Details

• Print

Software

14 April 2008

NAB seems to be the place to be for new Blu-ray authoring software. Sony Creative Software announced today that it will be showcasing updated versions of its DVD Architect and Blu-print applications at the show.

DVD Architect 5 software enables independent producers and videographers to author both a standard definition DVD or a high definition Blu-ray Disc complete with full motion buttons, motion menus, scene selection menus, subtitles and alternate video and audio tracks. The clean, drag-and-drop DVD Architect interface, powerful layout and authoring tools work seamlessly with the Sony Vegas Pro video editing and production software, making it easy to develop dynamic menu-based DVDs, movies, picture slideshows and music compilations. Shipping in mid-June, DVD Architect 5 software will be available as a free downloadable upgrade to all registered Vegas Pro 8 users, as the Vegas Pro software ships bundled with the DVD Architect application...

...Available in May, Blu-print 4.3 enterprise software helps to simplify the complexity of producing fully interactive Blu-ray discs at professional studios or authoring houses. Delivering on the partnership announcement made last month, Blu-print 4.3 now features integration with Ensequence on-Q Create for Blu-ray Java, which enables Blu-ray Disc developers to create and distribute Java based interactive experiences to viewers worldwide. Blu-print 4.3 features an intuitive user interface, as well as automation tools to simplify otherwise daunting tasks, such as creating multi-story Blu-ray discs. Blu-print 4.3 offers a full-featured high level scripting language that saves DVD authors from having to write BD assembly codes, as well as the ability to export all project objects into XML files for easy BD-Java authoring using Ensequence on-Q Create for Blu-ray Java.

More information on DVD Architect 5 and Blu-print 4.3 can be found on Sony Creative Software's website. Add a comment

Details

• Print

Other

14 April 2008

Rimage has announced that it will be previewing an updated version of its Video Protect copy management application at this year's NAB show. Along with new anti-rip tools, Video Protect 2.0 features stronger security and tighter workflow integration.

When digital content must be guarded against inappropriate copying, Rimage customers can trust Rimage Video Protect to provide a solid barrier against unauthorized duplication. The application is tightly integrated into the Rimage software suite, ensuring seamless execution and streamlined workflow when using QuickDisc or Rimage Rapid API authoring operations. Pre-release content, screeners and on-demand production DVDs can now be protected on-the-fly using Rimage Video Protect 2.0 on a Rimage digital publishing system.

Rimage Video Protect 2.0 inhibits ripping and disc copying software, not playback devices, from performing as intended, ensuring excellent playback compatibility. The seamless integration of Rimage Video Protect 2.0 into the Rimage system allows content producers to protect revenue and distribution plans without changing workflow processes or compromising deadlines.

As a passive software solution, Rimage Video Protect 2.0 encapsulates data files on a DVD disc, causing access to the content by common ripping programs to be controlled. The original media content is not modified; rather, copy controls are written in areas of the disc that are not read during playback.

If you'd like to read more, Rimage's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

Details

• Print

Software

14 April 2008

Sonic has announced the launch of Scenarist BD Edition 4.5. This upgrade to their Blu-ray Disc authoring suite features expanded capabilities for the creation of BD-J titles, numerous workflow enhancements and Sonic's new Scenarist Safeguard tool.

Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), ), the leader in digital media software, today announced the release of Scenarist BD 4.5, a major upgrade to the world's leading professional Blu-ray Disc creation solution. The new version features expanded capabilities for the creation of BD-J titles, which fuse Java-programmed applications to enable the integration of high-definition audio and video with advanced interactivity. Numerous workflow enhancements were added to speed title creation, and the software package also includes Sonic's new Scenarist Safeguard tool for setting security parameters on BD-J content. Scenarist BD 4.5 began shipping at the start of April and is on show at Sonic's Booth (SL8020) at NAB, running April 14 through the 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Our customers need to increase productivity and throughput efficiency if they are to participate profitably in the BD authoring market," said Chris Neely, vice president of development for Sonic's Professional Products Group. "The Scenarist BD upgrade directly addresses this need, delivering fast and powerful tools for BD production. With an all-new BD-J creation environment and new capabilities such as BD+ content protection and security signing, Scenarist offers our customers all the necessary features to further develop their BD business and to push BD titles in new and exciting directions."

Scenarist BD Edition 4.5 is available now and is being demonstrated at NAB. More information is available on Sonic's website. Add a comment

Details

• Print

Other

11 April 2008

AMD Phenom X4 9000 Series Processors @Hardware Zone
ASUS EAH3870 TOP Overclocked Radeon HD3870 Graphics Card @Bigbruin.com
BFG ES-800 Power Supply @HardwareLogic
Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter HS20 @I4U
Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler @Virtual-Hideout
Panasonic Lumix L10 DSLR Camera @I4U
Peak Radeon HD3850 & HD3870 @InsideHW
Thecus N5200 PRO @Hardware Zone
Western Digital 160GB Passport II 2.5in HDD @BCCHardware

Add a comment

Details

• Print

Other

11 April 2008

Shuttle has announced the launch of its first AMD-based HD-compatible Mini-PC Complete System. The XPC G5 6801M sports an AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor, ATI HD3450 graphics card and LG GGC-H20L combo drive which allows it to play back both Blu-ray and HD DVD movies.

