DVD authoring - Statistical Data Included

Emedia Professional, July, 1999

JVC Introduces True Video DVD Systems

JVC Professional Computer Products Division, together with Smart Storage Inc., Zapex Technologies, and Minerva Systems, has announced the release of True Video DVD Systems. True Video DVD Systems are integrated solutions available as turn-key systems or starter kits for creating DVD-ROM and DVD-Video titles. The True Video systems allow users to encode source material into MPEG-2 video and Dolby Digital audio elementary streams (via Zapex) or multiplexed V0B asset files. True Video also supports ISO 9660 (Level 1 and 3), Joliet, UDF, and Hybrid formatting. Smart Storage's DVD RomMaker software is included and users have the option of adding Minerva's Impression software, which is designed for non-linear editing or multimedia production. The True Video DVD system price starts at $35,995 and includes the DVD RomMaker software, hardware encoder and decoder, and multiple SCSI drives that are integrated in a Dual Pentium II system running under Windows NT. The DVD Starter Kits include a single PCI audio/video encoder and are offered with the DVD RomMaker software for $18,995. The optional inclusion of Impression DVD-Video software adds $10,000 to the Starter Kit price.

(JVC Professional Computer Products Division, 5665 Corporate Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630; 714/816-6500; Fax 714/816-6519; http://www.jvc.net)

Spruce and HEURIS Team Up to Facilitate DVD Authoring from Nonlinear Editing Systems

Spruce Technologies has announced a strategic partnership with HEURIS to deliver a complete solution for moving digital video files from nonlinear editing systems directly into Spruce's DVD authoring systems. The combined solution will enable Spruce users to import files in various formats from systems such as Avid Media Composer, Media 100, and others. The software transcoder operates transparently and automatically converts digital files into MPEG-2 video streams that can be used in any Spruce DVDMaestro, DVDConductor, or DVDStation system. Two versions of the conversion solution will be available. MPEG Power Professional supports constant bit-rate encoding and costs $1,500; MPEG Power Professional DVD supports both constant and variable bit-rate encoding and costs $2,500.

(HEURIS, 2675 Scott Avenue, Suite G, St. Louis, MO 63103; 314/534-1514; Fax 314/534-4351; http://www.heuris.com. Spruce Technologies Inc., 1054 South De Anza Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95129-3553; 408/863-9700; Fax 408/863-9701; http://www.spruce-tech.com)

Sonic Solutions and DTS Team to bring Digital Surround Encoding to Authoring Tools

Sonic Solutions has announced that it will integrate DTS (Digital Theater Systems) Digital Surround encoding into its SonicStudio HD and DVD Creator systems. DTS Digital Surround is an optional audio format for both DVD-Video and DVD-Audio formats and provides 5.1-channel surround sound. Under this arrangement, Sonic will offer DTS encoding as an option on the new Sonic HDSP processor, which is included in all SonicStudio HD and DVD Creator systems.

DTS Digital Surround technology encrypts six channels of digital audio information, providing a new data stream that can be authored onto discs. During playback, a DTS-certified decoder reconstructs the original six channels of digital audio. The DTS encoding algorithm operates in real time. The HDSP processor can be either in the form of an external AES-EBU digital audio, analog audio, or SonicStudio HD edit decision list, which allows users to optimize their multichannel mixes in the workstation prior to encoding into DTS. Sonic's DTS encoding option for the HDSP processor is scheduled for delivery in September at a suggested retail price of $14,999.

(Sonic Solutions, Inc., 101 Rowland Way, Suite 110, Novato, CA 94945; 415/893-8000; Fax 415/893-8008; http://www.sonic.com)

Spruce Introduces New Encoder

Spruce Technologies has introduced the MPX3000 encoder card for DVD-Video and -Audio encoding. The MPX3000 is an integrated PCI card that uses C-Cube's Dvxpert single-chip codec. The MPX3000 is available as part of an integrated DVDStation encoding and authoring system with a choice of DVDMaestro or DVDConductor authoring software. The video encoding features of the MPX3000 include single-pass Constant Bit Rate (CBR) and statistical Variable Bit Rate (SVBR) real-time encoding, as well as multi-pass VBR for MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. Video input and output for the MPX3000 is via SDI SMPTE 259, with support for embedded audio SMPTE 272M. Digital video in CCIR 601 component format and support for analog composite and component I/0 is available as an option. MPX3000 uses Motorola's Onyx 56301 DSP, which provides audio support for 2-channel Dolby Digital real-time encoding and support for 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound is available with an optional Spruce ACXpress 5100 PCI card.

(Spruce Technologies Inc., 1054 South De Anza Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95129-3553; 408/863-9700; Fax 408/863-9701; http://wvwv.spruce-tech.com)