Video News

Reprinted from a muvee press release:

muvee Technologies, the pioneer in automatic video production for the PC, is proud to release the latest version of its *award-winning muvee autoProducer software. The new muvee autoProducer 3 debuts with a host of new features including support for still images, plug-in styles and improved integration with DVD authoring packages.

muvee autoProducer 3 now lets users blend digital pictures (JPG/JPEG, GIF and BMP) with their video, and introduces new panning and zooming photo effects that bring stills to life. In response to user requests for a wider selection of video effects and transitions, the new release also supports plug-in styles that users can purchase and download to augment the set of 24 built-in styles that come with the software.

muvee autoProducer 3 also sports a host of improvements including direct launching of popular DVD authoring applications, support for Windows Media audio files (WMA), and greater user control over the sequencing of video clips.

Pete Kellock, founder and CEO of muvee Technologies, said, “We introduced the concept of automatic video production two years ago, opening up a radically new way to create video - one that’s literally thousands of times faster than previous approaches, can be learnt in a few minutes and, above all, much more fun. Our wonderful and passionate community of muvee users has given us loads of feedback, and we’ve responded with a version that addresses the most common requests. The launch of muvee autoProducer 3 is another important milestone in the revolution that’s opening up video production to everyone.”

muvee autoProducer is the fastest, easiest and most fun way to capture video and automatically create professional-looking productions on a PC in just a few steps. Users simply add in their video, choose some music, and select a creative editing style from the program’s built-in list.

Underlying muvee autoProducer’s user-friendly, 6-button interface is patent-pending technology that intelligently analyzes and detects key scenes from video footage, before automatically cutting and synchronizing these highlights to the rhythm of the chosen music, complete with personalized credits, effects and transitions. In minutes, a final, polished video production, known as a “muvee”, is ready to be saved and shared in a number of popular formats, including DV, AVI and WMV for e-mail or Web-streaming. muvee autoProducer 3 also outputs productions as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 files, which can subsequently be used to create VCDs, SVCDs or DVDs using any suitable third-party CD-burning or DVD-authoring program.

Pricing and Availability:
muvee autoProducer 3 is priced at US$49.95 and is now available for download from www.muvee.com in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. Current users of earlier licensed versions of muvee autoProducer may upgrade to version 3 from US$19.95.

muvee Technologies will launch 2 new muvee stylePacks on Nov 7, 2003. Each pack of 6 new plug-in styles is priced at US$14.95 (compatible with muvee autoProducer 3 and future versions), and may be purchased from muvee’s styleLabs at http://www.muvee.com/website/styleLabs.php from that date.

Reprinted from a Addonics press release:

Addonics Technologies today announced a multi function digital media solution that does it all, whether you’re a digital media professional or consumer electronics enthusiast.

The Addonics MFR (Multi Function Recorder) is one of the most versatile data storage appliances on the market. The USB 2.0-compatible device merges the functions of a stand alone Home Theater DVD Player, a USB 2.0 DVD/CDRW; an 8-in-1 format flash memory reader/writer, and MP3 music player into one powerful portable peripheral that can be used for a wide range of digital media applications.

With the Addonics MFR users have a single device that can read/write to all popular flash media as well as convert flash media with one touch recording to less expensive CDRW format. Two flash media slots accommodate eight types of flash media. The combined flash/DVD/CDRW/MP3 functions support more than 25 digital media types.

The Addonics MFR is also an external, portable DVD (8X)/CDRW (24×10x24) for any computer with up to USB 2.0 data speeds; a stand alone MP3 player; and a DVD player with direct S-Video or A/V cable connections to TV sets. The device also provides direct playback of digital images in flash memory or CDRW over TV sets or digital projectors.

Together with remote control, 2.5-hour rechargeable battery pack, and carrying case the Addonics MFR can be used anywhere. The complete package (Model # AEMFR824) includes the Addonics MFR unit, remote control unit, rechargeable battery, 110/220 power adapter, three-foot USB cable, combo A/V cable, S-video cable, driver CD, Power DVD and Nero Express software, user guide, and carrying bag. The MSRP is $249.

The unit measures 6.6×5.4×1.3 inches and weighs just 1.4 pounds with the battery installed.

System requirements for PC use include PC/AT or compatible system; USB 2.0/1.1; Pentium II 350 MHz or greater; minimum hard disk space of 50 MB; minimum 64 MB RAM; and one of the following operating systems, Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, or XP.

Addonics products are available through the company online store www.shopaddonics.com, major catalog companies, resellers, VARs and distributors, including StorageUSA.com, Amazon.com, PC Connection, CDW, Buy.com, Provantage.com, Insight, Ingram Micro, and Ma Lab.