Shuttle Inc., the market leader in the Mini-PC market segment and the manufacturer of Multi-Form-Factor solutions, launches its first AMD-based HD-compatible Mini-PC Complete System. The ready-to-connect aluminium solution can play high-resolution films from both Blu-ray and HD DVD media. A single HDMI cable transfers top quality image and sound to modern flat-screen televisions for play back, thereby avoiding any expensive installation costs.

"The LG GGC-H20L Combo drive is suitable for both HD formats and AMD’s Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor and in conjunction with the 2GB DDR2-800 memory delivers the required performance for fluid playback", explained Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing & PR at Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH.

The XPC G5 6801M is available now for a recommended price of EUR 1,234 (w/o VAT). More information is available on Shuttle's website. Add a comment

Details

• Print

Duplicators

11 April 2008

TEAC America has announced that it will its new 1:11 USB flash drive and SD card duplication systems on display at this year's National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB). These new systems are able to copy, compare and erase up to 11 USB flash drives or SD cards at once.

TEAC America, Inc.introduces its 1:11 USB Flash Drive Duplicators and 1:11 SD CardDuplicators at the National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB) at LasVegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 14-17th, 2008.

TEAC Flash Duplication systems will copy, compare and erase up to 11USB flash drives or SD cards simultaneously. All functions are selectablevia the duplicator controller with an LCD display, making it easier tocontrol.

No word yet on pricing or availability. If you'd like to read more, TEAC's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

Details

• Print

Software

10 April 2008

Last fall, the AACS LA announced that it would be doing “proactive renewals” of the AACS encryption keys. While this was intended to prevent people from ripping new Blu-ray and HD DVD titles, the folks at Slysoft have been able to stay one step ahead of the AACS LA. Slysoft is continuing the trend with AnyDVD HD 6.4.1.1. This new version already supports MKB v7 which won't show up on titles until the end of April.

The Advanced Access Content System Licensing Administrator, LLC ("AACSLA") has again started one of its "proactive renewals". Thus leavingmany owners of new high-definition media (Blu-Ray, HD-DVD) in the dark ifthey cannot update their software or hardware players. This new versionof the protection system will be available on new discs released in lateApril, like both Region B BD titles "Alien vs. Predator 2: Requiem" and"Alvin and the Chipmunks".

In response to that decision SlySoft once again updated its system tosupport those new discs and many that are about to be released in thenext few months. All licensed customers of the product "AnyDVD HD" canupdate to the new version 6.4.1.1 free of charge.

If you want to check out the latest version of AnyDVD, it can be downloaded from SlySoft's website. Otherwise, SlySoft's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment

Details

• Print

Home Entertainment

10 April 2008

While the PlayStation 3 is more than capable as a Blu-ray player, its lack of support for DTS-HD has been a major complaint among home theatre enthusiasts. These complaints haven't gone unheard as Sony will be adding support for DTS-HD in the next system software update.

I have more good news to report today - the system software update will also add DTS-HD Master Audio output for Blu-ray videos, which means the high-definition visuals of Blu-ray will now be matched with the highest quality audio for the ultimate movie-watching experience on PS3.

DTS-HD Master Audio is literally bit-for-bit identical to the studio master recording and makes movie soundtracks and sound effects truly come to life. The technology delivers audio at the incredibly high rate of 24.5 mega-bits per second (Mbps) on Blu-ray disc, which is significantly higher than standard DVDs. DTS-HD Master Audio also offers 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depths, so you’ll be totally immersed in the sound. The firmware update will add DTS-HD High Resolution Audio as well, which is a similar output technology that requires less disc space. You can read more about both codecs here.

Support for DTS-HD isn't the only new feature in the 2.30 firmware. This update will also give PS3 owners the ability to access the revamped PlayStation store. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

Details

• Print

Home Entertainment

10 April 2008

NetBlender has announced a new technology that gives iPhone users the ability to interact with content on a Blu-ray disc. This new technology, called "BD Touch", enhances the capabilities of BD Live by enabling two-way communication between a Blu-ray player and Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch.

NetBlender today announced a new Blu-ray Disc technology that allows iPhones and iPod Touch devices to interact with content on a Blu-ray disc. Called "BD Touch", the technology leverages the network connection built into Blu-ray players and the WiFi connection on the iPhone to create two-way communication between the devices. Video, audio, text, and player commands can be transferred via the connection.

"Having spent the past decade building interactive video products we are thrilled to bring together two of the most interactive consumer products ever created with BD Touch," said John Harrington, NetBlender CEO. "We began R&D on integrating the two devices right after I experienced the iPhone Multi-Touch interface for the first time."

BD Touch connects the 10 foot experience of the large screen home theater with the mobile experience offered by the iPhone. The sophisticated UI of the iPhone enables unprecedented user interaction when compared to any other handheld device. BD Touch applications can take advantage of the iPhone's geo location features, 3D sensors and QWERTY keyboard. BD Touch features will work on any BD Live-enabled Blu-ray Disc player such as the PlayStation 3.

It's not clear as to whether or not BD Touch will work with existing BD Live titles. Most likely, the BD Touch framework will need to be incorporated into the title for it to work correctly. If you'd like to read more, Netblender's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment