Lightworks Alacrity MR dissolves conventional barriers in NLE

Lightworks UK is debuting its breakthrough multi-resolution NLE at IBC2005.
The new Lightworks Alacrity MR (multi-resolution) supports variable video standards, compression codecs and resolution standards while continuing Lightworks’ tradition of unparalleled speed and simplicity. Parent company Gee Broadcast Systems will exhibit this evolutionary new edit tool networked with its latest ground breaking server technology, Geevs MR, on Stand No. 7.130.
The new Lightworks Alacrity MR editing system allows editors to online or offline HD or SD in 1080i/p or 720i/p transparently. Any frame rate (24, 25 or 30,) and TV standard (PAL, NTSC) or any telecine mode (pull-down or telecined fast) is handled efficiently in the system - even when mixing modes or resolutions within the same project. The Alacrity MR+ adds MPEG2 codec support for HD including HDV. Alacrity’s initial product release is targeted to the television long-form and commercial production markets.
“Alacrity works on the basic premise that the user sets the desired output format and everything else happens transparently,” said Keith Gee, Managing Director of Gee Broadcast. “Alacrity offers unmatched real-time performance with multiple layers and tracks to accelerate and enhance the creative process.”
Alacrity employs Lightworks’ classic simple desktop GUI, incorporating a powerful tool set for customisation of workflow from digitising and organising to editing and playout.
Lightworks’ trademark ergonomic console emerges once again at the heart of the Alacrity MR system, providing the same intuitive link between editor and machine that has made loyal followers of editors worldwide. Perfect synchronisation of multi-dimensional audio and video content is accomplished swiftly in Alacrity MR through a minimum of keystrokes, whilst a secure automatic back-up system resides transparently in the background to ensure continuous workflow.
A truly open system, the powerful, compact Alacrity MR offers material exchange with many other editing and production tools. The use of up-to-the-minute processing technology in the host CPU’s and GPU provides exceptionally fast performance, whilst the use of standard PC technology results in a competitively priced solution, adaptable to new hardware as it becomes available.
“Alacrity is a future-proofed system that not only accommodates all present editing requirements, but is designed to be ready for whatever comes next,” said Gee.
Alacrity MR launches with a number of real-time effects including colour correction, 2D and 3D DVE’s, wipes, dissolves and keying for both SD and HD with multiple real-time streams, which can also be accessed through Multi-cam mode. Adobe and After Effects plug-ins such as Inscriber Title Motion and Boris FX can be pulled straight from the system’s timeline.
Any application that exchanges AVI files, including Digital Fusion and Combustion, is also supported. Alacrity MR can import media from the existing Lightworks Touch and enters the market with readily available system enhancements: the Alacrity MR Film Option with all the legendary Lightworks tools for editing feature films and drama and the Touch ME motorised Fader audio console for easy control of up to 16 real-time audio tracks.
Alacrity MR has full support tools for managing large projects and optional network support for collaborative editing or tapeless production using Geevs’ new MR servers for ingest or playout. The latest in Ethernet and SAN solutions from simple two- system networking to advanced multiple fully-shared environments are provided through Lightworks’ SharkNET scaleable options storage technology. SharkNET is customisable to meet budgets as well as business needs.
“In the Lightworks Alacrity MR, the IBC audience will see unmatched real-time performance – never has editing been so creative, fast and worry-free,” Gee concluded.
(SP/KMcA)