Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Ah ok, that clears things up, allthough I don't understand the reference with weddings and hollywood movies if it regards to avchd editing, surely hollywood productions aren't filmed in a avchd codec :) If lightworks allows avchd editing I take it it targets the consumer market as well.

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Do you know how it compares running 5 tracks of AVCHD with native files like I do with Edius realtime.

Ron Evans

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

It doesn't matter really which one is faster, I just misunderstood him when he said lightworks was the fastest for avchd editing, that's all. Must say that Craigs comment about lightworks being for pro editors dealing with hollywood productions and not weddings sounded quite condescending, maybe I shouldn't have bothered to react so we could have go back to the topic of this thread; dealing with ea50 files natively or as a intermediate file..

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Please don't misunderstand me. I do not want to sound rude or condescending but I think some accurate information is required here. The more information we have, the better we can make informed choices.

Lightworks is not some new kid on the block. It has been a popular albeit very expensive high end NLE for over 20 years but it was designed around the standard broadcast codecs of the time. You've all heard of DaVinci Resolve? Similar to Lightworks, it too used to be an $80K 'turnkey' broadcast system until Blackmagic Design bought it and decided to update it then sell the software only for $995 (plus a free 'lite' version)

Similar idea. Editshare in the UK acquired Lightworks through a takeover about two years ago then set about updating it's codec platform before releasing a Free version: which requires transcoding of consumer formats and a Pro version for an annual subscription of only $60. This small yearly fee includes all future updates, professional codec license fees eg: Apple's ProRes, a simple but effective title generator and a greater choice of Export codecs. I should point out here that Lightworks does not set out to be an 'all in one box' post production tool. It is first and foremost, a fast and fluent editor with a very refined code. This is one reason many editors migrating from other NLEs appreciate the development which has taken place over the years.

With the recent release of v11.1, Lightworks Pro now includes native H.264/AVCHD editing without transcoding as this feature has been a popular request on the Lightworks Forum. Naturally enough, when you offer professional software to a wider audience at an affordable price, those operating with DSLRs and prosumer cameras will be a large and vocal group.

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Craig, the list of known issues and problems in the read me file make it almost unusable in lots of cases as far as I can tell. It will not record HDV over firewire, pretty basic, AC3 audio will not import on mov files, no audio linking for AVCHD with AC3 audio, XDCAm ( mov ) Quicktime files will not play correctly etc a long list that for people using AVCHD with AC3 or some XDCAm users makes it an unusable piece of software even if it is free. I have downloaded the free version and will try to see how it works.

Ron Evans

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Ron, you would do better to download the Pro 64bit version whilst the 30 day free trial is in place as the Free version has only very limited codec support. That is, with only the 'Free' version, you will need to transcode first as license fees for most popular codecs need to be paid - eg: to Dolby Labs for AC3 as they 'own' it.

Note: If you need AC3 audio support in Lightworks, just install the 'AC3Filter' and configure it for stereo or 5.1 surround.

PS: Do watch the video tutorials first as it will make your evaluation more informed and may I suggest you direct any Lightworks specific questions to the Lightworks Forum, which I'm sure you will find extremely helpful.

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Yes I have downloaded the Pro64bit version and will look at the tutorials.

Ron Evans

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Craig, I have had a week or so now to look at Lightworks and see the background in film editing clearly. The asset management is clearly a strong point as would be the case managing film stock etc. For someone used to the modern approach of dragging assets from explorer to the timeline and exporting it seems a little dated. My projects are all multicam and I found the multicam convoluted compared to either Edius or Vegas. The marketing also seems to be ignorant of competitors capabilities too. I really didn't see anything unique that wasn't in the editors I have, CS6, Vegas and Edius The user interface is a lot cleaner in these editors too as the Lightworks interface looks like it was designed for much lower resolution monitors , which might have been needed several years ago. I think that LIghtworks is playing catchup to the modern NLE's it is clearly a solid performer but lacks some of the modern looks. I will stay with Edius and Vegas I think.

