It is amazing that this long after the delivery of Vista, neither Microsoft nor Skype has addressed the problem of the popular Skype VoIP app's incompatibility. Many PCs are being delivered with Vista preinstalled, to just the sort of customer who would want to use a broadband connection for either cheap or free phone calls.
The Skype download website carries no warning about this, though Vista is not listed among the compatible Os'es. This is in contrast to Windows 98 and ME; there is specific advice in both cases. But forVista users - zilch!
In contrast, downloaders of the competitive Sipphone Gizmo Project are advised to right-click the installation file and choose XP-compatibilty. It would be interesting to know if this technique would work with Skype.
The Gizmo has more functionality than Skype, including the ability swap I'M texts with other messaging systems, and even connectivity with at least one oter VoIP provider.
It would be interesting to know if Skype-badged hardware will work with Gizmo, and also if such hardware carries a "Vista-incompatible" health warning.
Comments from readers are invited.
Note:
This posting is copied from the HateVista blog:
http://hatevista.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Monday, 17 September 2007
Fwd: Test - please ignore
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Karl Dallas <karl.dallas@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:23:26 +0100
Subject: Test - please ignore
To: software-daily@blogger.com
Cc: karldallas@f2s.com
From: Karl Dallas <karl.dallas@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:23:26 +0100
Subject: Test - please ignore
To: software-daily@blogger.com
Cc: karldallas@f2s.com
This is a test - posting from Palm Treo 750v using Gmail.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Video copying to DVD almost defeated me
Copying VHS (or other video tape formats, eg 8mm) is not as easy as they make out, especially if you want to edit the results. This is the story of a copying process that almost defeated me.
Back in 1957, I sang on the soundtrack of a film of the first UK anti-nuclear march to the Aldermaston atomic weapons establishment. Although it was anonymous, it was actually the first film of Lindsay Anderson, who later went on to make such masterpieces of cinema as This Sporting Life, If..., O Lucky Man! and Britannia Hospital.
The song was my own Doomsday Blues, to the tune of St James Infirmary. My guitar-playing was never good enough for the blues, so I asked my friend Leon Rosselson to accompany me when I went to the National Film Theatre on London’s South Bank where Anderson recorded us.
Lately I’ve been curating a programme of music films at the National Media Museum in Bradford to celebrate my half-century in music, and rather wanted to include a clip from the movie in the final show on September 15. I have a rather poor time-coded VHS copy of the film. To my amazement, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament doesn’t have a copy. The British Film Institute does, but there are no facilities for anyone but recognised distributors or cinemas to hire it. (That wasn’t a problem when I toured Germany singing to peace groups in the late 1950s, cos I took a 16mm copy with me).
Obviously, I’d have to try to do something with my VHS copy. That’s when my trouble started.
My LG DVD recorder is hooked up to my VHS machine (also to a 8mm camcorder, and even a Betamax machine), and it’s pretty easy to copy back and forth between them. I decided (fool!) to copy straight to DVD+R, so I could then put it into my laptop and edit the clip I wanted. (I tend to use DVD+R as standard, cos it makes Macs happier, despite my dislike of Steve Jobs' baby.) The copy proceeded without problems, but when I put the disk in my PC it couldn’t recognise it. It played fine in the DVD recorder, so I knew the data was there.
The DVD recorder has a hard disk, plus the option to copy from DVD disk to internal drive, and vice versa, so I copied the movie on to the hard disk. Then, I copied it back on to a DVD-R disk (NOT DVD+R) to see if that could be seen when I put it into my PC. That worked fine, and the DVD played OK in Windows Media Player.
Almost home and dry I thought, but when I imported the VOB file from the DVD into Sony Vegas (my preferred editing software) I could see the images, but there was no sound. This is apparently something to do with the file needing to be de-muxed, which separates the sound and video streams, but I didn’t want to get into all that.
No problem, I thought. I’ve got a brilliant program called MovAVI Video Converter, which I use mainly for converting Flash video FLV files I’ve downloaded from the Internet into an editable form. I knew that would also work on VOB files – but not in this case. It reported errors, and abandoned the task.
Another brilliant program, Magic DVD Copier, which I use for moving my own DVD disks on to my local hard disk, would take the VOB files from the DVD and place them on my internal drive. That worked, but MovAVI didn’t like them either.
Because I’m currently evaluating video editing software, I have a number of the most popular programs under review. I decided to see what Nero 7 Premium’s Vision Express module could do with the problem files.
It imported them without problems, and I was able to export the result to an AVI file, which I could import into Vegas, with both sound and vision placed on the tracks in editable form.
Home and dry? Not quite.
The entire soundtrack was afflicted with a terrible crackle.
Now I also have Sony’s audio companion to Vegas, Sound Forge, on my system, and Vegas has an “edit in Sound Forge” option. The problem is that Sound Forge requires an external plug-in for noise reduction, which I didn’t have.
But because the radio station for which I do a lot of work uses Cool Edit for its audio editing, I also have that on my system, and Cool Edit has built-in noise reduction. So I extracted the audio soundtrack in Sound Forge and saved it to an MP3 file, which I then imported into Cool Edit.
Now, true Dolby-style noise reduction is something you apply during principal recording. Any sound twitching you apply afterwards will affect everything else within the frequency range of the noise your reducing.
It worked, however. Leon’s guitar sounded a bit weird, but the surprisingly youthful voice (I was about 26 at the time) was just about acceptable.
