Corel sent out a press release this morning, announcing the latest release of its WinDVD software. Corel WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray offers a number of new features including a more user intuitive interface, upscaling of standard DVD's and enhanced Blu-ray Disc playback.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced the latest release of Corel WinDVD, the world's number one DVD and video playback software on PCs. Corel WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray features a new, more intuitive user interface, new video technologies including advanced upscaling that enables users to create near-high-definition viewing with standard-definition DVDs, enhanced Blu-ray Disc playback, as well as the latest in high-definition surround sound for the ultimate viewing experience. With more than 200 million units shipped worldwide, WinDVD remains the industry standard for DVD, video and Blu-ray Disc playback.

"WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray is designed for the movie buff, frequent flyer and those who want a superior video and audio playback experience in one easy-to-use solution," said Jeff Hastings, President and General Manager, Digital Media at Corel. "More and more people are adopting the latest high-definition technologies such as Blu-ray Disc and AVCHD. With WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray, users will have access to the latest Blu-ray Disc playback capabilities including BonusView as well as revolutionary upscaling technology that enables users to create near-high-definition viewing with standard-definition DVDs."
WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray is priced at $99.99 and is available now through Corel's website. The software will also be hitting retail outlets over the coming weeks. If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Roxio sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of Toast 9 Titanium. Toast 9 offers a number of new and improved features including HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc support, audio fingerprinting and the ability to stream video content directly to the iPhone or iPod Touch.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, redefines Mac burning yet again with the introduction of Toast 9 Titanium. Toast 9 allows consumers to record high-definition content from high-definition (HD) camcorders and favorite HD programming from TiVo DVRs and Elgato’s EyeTV devices to Blu-ray Disc (BD). Users also have the option to burn HD video and slide shows on standard DVDs. For on-the-go entertainment, Toast 9 introduces Roxio Streamer. Streamer allows users to stream video content stored on their home Mac to a Wi-Fi connected iPhone or iPod Touch or any Internet connected Mac or PC. Already the first choice for music fans wishing to create great sounding CDs and DVDs, Toast 9 offers the ability to capture streaming audio for recording Internet radio. Another Toast innovation allows captured music tracks to be automatically tagged with song titles, artist or other related information.
Toast 9 Titanium is available directly from Roxio for $99.99 and will hit retail outlets later this month. The High Definition/Blu-ray Disc (HD/BD) plug-in, which is needed to author BD video, is sold separately for $19.99 and is available free for those who purchase Toast 9 online at roxio.com through April 13, 2008. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Nero released a new version of Nero 8 this morning. There is no change log yet. However, this new update brings the version count up to 8.3.2.1. If you'd like to check it out, the update can be downloaded here. As usual, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling has announced the launch of its new Windows software development kit (SDK). With this public SDK, software developers can integrate LightScribe functionality into their Windows-based applications.
LightScribe today announced the immediate release of publicly available Windows software development tools for its Direct Disc Labeling technology. These downloadable tools significantly simplify the creation of LightScribe DVD/CD labeling applications, expanding LightScribe integration beyond general data mastering software. The LightScribe Windows public software development kit (SDK) allows individual application developers to integrateLightScribe support into Windows-based software with a standardized LightScribe application user interface. LightScribe is a no-hassle way to burn professional, silkscreen-quality labels on CDs and DVDs right in the drive. The LightScribeWindows public SDK is available at(http://www.lightscribe.com/go/downloads/windows).
If you'd like to read more, LightScribe's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Corel has announced a new version of its Ulead VideoStudio software. According to Corel's press release, Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus offers a complete, user-friendly solution for DVD and HD editing and authoring.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus, the latest version of its award-winning consumer video editing and DVD authoring software. VideoStudio 11.5 Plus combines the benefits of VideoStudio 11 Plus and the VideoStudio 11 Plus Power Pack in one box.

"With VideoStudio 11.5 Plus, consumers now have access to the very latest in DVD and HD editing and authoring, all in one box, making it even easier to edit, author and share their favorite videos with family and friends," said Jeff Hastings, President and General Manager, Corel Digital Media. "VideoStudio 11.5 Plus also includes support for the latest HD formats including Blu-ray, HD DVD and AVCHD, giving consumers the ability to create professional-looking, high definition videos that they are proud to share whether it is in their living room, a board room, or over the Web."
VideoStudio 11.5 Plus is available now for a suggested retail price of $129.99. VideoStudio 11 Plus users can also take advantage of the features found in VideoStudio 11.5 by downloading the free VideoStudio 11 Plus Power Pack. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of PowerProducer 5. This new version adds a number of features including BD-RE 3.0 certification, on-disc editing, customizable disc menus and support for the AVCHD format.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, announced today the release of disc authoring software CyberLink PowerProducer 5, which supports the creation of Blu-ray Discs and DVDs featuring video content recorded in the AVCHD format.

