Video News

Reprinted from a Photodex press release:

Photodex Corporation today released ProShow Gold 2.5, the newest version of its award winning slide show software for photo enthusiasts and professionals. ProShow Gold 2.5 allows users to easily and efficiently create quality multimedia slide show presentations to share with friends and family. Slide motion effects, captions effects, over 280 quality transitions, and unmatched performance make ProShow Gold the industry leading tool for creating quality DVD, PC, and Web slide shows.

"ProShow Gold 2.5 is the next logical step in empowering consumers to get the most out of their computers and photos. Even in the last year the industry has produced better digital camcorders, higher resolution digital cameras, and lower cost DVD writers. ProShow Gold is an excellent way to get more value out of these new and exciting technological advancements," says Paul Schmidt, President, Photodex Corporation.

Based on user requests and feedback, new enhancements in ProShow Gold 2.5 make it easier than ever to create a quality DVD slide show presentation. New features include a light box view for organizing large numbers of slides, an audio CD soundtrack tool, new custom menu options, auto-correction for images, voice over recording for slide show narration, an option to back up project files to CD and DVD, user interface enhancements, unlimited undo and redo, and many additional features.

The new show backup system in ProShow Gold 2.5 gives users the option to backup or move a working slide show to their computer, a CD, or a DVD. ProShow Gold 2.5 will automatically gather all the contents and project files of a slide show and conveniently save them to a desired location.

Adding audio to a slide show is now easier than ever. Users can add their favorite music to a slide show directly from a CD without any extra conversion, using the audio CD soundtrack tool. ProShow Gold 2.5 also allows users to easily record a voice over narration to a slide show. As the user speaks into a microphone, ProShow Gold 2.5 records the audio and adds it to the slide show.

The light box view and unlimited undo and redo function are examples of many enhancements to the functionality and ease-of-use in ProShow Gold 2.5. Using the light box view, a user can organize and edit a larger number of their slides at once. The light box can be turned on or off and can be either docked or floated as a separate window. The light box provides all the functionality of ProShow Gold’s intuitive slide list, and can be used in conjunction with, or in place of the slide list. Using the unlimited undo and redo in ProShow Gold 2.5, a user can step-back or move forward through the changes they have made to their slide show. Mistakes can now be easily overcome by the click of a button.

Pricing and Availability:
ProShow Gold 2.5 is available from www.photodex.com. ProShow Gold 2.5 is priced at $69.95 for electronic delivery. ProShow 2.5 is also available in a standard edition for $29.95 electronic delivery. Both versions provide a fully functional 15-day trial. Boxed editions are also available.

Reprinted from a MacroSystem press release:

MacroSystem Digital Video, the top provider of stand-alone video editors, delivers a new software solution that will afford users the opportunity to edit digital images on their Casablanca line of digital video editors, exploiting the full potential of high-resolution digital camera images.

Keeping true to the legacy of the Casablanca line of products, Photo Studio’s interface is easy-to-use and is 100% compatible with all Casablanca software and hardware components that meet the minimum system requirements.

The software enables the user to remove flaws from pictures, crop photographs to size and adjust the image color. The clips can then be integrated into a slide-show format with either still shots or adjustable "pan and zoom" animations (often times used in historical documentaries where actual video footage is not available). Organizing and manipulating digital images into a photo collage can be easily employed to achieve various thematic effects throughout the project (I.E. for title screens, to mark chapters, or even throughout the piece as a stunning photo montage). The project is sent to the video partition where the final images can be integrated into the regular storyboard to supplement digital video footage or they can remain a separate project. The final footage can then be burned to DVD for viewing.

"Photo studio facilitates the rich partnership between digital video and digital photography with a straightforward interface that everyone can use and enjoy," says Jon Sabel, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at MacroSystem Digital Video, "proving, once again, that Casablanca is truly the peoples’ editor."

Reprinted from a NewTek press release:

NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced the release of the seventh edition of NewTek’s free Texture Collection. As with previous editions, this new set includes fifty high-resolution textures available for free download at NewTek.com. The total number of free textures available from NewTek is now at 350. The seventh edition of the texture collection contains images in the categories Asphalt, Landscape, Metal, Rocks, and Soil. As with the preceding sixth set, most images in this latest set are at even higher pixel resolutions than NewTek’s first five sets.

