Nero announced today that Packard Bell has chosen to bundle Nero 8 Essentials with their latest line of PCs and laptops. Here's part of their press release:
Nero, creators of liquid media technology, today announced that through a new cooperation, Packard Bell has chosen to bundle Nero 8 Essentials with their latest line of PCs and laptops.

Nero 8 Essentials offers users the latest digital media technology designed for ease of use with user-friendly interfaces and intuitive features. Users can create and manage their digital media projects with the latest state-of-the-art tools for burning, copying, and ripping their personal audio, video, and photo content.

“Nero is pleased that Packard Bell has decided to bundle their leading-edge PCs and laptops with Nero 8 Essentials,” said Patrick Peeters, General Manager EMEA, Nero AG. “Our software solutions are created specifically for users looking to live the digital life and maximize their digital content. Packard Bell creates outstanding hardware for the same user-focused reason, making this an ideal cooperation.”
If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing that PowerDVD has been certified for BD-Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) and AVCREC. With support for these two features, PowerDVD users can access Internet-connected content and play back high-definition video recorded onto a standard DVD using the MPEG-4 AVC format.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, today announced that CyberLink PowerDVD has received certification for two advanced features of the Blu-ray Disc format—BD-Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) and AVCREC—confirming PowerDVD’s support for the playback of interactive BD-Live movie content and high-definition MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) content stored on DVDs.

PowerDVD supporting BD Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) format allows Internet-connected activities such as multiplayer gaming, e-commerce, the downloading of movie trailers and subtitles, as well as social networking. These features provide PowerDVD users with more ways to enjoy movies. Supporting AVCREC format enables PowerDVD to playback the recording of high-definition video onto DVD recordable discs using the MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) format. With the growing popularity of high-definition video camcorders and video editing software, users are able to produce their home movies in high-def formats, or record HDTV programs, and playback their recorded high-definition video with PowerDVD.
CyberLink PowerDVD with support for BD-Live and AVCREC is available for purchase online. Existing PowerDVD 8 users can also update their software for free. If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
TMPG, Inc. announced this week that it will be releasing an updated version of TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress at the end of June. This new version of their encoding software adds input support for AVCHD, AAC in an MPEG-2 stream and embedded MPEG-4. It also provides output support for High Definition MPEG-4 video and Blu-ray BDAV/BDMV templates.
TMPG, Inc. (www.tmpg-inc.com), the company that makes digital video easy, is introducing an updated version of its popular video encoding software TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress. Due to user demand TMPG, Inc. has now added input support for AVCHD, AAC in an MPEG-2 stream and embedded MPEG-4 input support. The new update also provides output support for High Definition MPEG-4 video and Blu-ray BDAV/BDMV templates. The software upgrade will be available at the end of June at www.tmpg-inc.com and will be free for current TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress users. New users may purchase the updated software for $99.95 per license.

"We have had many requests for these particular high definition video and Blu-ray upgrades and we are pleased to now offer them to our customers,” stated Kimi Matsuki, TMPG Inc. CEO. “As always, we will continue to keep TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress relevant and up to date with support for the latest formats for our customers."
More information, including the entire list of new features, can be found on TMPG's website. Add a comment
CyberLink recently announced that PowerDVD has received DTS-HD Master Audio certification. With the ability to decode DTS-HD Master Audio, PowerDVD owners will be able to enjoy high-quality audio using lossless compression and support for 7.1-channel output.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, announced today that PowerDVD receives certification by DTS for the support of DTS-HD Master Audio technology.

The combination of CyberLink PowerDVD and DTS’s latest technology enables the ultimate entertainment experience when playing high-definition content and Blu-ray discs movies on PCs. DTS-HD Master Audio allows bit-for-bit reproduction of the original studio master soundtrack and supports up to 7.1-channel output, for a lifelike audio performance.
CyberLink PowerDVD featuring DTS-HD Master Audio support will be available as an upgrade to existing users in July 2008. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Nero has announced a new summer promotion for its customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Those that buy Nero 8 at retail or online will also get a free copy of Steganos Safe 2008. Add a comment