationally recognized trademarks and trade names are hereby acknowledged and are
the property of their respective owners.
Avid Liquid Chrome HD, Avid Liquid Blue, Avid Liquid
are logos and trademarks of Pinnacle Systems GmbH and Pinnacle Systems, Inc.
, Avid,
and Intellimouse are trademarks of Microsoft Cor poration; VGA is trademark of International Busi-
and Pentium are trademarks of Intel Corporation; Matrox DigiSuite is trade-
, Windows XP
, Wind ows
, Windows 2000,
©1991-2000, LEAD Technologies Inc. ALL
,
3
4

Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction................................................................. .. ... ................... 17
Preface.................................................................................................. 19
Sources of Information.......................................................................... 20
List of Chapter....................................................................................... 21
Chapter 2 Documentation.......................... ............................... ... ........................ 25
Conventions and Symbols.................................................................... 27
Comments and Suggestions for Documentation............................. 28
The Online Help.................................................................................... 29
Title Bar........................................................................................... 30
Tabs in the Help Window................................................................. 30
Toolbar ............................................................................................ 31
Information Window ........................................................................ 32
Chapter 3 Basics ..................................... ... ............................... ........................... 33
Starting and Exiting............................................................................... 35
Menus, Dialog Boxes and Tool Buttons................................................. 36
Menu bar......................................................................................... 36
Shortcut Menus............................................................................... 36
Tool Buttons and Toolbars............................................................... 37
Dialog Box es..................................................... .............................. 38
Tour de Avid Liquid................................................................................ 41
Inlays............................................................................................... 42
Picons ............................................................................................. 43
Avid Liquid Desktop ........................................................................ 43
The Project Window........................................................................ 53
The Timeline ................................................................................... 54
The Sequence Editor ...................................................................... 55
The Logging Tool............................................................................. 56
The Effect Editors............................................................................ 57
The Audio Editor ............................................................................. 58
The Trim Editor................................................................................ 59
Chapter 4 Signup.................................................................................................. 61
Logging on As an Existing User............................................................ 63
New User/Initial Login........................................................................... 64
Load User Profile.................................................................................. 65
User Details .......................................................................................... 66
Remove User........................................................................................ 68
Save User............................................................................................. 69
Chapter 5 High Definition .................................................................................... 71
Basics of High Definition TV ................................................................ 73
TV of the future ............................................ ................................... 73
Filming in HD................................................................................... 76
Editing HDTV .................................................................................. 76
HDTV Basic Data............................................................................ 77
High Definition in Avid Liquid................................................. ... ............ 82
HD-Compatible Products under Avid Liquid.................................... 83
HD Workflow: Adapting Settings..................................................... 83
Timecode Systems..................................... ..................................... 84
Multiformat in Projects and on the Timeline.................................... 85
Quality Ranks .................................................................................. 90
High Definition at the Input.......................................... ... ....................... 92
HDV Batch Capture................................. .................................... ... . 94
Capturing Other MPEG2 Video Formats (MicroMV, D-VHS) .......... 94
HD Capture Using Avid Liquid Chrome HD: Workflow.................... 95
Importing HD Media Files ............................................................... 96
6
High Definition on the Timeline............................................................. 97
Editing HD (MPEG2) Clips................................................. ............. 97
High Definition and Effects.............................................................. 97
HD Monitoring and Preview ............................................................ 98
Combining SD and HD Clips in the Same Sequence ..................... 99
High Definition at the Output....................................................... .. ...... 100
HDV Output via the DV Interface................................................... 100
Output to MicroMV and D-VHS..................................................... 102
MPEG2 IPB and Output Using a Fuse Process............................ 102
Export to Windows Media HD....................................................... 102
Chapter 6 Input................................................................................................... 103
Logging and Digitizing (Capture) ........................................................ 105
EZ Capture.......................................................................................... 106
Starting EZ Capture...................................................................... 107
Basics............................................................................................ 112
The Logging Tool and Its Functions.............................................. 115
Methods ........................................................................................ 146
File Ingest ........................................................................................... 154
Step by Step............................. ............................... ...................... 155
Import and Editing......................................................................... 156
Background Live Capture.................................................................... 157
Importing Objects........................... ............................... .. .................... 159
Import - Where from, Where to? ................................................... 160
What Can Be Imported? ............................................................... 160
Importing Media Clips ................................................................... 162
Image Import (Global Settings)..................................................... 165
Copying/Pasting Objects from Other Projects..................................... 167
Media Management and Object Import ........................................ ... ... 168
7
Creating Objects................................................................................. 169
Creating a Color Clip.................................. .. ................................. 170
Generating a Signal Clip (Reference Level Tones) ....................... 172
Creating Titles............................................................ ... ................ 172
Producing Customized Effects...................................................... 172
Voice-Over .......................................................................................... 173
Importing EDL/AVID MediaLog Files.................................................. 173
Chapter 7 Exchange........................................................................................... 175
XML/ALE/XCE Import and Export ..................................................... 177
Information about ALE, XML and XCE.......................................... 177
Import Project (XML or ALE)......................................................... 178
Export Project (XML or ALE) ........................................................ 179
Import/Export Clips (ClipExchange, XCE) .................................. .. 179
Use ALE Export to Create Shotlists and Batchlists ............................ 180
ALE List Elements......................................................................... 180
Working With ALE Lists................................................................. 182
XSend To............................................................................................. 183
Objects permitted for the XSend To... function.............................. 183
Calling XSend To........................................................................... 184
XSend To... Options................................................... ... ... ............. 187
XReceive............................................................................................. 189
Calling XReceive........................................................................... 190
XReceive Options ......................................................................... 190
Starting XReceive ......................................................................... 190
MXF File Exchange Format ............................................................... 191
Exporting/importing EDLs................................................................... 193
Events Contained in EDLs............................................................ 193
Areas of Application...................................................................... 194
Available Formats....................................................... ................... 195
Exporting EDLs............................................ ... .............................. 195
Importing EDLs ....................................... ...................................... 198
8
VideoMachine DBF Import...................................... ... ......................... 200
Import Projects to Pinnacle Studio...................................................... 201
Networking with Avid Liquid ............................................................... 202
Assign network drive or directory.................................................. 202
Network settings............................................................................ 204
Shared Projects............................................................................. 206
InterCom: Messaging For Editors Sharing a Project..................... 207
OMFI Export ..................................... .. ............................... ................. 210
What is Exported?......................................................................... 210
Calling OMFI Export...................................................................... 211
Composition.................................................................................. 212
Media ............................................................................................ 213
Options .......................................................................................... 215
Chapter 8 Administration................................................................................... 217
The Project........................................ .................................................. 220
Opening and Creating Projects..................................................... 220
Project Template ........................................................................... 221
Copy/Delete a Project................................................................... 222
Project Structure ........................................................................... 223
The Project Browser...................................................................... 230
Single Monitor View...................................................................... 232
Project Properties ......................................................................... 234
Diagnose Project........................................................................... 236
Backing Up and Restoring Projects .............................................. 236
The Object .......................................... ................................................ 244
Basics............................................................................................ 245
Objects in the Project............................................................ .. ...... 250
Searching for and Finding Objects................................................ 262
Viewing and Editing Objects: the Clip Viewer............................... 276
Object Information: Properties...................................................... 294
9
Preparing for Editing: Storyboarding............................................. 300
Batch Digitize (Batch Capture)................................. .. ................... 305
Consolidate................................................................................... 313
Condense...................................................................................... 317
ClipSync........................................................................................ 319
Automatic Scene Detection (Clip Viewer) ..................................... 322
Media Management....................................................................... ... .. 326
Basics............................................................................................ 327
Media Tab in the Project Window.................................................. 341
Media Management Settings ........................................................ 346
Importing Media Clips ................................................................... 351
Media Management and Object Properties .................................. 352
Media Management and the Windows Explorer ........................... 356
Search and Import Media Files (Search Media) ........................... 356
Deleting Clips/Objects and Media Files ........................................ 358
Chapter 9 Edit ..................................................................................................... 365
Video Editing....................................................................................... 367
Basics............................................................................................ 367
Sequence Editor............................................................................ 403
Timeline Editing.................................... ... ...................................... 422
Trim Editor..................................................................................... 440
Special Functions.......................................................................... 448
Editing - Examples and Illustrations.............................................. 453
10
Audio in the Timeline .......................................................................... 474
“Audio” Tracks............................................................................... 474
Synchronicity................................................................................. 474
Volume and Panning..................................................................... 476
Fade-In and Fade-Out................................................................... 476
Output and Monitor ....................................................................... 476
Special Functions................................................................................ 477
Matte Track and Track Matte......................................................... 478
Nesting Sequences (Building a Container) ................................... 482
Fullscreen Display.................................. ... .. .................................. 487
Maximum Inlay Size ...................................................................... 488
Inlay Quality Menu / Inlay Size...................................................... 490
Snapshot....................................................................................... 492
Scalable and Moveable Timecode Display.................................... 493
Multicamera Editing..................................... ... ............................... 494
Chapter 10 Finish ................................................................................................. 509
Effects in Avid Liquid: The Basics....................................................... 511
Guide to Effects: What is Available? ............................................. 511
Effect Basics ................................................................................. 513
Effect Editors (Basics)................................................................... 521
Elements and Functions of the Effect Editors............................... 526
Effect Rendering ........................................................................... 546
Saving Individually Created Effects .............................................. 549
Detailed Description of Classic Effect Editors............................... ... ... 550
Transition Effect Editors: Basics.................................................... 551
2D Editor for Transitions................................................................ 553
Step by Step: Creating a Transition 2D Effect............................... 559
3D Editor for Transitions................................................................ 563
Wipe Editor for Transitions............................................................ 563
Step-by-Step: Creating a Transition Wipe Effect........................... 566
Clip FX 2D Editor .......................................................................... 568
Clip FX 3D-Editor.......................................................................... 569
Clip FX Wipe Editor....................................................................... 583
Color Editor.................................................... ... ... ......................... 585
Keying Editor................................................................................. 588
Filter Editor...................................................................... .............. 600
11
Chapter 11 Realtime FX ....................................................................................... 605
Always Maximum Perfor mance........................................................... 607
Rendering and Realtime..................................................................... 608
When Render, When Realtime?.................................................... 608
Realtime and the Effect Preview ................................................... 609
Render Management of Realtime Software Effects ...................... 611
Optimizing Realtime Preview ........................................................ 612
The Render Viewer....................................................................... 613
Working with Render Files............................................................ 613
Functions and Parameters of the Effect Editors (Non-Classic)........... 614
Brief Overview............................................................................... 614
Setting Effect Parameters ............................................................. 618
Parameter Curv es......................................................................... 620
Additional Options...................................................... ................... 630
Effects and Effect Editors.................................................................... 631
Preliminary Remarks..................................................................... 632
Realtime Clip FX........................................................................... 636
Realtime Transition FX............................... .. ... .............................. 644
PlugIn FX / Hollywood FX............................................................. 647
Additional Realtime Capabilities................................. ... ................ 647
Chapter 12 AFX PlugIns....................................................................................... 649
Common Effect Elements.................................. ............................... .. 651
The Color Map .............................................................................. 651
Description of all AFX PlugIn Effects .................................................. 655
Blur and Sharpen.......................................................................... 656
Channel......................................................................................... 662
Color Correct....................................................................... .......... 662
Distort............................................................................................ 668
Image Control............................ ............................... ..................... 683
Keying ........................................................................................... 686
12
Matte............................................................................................. 696
Noise............................................................................................. 707
Particles ........................................................................................ 710
Stylize............................................................................................ 720
Video............................................................................................. 730
Chapter 13 Special FX.......................................................................................... 733
Timewarps and Color Correction........................................................ 734
Color Correction Editor ....................................................................... 735
Color Correction Editor (Overview)............................................... 736
What is Color?............................................................................... 741
Practical Tips for Using Color Correction...................................... 744
Working with the Vector and Waveform Diagnostic Displays........ 747
Diagnostic Displays (Overview)..................................................... 754
Tools.............................................................................................. 761
Primary Color Correction .............................................................. 762
Six Vector Color Correction.................................. ......................... 774
Selective Color Correction ............................................................ 775
Linear Timewarp....................................... ... ............................... ........ 781
Add Linear Timewarp /Edit Linear Timewarp................................ 782
Linear Timewarp: Realtime Capabilities........................................ 783
Parameters (Overview) ................................................................. 784
Generating a Freeze (Still)............................................................ 787
Timewarp Editor.................................................................................. 788
Opening and Using the Timewarp Editor...................................... 789
Functions of the Timewarp Editor (Overview)............................... 790
Interpretation of the Diagrams and Examples............................... 793
Standard Applications................................................................... 800
Individual Applications................................................................... 804
13
Chapter 14 Audio.................................................................................................. 805
Audio Postproduction and Audio Effects............................................. 806
Basics............................................................................................ 807
Audio Tool ..................................................................................... 819
Audio Monitor......................................................................... .. ..... 823
Audio Editor........................................................ ... ........................ 824
Special Functions.......................................................................... 866
SmartSound: Background Music Made to Measure...................... 880
Audio Effects ............................................................ .. ................... 883
Avid Liquid Plugin Audio Effects (VST) ......................................... 891
Chapter 15 Titler ................................................................................................... 899
Chapter 16 DVD Authoring .................................................................................. 903
Step by Step DVD Authoring............................................................... 906
DVD Menu Wizard .............................................................................. 909
How Does DVD Authoring Work? ....................................................... 910
DVD Authoring: Reference.................................................................. 915
Links Tab....................................................................................... 916
AutoLink Tab ................................................................................. 932
Highlight tab.................................................................................. 935
Templates Tab............................................................................... 943
Master View Tab............................................................................ 944
Preview Tab................................................................................... 944
Options Tab................................................................................... 946
14
Creating and Designing DVD menus .................................................. 947
Creating DVD Menus ............................................... .. ................... 947
DVD Menus on the Timeline ............................................... ... .. ..... 949
Designing Menus with the DVD Menu Editor ................................ 950
Designing Menus with Adobe Photoshop ..................................... 957
Burning a DVD.................................................................................... 959
Chapter 17 Export................................................................................................. 961
Record to Tape.............................................................. .. .................... 963
Record........................................................................................... 965
Stripe Tape.................................................................................... 968
Export to File....................................................................................... 971
General Functions of the Export Dialog Box................................. 972
Export MPEG-1, -2, -4 .................................................................. 976
Export Windows Media ................................................................. 978
Export QuickTime ......................................................................... 978
Fuse.............................................................................................. 979
Export DivX................................................................................... 981
Export RealMedia ......................................................................... 981
Export 3GPP................................................................................. 982
Export AVI..................................................................................... 983
Export Audio Only......................................................................... 984
Export Images and Graphics (TIFF, BMP, TGA,JPEG)................. 984
Burn to Disc ..................................................... ...(VCD, SVCD, DVD) 985
Burn to Disc: General Functions................................................... 986
Burn DVDs/Export Compatible Data............................................. 988
Burn SVCDs/Export Compatible Data .......................................... 989
Burn VCD/Export Compatible Data............................................... 989
Video and Audio Parameters for DVD, VCD and SVCD................ 990
Options .......................................................................................... 994
IPB Settings ........................................ .................................... ... ... 995
Chapter 18 Customize Avid Liquid ................................................................... 1003
User Settings ...................................... .............................................. 1005
Basics and Definition of Terms.................................................... 1005
Managing Property Sets ............................................................. 1007
Customizing Toolbars.................................................................. 1010
Assign Functions to Keyboard..................................................... 1013
15
Modifiers and Keyboard Shortcuts (Defaults)........... ................... 1017
Avid Liquid Control Assigning Keys ............................................ 1021
Glossary.............................. .............................. ... ............................ 1023
Index............................................................. ... .............................. ... 1065
16
Chapter