“The best way to make your materials photo-real is with high resolution photographic textures, whether you directly apply them in your materials editor or use them as reference,” said Rob Powers, freelance digital artist whose recent work includes the Europan Alien created for James Cameron’s 3D IMAX film, Aliens of the Deep. “NewTek’s collections are a wonderful assortment of real-world textures for both nature and artifacts. The high resolution lets you use them as is, or you can easily process them for seamless tiling. NewTek’s commitment to artists shows in the incredible extras they provide, and their growing collection of high resolution textures is just one of those extras.”

All textures are unretouched photographic images. The first 250 in the collection offer a resolution of 1600 pixels x 1200 pixels resolution. For the sixth and seventh sets, most are at a resolution of 2304 x 1728, with a few images at lower resolutions. The textures are provided in JPEG format, for efficient download. The first six editions of the texture collection have been overwhelmingly popular, with tens of thousands of downloads since they were originally posted. NewTek plans to release additional sets of high-resolution textures from time to time and participants can sign up for notification of the release of new sets.

Pricing and Availability
NewTek’s Texture Collection, Seventh Edition, is available for free download at: http://www.newtek.com/freestuff.

Reprinted from a Nero press release:

Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that their award-winning digital media suite, Nero 6, is the first consumer digital media software to support DVD-R dual-layer (DL) recording.

DVD-R DL recording allows the user to store up to 8.5Gbytes of data or up to 8 hours of DVD video on one side of the disc. "Next-generation DVD recording technology is here, and Nero has already provided users with the tools to operate it," said Jim Corbett, Executive Director of Nero AG. "Dual-layer recording has raised DVD recording technology to new levels, and gives users access to a new and exciting format that was previously available only to professionals."

The recent update to Nero 6 provides users with enhanced Dual-Layer Recording tools including DVD-R DL disc support for 8.5GB data storage or 120 min playback time (SP) for DVD-Video. Nero BackItUp’s extensive back up features takes full advantage of the increased disc space of DL discs. Nero Express 6 and Nero Burning Rom allows users to burn standard data and digital audio discs with up to 8.5 GB in size. Also included in Nero 6 are the powerful DVD and digital video playback software, Nero ShowTime 2, the standard packet writing application, InCD 4 and the label creator, Nero Cover Designer. Each application can be accessed with a single click via the one-of-a-kind application launcher Nero StartSmart, providing users with an at-a-glance overview of what DVD drives have to offer.

The Nero 6 update with Dual-Layer support in Nero applications can be downloaded now at www.nero.com.

Reprinted from a ArcSoft press release:

Today, ArcSoft announces the availability of a new line of photo imaging software specifically targeted at the mass retail market. This line of six digital photo applications will complement ArcSoft’s full line of digital products that have made it a leader as an OEM software supplier for the past ten years.

“With the new ArcSoft retail line of photo software, we’re giving mass retailers a full array of easy to use and popularly priced programs,” said Todd Rumaner, ArcSoft COO. “The ability for consumers to be able to print at home, through their favorite online photo services, and even back at their favorite store’s digital kiosk is sure to appeal to major retailers.”

Now that digital imaging is truly "mainstream," a market has developed for low priced, easy to use, "single focused" imaging solutions specifically targeted at women–the primary memory keepers in the family. ArcSoft’s new software will be merchandised in the photo/electronics departments of familiar mass retailers where consumers are used to shopping for their photo products. To promote retail digital photo printing services, the software will have unique links to retailers’ online printing services and even encourage the customer to print high quality prints at the stores’ digital kiosks.

The line of new products includes:

The full line of ArcSoft retail imaging software will be available in March 2005. All products have a suggested retail of US$19.99. Please visit www.arcsoft.com for more information.

Reprinted from a Plextor press release:

Plextor Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced its first slot-loaded optical disk drive. The new PX-716AL DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW drive allows users to insert disks directly into the device through a slot mechanism, eliminating the traditional slide-out tray. The drive is specifically designed for digital photo kiosks and other retail Point-of-Sale equipment, as well as media-centric computers intended for the living room.

