Video News

Reprinted from a Canon press release:

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon, Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), continues to provide consumers with the highest quality and easy-to-use DV camcorders to help capture life’s moments with greater creative flexibility at affordable pricepoints with the introduction of the new Optura 20 and Optura 10 DV camcorder models. Beyond their ability to capture high quality digital video, both DV camcorders offer numerous advanced still photo capabilities, providing users with tremendous versatility. The Optura 20 and Optura 10 feature a 16X Genuine Canon Optical Zoom Lens, a 1.33 Megapixel CCD image sensor for creating high-quality digital still images directly onto the camcorders’ memory card. In addition, both units offer selectable focusing points to capture sharp images of off-center subjects; StitchAssist software for creating spectacular panoramas; the ability to simultaneously record video and digital photos with the push of a button; Direct Print capabilities using Canon’s Card Photo Printers and select Canon Bubble Jet printers; and Auto Exposure Bracketing to help obtain the best exposure of any scene or subject.

In addition, users of the Optura 20 will enjoy a number of additional features including a larger, 3.5-inch bright LCD viewfinder, making it easier to compose video segments. As with the Optura 10 LCD screen, it can be rotated for high or low-angle shots and swivel 180 degrees.

The Optura 20 also offers a Super Night Mode and Low Light Plus Mode, allowing for continued recording even in virtual darkness. An assist lamp in the front of the camera illuminates the subject just enough to allow excellent image quality while retaining the desired mood or effect. The Optura 20 is also bundled with a higher capacity battery, the BP-512, for longer continuous shooting.

“While Canon continues to strive to produce the very latest in imaging technology such as the new DIGIC DV image processing, we realize that our past accomplishments and breakthroughs in optics and lens design still represent the very best the industry can offer,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

“By bringing together our existing, technology, with new imaging technologies, we can provide consumers with the very best features and functions available today in an imaging device. The new Optura 20 and Optura 10 DV camcorders are a direct result of Canon selectively pulling from its past while investing in the future,” Mr. Hashimoto added.

Beyond its high-quality 16x optical zoom lens (320x digital), Image Stabilizer feature and new DIGIC DV image processing, the Optura 20 and Optura10 camcorders include a 1.33 Megapixel CCD for recording digital photos at 1280 x 960 resolution onto a MultiMediaCard / SD Memory Card; an extra-large 3.5-inch Color View LCD screen (2.5-inch on Optura 10); Direct Print capabilities with select Canon Bubble-Jet Printers and CP-10/100 Dye Sublimation printers; Motion JPEG Movie mode for producing short video clips designed for e-mail attachment or posting on website; Color Night Shooting mode; Programmed Auto Exposure modes for nearly every shooting condition and subject; Digital Effects including vertical and horizontal wipes and mosaic fades, black-and-white and sepia; Digital Stereo Sound (16/12 bit); IEEE 1394 / FireWire DV Terminal; Manual Controls; A/V Insert and Audio Dubbing; and External Microphone Terminal.

In addition, both camcorders are bundled with Canon’s DV Messenger software program. When combined with a Canon DV camcorder and a computer with Windows XP, DV Messenger allows two people to see each other and chat over the Internet, using the camcorder as the camera device. Users can also share video clips, transfer digital photos and even control each other’s camcorder. Although the software is bundled with the new Optura 20 and Optura 10 camcorders, consumers may download the DV Messenger software for free, directly from Canon’s Web site.

DIGIC DV
Canon DIGIC DV technology is responsible for achieving optimum results in both video and digital photos. For this reason, DIGIC DV provides dual image signal processing capabilities, which can differentiate between the video and digital still formats. DIGIC DV makes it possible to achieve accurate color for both video and digital photos by utilizing two different color techniques to maximize video quality on a TV and still image quality for print or computer display.

VIC
Embracing highly sophisticated technology, Canon Optura 20 and Optura 10 camcorders feature an exclusive connection circuit, called VIC. Traditionally, multiple chips were needed to perform the camcorder’s input and output functions. However VIC manages it all with one single chip. The result is seamless connectivity whether one is connecting to a computer, TV, or VCR.

Programmed Auto Exposure
While the Easy Recording mode is ideal for most shooting situations, the camcorder also includes additional pre-programmed auto exposure modes including Auto, Sports, Portrait, Spotlight, Sand and Snow, Low Light and Night mode.

Advanced Photo Features:

Simultaneous Photo Recording
While recording video, the Optura 20 and Optura 10 DV camcorders are able to simultaneously capture VGA-quality (640 X 480) digital photos directly onto its memory card. This is ideal for users who wish to capture e-mail-ready photos without interrupting video coverage of an event. All photos on the camcorder’s MultiMediaCard / SD card can easily be transferred to the computer using the supplied USB cable and ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac) software and the StitchAssist software helps create beautiful, seamless panorama photos.

Selectable AF Frames
Using technology currently found in its line of analog and digital still cameras, Canon was able to design the new camcorders with 3 focusing points which are clearly visible in the viewfinder, giving the photographer greater focusing flexibility when shooting still photographs. Often times the main subject in a scene is not in the center of the frame. By rotating the focusing selector dial, users can focus on the main subject no matter where it is in the frame.

Auto Exposure Bracketing
When the camcorders are set in the Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) mode, users can record three consecutive images reflecting normal, underexposure and overexposure, simply by pressing the photo button once.

Continuous Shooting Mode
The Optura 20 and Optura 10 feature a continuous shooting mode which allows users to capture a rapid succession of photos at a rate of up to 30 images at 3 frames per second in VGA (640×480) or 10 images at 2 frames per second in SXGA (1280×960).

Stitch Assist
By using the StitchAssist Mode, users can create magnificent panoramas. By using the included PhotoStitch software, magnificent panoramas can be created, quickly and easily. The PhotoStitch software automatically aligns, overlaps and crops each image to create a single, seamless panorama ready to be printed and framed.

Direct Print
The Optura 20 and Optura 10 camcorders offer a Direct Print feature, enabling users to print high-quality images without a computer. A single cable allows these camcorders to connect with Canon’s Card Photo Printer CP-10 and CP-100 dye-sublimation printers as well as select Canon Bubble Jet desktop printers. All printing options can be controlled directly from the camcorder’s LCD Screen. Options include selecting the print quantity, cropping, or whether the prints should be printed bordered or borderless.

Exif Print
Canon will continue to promote the benefits of digital photo imaging through the launch of new digital cameras, camcorders, and Bubble Jet printers which support the new Exif Print (Exif 2.2) standard. In addition to supporting Exif Print with new DV camcorders including the Optura 20 and Optura 10, Canon intends to broaden support for Exif Print across its imaging product ranges to include devices such as Multi-Functional products and others in the future.

Advanced Accessory Shoe
The Optura 20 and Optura 10 camcorders both offer an Advanced Accessory Shoe used for attaching an optional video light or microphone to be used without wires or additional power. It also accommodates a new accessory, the VFL-1 Video Flash Light. This item is a combination flash unit and video light, which allows enhanced performance in low light conditions.

Color Night Mode
The Night Mode function allows users to see, and shoot video in virtual darkness and functions much like “night vision” in certain binoculars and other optical devices with the exception of the “green tint” overlay experienced with other devices. Instead, objects are presented in color, providing even the dimmest shooting conditions with realistic color rendition for easy recording.

The Optura 20 also offers Super Night Mode and Low Light Plus Mode. The Assist Lamp located on the front of the camcorder allows users to illuminate their subjects and continue shooting even in virtual darkness.