Introduction

1
Chapter 1 Introduction
This purpose of this introduction is to provide you with an overview of Avid Liquid and familiarize you with existing documentation.
About Avid Liquid page 19
Sources of Information page 20
List of Chapters page 21
18

Preface

Preface
Avid Liquid is the professional solution for professional video editing on a computer. All its functions are specifically adapted to meet the requirements of today’s video editing. Its main focus is on the basics: image, audio and editing. Avid Liquid is operated intuitively. Beginners will quickly produce successful results and professional editors will achieve the highest productivity and precision.
Efficient Project management and extensive storyboarding functions help you develop your ideas. The integrated video and audio viewers allow you to monitor and control active processes (for example, when reading in video material or editing clips). A Timeline as well as effect and audio editors provide you with options for optimally transforming your visions into reality. Moreover, Avid Liquid relies on proven, future-oriented standards, enabling the generated results to be effectively integrated in the latest video production processes.
You can tailor the Avid Liquid user interface to your own particular language, working style and Projects. You can flexibly configure the views, tools and keyboard assignments. You can also save your customized settings and transfer them to other systems.
Users with more sophisticated requirements can take advantage of numerous possibilities for expanding Avid Liquid. If you have any further questions concerning options and expansions for Avid Liquid, contact Avid Tech­nology, Inc. or one of our authorized Avid Technology, Inc. partners.
19
Chapter 1 Introduction

Sources of Information

Product Manual
This separate manual describes hardware and software installation, the connection of system compo­nents and hardware, non-product-specific settings, etc.
Avid Liquid Reference Manual
This manual is available in hardcopy form and as well as Acrobat pdf. It describes all functions of Avid Liquid. It is suitable for learning the basics of operation as well as for looking up specific functions as you need them.
This Reference Manual was written for all products of the Avid Liquid family. Although these products share most of the same functions of Avid Liquid (i.e. the software), they also differ in some respects. Dif­fering passages are clearly marked. Occasionally you may see a function in one of the screenshots (Menu, Checkbox, Tab, etc.) that does not appear in your own software, or you may not see a function that does appear. For reasons of space, we were unable to include all versions of the screenshots in the manual. In case of doubt, the manual text and your own software apply.
New functions and features in a new software version
Please read the “New in Version [X]” (What’s new) document under Windows Start menu > Programs > Avid Liquid > Online Help (or as a PDF file located in the installation directory for Avid Liquid under ..\Help\FS\Frames\Readme\WhatIsNew.pdf).
20
Avid Liquid Help
Help offers you instant access to the information you currently need. It is context-sensitive and includes an interactive table of contents and comprehensive index with a find function. Its other components include the Avid Liquid Online Manual, a glossary and a readme file. See also “The Online Help” on page
29. You can call Help either from the menu bar or by pressing F1.
World Wide Web
Avid Technology, Inc. has set up contact and information options specifically aimed at Avid Liquid users, which you can access via our Web page at www.avid.com. For example, you can retrieve current product information or contact other Avid Liquid users through discussion forums. There is also an overview of current updates, options and trainings that keeps our customers informed of all the latest developments.
Tooltips
All Avid Liquid toolbar buttons have tooltips. These miniature information windows (pop-ups) are dis­played when you rest the mouse pointer on a button for more than one second.