PowerProducer 5 is available in two versions. PowerProducer 5 Ultra lets users create high-quality professional-looking discs on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. With support for the AVCHD video format, users can also create DVDs featuring highly compressed high-definition content. PowerProducer 5 (DVD) supports the creation of customized menu designs for DVDs and VCDs.
The Ultra and DVD versions of CyberLink PowerProducer 5 are available now and are priced at $79.95 and $49.95 respectively. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Nero has announced that it will be releasing Nero Linux 3.5 in mid-March. This new version of the software features a command line client and support for subnotebooks with small screen resolution.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, have announced that they will be releasing Nero Linux 3.5, the latest update of the definitive burning solution for the Linux operating system, allowing users to access content on a variety of platforms. Nero Linux 3.5 further extends Nero’s technology expertise with a new command line client that lets users engage the powerful engine through scripts and third-party applications.

Nero Linux 3.5, available in mid-March, now also includes support and screen resolution enhancement for popular subnotebooks that are pre-loaded with the Linux operating system and have a very small screen-resolution of 800 x 480 pixels.

Based on the burning technology found in Nero 8, the award-winning digital media suite, Nero Linux 3.5 is also the only solution on the market to provide Linux end users with full Blu-ray/HD DVD data burning support.
If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Roxio sent out a press release today, announcing the launch of three new applications. With MyDVD 10 Premier, Easy DVD Copy 4 Premier, media enthusiasts have the tools to create, manage, and enjoy photos, music, and videos whenever and wherever they want.
Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, , today launched three new applications that enable consumers to make the most of their digital libraries. MyDVD 10 Premier, Easy DVD Copy 4 Premier and RecordNow Music Lab 10 Premier easily turn photos, videos and music into impressive digital media creations that can be shared on CD, DVD or enjoyed on a variety of portable devices. MyDVD 10 is a comprehensive video editing and DVD creation suite for the growing number of consumers who want to edit home movies and create slideshows and video compilations to view on widescreen TVs or to share online. To satisfy consumers who wish to enjoy their favorite personal media content and entertainment on the road, Roxio is also releasing Easy DVD Copy 4, the ultimate DVD copy and video conversion application. Designed for the music enthusiast, RecordNow Music Lab 10 makes collecting, organizing and creating perfect playlists quick and easy.
MyDVD 10 Premier and RecordNow Music Lab 10 Premier are available now for $69.99 and $49.99 respectively. Easy DVD Copy 4 Premier will be available later this month for $49.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Lightning UK! released a new version of ImgBurn over the weekend. According to the change log, ImgBurn v2.4.0.0 includes a number of new features including support for BIN/CUE images and newer revisions of UDF. Here are some of the features added to this version of ImgBurn:
  • Added: Support for multi-session/track CD reading/burning (*using a CUE file - this includes Audio CD's from anything DirectShow/ACM can handle - AAC/APE/FLAC/MP3/MPC/OGG/PCM/WAV/WMA etc).
  • Added: 'Ez-Mode Picker' screen with big buttons for newbies to help them decide on which mode to use (and people who want the program to load up in a 'neutral' mode where no discs get initialised - bit faster).
  • Added: Support for additional UDF revisions in Build mode. It now supports 1.02, 1.50, 2.00, 2.01, 2.50 and 2.60.
  • Added: Ability to use 'Language Files' to have the GUI in your own native language.
  • Added: New 'Create CD CUE File...' option to the Tools menu (and a button to the Write mode and Write Queue windows for easy access). Here you can build your own custom layout CUE file (for burning in Write mode). ID3/APE/OGG tags within Audio files can be used as a basis for CD-TEXT.
  • Added: Support for building images that only (officially) use UDF but are bootable. A fake ISO9660 filesystem is added with a dummy 'README.TXT' file in the Root saying the disc uses UDF.
The change log is about ten pages long so I won't post it here. However, you can view it in its entirety here. If you'd like to check it out, ImgBurn v2.4.0.0 can be downloaded from the official website. Add a comment
In celebration of their boss' 40th birthday, the folks at VSO Software are offering 40% off of all of their software. With this discount, you can become a goldmember, which gives you access to all of their software, for less than $84.
It is an exceptionnal event today, our dear boss (also the main developer of ConvertXtoDVD) has turned 40 years today. So we have decided to do a very special discount of 40% (even on the Goldmembership which is the package of all our software with unlimited lifetime upgrades) ONLY today.

This special offer is available by typing "boss40y" in the discount coupon area of your order, it is only available if you buy with avangate payment system (the default method)
What are you waiting for? Head on over to the VSO Software website and take advantage of this sale before its over. Add a comment