The new PX-716AL drive meets several specific requirements of digital photo kiosk developers and OEMs. The 5.25-inch half-height design can be mounted vertically or horizontally to accommodate a wide range of kiosk designs. The drive accepts both 80mm and 120mm disk sizes, and provides a means to extract disks from the drive in the event of an equipment or power failure. In addition to high performance 6X DVD±R DL and 16x DVD±R recording, the PX-716AL also includes Intelligent Recording features that ensure reliable, high-quality results across a broad spectrum of CD and DVD media. The new drive is bundled with Easy Media Creator 7, Basic DVD Edition by Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions.

“Development of a slot-loaded optical drive was based purely on customer demand for a Plextor solution suitable to kiosks,” said Howard Wing, vice president of sales and marketing for Plextor. “While our slot-loaded drive is designed to be operated safely and securely in a retail environment, it also has all the advanced features and high quality that are the hallmarks of Plextor optical disk drives used by enterprises, professionals, and consumers around the globe.”

“Roxio is extremely pleased that Plextor has bundled Easy Media Creator 7 with its new PX-716AL slot-loaded optical drive,” said Stan Wong, vice-president of OEM sales for Roxio. “Plextor has long been a leader in the optical drive space and their innovative PX-716AL drive, when combined with Creator 7, provides consumers the ultimate hardware and software solution for burning their digital media to CD and DVD.”

Plextor PX-716AL DVD±R/RW Drive
The Plextor PX-716AL is a highly versatile 10-in-1 slot-loaded DVD/CD burner that supports 6x DVD+R DL Double Layer, 6x DVD-R Dual Layer, 16x DVD+R, 16x DVD-R, and 48x CD-R Writing; 8x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, and 24x CD-RW Rewriting; and 16x max DVD-Reading and 48x max CD-Reading.

The PX-716AL features an ATA/ATAPI-5 (EIDE) interface for broad based PC-compatibility, 8 MB buffer, and Buffer Underrun Proof Technology to prevent errors and allow multi-tasking. The drive also includes Intelligent Recording, a combination of technologies designed to achieve high-quality recordings across a broad spectrum of media with varying grades of quality:

Plextor Software Bundle: Roxio Easy Media Creator 7, Basic DVD Edition
Plextor’s bundled software package offers ease-of-use and extensive functionality for Windows platforms. The PlexWriter PX-716AL ships with Easy Media Creator 7, Basic DVD Edition by Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC). Roxio’s number-one selling DVD/CD-recording software lets users create movie DVDs, data DVDs, music CDs, photo slideshows synchronized with music, data CDs, and backup copies of personal discs. The software package also includes Roxio PhotoSuite 7 for capturing, organizing, editing, and sharing digital photos.

Pricing and Availability
The Plextor PX-716AL DVD±R/RW drive will be available for delivery in April and lists for $169.00 USD. Discounts are available for OEMs and Systems Integrators.

Reprinted from a Canon press release:

Responding to the increased technology demands of today’s digital household, Canon introduced three new megapixel Mini DV camcorders that offer a variety of advanced video and photo features for the hobbyist and beginner alike. All three new models including the 2.2 megapixel Optura 50 and Optura 60 and the 1.33 megapixel ZR400 camcorder will be on display at PMA 2005, February 20 - 23 (Canon Booth #3503) in Orlando, Fla. Each of the three new camcorders will allow users of all levels to capture and share high quality video and photos using the high resolution 16:9 widescreen video recording mode and advanced photo features usually found on Canon’s award-winning digital cameras, among other features.

“With the addition of the budget-friendly ZR400 and the photo-optimized Optura series, the Canon lineup of Mini DV camcorders helps feed the growing trend of consumers shooting photos with their camcorders and displaying video on their 16:9 widescreen televisions,” said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. “Now more than ever is the time to enjoy the benefits of a hybrid camcorder, and discover the simplicity of bringing video and still images together for all levels of users, and for almost any occasion.”

Delivering Premium Performance To The Camcorder User
Each new camcorder features Canon’s exclusive DV Photo Plus system, a combination of features and technology that allows users to achieve high quality video and high resolution photos, with exceptional quality, color and clarity, in a single product.

Incorporated into each new model are four key technologies that collectively raise image quality, camera performance and user satisfaction. This fierce foursome includes:

With widescreen televisions growing ever more popular, Canon has responded with a high-resolution 16:9 Widescreen video recording mode found on both the ZR400 and Optura 50 and Optura 60 camcorders. Now consumers can capture high-resolution 16:9 home videos with up to 33 percent more picture than standard video and enjoy them on a widescreen television for a superior home theater experience. All models use the full width of the CCD image sensor to record sharp, clear images in widescreen, which is not found on all digital camcorders today. While shooting, the viewscreen on each camcorder displays video in a clear widescreen style, free from distortion. Each model also records video in the standard 4:3 TV aspect ratio.