List of Chapter

Introduction
This chapter provides you with an initial introduction to Avid Liquid. It also tells you about sources of information that will help you work with Avid Liquid ( page 17).
Documentation
This chapter familiarizes you with the user interface and Online Help and offers you tips on the effective use of this documentation ( page 25).
Basics
This chapter describes the Avid Liquid user interface and introduces you to the terminology used ( page 33).
Signup
Logging on to the system; working with user names and user profiles, password protection ( page 61).
High Definition Television (HDTV)
This chapter describes everything you need to know about the HDTV and multiformat capabilities of Avid Liquid ( page 71).
List of Chapter
Input
This chapter describes everything you need to know about the raw materials of editing: Digitizing audio/ video (capture); importing graphics, titles, etc. ( page 103).
Data Exchange and Networking
This chapter describes all the functions for exchanging data with other applications, including EDL, ALE, XML, batch/shot lists, XReceive/XSend, etc. It also provides a basic description of a simple Avid Liquid network ( page 175).
Administration
Explains arranging and viewing the material inside a Project; working with Media Files (media manage­ment); creating a rough cut (storyboarding); batch digitizing. page 217
Edit
Editing (cutting) films with sample applications; basics of audio editing; special functions (nesting and consolidating Sequences). page 365
21
Chapter 1 Introduction
Finish
This chapter provides general and introductory information on the effects in Avid Liquid, as well as descriptions of the Classic Effect Editors ( page 509).
Software-Based Realtime Effects
These effects take advantage of the performance capabilities of modern computer systems by using the graphics-card and mainboard processors for the realtime processing of effects. This chapter also contains a description of newer (> V 6.0) effect editors with individual key frames for each parameter ( page 605).
Special Effects
This chapter provides information on Avid Liquid’s powerful color correction functions as well as the Linear and Dynamic Timewarp Editors for smooth, dynamic increase/decrease of video speed ( page 733).
Hardware-Based Realtime Effects
This is a feature of Manual.
Audio
This chapter describes everything you need to know about audio editing in Avid Liquid ( page 805).
Avid Liquid Chrome HD
. For more information, refer to the separate Product
22
Titler
Avid Liquid comes bundled with a title generator, a powerful software for creating roll, crawl and still titles, which can easily be integrated in your Projects ( page 899).
DVD Authoring
Avid Liquid guides you from the importing of material to its editing and authoring and all the way to burning it to DVD. The entire production process is seamlessly coordinated. You can even design the DVD menus in Avid Liquid ( page 903).
Output/Export
How to output on tape an edited film (in Avid Liquid lingo, a Sequence), burn to CD or DVD. exporting various data formats (single images, animation, etc) ( page 961).
List of Chapter
Customize Avid Liquid (User and Site Settings)
How to configure your Avid Liquid workstation and how to create, customize and save your own user profiles ( page 1003).
Glossary and Index
The Appendix contains a comprehensive glossary of video, editing and computer terms, as well as the index ( page 1023).
23
Chapter 1 Introduction
24
Chapter

Documentation

2
Chapter 2 Documentation
This manual for Avid Liquid contains all information available at the time of printing of this manual.
Conventions and Symbols page 27
Comments and Suggestions for Documentation page 28
The Online Help page 29
26

Conventions and Symbols

This section describes the conventions used to identify special texts, such as warnings.
Caution
Calls the reader’s attention to particularly important information, or especially “dangerous” actions, i.e. actions that could lead to a loss of data.
Note
Calls the reader’s attention to important information and practical tips.
Functions of Specific Products
Some of the functions described in the manual apply only to a specific product. The Avid Liquid soft­ware is the basis for a number of products that differ with regard to hardware (such as connection boxes, plug-in cards, etc.). The following format is used to differentiate among functions:
Avid
Liquid
Conventions and Symbols
This paragraph applies only to
If a paragraph with this format does not mention your product specifically, the function does not apply to your product.
Avid Liquid
.
Italics
Terms from the Avid Liquid user interface are written in “italics” when they are part of instructions on how to perform a given function (for example, the Import option in the Rack shortcut menu).
>Click Sequence >
The symbol “>” is used to indicate a string of menus, buttons, etc. that have to be selected to access a given function. For example:
Rack shortcut menu > Picon View > Medium. Meaning: In the Rack shortcut menu, click Picon View. In the pop-up menu that appears, click Medium.
As of Version 6 or later, Avid Liquid comes with a Windows-compatible menu bar.
Menu bar > File > New > Project
27
Chapter 2 Documentation
Keyboard Symbol
Many of the functions in Avid Liquid can be executed by means of keyboard shortcuts.
This symbol identifies a keyboard shortcut. The key names are written in small caps (example:
Mouse Wheel
DEL, SHIFT, CTRL).
If your mouse has a wheel for scrolling, you can also execute some functions using the
mouse wheel; move the Playline, for instance.

Comments and Suggestions for Documentation

If you have any suggestions, requests, corrections or additions relating to the Avid Liquid manuals and help files and would like to share them with us, please contact us at:
liquid.documentation@pinnaclesys.com
Write your message in either English or German and be as precise as possible about the subject of your comments. While we will not be able to respond to your e-mail directly (though it may happen), rest assured that your input is important to us.
28

The Online Help

You can call Help either from the menu bar or by pressing F1.
Title Bar
Tab s
Toolbar
Contents/
Index
Information
Window
The Online Help
Simplified View of the Help Window
29
Chapter 2 Documentation

Title Bar

The title bar is the same as in all Windows windows (see Windows manual).

Tabs in the Help Window

Clicking one of the rear tabs brings to front its corresponding content:
Online Help
The “Online Help” tab contains the table of contents, the index and the contents window for Online Help. Texts within the paragraphs that are marked in blue indicate cross-references.
Online Manual
The Avid Liquid Online Manual reflects the contents of the (hardcopy) Reference Manual. To use the Online Manual, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader (new version included on the Avid Liquid installation CD). Click the tab to start the Acrobat Reader and display the Online Manual.
You will also find the PDF file in your Avid Liquid installation directory under: ..\[ProductName]\Help\FS\Frames\Manual\.
Glossary
The glossary contains general terms and information on video, computer and audio technology as well as termini technici concerning the art of editing.
30
Info
Provides product information on Avid Liquid, including the version, copyright information and trade­marks.
Readme
The readme file contains important information that could not be incorporated in this document (printed manual as well as online help). You should read this file.

Toolbar

The Online Help
Contents/Index
Click the “display table of contents” button to view a list of topics by chapter. Then double-click a chapter or topic to open the particular document. Under “List of Chapter” on page 21 of the Introduction, you will find a brief overview of the contents of each chapter.
Click the “display index” button to view a list of index entries in alphabetical order. In the entry field above the list, enter either the entire word you are searching for or the first few letters. Double-click an index entry to display the particular topic. If you then go back to Content view, you can see where the index topic is situated within the context of the manual.
Previous Topics
The function of the “back” and “forward” buttons depends on what pages or chapters you have already retrieved and the order in which you opened them. The left arrow (“back”) takes you back through the pages you previously viewed.
The right arrow (“forward”) reverses this step. The “forward” button is enabled only if you previously used the “back” button to go back one or more pages.
Previous Document/Next Document
Click the up arrow to view the previous page in the chapter.
Click the down arrow to view the next page in the chapter.
Print
Click the “print” button to print out the help topic currently displayed.
31
Chapter 2 Documentation