Analog-To-Digital Converter
Now it’s easier than ever to transfer analog video footage to a DV-ready computer. Using the camcorders as a signal converter between an analog camcorder and the computer, VHS and Hi8 videos can easily be digitized and transferred to a computer for editing, sharing via the Internet and even burned onto a CD or DVD for outstanding video and audio quality. This benefit occurs without the need to initially record the analog video to digital tape.

DV Messenger Software
Canon is now bundling its DV Messenger software with every newly introduced DV camcorder. When combined with a Canon DV camcorder and a computer with Windows XP, DV Messenger allows two people to see each other and chat over the Internet, using the camcorder as the camera device. Furthermore, users can share video clips, transfer digital photos and even control the other person’s camcorder. Although the software is now bundled with the Optura 20 and Optura 10 camcorders, consumers may download the DV Messenger software for free, directly from Canon’s Web site.

The Canon Optura 20 DV camcorder will be available in March with a suggested retail price of $999. The Optura 10 DV camcorder will be available in May with a suggested retail price of $899.

Reprinted from an Imagine Products press release:

Imagine Products is pleased to announce a FREE new timecode break analyzer tool called TC Detective.

Anyone whose ever been frustrated by timecode breaks needs this application! TCDetective is a simple time saving utility designed to help verify the integrity of DV source videotapes prior to use. TCDetective scans tapes, at selectable speeds and sensitivity, and reports the number of apparent clips based on timecode gaps in a printable table.

The detection algorithm is based on the difference between readable timecode values–it does not report camera start/stop points or analyze scene changes. When the difference between timecode values is greater than the minimum gap setting, a “break” is denoted. Each clip is assigned an alphabetical label (A, B, C…). The approximate Begin and End Timecode are listed for each clip, along with a “Reference Timecode”. The Reference timecode indicates the approximate position of the break on the tape. TCDetective can report up to 24 clips (breaks) on a given tape.

To use TCDetective, you must have an OHCI compatible FireWire port and appropriate Microsoft DV driver installed. TCDetective uses Direct Show to display video feed through, that requires Direct-X 8.1 or later. Hotlinks to Microsoft Direct-X updates are available from www.imagineproducts.com/dldrivers.htm . Windows2000, XP, Me, 98SE compatible.

It’s fast. It’s easy. It’s accurate. And it’s free. Share it with your clients, colleagues and friends. Pass it along. Download at: www.imagineproducts.com/tcdetective.htm

Reprinted from a Videometry press release:

Videometry, Inc., (www.videometry.com) royalty-free stock footage company together with professional internet services firm Kendrick Jansen Company (www.kj.net) announce a deal to launch a compressed multi-media stock footage subscription service. The service (www.stockefootage.com) will be aimed specifically at the multimedia market and corporate presentations market, and will allow people to pay a one time fee for online downloadable access to a library of moving images, and motion graphics. Videometry’s objective with the new subscription service is to further help control the end user costs of using moving images in any multimedia, web or video CD/DVD production. The subscription model also allows stock footage owners the opportunity to showcase low resolution files of their content while still reserving the broadcast rights.

Powered by the Kendrick Jansen Company’s e-commerce and applications solutions technology, stockefootage.com will offer subscriptions on a variety of levels including monthly and yearly. Customers will also be allowed to choose a number of maximum downloads. Expected to launch on July 1 with about 5000 images, the service will be free to start for the first 30 days.

“We have accordingly built the application to allow us to make ongoing modifications with minimal disruption,” says Kendrick Jansen Company Chief Executive Officer Ken Kho. “In addition, we are confident that even at a significant level of usage, our members will enjoy quick downloads and fast navigation. With the IBM DB2 as the database backend, we expect to easily and quickly scale the application if and when necessary.”

“We have struck deals with a number of stock houses and individual producers to offer their images in compressed format on the site including US National Park footage from Steve Michelson Productions and the Select Effect series from Blackstone Stock Footage,” says Videometry President Steve Gianfermo. “The service will offer much more than just live footage but all moving imagery including motion backgrounds and animations including Flash. We will add sound effects and music in the coming months too. The subscription service is a perfect way to showcase images on a site with a search engine and if the customer needs to purchase a broadcast license they can do so through the footage owner.”