Reprinted from a Sony press release:

Sony Electronics today announced two new Dual RW DVD drives that support 8X DVD+R recording.

Its latest duo of high-speed burners underlines Sony’s DVD drive ingenuity and market leadership. In fact, The NPD Group ranked Sony number one (based on dollar market share) for DVD burner sales in the combined U.S. retail and reseller markets during August 2003.

Sony’s award-winning Dual RW drives, which started shipping a year ago this month, were the PC industry’s first combination drives to support the DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW and DVD-R formats. Speed takes center stage with Sony’s fourth-generation Dual RW drives - the internal DRU-530A and the external DRX-530UL - which are capable of recording to compatible DVD+R discs at speeds of up to 8X, enabling users to burn an entire 8X DVD+R disc in about ten minutes.

The new drives also support up to 4X DVD+RW and DVD-R recording, as well as 2X DVD-RW, 40X CD-R and 24X CD-RW recording, making them among the fastest and most proficient on the market.

“Sony is the pioneer of dual-format DVD drives,” said Robert DeMoulin, marketing manager for branded storage products in Sony Electronics’ IT Products Division. “While others are only just now introducing dual-format DVD drives, we have released our fourth generation of Dual RW burners. With the new 530 models, we are continuing to provide consumers and businesses the utmost in recording functionality and playback.”

According to IDC, with an expanding consumer and professional appetite for high-capacity applications, stand-alone and PC-attached DVD recorder purchases are expected to grow from five million in 2002 to 19 million in 2003, a more than-threefold increase over last year. IDC further anticipates that the DVD recorder market will grow to over 100 million units in 2006, including over 60 million PC DVD burners.

“DVD recording is at the threshold of mass adoption with consumers in the U.S.,” said Wolfgang Schlichting, Research Director for Removable Storage at IDC. “DVD burners are appealing primarily to consumers who are looking to upgrade the multimedia capabilities of their computers, but also to commercial users looking to improve their backup systems.”

A popular application for Sony’s Dual RW DVD drives is transferring VHS tapes to DVD (a tutorial on this process can be found at www.sony.com/dvdburners). They are also ideal for recording and distributing corporate training programs, which can save a company the expense of having a large number of employees travel to headquarters for training.

The internal DRU-530A drive comes with an ATAPI interface for easy installation inside a PC, while the external DRX-530UL drive includes both an i.LINK (IEEE 1394) and a hi-speed USB (USB 2.0) digital interface for simple set-up and maximum flexibility.

DVD and CD Software Suite
Both Dual RW drives come bundled with DVD video authoring software, as well as DVD/CD burning software for creation of data, music, and video DVDs and CDs. The full-featured software suite also includes packet-writing software for users to easily record files and folders by dragging to the icon of a DVD+RW/CD-RW disc. The software suite includes:

Reprinted from a Verbatim press release:

Verbatim Corporation announced today a new family of DigitalMovie 1x-4x speed DVD Recordable media with the unique look of a movie reel. Like Verbatim’s popular Digital Vinyl CD-R discs that look like 45-rpm records, the new movie reel DVD discs bring smiles to the faces of everyone who sees them. Verbatim DigitalMovie discs are available in 3-packs with a choice of 4.7GB DVD-R or DVD+R media packaged in clear DVD Super Jewel Box cases.

Verbatim’s unique DigitalMovie DVD Recordable discs put the fun in recording, viewing and sharing home movies. In addition to giving personal videos the realistic look of a classic Hollywood movie reel, the discs are ideal for backing up DVD video titles and transferring video tapes to optical media that won’t degrade over time. Consumers can also use the discs with compatible personal video recorders (PVRs) to standardize the look of their recorded videos in clear, DVD video-sized jewel boxes.

“These discs offer all of the nostalgia and charm of the movie reels that symbolize movie theater cinemas today,” said Tim Clatterbuck, Verbatim Director of Optical Storage Marketing. “People are going to have fun with the reaction they get when friends, family members or business associates see their videos because they look just like the reels of celluloid film movie houses use.”

Clatterbuck explained that the write-once DVD+R and DVD-R formats were selected for Verbatim’s new DigitalMovie discs because they offer the broadest compatibility with today’s DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players and can be easily shared. “With a capacity of 4.7GB, users can store 2 hours of high-quality video on a single disc,” he noted. “And at 4x speed, an entire 4.7GB DVD+R or -R disc can be recorded in about 15 minutes. People who don’t have a 4x DVD burner can record DigitalMovie discs with earlier burners at lower speeds.”