Information Window

The information window displays text and illustrations of the help topics. If the topic does not fit in the current window size, scrollbars appear along the margin. Drag the bar downward to advance toward the end of the topic or click the top or bottom arrow.
An arrow button appears in the bottom left-hand corner of each help page. Clicking this arrow returns you to the beginning of the help page.
32
Chapter

Basics

3
Chapter 3 Basics
This chapter features a quick introduction in Avid Liquid: the most important software modules, the most important terms, the general principles behind their operation.
Starting and Exiting Avid Liquid page 35
Menus, dialogs boxes and tool buttons page 36
Tour de Avid Liquid page 41
34

Starting and Exiting

Starting and Exiting
Avid Liquid
Avid Liquid Chrome HD
power user or administrator rights. Otherwise the editing hardware will not be recognized.
Chrome HD
only: In order to launch Avid Liquid, you must log on to Windows with
Starting Avid Liquid
1 Switch on all the peripherals, including the VGA monitor(s), A/V disks, video recorder and A/V
monitor, etc.
2 Start your computer.
3 Start Avid Liquid either via the program shortcut on the Windows desktop or from the Windows
Start menu.
If you want to start Avid Liquid with the traditional interface, go Windows Start menu > Programs > Avid Liquid and select the “Classic” start option. The desktop icon launches the new (V6 or later) inter­face and menu structure.
4 The Avid Liquid interface is displayed in the standard view (first launch). See also “Av id Li qu id
Desktop” on page 43.
When you start Avid Liquid for the first time after installation, the User Login dialog box does not
appear. (See also “Signup” on page 61.) Then, a default Project is opened.
Each time you log on after this, the last Project you worked on is opened automatically. You then
have the option of logging on under a different user name or opening another Project.
Exiting Avid Liquid
In the Avid Liquid menu bar, click File and select Exit Avid Liquid. A dialog box is displayed containing two options:
Select Quit Avid Liquid and click OK. This terminates Avid Liquid.
Select Clear Avid Liquid desktop and log on as different user? and click OK to log on as another
user (“Signup” on page 61).
35
Chapter 3 Basics

Menus, Dialog Boxes and Tool Buttons

This section provides you with an overview of elements frequently used in Avid Liquid.

Menu bar

As of Version 6, a standard Windows menu bar is available along the top of the program window. It con­tains the usual menus, including File, Help and Edit, as well as menus specific to Avid Liquid. See also “Standard Windows Menu Bar” on page 51.

Shortcut Menus

Note: Shortcut menus are always available.
Calling Shortcut Menus
1 Right-click an object or an area to open the corresponding shortcut
menu.
2 Left-click an entry in the shortcut menu to call this function.
36
Sample shortcut menu

Tool Buttons and Toolbars

In Avid Liquid, functions (such as “Play”) are called and executed either via a shortcut menu or via tool buttons. Tool buttons are found in toolbars (appear horizontally or vertically in the interface). Sometimes the button you need may not be included in the toolbar (due to restricted space). Neverthe­less, you can determine for almost each toolbar which buttons it will contain and how these buttons will be arranged. To learn how to do this, see “Customizing Toolbars” on page 1010.
Most of the buttons in Avid Liquid have tooltips, which are miniature information windows containing a brief description of the function. Tooltips are displayed when you rest the mouse pointer on a button for more than one second.
Button & Text Status
For all tool buttons, the following visual clues tell you the tools’ status:
Gray button, no glow highlight: function off, tool not in range to be selected (mouse is not point-
ing at the button).
Gray button with glow highlight: function off, tool in range to be selected (mouse is pointing at
the button). This tells you which tool is currently selected with the mouse and will be enabled when you click the mouse button. Example: moving the mouse across the buttons on a toolbar without clicking or dragging highlights each button as the mouse passes over it.
Menus, Dialog Boxes and Tool Buttons
Yellow button, no glow highlight: function on, tool not in range to be selected (mouse is not
pointing at the icon). Example: Play tool remains yellow while a clip plays.
Yellow button, yellow glow highlight: function on, tool in range to be selected. Example: mouse is
pointing at Play tool while a clip plays.
Normal
Active selected
Selected
Active
Normal
Selected
Button & text status
37
Chapter 3 Basics

Dialog Boxes

Dialog boxes contain information, let you specify functions and select options.
38
Sample dialog box
Menus, Dialog Boxes and Tool Buttons
Typical Elements in Dialog Boxes
Most dialog boxes have a similar layout and contain the following basic elements:
Tabs
Clicking one of the rear tabs brings its content to the front.
Sample tab
Entry Fields
Entry fields allow you to enter text. Click in the entry field and make your entry via the keyboard. Con­firm with
Check Boxes
Click a check box or to select the corresponding option.
Circular check boxes are either-or selections. Several square boxes can be checked at the same time.
Sliders and Knobs
Sliders and knobs allow you to set values or ranges of values. Sliders and knobs can assume various forms depending on the dialog box.
ENTER or use TA B to jump to the next field.
To set a value using a slider or knob, click the corresponding element and drag it to the desired position. You can also enter the values in entry fields via the keyboard.
Drop-Down List Boxes
Some windows have drop-down list boxes. Click the arrow or the visible list entry to open the list. Then select an entry by clicking it.
Sample drop-down list
box
39
Chapter 3 Basics
Buttons in Dialog Boxes
These buttons apply to all settings of a dialog box.
Apply and Close
Click to apply the dialog box settings to the current item and close the dialog box.
Cancel
Click to close the dialog box without applying any changes. This is the same as closing the dialog box from the title bar or the
Restore Initial State
Restores all settings to the state they were in when the dialog box was first opened.
Restore Default State
Resets all changes to the default software settings.
ESC key.
40
Customize Dialog Box
Some dialog boxes can be customized. This button opens the corresponding tool box.

