AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept.
12, 2003--Sonic Solutions debuted today
at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) DVD Producer(TM) 4, the
latest version of Sonic's professional authoring system designed to provide
highly advanced DVD title production to creative DVD professionals. A new
version of its well known SD-2000 advanced MPEG encoding system for the Windows
platform designed for the preparation of video and audio assets for DVD
authoring was also introduced.
DVD Producer 4 adds significant features and
productivity enhancements to its already impressive array of tools designed to
streamline the authoring process. With rich new features such as a new PlayList
Manager that allows users to easily create multiple independent playback lists
of a DVD's contents, and integration with hardware for proofing output to an
external video monitor during the authoring process, DVD Producer 4 sets a new
standard in advanced title production, flexibility, and ease of use.
New in DVD Producer 4:
FilmPack(TM) authoring support - Designed for film and high-end
multimedia producers who require the maximum in DVD authoring
flexibility, DVD Producer 4 now supports dual-layer (DVD-9)
authoring, Volume Info, Regional Coding, CSS, CGMS, and APS copy
protection schemes.
Automatic Dolby Digital transcoding - DVD Producer 4 now includes
fast and efficient automatic transcoding to Dolby Digital from PCM
formatted audio files.
Integrated hardware for real-time proofing to an external video
monitor - DVD Producer 4 integrates hardware to output video to an
external video monitor for real-time proofing during authoring.
Real-time proofing involves outputting a multiplexed stream from
the authoring system that exactly matches the playback
characteristics of a DVD player to deliver WYSIWYG title checking
during the authoring process.
PlayList Manager - DVD Producer 4 allows users to simply create
multiple independent playback order lists of their DVDs assets
with up to 64,000 possible links, controlling all aspects of
starting position, audio and subtitle stream selection.
Sonic's SD-2000 advanced MPEG encoder for Windows
XP Professional is designed for feature film and high-end multimedia
professionals who need the very best in video and audio encoding using the PC
platform. Previously only available for the Macintosh platform, the SD-2000 for
Windows XP Professional will incorporate the latest UI and workflow enhancements
designed to improve the usability and productivity of the highly-regarded
encoding system. In addition, the new version of SD-2000 is intended for
workstation integration with Sonic Scenarist®, Hollywood's choice for high-end
DVD title creation.
"Our customers need flexible professional authoring
solutions that are reliable, extremely productive, and scalable with easy
upgrades that allow them to grow their capabilities along with their
businesses," said Paul Stellingwerff, Vice-president at Transtec BV in
Rotterdam, The Netherlands. "DVD Producer 4 and the SD-2000 for Windows XP
Professional allow us to combine performance and economy to meet the specific
needs and requirements of our clients."
"The professional DVD industry has always relied on
Sonic to deliver cutting-edge technology that it can count on for advanced DVD
title creation," said, Rolf Hartley, Vice-president and General Manager of
Sonic's Professional Products Division. "DVD Producer 4 and the SD-2000 for PC
are excellent additions to our product line and are designed for professional
facilities that require best-in-class authoring and systems that deliver
mission-critical performance and reliability."
About DVD Producer
Sonic DVD Producer is an integrated and complete
DVD-Video and DVD-ROM authoring system designed for creative professionals who
require highly-advanced DVD title production capabilities. Incorporating
powerful menu design technology to create DVD menus that would typically require
the use of separate graphics and video editing applications, DVD Producer's menu
design engine enables the automatic creation of animated-motion buttons with
drag-and-drop simplicity, and incorporates a familiar text tool for creating
stylish button labels and menu headings with drop shadow effects.
DVD Producer also features JumpAnywhere(TM), an
advanced point-and-click navigation programming interface that eliminates user
scripting while delivering highly-advanced interactivity. Other features include
custom Jacket Picture creation, real-time bit-for-bit project proofing and full
support for OpenDVD(TM) technology, allowing finished DVD-Video discs to be
edited, to add or delete video and audio content.
By incorporating Sonic's highly regarded
AuthorScript®-powered multiplexing and formatting engine and WriteDirect(TM)
single-step DVD Volume creation, DVD Producer is able to output to the widest
range of DVD-Recordable devices. DVD Producer is available in both a
software-only version, and a version that is tightly integrated with Sonic's
acclaimed SD-series hardware video encoding solutions.
About the Sonic SD-2000 Encoder
Sonic's SD-2000 video encoder takes advantage of
the latest developments in MPEG compression and video RISC processing
technology. Utilizing IBM's high-end broadcast video encoder in conjunction with
an array of programmable logic and video processing hardware, the SD-2000
encoder offers a level of quality and functionality previously unheard of in the
DVD production market.
A single PCI card, the SD-2000 encoder includes SDI
digital video I/O, multi-channel digital audio I/O and integrated RS-422 machine
control and linear timecode reading. The SD-2000 includes real-time MPEG-2 VBR
and CBR encoding and decoding, Dolby Digital encoding and decoding, and support
for complete DVD title de-multiplexing and proofing.
Source: Yahoo.com