Ideal for businesses that want their marketing videos to stand out, the premium-quality discs can be used to distribute DVDs that are unique and memorable. DigitalMovie discs will also appeal to replication houses and videographers who want to create distinctive-looking discs for distribution.

Designed to fit easily in most DVD video racks, the Super Jewel Box measures 7.5″ x 5.6″ x 0.4″–the same height as a VHS cassette and the same thin profile as a standard jewel case. The Super Jewel Box is manufactured with a crystal-clear polystyrene material that is more durable than a standard jewel case. With clear visibility of all four spines, users can easily read the DVD label without opening the case.

To produce 4x-speed discs with exceptional reliability and compatibility, the new media incorporates materials and manufacturing technologies developed by Verbatim’s parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM).

Verbatim DigitalMovie 4x DVD+R and DVD-R discs are based on MKM’s Metal Azo recording dye technology which produces recordings with greater power margin and better sensitivity than earlier-generation 2x DVD recordable discs, ensuring the same accuracy achieved by other discs at 1-2.4x recording speeds. DigitalMovie DVD media are manufactured utilizing Ultra-Precise Molding (UPM) technology which produces very flat discs, guaranteeing stable, high-speed rotation during the reading and writing processes.

Pricing, Availability
Backed by a lifetime warranty, Verbatim DigitalMovie DVD-R and DVD+R media are expected to have a street price of about $11.99 per 3-pack and will be available through leading retailers, Internet resellers and distributors across the country in November.

Reprinted from a Pinnacle press release:

Pinnacle Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCLE) today announced the availability of three new products in its Instant product family which are designed to help consumers easily customize and burn their video, photo, and audio discs to enjoy on their CD or DVD player. Pinnacle Instant PhotoAlbum and Pinnacle Instant VideoAlbum let digital camera and camcorder users burn their digital images or video on a disc, along with editing capabilities. Pinnacle InstantCD/DVD version 8 is a suite of software applications that gives users everything they need to duplicate DVDs and CDs, create MP3 and audio CDs, author photo and video discs, and backup, restore and manage their data.

“Gone are the days where people have to crowd around a computer to share memories from a family wedding, a baby’s first steps, or last summer’s European vacation,” said Bill Loesch, vice president, product management and engineering for the Business and Consumer Division at Pinnacle Systems. “Our Instant product family lets consumers experiment with their creativity while preserving their life’s memories in a format that will outlive their VHS tapes and will not bog down their hard drive.”

Improve and Preserve Photos
Pinnacle Instant PhotoAlbum gives digital camera owners a simple solution to get their digital photos off the computer and on to a disc that can be enjoyed forever. Through a new graphically-friendly photo-album style interface, images can be organized, enhanced, and brought to life in an interactive CD or DVD-based slideshow that includes navigation menus, music, and transitions.

Instant PhotoAlbum includes a built-in photo editor with standard editing tools and one-button color correction and red-eye removal capabilities, making every photo “a keeper.” Users can also add effects, apply filters, add text, or even paint on photos before burning to disc. When adding DVD menu titles, users can select one of the dozens of pre-made DVD menu templates or design new ones with a custom menu creator. And Instant PhotoAlbum also includes a unique “beat detection” feature which aligns image transitions to change with the beat and feel of the music being played, creating more natural image transitions in the slideshow.

Video in a Format Everyone Can Enjoy
Pinnacle Instant VideoAlbum is an entry-level solution for camcorder owners who want to burn their footage to a disc that can be played in nearly any DVD player. The application lets users capture video from a DV camcorder and follow easy steps to improve it. Life’s memories can be salvaged and restored with new features to brighten old video that has been weathered over time.

Instant VideoAlbum also gives users easy-to-use creative tools to add photo slideshows and DVD menus to their disc. Photo slideshows with music and transitions help set the mood and bring old memories to life. And before burning to video CD (VCD), super-video CD (SVCD), or DVD, video can be segmented by DVD chapters for instant access to different parts of the footage. Instant VideoAlbum can burn CDs that play in most DVD players so a DVD burner is not required.

With Instant PhotoAlbum and Instant VideoAlbum, users do not need to design their titles and labels from scratch. Both products include the ability to automatically create disc labels based on the contents and menu of the DVD.

InstantCD/DVD version 8
The latest release of Pinnacle InstantCD/DVD is a suite of software applications to duplicate non-encrypted DVDs and CDs, create MP3 and audio CDs, author photo and video discs, as well as back up, restore, and manage data. The new version includes a significantly enhanced interface which makes the product more intuitive for the novice user and puts more power into the hands of the experts. Additional new features also include a new drag and burn desktop icon for quick and easy burning; InstantAudio to organize music files, rip and burn MP3 or WMA files into audio or MP3 CDs; InstantCinema for VCD and SVCD playback; and the latest version of InstantCopy version 8.

