Avolites announced the release of Prism ‘Early Access’, the latest edition of its popular media software.  Prism ‘Early Access’ (E.A.) edition can be downloaded for free via the Avolites website and becomes operational when used in conjunction with an AVOKey (Avolites licence key).  The full Prism ONE paid license release is currently scheduled for the Spring 2025; when the ‘Early Access’ edition of Prism will be superseded.

Prism is a specialised software application developed by Avolites, principally for lighting designers, tailored for media playback and designed specifically for the live events and entertainment industry. Prism (E.A.) edition introduces multiple banks and layers that can be controlled via Prism’s UI and/or via Avolites lighting control application ‘Titan’ which utilises the Synergy layer control.

Prism is composed of two parts – the Server and the UI. The UI itself provides the main functions and a common interface for the software. When the UI is closed, Prism can still run its server in the system tray. This allows the features set to still be controlled with Titan^[5] to run a show, even on the same machine as Prism, this has the advantage of reducing processing overhead cost and provides the facility to operate both media and lighting from the same PC for the less complex event setups.

Not only does this new release offer Multiple Layers and Multiple Banks, but in addition users can now take advantage of Preview Window, Cross Fade duration and Speed Control. The increased layer count in Prism allows for greater creativity and flexibility within the mix, giving you more choice over where your content sits. Multiple banks bring much more of your content under your control as well as the ability to import and export existing banks between projects. Prism’s new preview window allows you to easily prepare and adjust media before being live in the mix and set unique characteristics for each piece of content. Improved cross fade and speed control give additional functionality to further adjust your media playback and tailor it to specific needs.

Paul Wong, Avolites’ Managing Director, said, “The release of Prism ‘Early Access’ edition is an important milestone in the development path of our Prism software application. It delivers some great new features, expanding the creative possibilities for both lighting and video designers. It is also another step in integrating video into designs using a simple user interface and powerful feature set that allows all users to bring more complex elements to their shows without the need to purchase additional software or require formal training.”

Prism also allows for input sources to be added including NDI input and Live input – e.g. USB capture / webcams allowing you to bring other visual sources such as guest VJs or presentation data into the show. Virtual returns add the ability to take any layer from the mix and use it elsewhere within your project allowing for further creative possibilities. These can all be set up via the Input Settings page and adjusted via the Preview window.

Prism currently enables 1 physical output and 1 NDI output; limited to 1 Surface, 16 Layers, and 256 Banks, with each bank able to hold up to 256 elements. Even more features are available on Prism (E.A.) edition, which include added Hardware Decode acceleration for H.264/H.265 and added Region of Interest on outputs. As well as with Synergy: added control to surface and layers, added NDI previews and added cross fade duration and speed control.