Now have you spotted a possible new problem when I imported the noise-reduced file back into Vegas? Yes, right. By separating the soundtrack from the video, I’d have lost any lip-sync. Fortunately, as it happened, my song was “wild”, in other words it was background music to people marching, crowds watching and applauding, etc.
I killed the audio track that was synchronised to the actual movie, and replaced it with the song. The video was still time-coded, so I used the Vegas “pan and crop” facility to exclude the time code. This could have meant that, since Vegas crops in all dimensions, that people’s heads were cropped out of shot, but in this case that wasn’t an issue.
I selected the appropriate sequence, and rendered it to an AVI file.
So here was a 50-year-old blast from my past, ready to be shown on the Media Museum’s screen.
Unfortunately, the process had taken so long, there was no longer any room in the programme for it! Oh, well, it’s one for the archive anyway.
The products I used were
• MovAVI Converter (http://movavi.com/videoconverter/download.html)
• Magic DVD Copier (http://dl.magicdvdripper.com/MagicDVDCopier46.exe)
• Nero 7 Premium (http://www.nero.com/nero7/eng/nero7-up.php#)
• Sony Vegas (http://sony-vegas-video.en.softonic.com/download) This is actually a free evaluation of the latest version, though I used the older Vegas 5, which still works fine for me.
• Cool Edit has been bought by Adobe and “developed” as Audition. I never actually liked Cool Edit much, and Audition has too cluttered a design for my taste (a fault common to a number of the latest versions of Adobe software, which is why I’m still using Pagemaker). To download an evaluation you’ll need to set up a free ID. Go to http://www.adobe.com for details.
Back in 1957, I sang on the soundtrack of a film of the first UK anti-nuclear march to the Aldermaston atomic weapons establishment. Although it was anonymous, it was actually the first film of Lindsay Anderson, who later went on to make such masterpieces of cinema as This Sporting Life, If..., O Lucky Man! and Britannia Hospital.
The song was my own Doomsday Blues, to the tune of St James Infirmary. My guitar-playing was never good enough for the blues, so I asked my friend Leon Rosselson to accompany me when I went to the National Film Theatre on London’s South Bank where Anderson recorded us.
Lately I’ve been curating a programme of music films at the National Media Museum in Bradford to celebrate my half-century in music, and rather wanted to include a clip from the movie in the final show on September 15. I have a rather poor time-coded VHS copy of the film. To my amazement, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament doesn’t have a copy. The British Film Institute does, but there are no facilities for anyone but recognised distributors or cinemas to hire it. (That wasn’t a problem when I toured Germany singing to peace groups in the late 1950s, cos I took a 16mm copy with me).
Obviously, I’d have to try to do something with my VHS copy. That’s when my trouble started.
My LG DVD recorder is hooked up to my VHS machine (also to a 8mm camcorder, and even a Betamax machine), and it’s pretty easy to copy back and forth between them. I decided (fool!) to copy straight to DVD+R, so I could then put it into my laptop and edit the clip I wanted. (I tend to use DVD+R as standard, cos it makes Macs happier, despite my dislike of Steve Jobs' baby.) The copy proceeded without problems, but when I put the disk in my PC it couldn’t recognise it. It played fine in the DVD recorder, so I knew the data was there.
The DVD recorder has a hard disk, plus the option to copy from DVD disk to internal drive, and vice versa, so I copied the movie on to the hard disk. Then, I copied it back on to a DVD-R disk (NOT DVD+R) to see if that could be seen when I put it into my PC. That worked fine, and the DVD played OK in Windows Media Player.
Almost home and dry I thought, but when I imported the VOB file from the DVD into Sony Vegas (my preferred editing software) I could see the images, but there was no sound. This is apparently something to do with the file needing to be de-muxed, which separates the sound and video streams, but I didn’t want to get into all that.
No problem, I thought. I’ve got a brilliant program called MovAVI Video Converter, which I use mainly for converting Flash video FLV files I’ve downloaded from the Internet into an editable form. I knew that would also work on VOB files – but not in this case. It reported errors, and abandoned the task.
Another brilliant program, Magic DVD Copier, which I use for moving my own DVD disks on to my local hard disk, would take the VOB files from the DVD and place them on my internal drive. That worked, but MovAVI didn’t like them either.
Because I’m currently evaluating video editing software, I have a number of the most popular programs under review. I decided to see what Nero 7 Premium’s Vision Express module could do with the problem files.
It imported them without problems, and I was able to export the result to an AVI file, which I could import into Vegas, with both sound and vision placed on the tracks in editable form.
Home and dry? Not quite.
The entire soundtrack was afflicted with a terrible crackle.
Now I also have Sony’s audio companion to Vegas, Sound Forge, on my system, and Vegas has an “edit in Sound Forge” option. The problem is that Sound Forge requires an external plug-in for noise reduction, which I didn’t have.
But because the radio station for which I do a lot of work uses Cool Edit for its audio editing, I also have that on my system, and Cool Edit has built-in noise reduction. So I extracted the audio soundtrack in Sound Forge and saved it to an MP3 file, which I then imported into Cool Edit.
Now, true Dolby-style noise reduction is something you apply during principal recording. Any sound twitching you apply afterwards will affect everything else within the frequency range of the noise your reducing.
It worked, however. Leon’s guitar sounded a bit weird, but the surprisingly youthful voice (I was about 26 at the time) was just about acceptable.