As consumers embrace shooting digital photos with their camcorders the new ZR and Optura models make it easy to capture, view, print and share pictures by incorporating advanced photo features from Canon’s line of digital cameras including the popular PowerShot series and professional EOS line of SLRs. Beginners may be pleased with using any of three auto focus areas for creative photo composition with ZR400 while hobbyists and even pro-photographers can appreciate more photo precision with control over focus points, metering methods, aperture and shutter speeds on the Optura 50 and Optura 60 models.

The Optura 50 and 60 - Not Just Video and Photos, The Best of Both
The new Optura 50 and Optura 60 Mini DV camcorders represent the strongest two in one product Canon has ever offered. The new Optura series includes a 2.2 megapixel CCD with an RGB primary color filter for color reproduction that contends with three CCD camcorders.

The Optura 50 camcorder is equipped with a 10x Optical Zoom Lens, while the Optura
60 model provides a 14x Optical Zoom Lens. Canon has brought the excellence of its Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to the two new Optura camcorders. Optical Image Stabilization is superior to electronic image stabilization, which is found on most camcorders. OIS works by moving the optical lens elements to compensate for shake with startling accuracy for shooting both video and photos without sacrificing image quality.

A precise nine-point AiAF (Auto Intelligent Auto Focus) system with selectable AF points is also incorporated into each model that is versatile enough to accommodate shooting great photos whether candid or posed. The Optura models also offer a continuous shooting mode for capturing a burst of sequential photos up to five frames per second. In addition three exposure metering modes including Spot, Evaluative and Center Weighted provide choices for metering an individual subject or the entire image. Also, the Optura models include a built in flash for illuminating subjects while shooting photos at night or filling in shadows on sunny days.

To make capturing photos even easier, the new Optura series features, for the first time ever, scene modes that are easily selected from the side mounted control wheel. User-friendly modes include beach, sunset, snow, foliage, fireworks, and spotlight to adapt to most shooting situations for both photo and video. Users can also be creative with manual features such as aperture and shutter priority modes, manual audio level recording and a large manual focusing ring on the front of the lens. Both the Optura 50 and Optura 60 camcorders feature a Night Mode, which allows users to capture video under low light conditions.

Exclusive features offered on the Optura 60 camcorder include a USB 2.0 high-speed terminal, which is beneficial for fast and easy transfer of full-quality digital video to a computer. In addition, the Optura 60 model comes with an Advanced Accessory Shoe, which allows certain Canon accessories to attach and be powered directly from the camera without wires or additional power. For more advanced low light recording, the Optura 60 camcorder also offers a built-in video light, which enables users to keep shooting even in the dark.

The ZR400 - Bringing the Megapixel Message To The Masses
The new Canon ZR400 Mini DV camcorder offers for the first time in an entry-level model a 1.33-megapixel CCD, which provides consumers with higher quality video and still photos. The new ZR model demonstrates Genuine Canon Optics with a 14x Optical Zoom Lens and image stabilization. Included with the camcorder is a Canon 0.6x wide attachment that increases the field of view by approximately 40 percent, which is helpful for including everyone in a large group of people, the span of an interior room or the scope of a landscape.

Supporting the belief that consumer camcorders should be easy to use, Canon’s new ZR400 model offers users a compact design that is sleek enough to be carried anywhere and an EASY control switch that sets the camcorder in full automatic mode for point and shoot simplicity.

The ZR400 camcorder records high-resolution 16:9 widescreen video and uses the full width of the CCD by filling the entire screen with crisp, high quality images.

For added convenience, users can shoot simultaneous stills to the provided MultiMediaCard while taping video without interruption. Printing images from the ZR400 model is also a snap due to the Print and Share function, which allows quick and easy direct printing to a Canon brand PIXMA, SELPHY or CP series photo printer or any PictBridge compatible photo printer.

The ZR400 will be available in mid April at an estimated selling price of $549* and will come bundled with a rechargeable NB-2LH battery, a 0.6x wide attachment, remote control, 16MB MultiMediaCard, a power adaptor, USB and stereo video cables, shoulder strap and Canon’s Digital Video Solution CD for select Windows and Apple computer operating systems.