Tour de Avid Liquid

If your are not familiar with Avid Liquid, have a look at the next few pages. We would like to introduce to you some of the most important software modules, viewers and editors.
Tour de Avid Liquid
That’s how Avid Liquid may look on a dual monitor setup
41
Chapter 3 Basics

Inlays

Inlay windows let you have a look at your video (moving or still), titles and graphics, effects to be ren­dered, etc. Even audio is displayed - as wave form. Placed around the inlay windows you find all kinds of functions and displays. The example below (a snapshot taken from the Clip Viewer) shows the position of the Playline and the duration of the clip between the mark-in and mark-out points. See also “Maximum Inlay Size” on page 488 and “Inlay Quality Menu / Inlay Size” on page 490.
Position
Mark-In Mark-Out
Playline
Duration
Sample inlay window (here shown with position bar
and two TC displays)
42

Picons

Picon

Avid Liquid Desktop

The Avid Liquid desktop is the backdrop for all other elements of Avid Liquid, like Picons, for instance. Three things can always be found on the desktop: The Tr as h icon, the taskbar and the Project window.
Otherwise, the Avid Liquid desktop functions much like the Windows desktop (refer to the Windows manual for further information).
Tour de Avid Liquid
All objects in Avid Liquid can also be displayed in Picon view. Picons (picture icons) are still images that help you identify clips. Picon view is ideal, for example, for developing a storyboard.
Picons are found on the Avid Liquid desktop, in the Project window, on the Timeline and in numerous dialog boxes. For more information on Picons, see “Picon View” on page 255 and “Picon Play” on page
302.
The Taskbar
The taskbar appears at the bottom of the desktop.
Taskbar functions
Additional functions (from left):
Error/fps/drop frame Indicator
The “thumbs up” sign tells you that the system started correctly. If a problem occurs, a flashing exclamation mark is displayed that is either yellow, orange or red, depend­ing on the severity of the problem. Left-click the symbol to obtain detailed information on the current problem.
Avid Liquid
The display will indicate the occurrence of dropped frames caused by exceeding the realtime capabilities of the system.
Chrome HD
43
Chapter 3 Basics
Right-click the symbol to display a shortcut menu with the following options:
Show latest line of error log -
Opens a text box in the taskbar displaying the latest message.
Show error log -
Opens the list box with all the lines.
Reset error indicator -
Deletes all lines.
Show system info -
Displays system info (same as Control Panel > Site > System Settings > System Info).
Show current playback speed -
During Timeline playback, indicates the current number of frames per second (fps; stadard PAL: 25 fps, standard NTSC: 30 fps). Its main purpose is to allow you to check computer performance for realtime software effects.
Show minimum playback speed -
Indicates the lowest fps value reached.
Reset speed indicator -
resets speed to default fps
Reset speed indicator always at start playback -
As soon as the Time line is replayed, resets the last fps information identified.
44
Render Viewer
The icon (Σ, the Greek letter Sigma) represents the Render Viewer window. “Rendering” means the com- putation of effects. Click the Σ icon to open the Render Viewer window, where you can monitor the ren-
dering process, and start and stop rendering. (See also “Effect Rendering” on page 546.)
The horizontal bar next to the window shows the rendering progress.
Once the rendering process begins, the Sigma icon is replaced by a miniature of the image, provided you have not disabled this function in the shortcut menu (right click). You can also use this menu to hide the progress bar and stop the rendering process.
Key Caps
Click this icon to open the Key Caps window. For any software module, this window provides you with a quick reference showing the functions assigned to the keys of the computer keyboard. Refer to “Assign Functions to Keyboard” on page 1013 for information on how you can change these assignments.
Tour de Avid Liquid
Select Video Output (LIVE Output)
Depending on the connected hardware (e.g.
Avid Liquid
Pro Box), you can select various analog video outputs here. The option Liquid > IEEE 1394 activates output via the DV interface (useful if you have a TV monitor connected to your camcorder). Note that realtime effects can be previewed only via an analog output and in the Master Viewer’s video inlay. Direct output of HD/HDV to an NTSC/PAL monitor, as well as to an HD monitor, is possible for
Avid Liquid Chrome HD
with a suitable breakout box (refer to the Product Manual).
VGA Second ary Monitor routes video output to the secondary computer monitor (available only with suitable dual-monitor graphics cards).
Audio Tool
Click this icon to open the Audio Tool, which you can use to control outgoing levels. The adjacent rows of squares serve as an auxiliary level. The two uppermost segments in particular are displayed in red to warn of an overload. For related information, refer to “Au di o Too l ” on page 819.
Digital or analog audio scrub: Right-click two modes, then enable scrub by pressing the
on the icon to open a shortcut menu. Select either one of the
SCROLLLOCK key on your keyboard: In the icon an A or D
indicates active scrub mode, and the type. For further information on this subject see “Au d io S cr ubb ing - D ig i t al o r An alo g” on page 816.
View Switcher
To access several views for the Avid Liquid interface, click the View Switcher (eye icon) and select an available desktop view (“Desktop Views” on page 46).
In a dual monitor setup, we suggest to select a desktop view that positions the Source and Master Viewers on the left monitor (“primary”)
: viewers on the right may cause dropped frames when playing back
video.
Avid Liquid
Blue
Audio Monitor
Click this icon to open the Audio Monitor, which you can use to monitor and control signals of the analog output. For more information, see “A ud io Mo ni to r” on page 823.
45
Chapter 3 Basics
InterCom
Click this icon to open a dialog box that can be used by members of a workgroup to exchange informa­tion. When a message is received, this icon is replaced by a flashing reddish-orange telephone icon ( page 207).
Avid Liquid
(For
Desktop Views
The Avid Liquid desktop is able to display several windows at once, and you can configure them on the desktop in different ways. The current configuration of windows visible on the desktop is called a “view.” The View Switcher (eye icon) on the taskbar opens a shortcut menu that sets the current view on the VGA monitor.
You can arrange icons such as those for the Tra s h and for Racks via the desktop shortcut menu.
Single VGA Mode
To change the arrangement of windows on the desktop:
1 Click the View Switcher icon at the right end of the taskbar to display the selection menu.
2 Click the particular view that you want.
You have now selected the view and the desktop is arranged accordingly.
, available only with the Broadcast option).
46
or
1 Drag an object that you want to edit in another module to the View Switcher icon, keeping the
mouse button depressed. The selection menu is displayed.
2 Now drag the object to the particular view that you want and rest it on this view for a few
moments. The view changes and you can now continue working with the object.
Views (One Monitor)
Tour de Avid Liquid
- Timeline only
- Sequence Editor above, Project window below
- Project window above, Timel ine below
- Project window only
- Sequence Editor above, Timeline below
- Single Monitor View (Project window, Source/Master Viewer and Time line)
The most common views are “Project window only” for developing Projects and “Project window above, Time line below” or “Sequence Editor above, Timeline below” for the actual editing.
47
Chapter 3 Basics
Using the Project Browser
The Project Browser proves especially useful when working on a single monitor system. When active, the Project Browser takes up some space of the Timeline.
Rack/
folder area
Content area
Show/hide rack/
folder area
Views
Project shortcut menu
Project Browser
The Project Browser is a miniature Project window. Use the this tool button to call up the browser. If you do not find the button on the Timelin e tool bar, retrieve it from the corresponding tool box (see “Custo- mizing Toolbars” on page 1010). To close the Project Browser, click the tool button again.
48
Change size and positions of browser -
The boundaries between Timeline and Project Browser as well as between content area and Rack/ Folder area can be moved. Place the mouse on the separating line and drag it to the desired posi-
tion (see arrows in screen shot above). You may also change the positions of content area and Rack/Folder area. Right-click on the sepa­rating line between the areas and select a combination. Relative preserves the relative size of both areas when dragging bigger or smaller. To m ove th e Project Browser to, say, top of the Timelin e, right-click the separating line between browser and Timeline Headers and select an option from the shortcut menu.
Tour de Avid Liquid
Show/Hide Rack Tree -
Click here to either show or hide the rack/folder area, depending on the current view.
Toggle tabs -
Click to toggle available Project tabs.
Switch Project -
In case you need material from a Project other than the current, it is possible to switch Projects. The current Sequence remains on the Timelin e. To do s o, r ig ht - cl i ck worked on (same list as in the Open/Create Project submenu). Click the Project’s name to select it. If you need a different Project, you will first have to open and close it the conventional way in order to get it on the most recent list.
More information on “The Project Browser” on page 230.
the Show/Hide Rack Tree button. You get a list of the most recent Projects you
Dual VGA Mode
To change the arrangement of windows on the desktop:
1 Click the View Switcher icon at the right end of the taskbar to display the selection menu.
2 Click the particular view that you want.
You have now selected the view and the desktop is arranged accordingly.
In a dual monitor setup, we suggest to select a desktop view that positions the Source and Master Viewers on the left or primary monitor: Viewers on the right may cause dropped frames when playing back video.
49
Chapter 3 Basics
Views (Two Monitors)
- The Timelin e appears on both monitors
- The Project window appears on both monitors
- Left monitor: Sequence Editor above, Project window below.
- Right monitor: Timeline occupies entire monitor
- Left monitor: Sequence Editor above
- Right monitor: Project window above, Timeline occupies bottom of both monitors
50
- Left monitor: Sequence Editor above, Timeline below
- Right monitor: Project window occupies entire monitor
- Left monitor: Project window occupies entire monitor
- Right monitor: Sequence Editor above, Timeline below
Tour de Avid Liquid
Standard Windows Menu Bar
The menu bar is located along the top of the program window. You can use the usual Windows buttons in the top right-hand corner to minimize or maximize the program window, but not to scale it to a particu­lar size.
Most of the menu commands can also be accessed in other ways. For example, it is also possible
to open the Logging Tool for capturing video and audio by clicking a tool button or pressing a function key. Other commands can be selected from the specific shortcut menus.
For some commands, you must first select a Rack or several clips in order to indicate where you
want to apply the function. For example, if you want to import a clip, first select the Rack to which you want to import it.
You’ll notice that the background of certain windows starts to flash (light-gray – dark-gray). This
means that the subsequent action will be applied to this particular area. This is especially helpful when, for instance, you have opened or selected multiple Racks.
Moreover, the contents of a menu can change depending on which area is currently activated.
Thus, for example, the Project menu is much shorter when you're working in the Project window on the Library tab.
51
Chapter 3 Basics
The Trash
To r emo ve ite ms f r om Racks, or shortcuts from the desktop, you can drag them to Tr a s h . The can expands to indicate that there are items in it. The Tra s h tooltip, which appears when the mouse pointer rests on the icon for more than one second, indicates the number of items in Tr a s h .
Right-click Tr a s h to access its shortcut menu.
Open -
opens a window that displays Tr a s h contents. You can drag items from the Tr a s h window to the Project window to restore them. Dragging an item from the Tra s h window to the desktop creates a shortcut to the item, but you cannot access the target object unless it also exists in the Project win­dow.
Empty Trash -
removes the items in Tr a s h from the Project. Note that this does not delete the media, effect, etc. files on the hard drive, it just removes them from the Project.
Clean Up Project -
The complete undo history of the current Project including all deleted objects will be erased. This function should be used to minimize the size of a Project file, for example in the case of having finished a program.
Delete Render Files Of Project -
See “Deleting Render Files” on page 360.
Diagnose Project -
see “Diagnose Project” on page 236
Paste -
puts the clipboard contents (an object you copied or cut from its original location) in Tr a s h . This is the same as using the Tr a s h button or the Delete key, or selecting Delete in the shortcut menu.
Right-click in the Tr a s h window to select a Detail or Picon view of its contents.
52

