Sonic Solutions has launched DVDit Pro 6, the latest version of its DVD authoring solution designed for creative professionals and enthusiasts alike. DVDit Pro 6 offers new features, precision tools, and fine-tune controls, presented in a customizable workspace that is optimized for productivity. The latest version enables authors to deliver Web-linked interactivity with the inclusion of eDVD 4.

Designed to work with any authored DVD title, eDVD 4 allows content producers to add links from DVD menu buttons or chapter points to a wide assortment of content that is accessible during computer playback. eDVD -enabled DVDs let viewers launch Web pages, play HD video files, view high-resolution images, open documents such as PDF, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint presentations, or launch executable files such as games or applications during PC-DVD playback.

DVDit Pro 6 is currently being showcased at the Wedding & Event Video Association (WEVA) Expo 2005 (booth #225), being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 8-11.

VideoSystems by Steve Mullen
Edius NXNLE/hardware bundle facilitates two methods of HDV editing. Canopus’ Edius NX for HDV, with included HDV Expansion Kit, lets editors employ either Intermediate or Native techniques on HDV material.

With Edius NX for HDV, Canopus offers an HDV editing solution that allows editors to approach HDV material in a couple of different ways. Depending on their system’s computing power and their working style, editors using Edius NX for HDV can employ either Intermediate or Native techniques. (In the July issue of Video Systems and here, see “HDV in the Real World” for an overview of four ways of editing both 720p and 1080i60 HDV. The four techniques are Draft, Proxy, Native, and Intermediate.)
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DMN Product Review By Charlie White
Vegas6 Sony Vegas 6 Pays Off - New version of already-excellent nonlinear editing software further refined, faster

Sony Media Software has released a new version of its video editing software, adding new features that make it easier and faster to use. Vegas 6 ($600, upgrade from Vegas 5, $200) is a refined editing software package, building on its powerful feature set with new ways to group, search, and find your video clips. It also adds new compatibility with additional audio plug-ins, and much more. We tested Vegas 6 and found that this already-excellent editing software product has been improved even more with this new release. Here’s our review.

Serious Magic’s ULTRA 2 is a breakthrough that transforms keying into a practical daily production tool for all types of video professionals. ULTRA 2’s drag-and-drop simplicity allows video editors to create highly realistic background composites that are convincing in every detail, even from marginal video sources.

Virtual Set Technology
ULTRA 2 puts high-end virtual sets within reach. ULTRA 2’s Master Sets Libraries go beyond typical static shots and include breathtaking flying camera shots, moving stages, boom and dolly moves. Sets include multiple B-source options and camera angles in tight, medium and wide views. These libraries, sold separately or in our special Ultra2 bundles, can be used seamlessly in ULTRA 2.

We have put together some amazing bundles when you buy Ultra2 and any Master Set Library. Each of these bundles not only gives you tremendous bundle savings - we also include the Ultimate ULTRA Master Series Training DVD FREE!

Save up to $225!! Mail-in-rebate on the master set libraries when purchased with ULTRA2.

* Buy ULTRA2 and any one MSL and receive $50 back by mail
* Buy ULTRA2 and any two MSLs and receive $125 back by mail
* Buy ULTRA2 and all three MSLs and receive $225 back by mail

Hurry – These great bundle offers and the coupon expire 8/31/05
Click here for rebate form

With a capacity of 1 terabyte, G-Technology’s G-RAID 1000 is the industry’s highest capacity 2-drive FireWire RAID solution

Santa Monica, CA, July 21, 2005 − G-Technology, Inc. (G-Tech), a leading supplier of add-on storage solutions for Macs and PCs, today began shipping a new 1-terabyte capacity version of their popular G-RAID FireWire 800 storage products. Called the G-RAID 1000, these new high performance storage devices deliver the industry’s highest capacity in a 2-drive RAID configuration. “Our new G-RAID 1000 storage solutions provide the performance and reliability required by content-creation professionals,” said Roger Mabon, President of G-Technology, Inc. “These products support multi-stream video playback with realtime effects and audio over the entire 1 terabyte of storage capacity. With the G-RAID 1000 you can store more than 75 hours of DV or 12 hours of 8-bit
uncompressed video footage, making them ideal for video and broadcast editing, DVD authoring, 2D/3D animation, audio editing applications and high-speed system backup.”

Like all G-RAID storage solutions, the G-RAID 1000 features:
• Two FireWire 800 ports and one FireWire 400 port;
• Two 7200 rpm high-performance Hitachi disk drives
• A stylish aluminum enclosure with integral cooling fan;
• Mac OS X and Window compatibility; and
• A two-year factory warranty.

G-RAID 1000 is priced at $1,199 (US list).

Easily Compress High-Quality Video for Multiple Formats

Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 Compression Suite is the first full-featured compression application to incorporate High Definition (HD) encoding for a variety of video formats including - MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime, RealMedia, and Windows Media 9. The Suite also compresses the highest-quality video for Macromedia Flash files.

Sorenson Media has added the Sorenson AVC Pro codec (also known as H.264) to the Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 Compression Suite. This codec offers unparalleled encoding efficiency by creating the high-quality video at roughly 70 percent the standard MPEG-4 codec!

While most compression tools are cumbersome, with steep learning curves, Squeeze is easy to use and requires no in-depth knowledge of the complexities of compression technology. Squeeze 4.1 reduces your digital video to a fraction of its original size, allowing you to pack more onto CDs and DVDs or to stream across the Internet much more affordably.

Built for all of the Sorenson Media professional codecs and popular third-party codecs, the Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 Compression Suite enables you to easily deliver a variety of output formats, sizes, and bit rates. Simply take your edited, uncompressed video from popular tools such as Avid Xpress DV, Apple Final Cut, and Adobe Premiere or bring your digital video from your source straight into Squeeze 4.1. Encoding video is as easy as selecting an intelligent present for your intended audience and clicking the “Squeeze It” button.

-Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 Compression Suite $449.95 MSRP
- Squeeze Compression Suite Upgrade for Avid $199.95 MSRP
- Sorenson Squeeze 4.1 for Macromedia Flash MX $119.95 MSRP