Planet PC is pleased to present our new ‘On-Air’ range of creative media studios especially designed for the secondary curriculum. The range comprises three fully inclusive live video production solutions. Two are mobile Planet StudioBox kits, containing everything required to successfully integrate creative media technology into the cross curricular teaching learning process and one is a fixed TV studio designed for installation into a dedicated learning space.

On-Air StudioBox - Take 1
An ideal introduction to using media technology in the secondary curriculum
including the creative tools required to perform the following range of disciplines;

• Planning and storyboarding
  
• Filming
  
• Audio work
  
• Lighting
  
• Live chroma key work
  
• Chroma key background creation direct from your computer
  
• Video editing
  
• Stop motion animation
  
• Delivery of a final production

• All in one custom designed lockable mobile case
  
• Storyboarding software
  
• Camcorder with accessories and tripod
  
• On-camera microphone
  
• Live hardware chroma keyer
  
• Collapsible chroma key kit and accessories
  
• Lighting with floor stands
  
• Webcam and stop motion software
  
• Apple MacBook with iMovie and Final Cut Express
  
• Connecting cable set
  
• Scan converter
  
• Training and set up guide on DVD
  
• Specialist 1 day on-site training on the equipment and the workflow

Avid Technology has recently announced the Avid Liquid product line, the company’s new non-linear editing software and hardware offerings for event videographers, government and corporate video producers, and high-end enthusiasts.

Developed from Pinnacle Liquid Edition products by Pinnacle Systems, the Avid Liquid family includes the new version 7 of the Avid Liquid and Avid Liquid Pro systems, both of which are packed with new features designed for users who want a single application for creation and delivery of tape, DVD and streaming media.

The Power of Avid for the Individual

Avid Liquid builds on popular Liquid features, including native HDV editing, GPU-accelerated effects, background rendering, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio with AC-3 encoding, DVD creation directly on the video editing timeline and great value I/O hardware.

New features of Avid Liquid 7 software include:

• SmartSound integration – custom music creation directly inside the Avid Liquid application.
  
  
• New multimedia format support – native editing of popular codec’s including WM9, DiVx, and MPEG-4 for repurposing and output of content to the Internet.
  
  
• New effects – Real-time Timewarp, Stabilise, Dream Glow, and over 50 plug-ins from the highly-regarded Commotion effects suite.
  
  
• Avid Open Timeline – native HD and SD editing on the same timeline in real time, without transcoding for fast, flexible editing regardless of format.
  
  
• Preview HDV in SD – for viewing HDV in SD on a client video monitor with Avid Liquid Pro.

1. What is the difference between the Avid Liquid and Avid Liquid Pro products?
   
   The key difference is that the Avid Liquid Pro product comes with a USB2 - based breakout box that provides composite, component, and s-video I/O, along with stereo audio input and surround audio output. In addition, the Avid Liquid Pro product supports capture to uncompressed video and MPEG-2 IBP video.
   
   Avid Liquid software is a software only product that uses the computer's built-in 1394 port to capture from DV or HDV cameras and decks.
   
   
2. Can I exchange projects between the Avid Liquid and Avid Xpress Pro products?
   
   Avid Liquid software does not support total conform with the Avid Xpress Pro and Avid Media Composer families of products. Customers looking for a workflow that includes conform on higher end Avid systems should start with Avid Xpress Pro software.
   
   
3. What formats does Avid Liquid software support?
   
   Avid Liquid 7 software can natively edit the following formats: DV25, HDV, 1:1 (uncompressed SD and HD), MPEG-2 I-frame & IBP, WM9, MPEG-4 and DiVx.
   
   
4. Can I work with film with Avid Liquid software?
   
   Avid Liquid software does not directly support film based workflows. Customers are advised to choose Avid Xpress Pro software for this type of work.
   
   
5. What type of system do I need to run Avid Liquid software?
   
   Key factors in choosing a system for Avid Liquid software include: 1GB system memory, a latest generation graphics card with at least 128MB memory for SD operation and 256MB memory for HD and a USB 2.0 controller for Avid Liquid Pro hardware.
   
   
6. Does Avid Liquid run on the Mac?
   
   No. Avid Liquid software is a PC only product. Mac customers should consider Avid Xpress DV or Avid Xpress Pro software.

• Editing / Audio / DVD / Effects. One application
  
  Avid Liquid software is a powerful SD and HD video editor for the PC that offers integrated DVD authoring, surround sound audio processing, and thousands of amazing realtime effects. Its integrated toolset provides all of the tools needed to create high-quality productions and quickly output to tape, DVD or web streams.
  
  
• Complete HDV workflow
  
  Avid Liquid offers native transfers and frame-accurate editing of 720p and 1080i HDV content. It also includes an MPEG IBP render codec that provides the same 25Mbit workflow editors use with DV media. It features a powerful real-time effects engine that provides multiple streams of HDV in real time; video monitoring either on the VGA monitor or down converted to an SD monitor in real time using the available breakout box; and, most important, a smooth workflow for output to SD or back to HDV tape.
  