The Project Window

In this window, you can administer all the items needed for editing with Avid Liquid. The Project win­dow displays all the elements for the currently open Project, including audio and video clips, effects, graphics, etc. Similar in design and function to the Windows Explorer, the Project window uses a hierar­chy of folders that you can customize to suit the Project and your own preferences.
The tree area on the left is used for creating and selecting folders and subfolders (called Racks). The con­tent area on the right is used for organizing and viewing objects.
For more information on administration, see “The Project” on page 220.
Tour de Avid Liquid
Quick Finder
Rack/folder (tree) area
ToolsTabs
Project window
Rack menu icon
Content area
53
Chapter 3 Basics
s

The Timeline

The Timel ine is the workspace in which you compile a film (in Avid Liquid known as Sequence) from the individual objects in the Project. Objects are placed on Timeline Tra c k s . You can select the number and size of the Tra c k s . Other elements used with the Ti melin e include the toolbar, Playline, Timecode Display and Timecode Bar.
For more information on the Timeline and on editing video, see “Timeline Layout” on page 368.
Tracks
Timecode display Scroll bar
Zoom controller
ToolbarPlayline
Clips
Timecode bar
Timeline window
54

The Sequence Editor

The Sequence Editor combines the Source Viewer, Master Viewer and the Timeline. The Source Viewer (“player”) displays the clip that you want to edit. The Master Viewer (“recorder”) lets you play the Sequence located on the Timeline.
For more information, see “Sequence Editor” on page 403.
Source Viewer
Tour de Avid Liquid
Sequence Editor
Master Viewer
Sequence Editor and Timeline
55
Chapter 3 Basics

The Logging Tool

Before you can edit a video in Avid Liquid, the corresponding raw material must be available on your computer or within in the network. The Logging Tool lets you transfer the video data to your hard disk (mostly from a tape). Plus, you can control incoming audio and name clips, and apply a primary real­time color correction (
For information on working with the Logging Tool, see the chapter “Input” on page 103.
Avid Liquid Blue
only).
56
Logging Too

The Effect Editors

With the Effect Editors, you can create Transitions and clip effects (FX).
Tour de Avid Liquid
Tabs
Acceleration curve
Playline position
FX duration
Video inlayToolbar
Sample (Classic) Effect Editor
Toggle incoming/
outgoing
Close
editor
ToolbarPosition bar
57
Chapter 3 Basics

The Audio Editor

Most of the work that you do with audio material requires the Audio Editor. In the standard view, the Audio Editor replaces the Source Viewer above the Timeline and starts with the Mixer tab in front. The
second tab contains Output Mapping. It allows you to mix audio signals in subgroups and distribute them to the available outputs.
See “Aud io Ed it or ” on page 824.
Fader units
58
Audio Editor

The Trim Editor

With the Tr i m E ditor, you can optimally coordinate movement in the image for editing purposes and precisely trim transitions between individual cuts. The two inlays show you the frames before and after the edit point. You can check the edit in Preview mode. The Slip Clip function allows you to trim the mark-in and mark-out simultaneously.
See also “Trim Editor” on page 440.
Tour de Avid Liquid
Duration of outgoing clip
Outgoing clip
Edit point on the Timeline
Toolbar
TC +/- of trimmed clips
Select trim points
Duration of incoming clip
Incoming clip
Shortcut menu
59
Chapter 3 Basics
60
Chapter

Signup

4
Chapter 4 Signup
You do not necessarily have to log on to Avid Liquid in order to work with the system, but doing so offers certain advantages, especially when several users are working on the same system. If you log on under a specific user name,
- The last Project edited under this name is opened with exactly the same status that it had when it was last exited.
- The Avid Liquid user interface is configured with the customized settings for this user (toolbars, key­board assignment, etc.).
- If applicable, you are prompted to enter a password that protects the settings against unauthorized accesses.
All your individual settings (User Profile) can be saved on a diskette and used on any system running under Avid Liquid, thus providing you with a portable, personalized working environment.
If the User Login dialog box does not appear on the system you are working on (because the software is being launched for the first time or the dialog box was not used by previous users), exit Avid Liquid by selecting File > Exit Avid Liquid >... log on as a different user. This will activate the login procedure. If you do not need the User Log in dialog box, select Cancel or press
Logging on as an existing user page 63
New user/initial login page 64
Loading a user profile page 65
ESC to bypass it.
62
User Details page 66
Æ Comment page 66
Æ Password protection page 67
Removing a user page 68
Save user page 69

Logging on As an Existing User

If other users are already registered on the system, the User Login dialog box will contain a list of names. Select the appropriate name and click OK.
On initial installation of Avid Liquid in a directory where no previous installations exists, only one Default User setting is being created instead of the usual six predefined User Settings you may know from earlier versions (see figure). You can, however, save any existing User Settings on a disk and import them into the new installation. Also, if Avid Liquid is installed on top of an older version, the old settings remain accessible. In the case of a “true” initial installation, only the one Default User and three special sets are created for users of Pinnacle Studio, Adobe Premiere and AVID editing programs:
For upgraders from Adobe Premiere and Pinnacle Studio
Users upgrading from Premiere or Studio to Avid Liquid can select special keyboard and toolbar assign­ments. Thus, the commands are available via the usual keys, and the software user interface offers a reduced set of the most important commands.
Logging on As an Existing User
User Login
63
Chapter 4 Signup

New User/Initial Login

1 In the User Log in dialog box, select New User to create a new user.
2 Then enter a name and select a user profile from the list; you can select either:
Default - Basic software setting
or
If any are present, another registered user or a sample user (basic, etc.) with his or her customized
settings. In other words, you can either work with the settings of another user or use these set­tings as a basis for defining your own settings.
3 Click OK.
64
New User/Load User Profile

Load User Profile

If you have been working on a different Avid Liquid system, you can load your own individual settings here.
In the dialog box, enter the source of this file (such as a diskette) and then open the file. The user name appears in the list and you can now select it.
For information on saving User Profiles, refer to “Save User” on page 69.
Load User Profile
65
Chapter 4 Signup

User Details

You can set up a new user by clicking User Details in either the User Login or New User dialog box. The User Details dialog box lets you add or change the password and comments for a user.
Comments
This option is intended not so much for biographical information as for a description of the user profile; you can configure your own aliases and optimize them for special applications (for example, “Audio Use r”) .
User Details
66
Passwords
Avid Liquid permits you to use a password to protect registered user settings against unauthorized access.
Note that a password does not protect a Project against access; it protects a user profile. If you wish to protect the overall system, use a Windows password (see the Windows manual).
Adding/Changing Passwords
In the Us er Detail s dialog box, click Password Protection to enable it. This opens the Change Password dia­log box. Type the password in the New Password box, then type it again in the Confirm Password box.
Click OK to close the dialog box and assign the password to the user.
User Details
Change Password
Removing Passwords
In the User Details dialog box, a check mark in the Password Protection item indicates that the user name is protected. To remove the password protection, click Password Protection. Avid Liquid prompts you to enter the existing password to remove the protection.
67
Chapter 4 Signup

Remove User

The User Selection box also lets you remove users. Select the user to be removed in the Registered Users list, then click Remove User. If the user has password protection, enter the password to delete the user name from the list. Avid Liquid prompts you to confirm before removing the user from the list.
68

Save User

To save the settings of a specific user, use this function. For example, you can save the settings on floppy disk so that you can use them on a different system; see also “Load User Profile” on page 65).
1 Select a User from the list and click this button. In the dialog box that appears...
2 ... specify where you want the data to be saved.
The following configurations are saved:
To o l b a r s
Object Properties dialog box settings
Property sets saved under Control Panel > User tab
Layout of software interface (desktop)
Project templates and Timeline templates cannot be saved together with a User Profile. However, with a suitable storage medium, you can transfer Timeline and/or Project templates in the Avid Liquid folder, from one system to another.
Save User
69
Chapter 4 Signup
70
Chapter

High Definition

5
Chapter 5 High Definition
This chapter describes the HD capabilities of Avid Liquid.
Basics of high definition TV page 73
Better image, better sound: The TV of the future
High definition in Avid Liquid page 82
Æ HD-compatible products under Avid Liquid page 84
Æ HD workflow: Adapting settings page 83
Æ Timecode systems page 84
Æ Multiformat in Projects and on the Timeline page 85
Æ Quality ranks page 90
High definition at the input page 92
Æ HDV capture in the Logging Tool/EZ Capture page 92
Æ HDV batch capture page 94
Æ Capturing other MPEG2 video formats (MicroMV, D-VHS) page 94
Æ HD capture with
Æ Importing HD media files page 96
Avid Liquid Chrome HD
page 95
72
High definition on the timeline page 97
Æ Editing HD clips page 97
Æ HD and effects page 97
Æ HD monitoring page 98
Æ Combining SD and HD clips page 99
High definition at the output page 100
Æ Record to tape page 100
Æ Output as MPEG2 (tape and DVD) page 102
Æ Exporting to Windows Media HD page 102
In the field of HD and HDV, things are currently developing very rapidly. Due to its production cycles, this manual is unable to react to all these developments. For the latest information, be sure to read the ReadMe file that came with your software version.
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