Like the other Pinnacle Instant family products, InstantCD/DVD gives users the power to capture video from their camcorders and burn DVDs that can be enjoyed on virtually any DVD player. It also includes the ability to create photo slideshows with music and transitions, helping consumers move their digital picture files off the hard drive and on to a disc that can be enjoyed again and again.

Pricing and Availability
All three Pinnacle Instant products support Microsoft Window XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, and Windows 98 SE. Pinnacle Instant PhotoAlbum and Instant VideoAlbum are available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 and $39.99, respectively. InstantCD/DVD version 8 is available for a suggested retail price of $79.99. Upgrade pricing is also available for existing InstantCD/DVD, InstantCopy, and Pinnacle Expression customers. For upgrade information, visit www.pinnaclesys.com/estore. All Pinnacle Instant products are available through leading retailers and the Pinnacle estore at www.pinnaclesys.com/estore.

Reprinted from a YesVideo press release:

YesVideo, Inc., the market leaders in video-to-YesDVD conversion, announced today that its new services for film, slides and prints direct to YesDVD is now available at Walgreens stores nationwide. These new services will provide consumers an easy and fast way to convert their home movies from 8mm, Super 8, 16mm film, 35mm slides and prints of any common size to a YesDVD.

YesVideo has developed proprietary technology that best captures movie film, video, slides or prints and digitally transfers these images to DVD. YesDVD automatically creates thumbnail images from scenes, and places them on the DVD’s main menu and DVD case for easy searching and viewing. A YesDVD also includes music videos made from the best clips from your video, film, 35mm slides or prints. The result is a professionally edited DVD that is fun to view with friends and family.

“Millions of consumers have old family memories stored on movie film, 35mm slides or prints that are deteriorating and are unable to be watched and shared. With YesVideo’s new services, they can convert their film, slides and prints to a YesDVD and enjoy watching them in their living room on a DVD player,” said Greg Ayres, chief operating officer at YesVideo, Inc. “We are excited that Walgreens has acknowledged the demand from consumers for this service and will offer it throughout their 4,200 retail stores nationwide.”

“The new services offered by YesVideo will provide our customers with another means of preserving their memories to last a lifetime,” said Dean Jarrett, divisional merchandise manager at Walgreens. “We chose to partner with the leaders in DVD conversion services, YesVideo, in order to offer our customers the best quality service.”

Recent studies have shown that DVD media will last up to 300 years. By converting film, video, slides and prints to a YesDVD, consumers can preserve precious memories from deterioration and disintegration and share their memories with friends and family for generations to come.

The suggested retail price for the YesDVD conversion service for 250 feet of movie film or 80 slides or prints is $49.99.

Reprinted from a Canopus press release:

Canopus Corporation today announced that its line of DVStorm2 and DVRaptor RT2 DV realtime editing solutions are the first nonlinear editing products to be certified by Adobe Systems Incorporated for use with its new Adobe Premiere Pro editing software. This certification illustrates Canopus’s technical compliance and demonstrates its long-standing commitment to providing solutions for Adobe Premiere.

In addition to the advanced features found in Adobe Premiere Pro, including a streamlined interface, multiple nestable timelines and powerful new audio controls, Canopus NLE customers will continue to enjoy the realtime render-free editing capabilities they are accustomed to with DVStorm2 and DVRaptor RT2. Both products feature Canopus’s high-quality hardware DV codec that processes DV in realtime and leaves more CPU processing power available for realtime effects processing - providing an unmatched realtime multi-track editing experience.

Canopus is bundling Premiere Pro with DVStorm2 Ultra, the latest in an impressive lineup of hardware/software bundles from Canopus. DVStorm2 Ultra combines DVStorm2 and the convenient Storm Bay breakout box with the Adobe Video Collection, which is comprised of the company’s award-winning video software, including Adobe Premiere Pro for nonlinear video editing, Adobe After Effects for effects and compositing, Adobe Audition for audio editing and Adobe Encore DVD for professional DVD authoring. DVStorm2 Ultra is available now from Canopus and its authorized dealers for a suggested retail price of $1299.

Reprinted from a Sony Pictures Digital press release:

Sony Pictures Digital Networks announced today that a new version of its Sound Forge software, the company’s award-winning professional digital audio editor, is now available in boxed and downloadable configurations. An industry standard for over a decade, this is the first new professional software release from Sony Pictures Digital Networks since it purchased all of Sonic Foundry’s desktop production software assets in July 2003.

