Sony Media Software has announced the availability of DVD Architect Studio. Aimed at consumers, this standalone version of their DVD authoring and creation software offers an intuitive user interface and interactive Show Me How tutorials.
Sony Media Software, a leading provider of professional video and audio editing software applications, announced today the availability of DVD Architect(TM) Studio, a standalone program that addresses the growing consumer demand for a single software application dedicated to DVD authoring for movies, song compilations and pictures slideshows. Previously only available bundled with Sony Vegas Movie Studio+DVD, this new standalone version expands Sony's line of home studio products by offering a robust application with many important features that are critical for creating dynamic and interactive DVDs.

DVD Architect Studio software features the same look and feel of Sony's flagship products, including superior ease-of-use and a simple drag-and-drop interface for quick DVD layout; the ability to create both single and multi-movie DVDs, picture and music compilations; and support for most popular DVD burners today.
DVD Architect Studio is available now for $49.95. If you'd like to try it out before buying it, a demo can be downloaded here. More information is also available on Sony's website. Add a comment

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Lite-On recently unveiled their latest Super AllWrite drive, the SH-16A7S. Along with support for Serial ATA, the drive features 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here are some of the SH-16A7S's specs:


Writing Speeds:

DVD±R: 16x Max
DVD±R DL: 8x Max
DVD+RW: 8x Max
DVD-RW: 6x Max
DVD-RAM 12x Max
CD-R: 48x Max
CD-RW: 32x Max

Read Speeds:

DVD-ROM: 16x Max
CD-ROM: 48x Max

Access Times:

DVD-ROM: 160ms
CD-ROM: 160ms

The SH-16A7S has started to ship in the US and can be picked up at places like Newegg for about $35. More information can be found on Lite-On's website. Add a comment
Sonic has announced that they are working with Toshiba to support authoring facilities using Scenarist for the creation of HD DVD titles. As part of the deal, Sonic will provide Toshiba's emulation and verification technology to European Scenarist users.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced a new collaboration with Toshiba Corporation, a world leader in high technology, to support European content holders and professional authoring facilities using Sonic's industry-leading Scenarist authoring systems for the creation of HD DVD titles. As part of the initiative, Sonic will distribute Toshiba's HD DVD emulation system and software verifiers that provide professional authoring facilities with an extensive set of utilities for testing title features and compatibility prior to replication. The combination of Sonic's authoring expertise and Toshiba's tools and technology will help bring a truly dynamic HD DVD movie-viewing experience to European consumers.
If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Verbatim sent out a press release this morning, announcing that they've started volume shipments of their new Color-background LightScribe CD-R media.
Verbatim Corporation, the industry leader in offering the widest range of premium-quality LightScribe media, announced today volume shipments of the first Color-background LightScribe CD-R media to the US market. Production of the new media, which began shipping to the US in November, was ramped up to make it more widely available in time for the holidays. Sold in 25-packs, each package includes five vibrantly colored red, green, blue, yellow and orange discs that make ideal holiday gifts. Verbatim will also be showing the new LightScribe media at its CES Booth in the South Hall #4/36249 in Las Vegas, January 8-11.
We've already had reports of these discs showing up at Best Buy stores. The way it sounds, they should be showing up at other retailers soon. If you'd like to read more, Verbatim's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
I-O DATA Japan has announced a new external 18x "Super-Multi" drive based on the LG GSA-H42N. Along with 18x DVD±R and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds, the DVR-UH18GT can write to DVD±R DL media at 10x.



Writing Speeds:
DVD±R: 18x
DVD±R DL: 10x
DVD+RW: 8x
DVD-RW: 6x
DVD-RAM: 12x
CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 32x

Read Speeds:
DVD-ROM (Single): 16x Max
DVD-ROM (Dual): 12x Max
DVD±R: 16x Max
DVD±RW: 13x Max
DVD±R DL: 12x Max
DVD-RAM: 12X Max
CD-ROM/CD-R: 48x Max
CD-RW: 40x Max


The DVR-UH18GT should hit store shelves in mid January for 12,500 Yen ($106US). More information can be found here. Add a comment
Corel has announced that it has completed its acquisition of InterVideo, paying $198.6 million in cash for the company.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE) today announced the completion of its acquisition of InterVideo, Inc., a leading provider of digital media authoring and playback software with a focus on high-definition video and DVD technologies. Corel purchased InterVideo for $13.00 per share of InterVideo common stock resulting in an aggregate acquisition price of $198.6 million in an all-cash transaction.

The acquisition substantially expands Corel's presence in the digital media software market by creating the industry's broadest portfolio of digital imaging and DVD video products. With the addition of InterVideo, Corel will deliver easier-to-use, multi-purpose high-definition video, imaging, and DVD creation products to consumers and enterprises worldwide while extending its presence in fast-growing Asian markets, such as China, Taiwan and Japan.
If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Pioneer Japan has officially announced its new 18x DVD writer, the DVR-A12J. Along with support for Labelflash, the DVR-A12J features 18x DVD±R, 12x DVD-RAM and 10x DVD±R DL writing speeds. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

"The DVR-A12J" series, 18 time speed of DVD±R, DVD-RAM actualizing the high-speed record of 12 time speed of 2 anew. New design "air induction slit" was adopted on the disk tray, by the fact that it continues adopts this corporation individual "disk resonance stabilizer", the record precision which is stabilized even in these high-speed record times the quiet sound conversion which it is thorough was actualized simultaneously in the frame.

 As for this product, as for record playback of various record types DVD and record type CD of course, high-speed record of single sided 2 layer media Dual Layer DVD-R and DVD+R Double Layer (the maximum of 10 time speed) it corresponds anew.

 In addition, with the laser for the data logging which is loaded onto the substance, drawing is possible to the label surface of the private disk which corresponds, you adopted for the first time "Labelflash (the label flash) technology" as a product of this corporation brand.
While Pioneer has not announced a price, AV Watch expects the DVR-A12J to cost about 10,000 Yen ($85US). If you live in Japan, expect to see it on store shelves about mid-December. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment