Technical specifications

System Requirements

Operating Systems

Night Sterling is optimized for modern Intel and AMD chipsets and motherboards.

• Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit)

Recommended System Specifications

• Intel Core i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 processor or higher
• 4 GB RAM or higher (16 GB+ recommended for 4K workflows)
• Dual high-resolution displays (1920x1080 or higher)
• PCI Express graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD) with 1 GB VRAM or higher
• DirectX 9 or later (Windows OS only)
• Compatible sound card with audio output enabled
• Separate media and system drives (internal or external with sufficient interface speed, e.g., SSD/NVMe)
• 200 MB of free disk space for Night Sterling installation
• (Optional) Night Sterling Console or compatible editing controller (e.g., Contour Shuttle Pro)
• (Optional) Night Sterling custom keyboard
• Active internet connection required for installation and license registration

Advanced Effects Pack Requirements

Some advanced effects and titling tools are available as an optional pack on higher plans:

• Core transitions & effects: Available on Free, Creator and Pro.
• Advanced titling tools: Requires an active Creator or Pro license.
• Full effects pack: Requires an active Pro license.

Recommended system for the advanced effects pack:   OS:
Windows 10 or 11

CPU:
2 GHz or faster (multicore recommended)

RAM:
8 GB or more recommended

GPU:
NVIDIA or AMD with up-to-date drivers and at least 2 GB VRAM

Comprehensive Feature List

Wide Container & Format Support

• MXF OP1a, MXF OPAtom (P2, Native)
• Avid Media Composer project support
• QuickTime (.mov)
• AVI, .mts, .m2ts, .m2t, .mpg, .mp4, .wmv (export only), .ts, .m2v, .asf, .vob, .mkv (import only)
  
  

Editing

• Resolution, format, and codec-independent timeline
• Native editing at 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, or 60 fps
• Advanced real-time Multicam editing with unlimited sources (subject to hardware and storage capabilities)
• Source/Record three-point editing
• Insert and Overwrite editing
• Replace, Fit to Fill, and Backfill
• Drag-and-drop replace editing
• Extend and Split edits
• A/V Sync indicators on the timeline
• AutoSync: Single-click re-sync of the entire timeline
• Multi-colored markers for edits and clips
• Match Frame for clips and subclips
• Comprehensive drag-and-drop support
• Storyboarding: Arrange tiles in Bins, adjust in/out points, and convert to an edit with a single click
  
  

Multicam

• Switch clips directly in the timeline
• Unique Sync Group feature
• Live Cut: Switch between angles during playback
• Sync via Lock Frame, Timecode, or Audio Waveform
• Sync with Edits
• Unlimited camera sources
• Mixed source resolutions and formats
• Auto-edit sync group sources into a single sequence
  
  

Stereoscopic

• Complete stereoscopic 3D workflow support*
• Individual Left and Right eye media handling
• Automatic synchronization on import
• Seamless integration with standard editing workflows
• Real-time adjustment toolset for Alignment, Scaling, and Color Correction
• Multiple output options: Anaglyph, Side-by-side, Checkerboard, Individual Left/Right Eyes
• Support for desktop, secondary display, and SDI monitor outputs
• Flexible export options for various 3D formats
  
  

Colour Correction

• Preset color look templates (drag-and-drop)
• Real-time (GPU-accelerated) Primary color correctors
• Real-time multiple Secondary color correctors
• Advanced color image control filters
• Simple, intuitive color correction tools
• Advanced curve-based color correction editor
  
  

Audio

• Real-time pre- and post-audio waveform display
• Analog-style multi-track audio scrubbing
• Subframe-accurate audio keyframing
• Real-time audio adjustments during playback
• Clip and Track Gain controls
• AAF/OMF audio export with pan and volume levels*
• Real-time, software-based audio normalization
• On-screen multi-track mixing console
• Multiple mix bus routing
• External Mackie control surface support*
• Real-time fader automation
• Real-time audio filters and effects
• Parametric and Graphic EQ
• Native audio effects: Limiter, Compressor, Noise Gate, Noise Reducer, and Reverb*
• Quick Audio FX: Acoustic Sweetener, Dialog Enhancer, Instrument Enhancer, Subtle Sweetener, and Voice Enhancer*
• Support for mixed bit-rates and sample rates on the timeline
• Audio level meters per track
• Pan controls
• Mute and solo controls
• Direct-to-timeline Voice Over recording

Collaboration

Project Sharing*:

• Multiple users working in the same project simultaneously, sharing the same media
• Edit permissions handled within Night Sterling: quickly transfer permissions between users
• Edit changes are instantly saved and updated for all users without needing to save or exit
• Bins can be shared between users and update in real-time
  
  

Media Sharing:

• Support for common shared storage and network media workflows
• Support for a wide variety of third-party shared storage (NAS and SAN)
  
  

AAF Interchange*:

• Export AAFs to Avid Media Composer, Pro Tools, and DaVinci Resolve using dedicated export presets

