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:

Player Settings

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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

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)  SDI  SDTI  SDTI 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.

 Analog  AES/EBU  SDI  SDTI

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

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).

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.

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

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

Restore Initial State - Click this button to restore the settings that were activated when you first opened the item.

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.

 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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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.

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

Chapter Site Settings

Index Site Settings

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

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

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

CVBS

Video Input (Connections) 16 Video Output (Player Settings) 12

Destination Volume

Rendering (System Settings) 18

Digital Audio

Player Settings 11

Embedded (Audio) 15

DV Output format (System

Settings) 20

D-VHS 20

Edit Delay 10 Effect

Render Quality 23

Effect Editors

Properties 23

Effect Settings

Advanced 24

Encoding delay 10

HDV (Output) 20 Hold Off (Rendering, System

Settings) 18

IEEE 1394

Audio Input 16 Interface (Connections) 15

Image Cache Size (Render

Options) 24

Inputs

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,

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

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.

Trademarks

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.

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modifiers and Keyboard Shortcuts (Defaults)........... ................... 1017

Avid Liquid Control Assigning Keys ............................................ 1021

Glossary.............................. .............................. ... ............................ 1023

Index............................................................. ... .............................. ... 1065

Chapter

Introduction

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

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.

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).

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

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

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).

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter

Documentation

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Click the “print” button to print out the help topic currently displayed.

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.

Chapter

Basics

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

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).

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.

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

Chapter 3 Basics

Dialog Boxes

Dialog boxes contain information, let you specify functions and select options.

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

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.

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

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)

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

 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.

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

- 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.

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.

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

Chapter 3 Basics

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

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

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).

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

editor

ToolbarPosition bar

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

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.

Signup

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.

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

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

 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Chapter 4 Signup

Chapter

High Definition

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

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.

Pinnacle Systems Liquid - 7.0 Site Settings

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Site Settings

Player Settings

How to Change Parameters

Settings Tab

Assign and Configure Devices

Live Input (Virtual Live Player)

i.Link DV Devices (IEEE 1394)

Generic Betacam Driver (Controlled via RS 422)

Connections Tab

Communication Port

Video Inputs

Audio Inputs

Video Output

Audio Output

System Settings

Changing Parameters

General Tab

General

Video Display

Rendering

Inputs/Outputs Tab

FX Editors Settings

Render Quality Tab

Preview Quality Tab

System Tab

Advanced Settings

Plug-In Settings

Index Site Settings

Copyright and Protective Rights

Trademarks

Contents

Introduction

Preface

Sources of Information

List of Chapter

Documentation

Conventions and Symbols

Comments and Suggestions for Documentation

The Online Help

Title Bar

Tabs in the Help Window

Toolbar

Information Window

Basics

Starting and Exiting

Menus, Dialog Boxes and Tool Buttons

Menu bar

Shortcut Menus

Tool Buttons and Toolbars

Dialog Boxes

Typical Elements in Dialog Boxes

Buttons in Dialog Boxes

Tour de Avid Liquid

Inlays

Picons

Avid Liquid Desktop

The Taskbar

The Project Window

The Timeline

The Sequence Editor

The Logging Tool

The Effect Editors

The Audio Editor

The Trim Editor

Signup

Logging on As an Existing User

New User/Initial Login

Load User Profile

User Details

Remove User

Save User

High Definition