NEW YORK -- Livestream announced the release of Livestream Studio, the software-only edition of its live video switcher hardware, the Livestream Studio HD500. Livestream Studio works exclusively with any Blackmagic Design capture-and-playback device, and runs on Microsoft Windows

Key features include:

• Supports up to five live video inputs or output via connected Blackmagic devices
• Live HD output in analog, HDMI or HD-SDI via connected Blackmagic devices
• Full field-rate multi-view to preview cameras in real-time with audio levels
• Live transitions
• Live audio mixing
• Graphics overlay, transparency and dynamic titling
• Record to full resolution Blackmagic MJPEG AVI
• Playback video clip files with automatic transition to live inputs
• Built-in encoder enabling one-click live streaming in HD multi-bitrate to the Livestream platform, YouTube Live, Ustream, Akamai, Wowza Media Server and any CDN or server that supports RTMP
• Includes two months of phone support w

Livestream Studio is available worldwide today for $1,999. A free evaluation version is available at livestream.com/studiosoftware.