“Prior to this service offering, multimedia designers could only choose from costly licensed products or small collections of images,” says Videometry co-founder Sean Frame of Frame by Frame Productions. “With the subscription model, you can get exactly what you need, when you need it, while at the same time controlling cost.”

Images offered on the stockefootage service will be compressed at 320 by 240 at 15 fps and 160 by 120 at 15 fps. Using the Sorensen codec with variable bit rate encoding, the images are the perfect file size, frame size and frame rate for multimedia production including interactice CD or DVD or presentations graphics software such as PowerPoint.

“If you’ve been using still images and simple animations for your multimedia and web-based presentations, adding video will take your content to the next level,” says Sean Frame. “Think of each compressed file as 15 still images per second and you can really start to see the value in this service. While one designer might use the video as is for a key message, another designer might pull frames and convert them to animated gif or flash animation. When you get so many images for a flat rate, the number of possible uses is only limited by the imagination of the creative professional!”

“Broadband capabilities are available today for major corporations and many producers so the convenience of being able to download a scene in a matter of minutes is huge,” says Steve Michelson, President of Steve Michelson Productions. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in an editing room over the last 25 years and said…’we need a shot with a ……, who has it, when can we get it….and what will it cost?’ With Videometry’s subscription service producers can access material on-line and download it immediately and get a great deal on the rate. In the end…convenience wins. The creative benefit and costs savings in the editorial time is worth more than the stock footage.”

Prices for the service are expected to range from $29 to $499 depending on the level of subscription service. Customers can combine the duration for their subscription such as monthly and the number of downloads needed for any particular usage. For example, if you are working on a DVD title and know you need up to 10 images for your project over the next month, you will be able to purchase your exact subscription for your use. You can also purchase an unlimited subscription for up to one year that allows you to access to every image in the library.

Reprinted from a Contour A/V Solutions press release:

Imagine Products, Inc. and Contour A/V Solutions Inc., release ShuttlePRO Jog and Shuttle Controller for TEPX (The Executive Producer v10.3) video logging software. This collaboration gives users the ability to control frequently used commands with the touch of a button, and enables jog control of DV (FireWire) or serial (RS422) decks from the desktop.

The pre-configured settings are available for free and immediate download for ShuttlePRO users from www.contouravs.com and www.imagineproducts.com websites.

The Contour ShuttlePRO Multimedia Controller provides natural and total control over video cataloging software. As a jog & shuttle controller, the ShuttlePRO offers timeline accuracy that a computer mouse and arrow keys can’t deliver, and its programmable buttons let users work faster and easier than ever before by placing total control at their fingertips.

The latest version of The Executive Producer, TEPX, is a universal deluxe video logger for any video format. Create shot lists for any Non-Linear Editor (Final Cut Pro, Avid, Media100, etc). TEPX allows users to control and log from any video source, including FireWire (DV) and BetaCam (RS422), as well as Sony and Panasonic PC-VCRs (RS232).

All versions of TEPX for Windows include features to facilitate logging, searching and sharing. The software has easy template editing, sorting and auto-increment data fields. With thumbnail capture and patented Auto Capture Technology scene detection to assist with logging, and custom templates and spell checking to streamline data entry, TEPX is a valuable tool for logging video in the field or in the studio.

Reprinted from an Electric Rain press release:

Today Electric Rain, Inc. announced the upcoming release of Swift 3D 3.0 for Mac OS X. Swift 3D is a standalone application for designers to build and export 3D animations to the Macromedia Flash (SWF) file format, as well as other major vector and raster formats. Swift 3D for Mac OS X will be available late spring 2003 as a free upgrade to existing Swift 3D 3.0 users.