Ron Evans

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Ron, each to his own I guess but I would disagree on a couple of points. Even though Lightworks offers basic colour correction, dissolves, wipes and DVE moves, it is principally a professional 'editor' where most 'effects' are still commissioned out to third party specialists. Current Lightworks users seem to fall into two distinct groups:

1) Professional programme and feature Editors working in a 10 bit domain who generally Deliver an EDL or a DPX sequence on to other specialists.

2) hobbyists and semi professional users who Shoot, Produce and Deliver in the 8 bit domain.

There are probably a lot of features and shortcuts you missed in only a short evaluation and as I wrote before, Lightworks software was designed around a dedicated hardware control surface (the Console) and in my opinion, any evaluation performed without at least using a Contour Shuttle Pro 11 or similar would be a pretty futile exercise. Lightworks will 'work' with a mouse but it immediately becomes 'alive' with a custom programmed Jog/Shuttle device.

I note on the Lightworks Forum many editors migrating from Avid Media Composer over to Lightworks and their reaction has been the same: once they become accustomed to Lightwork's different methods, the big plus is speed of editing at a very low subscription price point. I have posted your comments on the Lightworks Forum (anonymously, under my avatar) so that others may offer their opinions and reactions to your evaluation as many of the regular Forum contributors also work with CS6, FCP and Edius.

PS: To preserve all possible 8 bit picture quality, I'm currently performing all my post production in the 10 bit domain. My current 10 bit AVCHD Lightworks workflow is:

1) Transcode 8 bit AVCHD to 10bit DNxHD 185 with timecode using AWPro
2) Set up a 10 bit Lightworks Project and edit.
3) Export a 10 bit DPX sequence Master video file
4) Export a 16 track 24 bit WAV file Master audio file

5) For BluRay 5.1 Delivery, I Export an uncompressed 8 bit YUYV sub master AVI file with twelve to sixteen separate audio tracks, bypassing Lightworks internal audio mixer. This is then imported into Vegas Studio for mixing to 5.1 Surround and burn to BluRay disk.

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Craig
I need more than a simple editor for my work and I do indeed use a Shuttle Pro V2 set up so that it works the same way in all the programs I use since they all allow custom setup of these control features. My main programs are Edius, Vegas, DVD Architect, AE, Photoshop, Sound Forge, TMPGenc etc so my work flow is easy. I like working with a combination of the Shuttle and the mouse and rarely use the keyboard. The custom keyboard was something I used way back with the Fast Video Machine and I have moved on from there. Shuttle in left hand, mouse in the right hand is very fast. I agree to each is own but I see nothing special in Lightworks that would make me want to look any closer.

Ron Evans

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Everytime lightworks is mentioned I see Craig trying to tell us why we are wrong not to use it :) I just read some responses on the lightworks forum and the comment "You will never win the argument with that type of person." gave me a uncomfortable feeling I get on other fan based fora. Not sure if it was ok for Ron that you placed his comments there and I don't understand why you should unless you are really trying to prove him wrong with the help of other lightwork users. I also think we are going off topic too much as it is about the advantages of converting into intermediate codecs.

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Craig, I have to agree with Noa. What are you trying to achieve with bringing up Lighworks all the time. In my comparison to cars its like asking someone who has several modern cars with air conditioning, heaters, electric windows etc etc to please look at a car with manual windows, no heater or air conditioning and convince them it is reliable though. Lightworks may well work very well as a simple editor but it doesn't cut it against the competition yet. It doesn't do anything more as an editor either than any of the others.The only way to compete with the competition is by price and in this regard its a winner accept it doesn't do what I want and there are lots of programs at $60 that I also do not want. Price is the thing that their marketing has got correct. To me they are trying to breath life into an old program I wish them luck.

Ron Evans

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

Hey Marlon, I tried the newer version and it works ok but I still get that popup message that it can't find drives, not that it is annoying, I just have to press ok until it finds the card in my reader and from there all seems to work like it should. I thought I"d mention it.

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

you uninstalled the previous version as mentioned before installing the new one?

the code is different, should not have that anymore...

Re: AE50 - Do you convert to intermediate?
 

"new version" will be out soon.

-removed encoding functions to a separated program
-added free space verification before file copy
-added size verification, to make sure everything is copied (compare file sizes in card/hard drive to make sure they match)
-added log function (show on the end of copy) for debug/error reporting

todo:
checksum verification option for integrity check