Ulead
Systems, Inc., a 16-year industry leader in video, image and DVD software, today
announced the availability of the beta pre-release version
of Ulead MediaStudio Pro 8, the latest version Ulead's professional video
editing software, with final release set for Q3 2005. The new release incorporates
a wide range of enhancements including a new single track editing interface,
Smart Proxy mode for efficient HDV editing, advanced color correction, 5.1 audio
editing, and Smart Compositor, an all new tool, for quickly creating
professional composited sequences for openings or segues.
"We are
very excited to give users this early look at MediaStudio Pro 8", said Lewis
Liaw, president of Ulead Systems.
"We think professionals and enthusiasts will find this new version
powerful, versatile and intuitive. Smart Compositor and Smart Proxy will have
jaws dropping."
MediaStudio
Pro 8 incorporates major advances in workflow and usability. The new single-track interface allows
for multiple timelines and virtual clips, plus transitions
on every track. For controlling
effects, the Keyframe Manager now offers large buttons and expandable view for
precise positioning. To further
streamline
workflow, users can drag, resize and distort overlays directly in the full-size
preview window.
"Ulead's
single-track editing model is a triumph," said Terry Stetler, video producer,
beta tester and moderator of the MediaStudio Pro User Forum. "The new
workflow maintains the intuitiveness of the traditional A/B roll, overlaying
clips as before; but the software now permits transitions and overlay settings
on all tracks, including titles!
Users get the best of both worlds - Ulead really got it
right."
Unique
Smart Compositor
A significant new feature in MediaStudio Pro 8 is the Smart Compositor,
a unique tool that allows users to dramatically speed the creation of complex,
eye-catching opening sequences and segues employing masks, frames and moving
paths. Users simply select a theme,
add their own video or images, modify the text and set the background
music. Composited sequences then
appear in the MediaStudio Pro 8 timeline as virtual clips that can be opened and
further edited to conform to the style of the production. Smart Compositor delivers speedy
turnaround without the 'cookie cutter' effect of
templates.
"You
expect the unexpected from Ulead - easy to use and affordable solutions to
complex and potentially expensive problems," said Mike Gunter, after his HDV
editing presentation at the Wedding and Event Videographer's Association's WEVA
EXPO 2005. Gunter is the
Chairperson of WEVA's HD committee and teaches and lectures to about 2500 people
each year. "It is exciting that moving to HDV is now within the reach of
everyone," Gunter said. "With the Smart Compositor and other intuitive tools
within MSP8, HDV couldn't be easier."
Future-ready
HDV Support
MediaStudio
Pro 8 is indeed future-ready with extensive HDV support. Users can capture from the latest HDV
camcorders and decks, then edit either in full-resolution lossless native
format, or Smart Proxy mode.
Building on MediaStudio Pro's renowned flexibly and robustness in working
with different video formats, the software lets producers mix and match formats
such as DV, MPEG, and HDV on the timeline with confidence. MediaStudio Pro 8 furthermore supports
formats such as WMV-HD and 24P, and offers output options to SD, HD, or back to
DV, analog or HDV device.
Smart
Proxy offers users real-time HDV editing on mid-range or mobile machines. With Smart Proxy enabled, MediaStudio Pro
automatically creates lower-resolution, resource-friendly copies of project
clips in the background. Final output always links back to the original
full-resolution files, making the process completely transparent and lossless.
Smart Proxy offers an attractive solution for producers shooting HDV who want to
edit on the go, as well as for collaborative editing. Users can package and share proxies among
multiple editors and then combine their
work as multiple timelines referring back to original
footage.
Additional
MediaStudio Pro 8 Enhancements
Other
enhancements in the release include a new Audio Editor offering channel steering
to create Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround audio tracks, even allowing upsampling
from standard stereo tracks. The product also boasts an all-new Title Tool with
dramatic text effects and animation.
SmartSound Auto Music Maker enables users to create custom royalty-free
soundtracks which precisely match the duration of the video, and built-in DVD
authoring with templates lets users author single- or double-layer
discs.
MediaStudio
offers a professional, yet easy-to-use, approach to video editing suitable for
video enthusiasts, newly-professional video editors, documentary
filmmakers,
wedding/event videographers and media producers in corporate and education. It
is also a logical choice for those who want to step up into the world of
professional video editing, sharing many UI elements with Ulead's VideoStudio®.
Users of this consumer video editing tool can even import their existing
projects into MediaStudio Pro.
Professionals who use other NLEs will find Smart Compositor a valuable
addition to their toolkit for quick-turnaround jobs that still have to look
high-end.
Pricing
and Availability
The free
preview beta version is available for download immediately from the Ulead
Website at http://www.ulead.com/msp/runme.htm.
The box
and electronic download versions of MediaStudio Pro 8 will be available in
October for $399.99 through retail channels and Ulead Websites. Upgrade versions
will be available for current MediaStudio Pro and VideoStudio users from Ulead
Websites.
Source: Ulead