Sound Forge 7.0 software includes many new powerful features and enhancements such as: DirectX Plug-in effects automation; automated time-based recording; audio threshold record triggering; VU meters for recording and playback; enhanced Spectrum Analysis tools; White, Pink, and Brown noise generators; Media Explorer Previewing; Project File Creation; and support for 24fps native DV video files. The company Website, www.sony.com/mediasoftware, contains a complete list of the new features found in this 7.0 upgrade.

Sound Forge software is the industry-standard for audio editing, recording, effects processing and media encoding on the PC platform. It is used worldwide for production in leading recording studios, post production facilities, broadcast and media complexes, home studios, radio stations and training facilities. The application includes an extensive set of customizable processes, effects and tools for manipulating audio, creating streaming media, and also offers support for a wide range of file import and export options for most industry formats.

Availability and Pricing
The MSRP for Sound Forge 7.0 software is $499.95. Registered users can upgrade directly from www.sony.com/mediasoftware for only $149.95. Sound Forge 7.0 software is available at leading software dealers and distributors including Guitar Center, B&H Photo, Sam Ash, Musicians Friend and many others worldwide. The software is also available for purchase at www.sony.com/mediasoftware.

About Sony Pictures Digital Networks
Sony Pictures Digital Networks — a division of Sony Pictures Digital — concentrates on mobile entertainment, broadband video delivery and media software and services, including Sony Pictures Mobile, SoapCity Download and Screenblast.

The Media Software and Services division manages the following: Sound Forge, Vegas 4.0, CD Architect, DVD Architect, ACID PRO 4.0, Batch Converter, Sony Screenblast Movie Studio, Sony Screenblast ACID 4.0 (formerly Screenblast Music Studio) software, Noise Reduction plug-in and Loops for ACID loop libraries. The team also manages www.ACIDplanet.com and www.Screenblast.com.

Sony Pictures Digital Networks is committed to making information and entertainment available anywhere, anytime, on any enabled device. Sony Pictures Digital is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment. For more information please visit www.sonypictures.com.

Reprinted from a In-Sync press release:

In-sync releases Speed Razor 5.51 editing software for the Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP platforms. Speed Razor 5.51 is designed to work with Pinnacle Targa 3000, Matrox Digisuite, Matrox Digisuite LE, Matrox Digisuite LX, Matrox Digisuite DTV, Newtek Video Toaster, as well as legacy hardware platforms like DPS Perception and Fast DV Master.

Speed Razor 5.51 includes the following enhancements over Speed Razor 5.5:

Reprinted from a DVD+RW Alliance press release:

Dell, Hewlett Packard, Mitsubishi Chemical/Verbatim, Philips, Ricoh, Sony, Thomson and Yamaha, members of the DVD+RW Alliance, announce the feasibility to make a dual layer DVD+R disc compatible with the dual-layer DVD-ROM standard (DVD9). The dual layer DVD+R disc nearly doubles the storage capacity from 4.7 Gbytes to up to 8.5 Gbytes, while remaining compatible with existing DVD Video players and DVD-ROM drives. Demonstrations of the dual layer DVD+R will be given at the DVD+RW Alliance booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2003, which takes place from 7-11 October in Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan. Final specifications and the format book are expected to be available within this year and recordable media and recorder products that will use this new dual layer technology are expected in the course of 2004.

Adding an additional storage layer will nearly double the data storage capacity of a current DVD+R disc. Both layers can be accessed from the same side of the disc, meaning there is no need to turn over the disc to benefit from the extra recording capacity. The technology will allow consumers to record DVD quality video up to 4 hours and up to 16 hours in VHS video quality on a single dual layer DVD+R disc and will enable PC users of dual layer DVD+R discs to enjoy increased storage capacity of up to 8.5 Gbytes.

An aggressive feature and performance roadmap has been developed for the DVD+R/+RW format, and compatibility with the installed base of DVD Video players and DVD-ROM drives is key component to this roadmap. Dual layer recording is yet another accomplishment of format strategy designed to bring compatible, simple and functional DVD recording to the consumers.

The companies have been consistent leaders in bringing new DVD recording technologies to consumers. The announcement of dual layer capability comes on the heels of their July 2003 announcement of DVD+R 8x.

About DVD+R/+RW
Today the DVD+R/+RW format is capable of recording up to 4.7 gigabytes of digital video, images or data. This equates to the storage capacity of up to seven CD-R/RW discs and the potential to store thousands of digital photographs or approximately two hours of digital video. The primary benefit of DVD+R/+RW is its two-way compatibility, meaning that DVD+R and DVD+RW media can be played in most DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives tested. (IntelliKey Labs 9/02, 1/03 and 3/03.)