The Optura series of Mini DV camcorders come bundled with a rechargeable NB-2LH battery, remote control, 16 MB MultiMediaCard, a power adaptor, cables for stereo video and USB transfer, shoulder strap and Canon’s Digital Video Solution CD for select Windows and Apple computer operating systems. The Optura 50 and Optura 60 Mini DV camcorders will arrive in retail stores in March, with an estimated selling price of $799* and $899*, respectively.

Representing consumer protection and providing ease of mind, all Canon Mini DV camcorders come complete with a manufacturer’s limited warranty covering parts and labor for one full year, one of the longest warranty terms in the camcorder industry**. Additionally, Canon features complementary operation with both Windows XP and Macintosh OS X operating systems, which, using a IEEE 1394 cable, allows people to easily connect and download their video and photos onto a computer for viewing or editing.

Reprinted from a Miraizon press release:

Miraizon, a San Jose-based digital media software company, announced today that its best selling DVD movie clip extraction application Cinematize 2 is now available on the Windows platform. Since the successful release of the Macintosh-based Cinematize in the fall of 2003, PC users have long awaited the release of a Windows version. Cinematize allows users to extract audio or video clips off of unencrypted DVDs and save them in formats compatible with standard multimedia editing tools, thus allowing users to create something new using the content from existing DVDs. Cinematize 2 for Windows released today provides functional parity with the latest version of Cinematize 2 for Macintosh, Cinematize 2.03. Both the downloadable version of Cinematize 2 for Windows as well as a free demo version are immediately available from Miraizon web site: http://www.miraizon.com. The availability of the packaged version of Cinematize 2 for Windows will be announced at a later date.

"Ever since we released the Macintosh version of Cinematize, PC users have been asking about a Windows version. We are very pleased to finally meet their needs. Cinematize for Macintosh has been used by thousands of audio and video professionals and enthusiasts all over the world. Built based on this solid and powerful Mac product, Cinematize 2 for Windows is a new, yet very mature product. We are confident that Windows users will enjoy its ease of use and breadth of functionality," said the CEO and founder of Miraizon, David Salamon.

With its intuitive user interface and advanced extraction features, Cinematize turns the once impossible and difficult task of extracting audio and video segments off of a DVD into one that is fun and easy. Cinematize saves extracted audio and video files in formats compatible with standard multimedia editing tools from companies such as Roxio, Nero, Microsoft, Adobe, and Apple. Cinematize thus enables the reuse of existing DVD content in creating something new, be it a highlights collection, edited movie, or music CD from a concert.

Cinematize customers include major Hollywood movie studios and TV networks, top art schools, advertising agencies, as well as many home users. Professional multimedia editors use Cinematize not only for editing their movies and music but also for creating portfolios and presentations to showcase their best work. Schools, businesses, and other organizations use Cinematize to extract just the segments they need for classes and presentations. Home users find Cinematize convenient to extract favorite scenes from family DVDs, to eliminate unwanted scenes from recorded TV programs, or to create audio CDs. Users can also create still pictures from favorite scenes by extracting specific short segments. Cinematize offers a very simple user interface with good documentation and thorough technical support for novice users, as well as comprehensive features and great performance for professional users.

Summary of Cinematize 2 for Windows Main Features:

DVD Clip Selection

Extraction and Decoding Options

Output Options

General

More details on Cinematize 2 features can be found at http://www.miraizon.com.

Pricing and Availability

The downloadable version of Cinematize 2 for Windows is available immediately from the Company web site at http://www.miraizon.com for US $59.95. A free demo version of Cinematize 2 for Windows is also available from the Company web site. The availability of the boxed version of Cinematize 2 Windows will be announced at a later date.

The downloadable and boxed versions of Cinematize 2 for Macintosh are also available from the company web site, priced at US $59.95, and $69.95 respectively. The boxed version of Cinematize 2 for Macintosh is also available at major retailers including CompUSA, Fry’s, Micro Center, J&R, and Amazon.com.

Reprinted from a Magix press release:

MAGIX, the worldwide leader in video editing software1, announced today MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10, the complete home video editing software that brings the blockbuster power of Hollywood to consumers for only $49. The highly-anticipated new version of the award-winning MAGIX Movie Edit Pro line, MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 features easy capture, intuitive editing, automatic movie functions and instant CD & DVD burning. The drag and drop ease-of-use enables anyone to create memorable movies from home video footage, complete with Surround Sound music, for a complete professional movie experience.

MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 is the fast way to impress your audience: simply choose from 15 great themes. As if by magic — your party, holiday, and vacation recordings are optimized & arranged with the right themed effects and corresponding soundtrack with the new Automatic MovieShow Maker.

The program includes a variety of tools to help anyone make a great movie the first time.
New built-in Task Assistants provide instant project help. Users simply select the task they wish to perform and an onscreen video shows them how. The New MAGIX Story Maker makes movie editing fun. Improving picture quality, adding captions, applying fade effects, virtual camera pans and zooms and even making rotation effects that send a scene flying across the screen, are now as easy as dragging a slider bar.

MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 makes sensational cuts, builds cool special effects, animations, and 3D transitions, and even creates DVD chapters for a professional end-product that turns your home movies into blockbuster masterpieces. The new Anti-Shake Filter takes the blur out of handheld shots and Comment Feature lets the ‘producer’ add Scorsese-like background commentary to any movie.

New HD and Digital TV Support
The software now imports high-definition video and online movies from HDV, HDTV, DVB, WMVHD formats and saves in MPEG 1 and 2, MOV, WMV 9 as well as high-quality MPEG-4 and DivX compression (with installed codec). MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 also features TV recording and new Digital TV support for editing and burning DVB streams to CD & DVD. A timer is also included, converting a consumer PC into a personal digital video recorder. Never miss a show again. Now recording and burning are fully-automated to save time and avoid aggravation when burning DVDs.

Create Video Special Effects and Slide-Shows
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 lets consumers spice up their movies with 70 new enhanced video special effects templates and 25 combined special effects, including Fish Eye and Heartbeat. 55 music templates for automatic music introductions and background music can be enhanced with MAGIX’s new one-click Surround Sound button. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 also supports recording, editing, converting and burning 4:3 and 16:9 widescreen formats to ensure a Hollywood-blockbuster home theater experience.

The software also creates beautiful slide-show DVDs of vacations and parties and has one-click image optimization to fix poor lighting conditions in photos (like dark sunsets or over-exposed sunlight shots), in addition to 10 image optimization effects.

Adding movie titles is easy with 50 text generators for automatic rolling credits and subtitles. The software’s Video Trimmer makes precise scene cuts, edits and blends. It even recognizes scene changes to automatically split into individual scenes. The Overview and Storyboard Edit Modes make viewing and sorting video a snap. MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 also grows with the user with more advanced editing options included in the software, such as the 16-track Timeline Mode.

MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 10 is available immediately for Windows through major retailers for $49.99 SRP. For more information, visit www.magix.com or call 888-866-2449.

Reprinted from a Safe Harbor press release:

Safe Harbor Computers today announced the first annual Midwest NewTek Expo & Training Event to be held at the Clarion Hotel in Milwaukee, WI on April 26. This is a free event that will bring together some of NewTek’s most popular 3rd party developers, as well as a variety of other manufacturers and vendors. Attendees can take advantage of great deals only at the show, watch ongoing demonstrations, and enhance their skill sets with LightWave 3D classes.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting this event,” said Tiffani Banaszak, Director of Sales and Marketing for Safe Harbor. “We hold many NewTek events during the year, but this is a collaborative effort that will pull together many third party vendors that don’t often get the chance to reach a live audience.”

NewTek’s “Toaster Evangelist” Paul Lara will be on hand to demonstrate the latest and greatest capabilities of VT[4] - the perfect tool for live switching, streaming, video editing, and animation, while local animator and best-selling author Patrik Beck will demonstrate NewTek’s Emmy award-winning software LightWave 3D. Developers from across the country, including Wacom, Ulead, Toaster Dudes, and many others, will be on hand to demonstrate their products and how they work in conjunction with VT[4] and/or LightWave 3D.

WaveGuide LIVE!, a Midwest-based traveling LightWave classroom, will be offering a series of four classes for beginning through advanced users. Go from learning how to navigate the interface all the way to creating special effects like those seen only on the silver screen! Special package and early registration pricing is available until April 1.

Further information on the Midwest NewTek Expo & Training Event can be found at www.sharbor.com/expo.