“Electric Rain is proud to broaden its support for the Mac community by making Swift 3D available for Mac OS X,” said Mike Soucie, President of Electric Rain, Inc. “Swift 3D is a powerful 3D authoring tool that becomes even more compelling when paired with Mac OS X and its advanced capabilities.”

“Mac OS X, with Quartz Extreme, has the most advanced graphics architecture available,” said Ron Okamoto, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We are pleased to see Swift 3D take advantage of Mac OS X’s powerful graphics capabilities and give the Mac an impressive 3D package with which to create high-quality vector Flash output.”

The Mac OS X version of Swift 3D will offer significant advantages over previous versions by utilizing Mac OS X’s dynamic memory management and multi-tasking capabilities, providing faster rendering speeds and enhanced workflow.

Swift 3D 3.0 for Mac OS X will offer Electric Rain’s latest innovations in quick and easy 3D authoring:

Reprinted from a Ulead press release:

Ulead Systems, Inc., a leading developer of video editing, image editing and DVD authoring software, and Panasonic Industrial Company announced today that three new Ulead video editing/DVD authoring products can be used with Panasonic’s OEM DVD MULTI drive (Model SW-9571-CYY) to read, edit and write video created in the Video Recording (VR) format. Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2, VideoStudio 7, and MediaStudio Pro 7 provide “on-disc” editing for VR media that lets users edit directly on a disc to save time and conserve valuable hard disk space. With these VR-enabled products, OEMs can now give consumers who own a DVD-RAM/R camcorder or DVD set top recorder the tools they need to edit home videos, create DVDs and watch their finished movies on a variety of entertainment devices.

With read/write support for all recordable DVD formats approved by the DVD Forum (DVD-RAM/R/RW) and read/write support for CD-R/RW discs, the DVD MULTI drive provides users with the convenience of being able to choose the format and capacity that best meets their needs. When combined with Ulead’s VR-enabled video editing software, DVD MULTI drive users can also realize the benefits of sharing content with other entertainment devices. Consumers who own DVD-RAM/R camcorders or DVD set top recorders that support the VR format can edit and write video back to the VR format or convert the video file to a DVD-video format (DVD-R/RW or VCD discs) for more viewing options. At the same time, users can save time and space by editing directly on the disc, bypassing the hard drive altogether.

Videos can be captured on low-cost, write-once DVD-R General media for playback by virtually anyone with a DVD player. When a rewriteable DVD-RAM disc is selected, Ulead software’s “on-disc” VR editing tools allow users to add and trim video clips and edit playlists directly on the disc. Videos can be edited and burned to the same DVD-RAM disc up to 100,000 times without loss of quality. With DVD-RAM’s random access capabilities, users can jump to a specific video frame almost instantly for editing or playback.

Reprinted from a Canopus press release:

Canopus Corporation, developers of award-winning digital video editing solutions, today announced DVRaptor RT2 and DVRaptor RT2 Power Tools. The next generation in the DV Raptor series, the DVRaptor RT2 combines Canopus’s industry leading DV codec, along with realtime DV and analog out in Adobe Premiere. Targeted at the video enthusiast market, DVRaptor RT2 is a cost-effective, professional-quality, DV capture, editing and DVD authoring solution. DVRaptor RT2 is fully scalable - as CPU speed increases, so does editing performance. This continues Canopus’s commitment to its customer’s return on investment. To provide the ultimate realtime functionality to DVRaptor series users, Canopus has developed the DVRaptor RT2 Power Tools, a collection of powerful effects tools, including realtime 3D Picture-in-Picture for use with Adobe Premiere 6.5.

DVRaptor RT2 includes EzEdit, Canopus’s own nonlinear editing software, which combines ease-of-use features with a straightforward interface. Canopus’s DV capture tool provides single-pass scan and capture for up to three video streams at once. SoftMPG for quick creation of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video and the award-winning Ulead DVD Workshop SE authoring software are also bundled with DVRaptor RT2 to make DVD creation easier than ever. Capture, edit and write to DVD - DVRaptor RT2 has the answers.