Now have you spotted a possible new problem when I imported the noise-reduced file back into Vegas? Yes, right. By separating the soundtrack from the video, I’d have lost any lip-sync. Fortunately, as it happened, my song was “wild”, in other words it was background music to people marching, crowds watching and applauding, etc.
I killed the audio track that was synchronised to the actual movie, and replaced it with the song. The video was still time-coded, so I used the Vegas “pan and crop” facility to exclude the time code. This could have meant that, since Vegas crops in all dimensions, that people’s heads were cropped out of shot, but in this case that wasn’t an issue.
I selected the appropriate sequence, and rendered it to an AVI file.
So here was a 50-year-old blast from my past, ready to be shown on the Media Museum’s screen.
Unfortunately, the process had taken so long, there was no longer any room in the programme for it! Oh, well, it’s one for the archive anyway.
The products I used were
• MovAVI Converter (http://movavi.com/videoconverter/download.html)
• Magic DVD Copier (http://dl.magicdvdripper.com/MagicDVDCopier46.exe)
• Nero 7 Premium (http://www.nero.com/nero7/eng/nero7-up.php#)
• Sony Vegas (http://sony-vegas-video.en.softonic.com/download) This is actually a free evaluation of the latest version, though I used the older Vegas 5, which still works fine for me.
• Cool Edit has been bought by Adobe and “developed” as Audition. I never actually liked Cool Edit much, and Audition has too cluttered a design for my taste (a fault common to a number of the latest versions of Adobe software, which is why I’m still using Pagemaker). To download an evaluation you’ll need to set up a free ID. Go to http://www.adobe.com for details.
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Free Vegas Pro 8 eval
The Vegas Pro 8 collection can be evaluated by downloading a free 30-day trial from
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/Step3.asp?URLID=3784&SerialNum="
The collection includes DVD Architect Pro 4.5 and Dolby Digital AC-3 encoding software.
(See previous post for fuller details.)
Owners of any previous version of Vegas Pro software can upgrade for $149.95 (a saving of $100) if they place orders before October 31.
Click on this link to purchase Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition (PC)
for £54.99 (regular price $119.95).
Note: This is NOT the full Vegas Pro 8 suite. For instance, the number of video and audio tracks is limited to four each, while the Pro edition has an unlimited number.
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/Step3.asp?URLID=3784&SerialNum="
The collection includes DVD Architect Pro 4.5 and Dolby Digital AC-3 encoding software.
(See previous post for fuller details.)
Owners of any previous version of Vegas Pro software can upgrade for $149.95 (a saving of $100) if they place orders before October 31.
Click on this link to purchase Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition (PC)
for £54.99 (regular price $119.95).Note: This is NOT the full Vegas Pro 8 suite. For instance, the number of video and audio tracks is limited to four each, while the Pro edition has an unlimited number.
Friday, 7 September 2007
PRESS RELEASE:
Two new versions of Sony Vegas video editing software
Sony Creative Software have announced two new versions of their Vegas video editing solutions, one aimed at the professional market, the other at home users.
Targeting home users, Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition, Vegas Movie Studio, Sound Forge Audio Studio, ACID Music Studio provide consumers with powerful user-generated content creation applications.
The range includes Vista-compatible Vegas Movie Studio 8, Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8 (both video editing and DVD creation software), Sound Forge Audio Studio 9 (audio editing and production software) and ACID Music Studio 7 (music creation and mixing software).
The Home Studio range features content-creation tools for PC users seeking a simple way to create and share digital content across a multitude of media formats. The product range has been developed from the company’s professional audio and video software and designed with ease of use in mind.
In addition, Sony Creative Software’s DVD Architect Studio and Photo Go are now Vista-Compatible.
For more information about the Home Studio range or any of Sony Creative Software's audio or video editing solutions, please visit www.sonycreativesoftware.com.
Introducing Vegas Pro 8
The top-end professional Vegas Pro 8 collection will be shown at IBC 2007 in Amsterdam beginning today and will be available for purchase from Sony Creative Software as well as retailers worldwide September 10, 2007.
Vegas Pro 8 software provides precise control over DV, HDV, and XDCAM projects through powerful tools for professional video, audio, and DVD creation.
The Vegas Pro collection combines Vegas Pro 8, DVD Architect Pro 4.5, and Dolby® Digital AC-3 encoding software to offer an integrated environment for all phases of professional video, audio, DVD, and broadcast production. These tools allow the editing and processing of DV, AVCHD, HDV, SD/HD-SDI, and all XDCAM™ formats in real time, fine-tuning of audio with precision, and authoring of surround sound, and dual-layer DVDs.
New features include:
Edit SD or HD video with drag-and-drop functionality, mouse and keyboard trimming, and ripple editing. Features include ProType Titling technology, multicamera editing tools, 32-bit floating point video processing, customizable window layouts, color-coded snapping, improved HDV/SDI/XDCAM support, Cinescore plug-in support, A/V synchronization detection and repair, and auto-frame quantization.
Efficient, Professional Workflow
The Vegas Pro 8 interface provides a fully customizable workspace for accomplishing a wide range of production requirements. Dock multiple windows across multiple monitors, and save your layouts to fit specific editing tasks; nest Vegas projects within the timeline, customize and save keyboard commands, and use application scripting to automate repetitive tasks. System-wide media management produces maximum efficiency. Network rendering saves time by using multiple computers and networked drive arrays to render complex projects. Vegas Pro software also supports 24p, HD and HDV editing.
Audio Control
Use unlimited tracks, 24-bit/192 kHz audio, punch-in recording, 5.1 surround mixing, effects automation, and time compress/expand. Apply customizable, real-time audio effects like EQ, Reverb, Delay, and more. Expand your audio processing and mixing options with supported third-party DirectX® and VST audio plug-ins. Use the Mixing Console for precise audio control.
DVD Tools
Burn Blu-ray discs directly from the timeline for high-definition delivery. Create standard DVDs with multiple video angles, subtitles, multiple languages, and running commentary. Apply Brightness and Contrast, Auto Levels, Crop, and Anti-Flicker filters. Set CSS and Macrovision® copy-protection flags for masters. DVD Architect Pro 4.5 software supports the latest devices, including dual-layer DVD burners.
Video Features
New! ProType titler
New! Multicamera editing tools
New! 32-bit floating point video engine
New! Digital signage support
Improved HDV, SD/HD-SDI support
Red-eye reduction (stills only)
Comprehensive XDCAM support
Enhanced video monitoring
Superior frame rate conversions
Multitrack video editing on unlimited tracks
3D track motion
Enhanced video compositing
Keyframeable Bézier masks
Keyframeable transitions, filters, and track motion
3-wheel primary and secondary color correction filters
Waveform, Vectorscope, Parade, and Histogram monitors
Real-time playback of effects, processes and transitions to external monitor
Credit rolls and text animation
Transition progress envelopes
Alpha channel support
Flash™ (.swf) format import
Support for any aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9, etc)
Supports multiple file formats and frame rates
24p DV support
Audio Features
New! Audio mixer console
Broadcast Wave format multichannel support
AAF track volume and pan info support
Cinescore plug-in support
Gracenote MusicID™ CD album recognition
VST plug-in effect support
Tape-style audio scrubbing
Audio recording, editing, and mixing on unlimited tracks
24-bit/192 kHz audio support
5.1 surround mixing tools
On-the-fly punch-in recording
Auto-input record monitoring
5.1 audio plug-in support for the master bus
Film-style 5.1 surround panning
Downmix monitoring
DirectX® plug-in effects automation
Includes over 30 DirectX audio effects
ACID® loop properties support
ASIO driver support
Keyboard event pitch shifting
Fader automation
Real-time record meters
32 assignable effects and 26 Master and Aux outputs
Bus-to-bus routing
Solo or mute tracks
Master, auxiliary, and effects bus tracks
Editing and Workflow Features
New! Enhanced video previewing
New! Interactive tutorials
New! Scripting extensions
Save and recall window layouts
Flexible window docking
Cursor object "snapping"
Support for XDCAM essence markers
Envelope brush "painting"
Improved project copy and trim operations
Improved multiprocessor rendering
Project nesting
System-wide media management
AAF Import/Export
A/V synchronization detect and repair
Real-time nondestructive editing
Split-screen A/B previewing
Simple drag-and-drop operations
Network rendering
Envelope automation recording
High Definition editing and output
Searchable Media Pool bins
Media subclips
Automatic crossfades
Trimmer window
JKL scrub; timeline and keyboard trimming
Real-time A/V event reverse
Dual monitor support
Multiple docking windows
User-definable window layouts
Customizable keyboard mapping
Dual processor DV rendering support
Keyboard trimming and event shuffling
Edit on 23.976, native 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 fps timelines
Unlimited undo/redo
Media Explorer window
Capture, Export, and Hardware Features
New! Blu-ray Disc burning directly from the timeline
New! No-recompress rendering for long GOP HDV
New! XDCAM partial conform for FAM mode
Export directly to PSP
AVC/AAC support
MPEG-2, Insert I-Frame at markers
ATRAC 3 input and output
Import from DVD camcorder disc
SDI deck insert editing per channel
Render to mxf for XDCAM
Blackmagic Design DeckLink™ board support
External control surface support
Advanced streaming media tools
Application scripting for task automation
Subtitle time/text export to DVD Architect Prosoftware
Windows Media™ 9 Series support, including surround encoding
RealVideo™ 9 support
QuickTime® format support
VideoCD and multimedia CD burning
Red Book audio CD production
Advanced encoding tools
EDL export
MPEG-1&2 support
Supports Windows Media® and RealMedia® commands
Sony DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000 disc recorder support
J-H3 HDCAM player support for DV downconverts
3:2 pulldown removal from DV .AVI files
Exports chapter markers and subtitles to DVD Architect Pro 4.5 software
DVD Architect Pro 4.5 Features
General Features
Scripting support
Random playlist playback
Parental control
Cinescore plug-in integration
Photoshop® (PSD) layer support
Jacket picture creation
Theme export
Menu-based and single movie DVD creation
Easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality
Unlimited number of undo/redo
Media Explorer
Adjustable Project and File Optimization Settings
Multi-monitor support
Multi-processor support
Fully customizable toolbars
Get Media from the web
DVD Editing and Layout Features
Keyframeable Transformations
Keyframeable Crop and Effects
Additional marker types
Graphical subtitles
Title reordering
Snap to I-Frame
Greater than 100% zoom
4:3 and 16:9 preview settings
DVD Mastering tools: DLT, DDP, CMF
Project playlists
Copy-protection tools (CSS and Macrovision®)
Media effects
Project navigation tool
Still and motion menu creation
Support for multiple video titles
Real-time external monitor preview via i.LINK®/IEEE-1394
Subtitle creation and support
Multiple audio track support
Programmable end actions for menus and media
Project overview window
Multiple menus with up to 36 buttons per menu
Menu object editing, alignment and sizing tools
Text editing and shadow effects
Object snapping
Slide image rotation
Add, edit, and move chapter points
Title and Action safe grid area
Customizable Themes
Menu looping
Video Features
Buttons on video
Crop and adjust dialog
Slideshow animations
Picture slideshow duration
Multiangle video selection
DVD movie creation
Picture slideshows
Elementary stream import
24p DVD encoding
No re-encoding of compliant files
NTSC and PAL in normal (4:3) and wide-screen (16:9) formats
Imports AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MOV, WMV, and a variety of still image formats
Audio Features
ATRAC Support
Multiple audio track support
Music compilations
Attach audio files to menus
Media file previewing
Import WAV, MP3, WMA, PCA, AIF, MPEG audio, AC-3 5.1 or stereo into your DVD Architect Pro project
24-bit/192kHz audio support
Testing and Burning Features
Burn mastered folder
8cm to 12cm DVD Copy
Button overlap indication
Smart-project re-prepare
Dual-layer burning and authoring support
Real-time project previewing with virtual DVD remote control or to external monitor
DVD project verification and preparation
Advanced DVD disc optimization with adjustable bitrates
Fit to disc option
Supports a wide variety of DVD burners
Supported File Formats
Opens: AA3, AAC, AAF, AIF, ASF, AU, AVI, BMP, BWF, CDA, DIG, DLX, DV, FLAC, GIF, IVC, JPG, M2T, M2TS, MTS, MOV, Sony MXF, MP3, MP4, M4A, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video, MPEG-4, OGG, OMA, PCA, PNG, PSD, QT, SFA, SND, SWF*, TIFF, TGA, TS, VOX, W64, WAV, WMA, WMV
Saves: AA3, AC3, AIF, ATRAC, AVC, AVI, FLAC, MOV, MP3, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video, MPEG-4, M2T, M2TS, Sony MXF, OGG, PCA, RM, W64, WAV, WMA, WMV
DVD encoding, Video: NTSC 4:3, NTSC Widescreen, PAL 4:3, PAL Widescreen
DVD encoding, Audio: AC-3 5.1 or stereo, PCM
*ActionScripting, motion video and audio not supported
Supported Media Types
Supported DVD recordable drives
DVD Architect Pro software has been tested with a wide range of drives and should work with most DVD recordable drives. To test DVD burning with your system, you can download the DVD Architect Pro Demo and the sample project for burning. This is available on the download page. From the File menu, choose Make DVD, click the Burn button, and browse to the prepared project folder.
Go to http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/products/product.asp?pid=457&keycode=3504 for more information.
Note:
The above message is extracted from an official announcement. The product has not been evaluated. Look out for a review in due course.
Two new versions of Sony Vegas video editing software
Sony Creative Software have announced two new versions of their Vegas video editing solutions, one aimed at the professional market, the other at home users.
Targeting home users, Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition, Vegas Movie Studio, Sound Forge Audio Studio, ACID Music Studio provide consumers with powerful user-generated content creation applications.
The range includes Vista-compatible Vegas Movie Studio 8, Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8 (both video editing and DVD creation software), Sound Forge Audio Studio 9 (audio editing and production software) and ACID Music Studio 7 (music creation and mixing software).
The Home Studio range features content-creation tools for PC users seeking a simple way to create and share digital content across a multitude of media formats. The product range has been developed from the company’s professional audio and video software and designed with ease of use in mind.
In addition, Sony Creative Software’s DVD Architect Studio and Photo Go are now Vista-Compatible.
- Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition 8
The new versions of these products provide the power, features and advanced tools needed to edit nearly any format of video, including HDV and Sony AVCHD. When used in conjunction with camcorders such as the Sony HDR-SR5, HDR-CX7 and HDR-SR7 AVCHD,
the software offers users a unified end-to-end high definition workflow. The Platinum Edition software's advanced tools for video compositing, colour correction and 5.1 surround sound mixing help users achieve professional-like results from the home studio.
Integrated DVD authoring and multiple export options allow content to be easily shared through many formats, including online and via portable devices. - Vegas Movie Studio 8
Vegas Movie Studio software is an easy-to-use media editing application that allows users to turn digital video and pictures into movies and slideshows, as well as creating professional-looking DVDs on a home computer. Like the Platinum Edition, Vegas Movie Studio offers the entire audio and video workflow in a box, allowing users to capture, create, edit and share. - Sound Forge Audio Studio 9
The new version brings professional editing power to home computers. The software is an easy way to record instruments, vocals and podcasts and then edit and master audio with pro-level control over EQ, volume and effects processing. The new Vinyl Recording and Restoration tool breathes new life into a record collection, enabling users to convert records, cassettes, and other analogue sources into CDs or MP3 files. The Vocal Eraser plug-in included with Sound Forge Audio Studio enables users to remove vocals from most recordings to create karaoke tracks to sing along with or isolate vocals to bring into a user-created remix. - ACID Music Studio 7
With the new improved version users can create original song compositions, record live instruments and vocals , and perform studio-quality mixing and effects processing. Using a simple pick, paint, and play workflow, users can combine loops with automatic tempo and key matching to quickly create great sounding mixes. The software is now a full-featured multitrack production application, allowing users to record or combine an unlimited number of audio tracks, MIDI tracks, and loops in a project. These new multitrack recording capabilities enable users to record multiple instruments at a time with complete control over volume, panning and effects on each instrument or vocal for the perfect mix. Additionally, the software features inline MIDI editing, including both real-time record and step record, as well as complete control over MIDI events and parameters. ACID Music Studio software includes over
3,000 ACIDized music loops and 1,000 MIDI files for song creation.
- Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition (£69.99)
- Vegas Movie Studio (£49.99)
- ACID Music Studio (£44.99)
- Sound Forge Audio Studio software (£44.99) and
- Photo Go (£14.99)
are available in the UK
from September 07.
For more information about the Home Studio range or any of Sony Creative Software's audio or video editing solutions, please visit www.sonycreativesoftware.com.
Introducing Vegas Pro 8
The top-end professional Vegas Pro 8 collection will be shown at IBC 2007 in Amsterdam beginning today and will be available for purchase from Sony Creative Software as well as retailers worldwide September 10, 2007.
Vegas Pro 8 software provides precise control over DV, HDV, and XDCAM projects through powerful tools for professional video, audio, and DVD creation.
The Vegas Pro collection combines Vegas Pro 8, DVD Architect Pro 4.5, and Dolby® Digital AC-3 encoding software to offer an integrated environment for all phases of professional video, audio, DVD, and broadcast production. These tools allow the editing and processing of DV, AVCHD, HDV, SD/HD-SDI, and all XDCAM™ formats in real time, fine-tuning of audio with precision, and authoring of surround sound, and dual-layer DVDs.
New features include:
- ProType titling technology
- Multicamera workflow tools
- Sony AVCHD read and write support
- 32-bit floating point video processing for greater color depth
- Digital signage-style video editing
Edit SD or HD video with drag-and-drop functionality, mouse and keyboard trimming, and ripple editing. Features include ProType Titling technology, multicamera editing tools, 32-bit floating point video processing, customizable window layouts, color-coded snapping, improved HDV/SDI/XDCAM support, Cinescore plug-in support, A/V synchronization detection and repair, and auto-frame quantization.
Efficient, Professional Workflow
The Vegas Pro 8 interface provides a fully customizable workspace for accomplishing a wide range of production requirements. Dock multiple windows across multiple monitors, and save your layouts to fit specific editing tasks; nest Vegas projects within the timeline, customize and save keyboard commands, and use application scripting to automate repetitive tasks. System-wide media management produces maximum efficiency. Network rendering saves time by using multiple computers and networked drive arrays to render complex projects. Vegas Pro software also supports 24p, HD and HDV editing.
Audio Control
Use unlimited tracks, 24-bit/192 kHz audio, punch-in recording, 5.1 surround mixing, effects automation, and time compress/expand. Apply customizable, real-time audio effects like EQ, Reverb, Delay, and more. Expand your audio processing and mixing options with supported third-party DirectX® and VST audio plug-ins. Use the Mixing Console for precise audio control.
DVD Tools
Burn Blu-ray discs directly from the timeline for high-definition delivery. Create standard DVDs with multiple video angles, subtitles, multiple languages, and running commentary. Apply Brightness and Contrast, Auto Levels, Crop, and Anti-Flicker filters. Set CSS and Macrovision® copy-protection flags for masters. DVD Architect Pro 4.5 software supports the latest devices, including dual-layer DVD burners.
Video Features
New! ProType titler
New! Multicamera editing tools
New! 32-bit floating point video engine
New! Digital signage support
Improved HDV, SD/HD-SDI support
Red-eye reduction (stills only)
Comprehensive XDCAM support
Enhanced video monitoring
Superior frame rate conversions
Multitrack video editing on unlimited tracks
3D track motion
Enhanced video compositing
Keyframeable Bézier masks
Keyframeable transitions, filters, and track motion
3-wheel primary and secondary color correction filters
Waveform, Vectorscope, Parade, and Histogram monitors
Real-time playback of effects, processes and transitions to external monitor
Credit rolls and text animation
Transition progress envelopes
Alpha channel support
Flash™ (.swf) format import
Support for any aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9, etc)
Supports multiple file formats and frame rates
24p DV support
Audio Features
New! Audio mixer console
Broadcast Wave format multichannel support
AAF track volume and pan info support
Cinescore plug-in support
Gracenote MusicID™ CD album recognition
VST plug-in effect support
Tape-style audio scrubbing
Audio recording, editing, and mixing on unlimited tracks
24-bit/192 kHz audio support
5.1 surround mixing tools
On-the-fly punch-in recording
Auto-input record monitoring
5.1 audio plug-in support for the master bus
Film-style 5.1 surround panning
Downmix monitoring
DirectX® plug-in effects automation
Includes over 30 DirectX audio effects
ACID® loop properties support
ASIO driver support
Keyboard event pitch shifting
Fader automation
Real-time record meters
32 assignable effects and 26 Master and Aux outputs
Bus-to-bus routing
Solo or mute tracks
Master, auxiliary, and effects bus tracks
Editing and Workflow Features
New! Enhanced video previewing
New! Interactive tutorials
New! Scripting extensions
Save and recall window layouts
Flexible window docking
Cursor object "snapping"
Support for XDCAM essence markers
Envelope brush "painting"
Improved project copy and trim operations
Improved multiprocessor rendering
Project nesting
System-wide media management
AAF Import/Export
A/V synchronization detect and repair
Real-time nondestructive editing
Split-screen A/B previewing
Simple drag-and-drop operations
Network rendering
Envelope automation recording
High Definition editing and output
Searchable Media Pool bins
Media subclips
Automatic crossfades
Trimmer window
JKL scrub; timeline and keyboard trimming
Real-time A/V event reverse
Dual monitor support
Multiple docking windows
User-definable window layouts
Customizable keyboard mapping
Dual processor DV rendering support
Keyboard trimming and event shuffling
Edit on 23.976, native 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 fps timelines
Unlimited undo/redo
Media Explorer window
Capture, Export, and Hardware Features
New! Blu-ray Disc burning directly from the timeline
New! No-recompress rendering for long GOP HDV
New! XDCAM partial conform for FAM mode
Export directly to PSP
AVC/AAC support
MPEG-2, Insert I-Frame at markers
ATRAC 3 input and output
Import from DVD camcorder disc
SDI deck insert editing per channel
Render to mxf for XDCAM
Blackmagic Design DeckLink™ board support
External control surface support
Advanced streaming media tools
Application scripting for task automation
Subtitle time/text export to DVD Architect Prosoftware
Windows Media™ 9 Series support, including surround encoding
RealVideo™ 9 support
QuickTime® format support
VideoCD and multimedia CD burning
Red Book audio CD production
Advanced encoding tools
EDL export
MPEG-1&2 support
Supports Windows Media® and RealMedia® commands
Sony DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000 disc recorder support
J-H3 HDCAM player support for DV downconverts
3:2 pulldown removal from DV .AVI files
Exports chapter markers and subtitles to DVD Architect Pro 4.5 software
DVD Architect Pro 4.5 Features
General Features
Scripting support
Random playlist playback
Parental control
Cinescore plug-in integration
Photoshop® (PSD) layer support
Jacket picture creation
Theme export
Menu-based and single movie DVD creation
Easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality
Unlimited number of undo/redo
Media Explorer
Adjustable Project and File Optimization Settings
Multi-monitor support
Multi-processor support
Fully customizable toolbars
Get Media from the web
DVD Editing and Layout Features
Keyframeable Transformations
Keyframeable Crop and Effects
Additional marker types
Graphical subtitles
Title reordering
Snap to I-Frame
Greater than 100% zoom
4:3 and 16:9 preview settings
DVD Mastering tools: DLT, DDP, CMF
Project playlists
Copy-protection tools (CSS and Macrovision®)
Media effects
Project navigation tool
Still and motion menu creation
Support for multiple video titles
Real-time external monitor preview via i.LINK®/IEEE-1394
Subtitle creation and support
Multiple audio track support
Programmable end actions for menus and media
Project overview window
Multiple menus with up to 36 buttons per menu
Menu object editing, alignment and sizing tools
Text editing and shadow effects
Object snapping
Slide image rotation
Add, edit, and move chapter points
Title and Action safe grid area
Customizable Themes
Menu looping
Video Features
Buttons on video
Crop and adjust dialog
Slideshow animations
Picture slideshow duration
Multiangle video selection
DVD movie creation
Picture slideshows
Elementary stream import
24p DVD encoding
No re-encoding of compliant files
NTSC and PAL in normal (4:3) and wide-screen (16:9) formats
Imports AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MOV, WMV, and a variety of still image formats
Audio Features
ATRAC Support
Multiple audio track support
Music compilations
Attach audio files to menus
Media file previewing
Import WAV, MP3, WMA, PCA, AIF, MPEG audio, AC-3 5.1 or stereo into your DVD Architect Pro project
24-bit/192kHz audio support
Testing and Burning Features
Burn mastered folder
8cm to 12cm DVD Copy
Button overlap indication
Smart-project re-prepare
Dual-layer burning and authoring support
Real-time project previewing with virtual DVD remote control or to external monitor
DVD project verification and preparation
Advanced DVD disc optimization with adjustable bitrates
Fit to disc option
Supports a wide variety of DVD burners
Supported File Formats
Opens: AA3, AAC, AAF, AIF, ASF, AU, AVI, BMP, BWF, CDA, DIG, DLX, DV, FLAC, GIF, IVC, JPG, M2T, M2TS, MTS, MOV, Sony MXF, MP3, MP4, M4A, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video, MPEG-4, OGG, OMA, PCA, PNG, PSD, QT, SFA, SND, SWF*, TIFF, TGA, TS, VOX, W64, WAV, WMA, WMV
Saves: AA3, AC3, AIF, ATRAC, AVC, AVI, FLAC, MOV, MP3, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video, MPEG-4, M2T, M2TS, Sony MXF, OGG, PCA, RM, W64, WAV, WMA, WMV
DVD encoding, Video: NTSC 4:3, NTSC Widescreen, PAL 4:3, PAL Widescreen
DVD encoding, Audio: AC-3 5.1 or stereo, PCM
*ActionScripting, motion video and audio not supported
Supported Media Types
- DVD-R DL (AKA DVD-R9) 8.5 GB Dual Layer
- DVD-R 4.7 GB
- DVD-RW 4.7 GB Rewritable DVD-R
- DVD+R 4.7 GB
- DVD+R DL (AKA DVD+R9) 8.5 GB Dual layer DVD+R
- DVD+RW 4.7 GB Rewritable DVD+R (Writable ~1,000 times)
Supported DVD recordable drives
DVD Architect Pro software has been tested with a wide range of drives and should work with most DVD recordable drives. To test DVD burning with your system, you can download the DVD Architect Pro Demo and the sample project for burning. This is available on the download page. From the File menu, choose Make DVD, click the Burn button, and browse to the prepared project folder.
Go to http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/products/product.asp?pid=457&keycode=3504 for more information.
Note:
The above message is extracted from an official announcement. The product has not been evaluated. Look out for a review in due course.
PRESS RELEASE: Corel Announces Paint Shop Pro® Photo X2
New Release includes Express Lab, Intuitive Learning Center, Expanded
Raw Support and a Brand New Look and Feel
Maidenhead, UK – 5 September 2007
Corel Corporation, today announced the launch of Corel® Paint Shop Pro® Photo X2, a major new product release from its digital media portfolio.
With Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, viewing, sorting and processing downloaded photos is faster than ever thanks to the all new Express Lab. Beginners benefit from a wide range of automatic, one-click adjustments while advanced users can take full advantage of the program’s manual adjustments providing more direct control
over each photo. With speed improvements and the built-in Learning Center, new users can produce results quickly, learning as they go.
New features in Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 include:
Pricing and Availability
With a suggested retail price of £79 / €89 including VAT, Corel
Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is available starting today through
www.corel.com and in the coming weeks through Corel’s global channel partners. Included in the purchase price are video
tutorials from www.lynda.com, Nik™ plug-in filter effects and
Corel® MediaOne™ Plus video software. Corel MediaOne Plus will be available via download beginning September 18, 2007. To learn more about Corel’s digital media portfolio or to download a free, fully-functional trial version of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, please visit www.corel.com.
NOTE:
This press release is forwarded as is, with only minimal editing.
No claims made have been tested or evaluated. A full evaluation
will appear in due course.
New Release includes Express Lab, Intuitive Learning Center, Expanded
Raw Support and a Brand New Look and Feel
Maidenhead, UK – 5 September 2007
Corel Corporation, today announced the launch of Corel® Paint Shop Pro® Photo X2, a major new product release from its digital media portfolio.
With Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, viewing, sorting and processing downloaded photos is faster than ever thanks to the all new Express Lab. Beginners benefit from a wide range of automatic, one-click adjustments while advanced users can take full advantage of the program’s manual adjustments providing more direct control
over each photo. With speed improvements and the built-in Learning Center, new users can produce results quickly, learning as they go.
New features in Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 include:
- Express Lab - The all-new Express Lab mode enables users to view
and edit dozens of photos in the time it used to take to edit just
a few. When using Express Lab, users can rapidly crop, rotate,
apply color adjustments and perform other common tasks on large
numbers of images without having to open each image individually.
Express Lab includes full support for all file formats including
camera raw. - Graphite Look and Feel - Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 features a new graphite workspace that puts the focus on the photo. The new interface also provides a neutral background for unbiased color adjustments.
- HDR Photo Merge - With the NEW HDR Photo Merge, users can easily create photos that capture the full details found in the shadows and the highlights of a high-contrast scene. Users can combine two or more photos taken at different exposures and use the Clarify feature to automatically “dodge and burn” bringing out the contrast.
- Makeover Tools - With the NEW Thinify™ tool, users can make anyone look thinner with just one click. The NEWEye Drop tool takes the red out of bloodshot eyes. The popular Suntan brush and Blemish Fixer have also been enhanced so users of any skill level can quickly and easily touch up images like the pros.
- Layer Styles - With the NEW Layer Styles, photographers and business users can add drop shadows, embossing, outer and inner glows, bevels and reflections to text, photos and creative projects.
- Visible Watermarks - Users can easily create and add a personal watermark to their photos, whether they are a professional photographer sharing proofs with a client or an individual user who wants to share images online.
- Auto-Preserve Originals - The NEW Auto-Preserve Originals option enables users to freely experiment with changes to their photos, confident that their original image is preserved.
- Save for Office - With the NEW Save for Office option, photos are automatically resized and saved in the appropriate format for a given project. File sizes are also automatically compressed to make it easier for the business user to share images via email.
Users who prefer to Copy and Paste can use the NEW Copy Special options for the same benefits. - Dynamic Language Switching - With Dynamic Language Switching, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 makes it easy for users to work in their preferred language.
- Crop as New Image - For people who scan multiple images at once, the Crop as New Image option automatically opens scanned photos into separate documents, dramatically increasing the speed and efficiency with which users can crop and save their photos.
For a complete list of new and enhanced features in Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, please visit www.paintshopprophoto.com.
Pricing and Availability
With a suggested retail price of £79 / €89 including VAT, Corel
Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is available starting today through
www.corel.com and in the coming weeks through Corel’s global channel partners. Included in the purchase price are video
tutorials from www.lynda.com, Nik™ plug-in filter effects and
Corel® MediaOne™ Plus video software. Corel MediaOne Plus will be available via download beginning September 18, 2007. To learn more about Corel’s digital media portfolio or to download a free, fully-functional trial version of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, please visit www.corel.com.
NOTE:
This press release is forwarded as is, with only minimal editing.
No claims made have been tested or evaluated. A full evaluation
will appear in due course.
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