DVD+RW Alliance Demonstrates Dual-Layer DVD+R
In a move to double the capacity of recordable DVDs, Philips and MKM (Mitsubishi Kagaku Media)/Verbatim have announced a version of the DVD+R recordable DVD format that includes two layers, allowing for recording of up to 8.5GB of data on a single disc. The discs use two discrete organic dye layers separated by a spacer layer, along with a reflective layer and a partially reflective layer.
The technology was demonstrated at the CEATEC show that was held October 7-11, 2003 in Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan. According to the DVD+RW alliance, the recorded discs retain compatibility with the existing base of set-top DVD players. Dual-layer drives will hit store shelves in April.
Media 100 Announces Support for G5, Mac OS X 10.3
The latest company to jump on the Power Mac G5 bandwagon is Media 100, who has announced that Media 100i version 8.2.1 will support the Power Mac G5 as well as Mac OS X 10.3. Complete turnkey systems with the new OS will ship in November.
"The Apple Power Mac G5 systems represent a leap ahead in performance for our editors… We are pleased that again Media 100 i will be among the first, if not the first, to adopt and exploit Apple’s latest CPU and OS advances," stated Mike Savello, Media 100’s vice president of dual stream systems.
Pinnacle Announces InstantCD/DVD, Instant VideoAlbum
Pinnacle Systems has launched two new Instant titles, which provide simple disc authoring capabilities. Pinnacle Instant VideoAlbum includes DV capturing, editing, menu creation and burning capabilities. The software also imports still images and includes label creation features. Instant VideoAlbum retails for $40.
Pinnacle InstantCD/DVD version 8 includes CD and DVD duplication capabilities and can author audio CDs, MP3, photo and video discs. Backup and restore capabilities are also included with Instant CD/DVD 8, which retails for $80.
Avid Ships New Version of Free DV and Xpress DV
Have you ever wanted to try out an Avid system for free? Avid announced Avid Free DV (www.avid.com/freedv), which is a limited version of Avid’s Xpress software that you can download free of charge. It runs on both the Mac OS X and Windows XP platforms and features the same Avid editing interface as high-end Avid tools.
Avid has also shipped a new version of Xpress DV. Like previous versions, the new version also runs on both Windows and Mac platforms, including the Power Mac G5.
Avid Xpress DV has over 100 real-time effects, including automatic color correction, moving titles and picture-in-picture effects. The software comes with Boris Graffiti LTD title creation and animation software, Sorenson Squeeze 3 Lite encoding software for Windows Media 9, QuickTime, Flash and MPEG-2 formats and Sonic Solutions DVDit! SE DVD authoring software.
The software retails for $695. Upgrades are available to existing, non-educational users of Xpress DV for $295.