ArcSoft has announced that they will be demonstrating ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 at IFA. This playback software supports HD DVD titles, commercial and homemade DVDs, and a variety of high definition multimedia files.
ArcSoft, Inc. is demonstrating ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 this week at IFA 2007 in conjunction with the HD DVD Promotion Group. Digital Theatre is a high definition video player that supports playback of HD DVDs, commercial and homemade DVDs, and a variety of high definition multimedia files. The HD DVD Promotion Group is showcasing Digital Theatre as part of its advancement of standards-based implementations of HD DVD playback.

"We are excited to be presenting our high definition solutions at IFA," said Michael Downs, ArcSoft Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. "We have been working closely with the HD DVD Promotion Group, leading graphics chipset companies, and the major Hollywood studios to ensure that we can provide complete, high performance, high quality HD DVD functionality."
While ArcSoft doesn't mention it in their press release, Digital Theatre 2 can also playback Blu-ray movies. If you'd like to read more, ArcSoft's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Nero has finally dropped the veil of secrecy surrounding Nero 8. Built with ease of use in mind, the suite gives users the ability to do more in less time. It also offers a number of new features including the ability to create high-def video in both Blu-ray BD-AV and HD DVD video formats and upload videos directly to YouTube, MySpace and My Nero.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today the upcoming release of Nero 8, the next generation of the company’s award-winning, integrated digital media and home entertainment software solution. Designed with consumer ease of use in mind, Nero 8 extends content beyond the PC, allowing users to easily create and edit, convert and share, rip and burn, backup and protect digital media. With Nero 8, users can enjoy their content at home, on-the-go, and online. Additionally, Nero 8 is built to ensure data integrity and reliability and is optimized for use with the new Windows Vista operating system.

Nero 8 introduces the newly-designed Nero StartSmart user interface, which maximizes user efficiency with a one-stop solution for creating and managing digital media projects. With this new interface, prime functions like burning and ripping audio and data discs can now be accessed directly, letting users complete projects with one-click functions. Nero 8 also supports a number of next-generation formats with editing, playback, and burning features. In addition, Nero 8 lets users edit photo slide shows and create High Definition video in both Blu-ray BD-AV and HD DVD video formats.
Nero 8 will be available worldwide on October 1st for a suggested retail price of $99.99. Current Nero owners will also be able to upgrade at a special discounted price. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Roxio sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of Popcorn 3. This new version of their DVD copy and video conversion software offers a number of time-saving features as well as support for TiVoToGo ane EyeTV.
Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today released Popcorn 3, the easiest way for Mac users to transfer their favorite personal video entertainment to DVDs and popular portable devices. The latest version of Popcorn comes with innovative time-saving features that streamline and simplify workflow as well as universal video conversion and encoding technology optimized for the broadest selection of devices including iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, BlackBerry, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 compatibility and exclusive TiVoToGo and EyeTV support. With TiVoToGo support, consumers can now easily transfer their favorite TV shows to their Mac, create DVDs or move them to a portable device of their choice for on-the-go viewing.
Popcorn 3 is available now for a suggested price of $49.99. More information is available on Roxio's website. Add a comment
Corel announced at IFA that Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 and Ulead VideoStudio 11 are the world’s first DVD editing and authoring programs to be certified for both Blu-ray Disc Movie Video (BDMV) and Advanced Video Codec High Definition Standard (AVCHD) formats. Here's part of their press release:
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL) (TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced its Ulead DVD MovieFactory and Ulead VideoStudio are the world’s first DVD editing and authoring software programs to achieve certified support of both Blu-ray Disc Movie Video (BDMV) and Advanced Video Codec High Definition Standard (AVCHD) formats. The announcement was made at IFA in Berlin, Germany. IFA runs August 31 to September 5, 2007 at the Messe Berlin. Corel is located in Hall 6.2a, Stand 104 with the Blu-ray Disc Association and in Hall 21a, Stand 104 with the HD DVD Promotion Group.

By receiving certification for BDMV and AVCHD, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 and Ulead VideoStudio 11 have passed the stringent quality standards and guidelines set by the Blu-ray Disc Association and AVCHD Testing Center to ensure the best user experience. Users can now produce fun and creative DVD projects with a professional-looking feel in BDMV, AVCHD or standard DVD formats.
While Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus users will be able to download a free update, users of Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus will have to pay $19.99 to get support for BDMV, AVCHD and HD DVD Advanced Content formats. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
For the last few months, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding Nero 8. While Nero has been very quiet about its release, there have been a number of rumors stating that it would be available soon. Within the last week or so, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Play.com have updated their websites to include a pre-order for Nero 8.


Going by the information on Amazon.com, Nero 8 will be released in the US on September 1st and will be priced at $99.99. Considering we have yet to see an announcement from Nero and the release is less than a week away, I don't think this is going to happen.

More realistic are the release dates listed on Amazon.co.uk and Play.com. In both cases, Nero 8 is down for a late September release, shipping somewhere between the 26th and 28th. This is plenty of time for Nero to launch their marketing campaign and get the software out the door.

Ship date aside, there is still very little known about Nero 8. Will it include new features or just an overhaul of the graphical interface? Feel free to leave your comments and thoughts in the forum. Add a comment