Users of Adobe Premiere 6.5 gain even more editing power with DVRaptor RT2, including the ability to handle multiple moving titles and graphics layers using three streams of video. When combined with Premiere, DVRaptor RT2 provides users with 24 realtime video filters, such as Color Correction, Mosaic, Emboss, Picture-in-Picture, Chroma Key, Luma Key and Chrominance, as well as 30 simultaneous realtime title and graphic layers.

To boost video editing power even further, Canopus is offering DVRaptor RT2 Power Tools to DVRaptor RT2 customers, as well as current DVRaptor RT users. DVRaptor RT2 Power Tools brings the very latest in Canopus Effects Technology to Adobe Premiere. DVRaptor RT2 Power Tools deliver six video filters, eight 3DRT transitions; including the new 3D Picture-in-Picture transition, which features the industry’s most flexible 3D PIP handling capabilities. New video filters include Mirror, Raster Scroll, Tunnel Vision, Loop Slide, Strobe, White Balance and Black Balance, bringing additional color-correction capabilities to DVRaptor RT2 and DVRaptor RT.

DVRaptor RT2 is available this week from Canopus and its authorized dealers for a suggested retail price of $499. DVRaptor RT2 Power Tools is also available this week and is priced at $99. For a great value, Canopus is offering DVRaptor RT2 and DVRaptor RT2 Power Tools bundled together for $549.

Reprinted from a Kaydara press release:

Kaydara Inc., a leader in 3D character animation and motion capture solutions, today announced the availability of the MOTIONBUILDER Personal Edition (PE) for artists, 3D enthusiasts, students and freelancers. MOTIONBUILDER PE is a full one-year production license of MOTIONBUILDER, Kaydara’s leading character animation software, which includes printed documentation, upgrades and customer support. Priced at USD $100 until July 31, 2003, MOTIONBUILDER PE is available now through Kaydara’s Web site, www.kaydara.com, and Kaydara’s educational partner 3D Buzz, www.3dbuzz.com.

Used by leading production and animation companies such as Sony SOHO, Acclaim Entertainment, Capcom, Attitude Studios and Weta, MOTIONBUILDER is a professional 3D character animation solution that is substantially more powerful, faster and easier to use than any other product on the market. MOTIONBUILDER seamlessly integrates with all the major 3D packages and provides a powerful, easy-to-use animation solution for game, film, TV or broadcast animation productions.

“We realize it can be very expensive for individual artists and freelancers to stay up to speed on the latest professional production software,” said Michel Besner, president of Kaydara. “With MOTIONBUILDER PE, individuals will now have the opportunity to learn the same character animation software used by professionals without paying the price.”

“We are thrilled that Kaydara is introducing MOTIONBUILDER PE as this will greatly increase the talent pool of MOTIONBUILDER artists,” said Gavin Moore for Sony Team Soho. “MOTIONBUILDER is an indispensable tool for our animators, allowing us to create with 10 animators what would normally take us 100 animators to produce.”

MOTIONBUILDER Overview
Specifically designed for professional 3D character animation, MOTIONBUILDER features an ease of use never before achieved by any other professional 3D software. Feature highlights in MOTIONBUILDER include:

Automatic Character Rigging saves animators a significant amount of time when compared to manual rigging. Motion retargeting also allows animators to use diverse motion data in one, unified animation environment.

Lip-Sync / Facial Animation provides a powerful lip-synchronization tool that uses Kaydara’s Voice Reality phoneme-extraction technology to create compelling lip-sync in real-time. Voice Reality has the most comprehensive phoneme coverage of any real-time lip-sync tool on the market and is as easy to use as loading an audio file.

Real-time Display provides instant feedback and eliminates the production delays associated with the rendering process. With Real-time Display there are no limited resolution or limited frame-rate previews.

