The 64-bit version of Lightworks will allow users to get the maximum performance from their computer hardware, as well as providing an ideal environment for editing with Long-GOP codecs. It will be available as a free upgrade for Lightworks Pro users and is expected to be available later this summer.
Lightworks has been completely re-engineered to make it easier to port to multiple operating systems, with the Linux version being the first non-Windows version to be shown by EditShare.
“We’re delighted to be showing real, working demonstrations of Lightworks 64-bit and Lightworks for Linux, because it demonstrates our long-term commitment to this fantastic project and community,” said James Richings, MD, EditShare EMEA. “With this new technology and with our new Multicore Media Engine, we’re pushing many boundaries and opening Lightworks to anyone who wants to edit content.”
The company’s May 28 release follows an 18-month beta program and includes a host of new features for editors.
With a brand new Multicore Media Engine, Lightworks now includes support for advanced Long-GOP editing, offering real-time performance for the main Long-GOP camera formats (H.264 and MPEG-2) and also XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, AVCHD and HDV.
“We’re really excited about the developments over the past few months,” said Richings. “Although we are a little behind our original release schedule, we think the wait has been worth it. We are now able to release Lightworks with more features that will appeal to every type of editor.”
“We didn’t know quite what to expect when we first released the beta version of Lightworks,” Richings added. “But 18 months on we have over a quarter of a million registered users and 30,000 new downloads every month – and that’s before we release the Linux and OS X versions!”
The company will launch a new website and Lightworks Community on May 28 at http://www.lwks.com. A light version of the software will be available for free, and an upgrade to Lightworks Pro is $60 per year.
“We’re speeding up our recruitment of developers, and we’re making it easier for broadcasters, filmmakers and educational establishments to get started with Lightworks,” said Richings. “With our built-in Project Sharing, Lightworks is incredibly scalable, integrating perfectly with our world-class shared storage and workflow solutions.”
