The End of Lightworks? by Patrick Gregston The recent announcement by Tektronix and Avid of a joint project for the creation of a broadcast news editing system, based on Tektronix Profile, and utilizing elements of both Tektronix NewStar system and Avid's Newscutter, was attached to unattributed statements by Tektronix sources as the "end of Lightworks". Naturally this is of great concern to those who prefer the Lightworks, as well as anyone who would prefer that competition exist in our marketplace. According to Mike Cronk, Director of Product Strategy at Tektonix' Video and Networking Division, "Tektronix has made some major changes to its plans, but is committed to the development of the Lightworks VIP4500 through Version 3." Version 1.1 is the current product. The product line is still available, and more VIPs will be made if the demand continues. While nothing specific can be said about a refinement of version 6 for the offline products, Lightworks and Heavyworks, the company intends to communicate with owners of the interface what is decided. "There is no dearth of passion about the Lightworks product," Cronk said. The problem for Tektronix has been "how to turn that passion into a profit." The decision by Tektronix to cease investment in future non-linear platforms was made independent of the recently announced venture with Avid. Contrary to speculation that part of the deal included burying the Lightworks interface, Cronk said that the recent IBC show in Amsterdam was rife with "speculation about the future of Lightworks. It's up to the people with the passion to map out a plan to make a business that works." A report from a Swedish television editor at IBC identified several interested parties negotiating with Tektronix management, including the senior engineering staff in London. A number of postings on the users' group offered to write checks in support of such efforts. For those of you who have been using Lightworks over the last two years, nothing has changed. The system that works for you today is the system which you can plan on using for however long into the future you find it appropriate. As an editing tool, it will not be reduced in functionality, nor will there be a lack of parts. At the same time, it will not grow in functionality, except to the extent third parties develop and bring forth accessories. According to the individuals in Tektronix responsible for inventory and support, Tektronix will be supporting the Lightworks and Heavyworks hardware platforms for the life of all current extended warrantee contracts, the longest of which is five years. This obligation may be put in the hands of a separate company, focused on hardware support. For all of us in this industry, the prospect of a single company having a monopoly in this field is a concern. Already the focus of the manufacturers is on the broadcast segments of post production. The existing tools are hardly mature, well integrated, or fully tailored to our needs. Without some competitive products we are hardly likely to get consideration from the dominant company. A few years back, in one of the meetings to discuss the advent of digital equipment in our work, I suggested that we are the samurai of information manipulation and management in our industry. Continuing that analogy, those of you who are Lightworks users are now ronin, those independent warriors who roamed feudal Japan. Possibly a new lord will emerge to focus on the needs of the film editing community worldwide. Until then we can edit with the tools we have.   Patrick Gregston is a partner in Electric Picture Solutions and a Guild board member.   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 5 - September/October 1998   Guild Home | Newsletter Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 776