Sony Creative Software has announced the availability of its new multi-codec video encoder. The BAE-VX1000 is 30% faster than Sony's previous model and offers a number of enhancements including support for all Blu-ray formats. Add a comment
Nero released a new version of Nero 8 this morning. As usual, there is no change log. However, this new update brings the version count up to 8.3.6.0. If you'd like to check it out, the 188MB update can be downloaded here. As usual, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
Corel announced this week that WinDVD has been certified for BD-Live (BD Profile 2.0). With this new feature, WinDVD users will be able to enjoy Internet-connected activities such as social networking, multiplayer gaming and the downloading of movie trailers and subtitles.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL) (TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that Corel® WinDVD® Blu-ray Disc® playback software has received BD-Live™ certification, also known as BD Profile 2.0. By receiving certification for BD-Live, WinDVD has passed the stringent standards and guidelines set by the Blu-ray Disc Association to ensure the best possible user experience.

With BD-Live support, WinDVD users will be able to enjoy a full spectrum of Internet-connected activities including social networking, multiplayer gaming, online shopping as well as the ability to download movie trailers and subtitles - all while viewing Blu-ray Disc movies and videos.
WinDVD with BD-Live support is available to OEMs immediately and will be available to retail customers beginning in early 2009. If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Sony Creative Software recently announced a new version of its Vegas Movie Studio video production software. Vegas Movie Studio 9 offers a number of new features including direct publishing to YouTube, Blu-ray Disc burning, Cinescore Studio soundtrack creation and enhanced project wizards.
Sony Creative Software, a leading worldwide provider of professional video and audio production applications, today announced new versions of its award-winning Vegas Movie Studio consumer video production software. Vegas Movie Studio 9, Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition and Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack for the PC will be available in stores and online this August. Sony Creative Software is also introducing Vegas Movie Studio 9 and Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition at new lower prices.

“As video has become a popular medium for all age groups to enjoy and share on the Internet, the Vegas Movie Studio 9 line of products was designed to address customer demand for simple, end-to-end video production at home that works seamlessly from the camcorder, to the software and ultimately to a variety of destinations for sharing,” said Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. Whether it’s a camera full of still photos, or footage from your cell phone, our products provide the best solution for creating the perfect montage from all of your media in one, easy-to-use, reliable application.”
Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack, Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition and Vegas Movie Studio 9 will be available in August and are priced at $129.95, $99.95 and $69.95, respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Corel announced today that Lenovo has chosen to bundle WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory with its new line of IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc desktop computers. With this software, consumers will be able to use Lenovo's desktop computers to author and play back Blu-ray videos and movies.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that Corel® WinDVD® and DVD MovieFactory® are bundled with Lenovo’s new consumer line of IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc® desktop computers.

With Corel’s award-winning WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory, the IdeaCentre can now author and play back Blu-ray Disc movies and video with the latest high-definition effects including Dolby® Digital and DTS® Surround Sound.

“We are pleased Lenovo has selected WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory for its new consumer desktop series,” said James Carrington, Senior Director, OEM and Strategic Product Marketing at Corel. “An increasing number of consumers are making the switch to HD, and with Lenovo’s IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc desktop computers, users will find a superior HD authoring and playback experience for their home movies, as well as state-of-the-art viewing for the latest Hollywood releases.”
If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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
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
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
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