Avid Liquid

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Avid Liquid is a SD and HD video editing platform from Avid Technologies for Windows. It offers integrated DVD authoring, surround-sound audio processing, and finishing in one application. The family of Avid Liquid products offers a range of fully integrated hardware options for high-quality performance. Formerly known as Pinnacle Liquid & Liquid EDition it was part of Pinnacle System’s product line. Pinnacle was acquired by Avid in late 2005.

Liquid hit the headlines in 2004 as the first non-linear editing software to support high definition and HDV video formats. Since then, Avid has re-released Liquid with version 7 as the first version under the Avid brand name. Recently it has been updated to v7.2.

Avid Liquid is still in the process of being adopted into the Avid tree and as a result Avid is not heavily promoting the product until it can be fully integrated with their NLE platform. Liquid is often dismissed among seasoned editors as it was not adequately marketed by FAST Multimedia (original creator), nor Pinnacle Systems.

Features

Some of the key features of Avid Liquid:

  • AutoSave

There is no save command in Avid Liquid, as it automatically saves open files every 1.3 seconds.

  • On the timeline DVD authoring

This saves time and offers flexible interactive menu editing right on the timeline.

  • Native HD and HDV editing

Liquid Supports all current known High-Definition formats, and is field upgradeable, as liquid is frame-independent software. However, HDV acquired at 29.97 will not digitize via Firewire from an HDV deck -- only 59.94.

  • GPU real-time effects

GPU effects take advantage of the graphics processor(s) off the computer’s video card to render effects in real time. This takes the load off the computers central processing unit, but means a good graphics card is needed. However, any still image files beyond an undefined size and/or resolution will not appear in the viewer nor render on the timeline. Its image editing capability, despite its ability to work with file dimensions larger than the editing canvas, is largely unusable in practical terms.

  • Multicam Editing

This feature, present in most professional video editors, allows realtime editing between up to sixteen different cameras by simply clicking on the view desired.'''

  • Surround Sound editor

Liquid supports up to 18 surround audio channels in the surround editor, so an entire audio mix can be made within the application. Remember, the number of audio tracks on the timeline is limitless.

  • Advanced effect editors

Every aspect of any effect in Liquid is user configurable and keyframeable.

  • Background rendering

Liquid background renders everything it needs to without the user noticing, however the system's playback capabilities are substantially hampered enough so that the user is inclined to wait for the background rendering to complete before continuing. Liquid tightly integrates advanced render farm and render accelerating hardware compatibility.

  • Advanced color correction

While not up to par with other Avid color enhancement, liquid does a good job with primary, and secondary color correction.

  • Proxy & XDCAM, XDCAM HD compatibility

Liquid is currently the only application to directly integrate, and support XDCAM proxy files and metadata. Footage can be logged in proxy format in short periods of time and offline editing can begin. As the user edits, Liquid will automatically up the footage to its original format, or, the user can manually select which clips to be up-converted. Migrating from Avid MC or Apple FCP:

Avid Media composer users will notice the absence of commonly used tools such as the Slip tool as a dedicated button, Replace Edit and overwrite editing that retains adjacent dissolves or transitions. All transitions are deleted as you trim on the timeline. The 2D effects palate has a more functional keyframing interface, though keyframing is set as a default so that manipulating an image affects only the keyframe value of the frame you are parked upon, not the image globally, unless you manually uncheck the keyframing option. The text editor has many useful functions and options, but the text selection process requires a great deal user actions to properly select the desired text, and the modifications do not take effect unless the frame is saved. The export process requires that the user go through the same dialog sequence every time rather than memorizing the previous target destination, nor is there a definable preset option for frequently used export functions. The import process has an unknown threshold for the number of items it can accept at once without causing an error message requiring the user to perform multiple import passes. Failure to monitor this limit will result in an error requiring the user to audit those images or files that had been accepted against those remaining. The import dialog does not provide a thumbnail view of target files. The digitize function performs well, however if the user changes certain metadata in the Rack after capture, the media associated with the digitized clips will sometimes vanish from the media drive without warning. Changing a Reel ID requires completely deleting the Reel ID, saving, then re-entering the new Reel ID. It is not modifiable directly. Failure to perform this task in this way will result in the new Reel ID text incomprehensibly being strung after the old Reel ID. There is no media copy function within the Rack functions so that digitized media captured to the wrong drive can be consolidated to the correct drive. Some of the drag & drop effects create unresolvable rendering problems, such as the Reverse effect which will not render in combination with another clip and transition. There are often unresolvable "red line" render media issues which cannot be corrected without changing the parameters of the effect or the clip being used. Modifying a speed/timewarp effect results in incorrect media interpretation and problems with transitions, and trimming clips with a speed/timewarp effect causes the entire clip's media to require re-rendering. Avid generated color files, such as a solid white or black frame, will not render properly when combined with a visual timecode effect causing a complete dropout of video in the timeline area. Mark Clip function does not work with "blank" areas of the timeline. User defined keyboard settings do not work unless the user quits the application and then restarts. Whenever the application crashes, it creates a new blank sequence in a rack named "Sequences" whether it is desired or not. Racks are not individually customizable for column view. A customized column view will affect all racks globally. Performing an Undo also incorrectly changes the timeline tracks that were active when the original edit was performed requiring a manual correction of the selected tracks. A "ripple delete" cannot be performed unless the entire editing interface is toggled to "Film Mode" requiring the user to perform extra executions for simple lift or extract functions. Copying a transition from one clip to another requires a difficult process of CTL + drag execution where the software will often refuse to move the cursor to the desired target area, nor will it give you the ability to "snap" to a start, end or center the transition. This requires an additional manual modification of the transition effect.

Apple Final Cut Pro users will notice the absence of the ability to double-click on a clip and edit all of its parameters directly in the Viewer. Clips can be dragged directly from the Rack to the timeline, but without the pop-up dialog offering the various editing styles such as Insert, Overwrite, Fit-to-Fill, etc.

Supported File Formats (7.2)

Video File Formats

  • .dif,*.dv,*.dvsd (DV, DVC & variants)
  • .m2v (MPEG2 I-frame)
  • .yuv,*.2yuv (uncompressed, SD and HD)
  • .avi
  • .mov (QuickTime)
  • .dvd (Sony specific DV)
  • .mxf (AV and metadata conforming to the MXF Exchange Format;MXF is not exclusively a video format, contains meta data as well and can even be AV multiplex)
  • .wmv (Windows Media Video)
  • .mpeg,*.mpg,*.m1v,*.vob,*.ts,*.tsp,*.m2t,*.mp2,*.mp4,*.m4v (MPEG1/2/4 files)
  • .dvr-ms (Windows Media Center recorded TV)
  • .asf (Advanced Streaming Format)
  • .3gp,*.3g2 (video for cell phones)
  • .dtl (background graphics for Title Deko menu)
  • .alp (video alpha plane)

Audio File Formats

  • .wav (PCM uncompressed)
  • .mpa,*.mp3 (MPEG-1 Layer 2 Audio)
  • .m4a (MPEG-4-Audio)
  • .wma (Windows Media Audio)
  • .ac3

Graphics (Image) File Formats

  • .bmp
  • .png
  • .tga
  • .tif (Note: except TIFF lzw-compressed)
  • .pcd
  • .psd
  • .pcx
  • .bsi
  • .jpg
  • .wmf
  • .tdk (TitleDeko)

Interface

Avid Liquid has a unique interface, but is not as flexible as its competitors. Included with version 6.x and 7.x are two user interfaces: classic, and standard. The classic interface is much like the original interface, while the standard interface is a new addition that started in version 6. The original is much like working in an operating system rather than an application. It has its own start button in the bottom left corner and a menu bar at the bottom of the screen – much like Microsoft Windows. In the classic view, there is no toolbar at the top of the screen. The classic view was very hard to understand and learn, and as a result the ‘standard’ view was developed.

Liquid has six main panels: the desktop, where all the media and bins are located; the toolbar, where most command buttons are located; the timeline, where footage is put together to form a finished film; the source viewer, where individual clips can be viewed; the preview, where the timeline can be played back; and editors, where effects, capturing, and any other advanced tasks take place.

Desktop

The desktop in Avid Liquid is a lot like the desktop in Microsoft Windows. Clips are represented by icons, and folders, also known as bins, can be created. When media is digitized or imported it appears on the desktop in a bin selected by the user. The file browser is located on the desktop.

Toolbar

Most command buttons are located on the toolbar.

Timeline

The timeline is where most of the action occurs. Footage is put together in the timeline to form a finished film.

Source Viewer

The source viewer is a very important inlay (a video preview window). Individual clips or storyboards created on the desktop can be previewed in this window. In addition, in and out as well as hold markers can be placed on clips.

Preview

The preview window is where the timeline is played back.

Editors

The editors are where effects, capturing, and other advanced tasks take place.

Versions

The Liquid Pro Hardware is not necessary but is considered a valuable addition to the software. Most editors dismiss the Liquid Pro Hardware due to its lack of professional I/O.

Avid Liquid

Avid Liquid is a software-only version of Liquid, with no additional hardware. This package is an option for users who do not need further input or output capability, either because their existing hardware provides I/O capability or because their input or output will be handled along a network. This would also be suitable for those whose input or output is to CD, DVD or other removable media.

Avid Liquid Pro

The primary difference between Avid Liquid and Avid Liquid Pro is in the hardware provided: Avid Liquid includes no additional hardware. Avid Liquid Pro includes the software plus a basic break-out box (a break-out box is an interfacing tool which provides jacks into which various audio and video inputs and outputs may be plugged).