  
• Format flexibility
  
  Avid Liquid supports the Avid Open Timeline: mix content from a variety of sources without having to transcode between formats. Videographers can edit DV, MPEG I-frame, MPEG IBP, uncompressed SD, Windows Media, DIVX and MPEG-4, as well as HDV, in the same timeline. With such a broad palette of native codec’s, editors can spend more time creatively editing instead of re-rendering from format to format.
  
  
• Smooth DVD production
  
  Using Avid Liquid Pro software and hardware, editors can capture footage to a DVD-compliant MPEG IBP codec. They can add titles and effects and then dive into a full-featured DVD authoring toolset to define the interactivity; create and customise menus and navigation; preview and modify the DVD from the timeline; add a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix; and then intelligently render out to a finished DVD.
  
  
• Editing for everyone
  
  Avid Liquid software offers a flexible user interface and functions that match any level of editing experience. As users move from other consumer-level or professional-level applications, the transition is smooth and efficient.
  
  See Adobe Acrobat pdf datasheet (left) for more information.
  
  Please note that for hardware upgrades , the breakout box or the card needs to be returned and for software upgrades, the original CD must be returned.

As the next major release of the leading video post-production suite, the new Final Cut Studio offers powerful new features, dramatically improved performance, and tighter integration. Its six applications give video editors all the tools they need to edit, animate, mix, grade, and deliver at a price that’s more affordable than ever.

Final Cut Pro 7
Precision editing tools let you work in real time with virtually any format, including the revolutionary ProRes.

Motion 4
Powerful text and compositing tools make it easy to design stunning motion graphics in 2D and 3D.

Soundtrack Pro 3
Easy-to-use tools for sound design, editing, and mixing bring professional audio post-production to Final Cut editors.

Color 1.5
Sophisticated color grading tools let you create signature looks in resolutions up to 4K.

Compressor 3.5
Simplified digital delivery lets you easily export to Apple devices, publish to the web, and burn to disc.

DVD Studio Pro 4
The industry standard in DVD authoring brings drag-and-drop ease to the production of fully interactive, studio-quality titles.

Matrox RT.X2 & Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 Bundle
The RT.X2 & Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 Bundle includes RT.X2 editing card, audio/video breakout box, RT.X2 documentation and installation DVD and Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 Software.

Matrox RT.X2 LE & Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 Bundle
The RT.X2 LE & Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 Bundle includes RT.X2 LE editing card, audio / video breakout box, RT.X2 documentation and installation DVD, and Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 software.

Matrox RT.X2

If you're a professional video editor concerned about getting maximum productivity from Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and Adobe CS4 Production Premium, have a look at the Matrox RT.X2 product line – the ideal solutions for corporate communicators, event videographers, project studios, educational facilities and digital filmmakers. If you’re delivering your work in SD, Matrox RT.X2 SD is right for you. If you need to edit HDV, XDCAM EX, or P2 MXF 720p and output HD, choose Matrox RT.X2 LE or Matrox RT.X2. If you want to use a DVI display for full resolution HD previews, you’ll need RT.X2.

The Matrox RT.X2 platforms go far beyond the capabilities of software-only editing and systems that combine Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 and a simple I/O card.

The additional benefits you get with Matrox RT.X2 include:

• Many more realtime layers of video and graphics
  
• More effects in real time including colour correction, chroma/luma keying, speed changes, blur/glow/soft focus, 3D DVE and much more
  
• Extensive camera support with Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE including many new models from Canon, JVC, Panasonic, and Sony
  
• Realtime native editing of Sony XDCAM EX .mp4 clips with RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE
  
• Realtime native editing of Panasonic P2 MXF 720p and SD files with Matrox RT.X2 and RT.X2 LE
  
• Realtime capture from analog sources to compressed MPEG-2 4:2:2 I-frame
  
• Realtime playback of 32-bit MPEG-2 I-frame AVI files with alpha
  
• Realtime mixed-format multi-cam
  
• Realtime MPEG-2 IBP capture from analog and DV sources for DVD authoring
  
• Composite, Y/C, and analog component input and output
  
• WYSIWYG video output for motion graphics, animation, and compositing applications
  
• Audio VU meters on capture
  
• Full-resolution HD monitoring with calibration control on an inexpensive flat panel display via independent DVI output with Matrox RT.X2

1. Advice - Our qualified and experienced sales team provide advice based on their many years of experience within the video industry.
    
   
2. Free Support - Our trained support experts provide you with 12 months free Telephone Technical Support on your purchased product. Our support line is a standard national call, not a premium rate call.
    
   
3. Quick Dispatch - 90% of online orders are dispatched within one working day. All orders are dispatched by insured next-working-day delivery services.
    
   
4. Returns Service - Unlike many resellers, Planet PC will deal with returns on your behalf should your product develop a fault. Once you have returned your product to us we will deal with the administration and handle the costs involved with forwarding the product to the appropriate manufacturer (often in the EU), ensuring a return is obtained in a timely fashion and delivering a replacement/your repaired product to you* by an insured delivery service. *Only free if within the U.K. mainland - If outside the U.K. mainland then a delivery charge will be payable when your repaired/replaced product is returned to you.
    
   
5. Training Courses - Planet PC offer a range of video related Training Courses, tailored to your specific needs.
    
   
6. Customer Services - Our prompt and courteous customer support staff are on hand to help with any queries.