Drag-and-Drop Contextual Interface is an intuitive, drag-and-drop contextual approach to content creation that simplifies the animation process and significantly lowers the learning curve. When objects or elements are selected, the tools and properties for that object or element become instantly available in the interface. Also, the tools that an animator would need to modify elements are automatically displayed for easy access.

MOTIONBUILDER PE also natively supports Kaydara’s FBX file interchange format, a powerful format for 3D data that allows MOTIONBUILDER users to quickly and easily acquire and exchange 3D assets and media from a wide variety of sources. FBX is widely supported by 3D content and streaming media vendors such as 2D3, Alias|Wavefront, Autodesk/Discreet, DI-O-Matic, Face2Face, Maxon, ElectricImage, InSpeck, Motek, NewTek, QEDsoft, Reflex3D, Softimage, Turbosquid, Vicon, and Viewpoint.

Pricing and Availability
Kaydara’s MOTIONBUILDER PE is a one year production license priced at USD $100 (MSRP) and is currently available through Kaydara’s Web site, www.kaydara.com and 3D Buzz, www.3dbuzz.com. This special promotion will be valid until July 31, 2003. MOTIONBUILDER runs on Microsoft Windows NT/2000 and Apple OS X.

This offer is only available through Kaydara’s Web site and authorized Kaydara partners. The MOTIONBUILDER Personal Edition is licensed for personal use and cannot be installed and used in productions by corporations or/and studios. Users, on an individual basis, can use the software without any limitations for personal projects, productions, or as freelancers (work for hire) but cannot acquire and use the MOTIONBUILDER Personal Edition for any corporate productions, or corporate funded projects.

Reprinted from a Syntrillium Software press release:

When independent filmmaker Michael Milbert was referred to Syntrillium Software’s Cool Edit Pro digital audio recording and editing software for audio work on his new film “Soirée,” he knew he had nothing to lose. After trying several other products, the producer and owner of Leaning Tower Films and Brenden Digital, saw that the software, which is widely used and respected in the music community, would serve well in the realm of film production.

“I was looking at a number of PC-based audio production tools when I learned about Cool Edit Pro,” said Milbert. “It was remarkable how Cool Edit Pro measured up against the others in terms of functionality and value. The program is fast and comes with a lot of capabilities built in.” Among those capabilities, Milbert counted the sampling de-noiser and frequency dependent compressor especially helpful in cleaning up the sound quality of the film.

“The most important thing about Cool Edit Pro is that everything is right there,” said Milbert. “You don’t have to go searching for plug-ins, it costs less than what we were using and offers more features. What’s more, the documentation is excellent and it’s very fast and easy to learn.” Added Milbert, “I don’t think we could have gotten better results using anything else.”

“Soirée,” a comedy about two middle-aged couples who hope to improve on their marital lives by cheating on each other with each others spouses, is due to premier at the Kentlands Stadium 8 in Gaithersburg, MD on March 14. It is written and directed by award-winning writers Matthew McNevin and Kristin Levine. Together with McNevin and Levine and the rest of the staff working on Soirée, Milbert hopes that the film will do well at its opening and hopefully reach a national audience.

Its role in the making of “Soirée” demonstrates Cool Edit Pro’s versatility and cost-effective nature according to Bob Ellison, President, Syntrillium Software. “The budget of an independent film is almost never a big one,” Ellison explained. “And because of the wide range of features that are standard in such an affordable and easy-to-use package, Cool Edit Pro lends itself to serving a variety of applications, including film production.”

by Charles Fulton

Roxio has released Easy CD & DVD Creator 6. The program features the ability to capture and burn video directly to DVD+RW media, but can also still burn VCD and SVCD. Still image photo management is included with the integration of PhotoSuite 5 (part of the MGI line that Roxio acquired in 2002). Roxio also includes music managment software, which includes playlists, transitions, volume leveling and declicking capabilities. The software is available now for $100 in its boxed form, or as a 460MB downloadable file for $80.