Commercial Versions

Avid Liquid Chrome HD combine's the Liquid software with SDI hardware. The Avid Liquid Chrome HD family offers a range of solutions that can handle almost any I/O format or codec and then author to a wide range of output formats, including standard- or high-definition tape, DVD, or Web.

See the Avid Liquid Chrome article for more information.

Fact - Currently the BBC holds 12 Liquid Chrome editing seats

History of Liquid

In 1995 FAST Multimedia began development on a new Editing system named "Blue". The success of their previous editing system "Video Machine" encouraged FAST to continue with the product. Video Machine was a Linear and Non Linear hybrid editor, meaning, it worked in both Linear and Non Linear modes.

As time passed, the development of Blue progressed slowly. At the time (1998) FAST produced a board set and software for Sony called ES-3. The Blue developers noted how much power the board sets added, and later that same year, FAST released their own MPEG2 editor by the name of 601. The 601 sold well, but as its client base grew in the US, BOSE speakers noted they had a speaker product by the name 601. Production stopped while FAST came up with a better name. The decision was then made to name the MPEG-2 success "Silver". Pinnacle (licenced by FAST) began selling turnkey systems in the United States. Turnkey units were standard computers with the board set and software pre-integrated. Later in and around 2000, FAST released several advanced options for Silver. One of the most notable being the .InTime and .DV boards to enable accelerated rendering & support for DV, a relatively new format. Later in 2000, a DV Native product called "Purple" which began shipping in August of 2000.

At the 2001 NAB, Pinnacle introduced two more products, Ivory and FSDV3. Ivory was a hardware based Uncompressed only editor while FSDV3 was a "consumer" entry level Editing software. It was very similar to Purple but FSDV3 had no support for many features such as .InTime and .Control.

All of this development put a burden on FAST Multimedia financially. In September 2001 Pinnacle Systems announced they were purchasing certain assets and intellectual property of FAST Multimedia. By October of 2001 Blue, Silver, and Purple were integrated permanently into the Pinnacle family of products. Ivory and FSDV3 were discontinued immediately. For around 6 months pinnacle retooled FSDV3 and renamed the product "Pinnacle Edition." In May 2003, a new product was born – "Liquid Chrome". Liquid Chrome was based on Targa 3000 software with the "Liquid" interface.

In September 2003, the decision was made that Purple was no longer needed and discontinued from the Liquid product line. Around that time "Pinnacle Edition" would be re-named "Liquid Edition" so as not to sound as a misfit among the rest of the product line. In the year 2003 Liquid consisted of 5 flavors:

Liquid Blue: "Every Format In - Any Out" Blue is capable of mixing and matching formats native in the timeline and is targeted at the Broadcast level market. Large customers include: CNN and MTV (Europe)

Liquid Chrome: A true real time system capable of mixing uncompressed, MPEG2, and DV on the timeline natively. It is also capable of providing up to 4 streams of Uncompressed footage with R/T graphics. No rendering.

Liquid Silver: MPEG2 and Uncompressed - One of the best value editors around.

Liquid Edition Pro: Entry level editing software into the Professional market. It contains the same interface as all of the other "colors". This means that, if you learn on Liquid Edition today, tomorrow you could walk into CNN, sit down, and use Blue just as easily as you did Edition. The same software as Liquid Edition below, but with an ATI Radeon 8500 graphic card with analog capable Breakout Box. The last version of Liquid Edition software that fully supports the original ATI Radeon 8500 graphic card is Liquid Edition version 5.62. Starting from version 6.0, Liquid Edition Pro utilizes an external USB2 Breakout Box for video input and output. The ATI Radeon 8500 graphic card can still be used for capturing analog video on version 6.0, but it is restricted to a single video stream output and will not necessarily allow realtime output with 25/30 fps in all cases.

Liquid Edition DV500: Entry level editing software into the Professional market. Liquid Edition DV500 software has all the functions that Liquid Edition software has, but it has no GPU realtime effects and is bundled with a Pinnacle DV500 (Callisto) PCI card with input and output for analog video. Liquid Edition DV500 software is written specifically for Pinnacle DV500 (Callisto) PCI card, Pinnacle Pro-ONE PCI card and Pinnacle Studio Deluxe (Callisto) PCI card. The last Liquid Edition DV500 software is version 5.51, and this product is not as widely available as Liquid Edition Pro.

Liquid Edition: The same as Liquid Edition Pro except no hardware is provided.

Shortly after, Pinnacle slowed production of Liquid Silver, and Liquid Blue, offering them only to broadcast companies. Soon after, in early 2004 they were discontinued indefinitely. Liquid hit the headlines in late 2004 as the first editing software to support HDV, a new Long GOP version of High Definition.

In early August 2005, Avid Technologies purchased Pinnacle Systems. The Liquid line-up was re-named Avid Liquid with version 7.

Reference: Planet Liquid & North Carolina Avid Liquid Users Group

More Information

Avid Liquid Chrome

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