DVD playback - Product Announcement

Emedia Professional, July, 2000

Fujitsu Releases MPEG-2 Decoder with Embedded SDRAM

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has released an MPEG-2 decoder with embedded SDRAM. The MB87P2030 device offers 20MB of embedded SDRAM. In addition, there are also two 32-bit RISC processors on each chip, each running at 108MHz. The MPEG-2 device features two independent transport stream inputs; by separating the data flow for MPEG data and the graphics system, it is possible to implement graphics-intensive features without sacrificing MPEG decoding bandwidth. Flexible video resizing is also supported, allowing the picture to be rescaled. An on-chip Dual Pal/NTSC encoder allows video outputs with and without OSD. The MB87P2030 device is housed in a 208-pin Quad Flat Pack package. Engineering samples are expected by the fall and volume production quantities will be available early in 2001.

(Fujitsu Microelectronics Inc., 3545 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95134-1804; 408/922-9000; http://www.fujitsu-fme.com)

SoftDVD MAX Now Shipping with Dolby Headphone

MGI Software has announced that it's software DVD player, MGI SoftDVD MAX, is now available with Dolby Headphone. Dolby Headphone technology delivers surround sound through a regular pair of headphones. Dolby Headphone was developed by Lake Technology and Dolby. MGI SoftDVD MAX with Dolby Headphone is available for download at http:// www.dvdmax.com at a list price of $39.99. Current users of SoftDVD MAX can upgrade for $19.99.

(MGI Software Corporation, 50 West Pearce Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4B 1E3; 888/644-7638; http://www.mgisoft.com. Dolby Laboratories Inc., 100 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103-4813; 415/558-0200; Fax 415/863-1373; http://www.dolby.com)

Toshiba Announces Plans for a NUON DVD Player

Toshiba Corporation has entered the NUON-enhanced DVD player market and will ship its first NUON DVD player in the fall. The company made the move because it believes that NUON enhances the user interface and affords better on-screen graphics and attractive playback features, as well as allows the consumer to access new interactive content. Toshiba is the second company to announce NUON player plans, following Samsung's announcement in February.

(Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., 1060 Rincon Circle, San Jose, CA 95131; 800/879-4963; http://www.toshiba.com)

LaCie Unveils 4.7GB FireWire DVD-RAM Drive

LaCie, Ltd. has unveiled its 4.7GB DVD-RAM drive, with a FireWire (IEEE 1394)interface. The new drive will support single-sided 4.7GB and double-sided 9.4GB DVD-RAM media, as well as older 2.6GB and 5.2GB media. The FireWire interface allows hot-swappable connectivity with Macintosh G3, G4, and iMac DV systems, as well as PCs incorporating Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows 2000. LaCie's FireWire DVD-RAM drive will be available in external configurations, and will include cables, software drivers for Windows and Mac OS, and one DVD-RAM disc.

(LaCie, Ltd., 22985 N.W. Evergreen Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124; 503/844-4500; Fax 503/844-4593; http://www.lacie.com)

Ravisent Announces CinePlayer Media Suite

Ravisent Technologies, Inc. has announced the launch of the CinePlayer Media Suite, its software-only family of digital audio and video playback solutions for PCs. The CinePlayer line supports playback for multimedia formats including CD Audio, MPEG audio, MPEG video, DVD, Dolby Digital audio, MP3, LPCM audio, DTV, HDTV, DVR, and analog TV. CinePlayer DVR is a software-based solution that allows PC/TV users to view, record, and "time shift" live television broadcasts. CinePlayer DTV allows users to watch digital television broadcasts, including HDTV, on their PCs. CinePlayer was developed using Ravisent's CineMaster family of software for digital multimedia and datacasting processing.

(Ravisent Technologies, Inc., One Great Valley Parkway, Malvern, PA 19355; 800/700-0362, 610/251-9999; Fax 610/695-2592; http://www.ravisent.com)