Film & Cinema Workflows

• Direct import of RED media and DPX sequences
• Advanced decode options for RED R3D files*
• Decode options for Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) files**
• Unified timecode and keycode listing
• Support for 35mm 3-perf, 35mm 4-perf, 16mm-20, and mixed film formats
• View feet and frames during editing
• View keycode and ink number overlays on video
• 24-fps EDL import and export
• 24-fps EDL conversion to and from 29.97 fps
• Import ALE, FLX, and CSV files
• Track key numbers, ink numbers, and timecodes
• Output Cut lists, Change lists, Optical lists, and Pull lists
• Dupe lists and Audio EDLs
  
  

Third-Party Plugin Support

• Boris Continuum
• Built-in effects library plus optional advanced effects and titling pack
• Blackmagic Fusion (v7.5 and above)
• Maxon Magic Bullet Looks (v14.0.4 and later)
• OpenFX (OFX) Support
• Audio Plugins: AU, VST, and LADSPA compatibility
• Waves Audio (v13.0 and later, all plugins)
• MeldaProduction Plugins (v15 and later, Free Bundle)
• Sonnox (Inflator, Reverb, and Envolution)
  

Import and Output

• Batch Import
• Transcode on Import
• Proxy media creation
• Seamless switching between proxy and hi-res media playback
• Export Clips, Edits, Bins, Groups, and entire Projects
• Telecine 29.97i to 24p pulldown removal
• Universal projects: mixed frame rate media in the same project
• Define sequence frame rate and copy sequences to different frame rates
• Subtitle export to SRT*

Record and Playout*

• Frame-accurate capture tool
• Batch capture
• Crash record
• Frame-accurate insert and assemble edit-to-tape
• Serial Device Control (RS-422)
• FireWire Device Control
• Support for SDI capture devices:
• Matrox hardware support (Windows only)
• Blackmagic Design hardware support
• AJA hardware support
  
  

Trimming

• Ripple
• Roll
• Slip and Slide
• Backtime
• Fit to Fill
• Remove and Delete
• Asymmetric, multi-track trimming
• Dynamic trimming during playback
• JKL trimming
• Dedicated Trim window
• Timeline trimming
• Keyboard and numeric moving/trimming
• Close Gap
• Single-click drag and trim (no separate tool required)
• Drag in Black
• Auto Unjoin
  
  

Effects

• Multi-split screen Viewer for original shot comparison
• Node-based effects layer and compositing tools
• Alpha Channel Matte Transitions
• Global Transitions between In and Out points
• Quick Transitions applied directly from the timeline
• Real-time effects in SD, HD, 2K, 4K, and 5K
• Speed Tool for varispeed changes
• Keyframe graphs
• Fold and Unfold effects
• Real-time blurs
• Real-time chroma key
• Community-built VFX
• Quick-access to effects directly from the timeline
• Favorite Effects category for quick access
• Unlimited user effects templates
• Copy and paste effect attributes to multiple clips
• Bezier and Linear movable motion paths
• Numeric (as well as keyframe) control over variables
• Stereoscopic Adjustment tools
  
  

Titling

• Native real-time titling
• Rolls, Crawls, and Static titles
• Real-time font previews
• Color and gradient controls
• Scaling and positioning
• Basic effects: Fade in/out, Typewriter, and Blur in/out
• All parameters are fully keyframable
• Title presets for lower thirds and standard titles
  
  

Media Management

• Media management at the edit or project level
• Powerful search capabilities
• Advanced Content Management
• Comprehensive metadata for granular searching
• Bins or sequences can be created directly from search results
• Drag media directly from search results to the timeline
• Rename clips to match media files, and vice versa
• Low-res to Hi-res workflow for offline/online editing
• Maintain master clips across multiple projects
• Clip color coding in edit (match by source, reel, or timecode)
• Custom comment fields
• Custom Bin views: show, hide, and re-order columns
• Instant Automatic Save – no manual project saving required
• Automatic Edit backup facility
• Sequence and clip recovery
• Project Archive: Logs, Picture, and Sound
• Batch export
  
  

Tools

• Interface scaling with High-DPI / Retina display support
• Magnetic snapping and placement of all panels
• Enhanced viewer controls on source and edit viewers
• Real-time video analysis with hardware-accurate video scopes
• Multitrack Audio Mixer with multiple mix buses
• Keyboard and UI customization tool with pre-built templates for DaVinci Resolve, Media Composer, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere Pro
• On-screen console controls
• Voice Over tool for adding narration directly to the timeline
• Shot Sync: Sync two sources for easy comparison
• Customizable Burn-In Timecode (BITC) and film footage overlays
• Customizable real-time letterboxing
• Create and edit custom keyboard Macros to simplify your workflow
  
  

Application

• Full-screen, real-time SD, HD, and 4K preview on single or secondary displays
• Apply HDR Transforms
• Set Monitor Color Space*
• Multiple timelines open simultaneously
• Customizable Undo levels
• Up to 64 Video tracks & 32 Audio tracks with unlimited FX tracks per sequence
• User preferences can be easily transferred between systems
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts and UI buttons
• Customizable real-time effects settings
• Customizable output formats*
• Customizable render settings
• Customizable workspace layouts
• Customizable track layouts
• Customizable fixed layouts
• Full Unicode support

*Please note: The software specifications stated above are subject to change without notice.

* Only available in Night Sterling Pro

** Only available in Night Sterling Creator and Pro