Acoustica sent out a press release this morning, announcing that version 3.x of their Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker software now supports LightScribe.
Acoustica Inc. has released Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker Version 3.x, which now supports LightScribe Direct Disk Technology. LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling is a new technology that offers user a simple, no-hassle way to burn professional, silkscreen-quality labels on their CDs and DVDs. Using the same laser that burns data in their disc drives, users burn their data as always, flip the disc over, reinsert it into the drive and burn a precise, iridescent label with their desired text and graphics using the same laser that burns the data - no printer, permanent marker or adhesive labeling is required.

Acoustica CD Label Maker can automatically import track information directly from iTunes playlists or from dozens of playlist file types, can import track information from CD-Text, FreeDB, and MusicBrainz, and can directly read track/file information from MP3 or data CDs and DVDs. Auto-tracks formatting allows you to format your tracks layout in a variety of styles, including circular and spiral text, with a single click. You can also hide and show specific tracks fields (title, artist, genre, etc.) or hide/show tracks listings altogether with a single button click or menu selection. Prints on over 500 stock sticker labels and CD jewel case templates. Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker also supports direct-to-CD printing on more than 70 printers.
Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker 3.x is available now for $21.95. More information can be found here. Add a comment
CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of PowerProducer 4 Next-Gen. This new version adds a number of features including the ability to capture high-def video and author Blu-ray Discs and HD DVD's.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TWO), a world leader and pioneer in providing integrated solutions for the Digital Home, announced today the release of PowerProducer 4 Next-Gen, an enhanced version featuring high-definition video capturing and production, widescreen support and advanced Magic Video Editing tools.

The new features combine CyberLink's intelligent DVD authoring technologies with the newest generation of disc technology, offering authoring and burning on HD DVDs and Blu-ray Discs.
PowerProducer 4 Next-Gen is available now for US$69.95 and can be purchased directly from CyberLink via their online store. More information can be found here. Add a comment
CyberLink has announced that their BD Solution software is being bundled with LG's X600 series desktop computers. Here's part of their press release:
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a world leader in digital home solutions, announced today that Blu-ray Disc creativity and burning software suite CyberLink BD Solution is available with LG's XPION X600 series desktop computers.

CyberLink BD Solution features award-winning DVD player software PowerDVD, which provides the software player functionality for enabling the XPION X600's high-definition video playback and enjoying the advanced navigation features of Hollywood Blu-ray Discs.
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
InterVideo has announced the launch of their new DVD playback software, WinDVD 8. Along with support for Windows Vista, WinDVD 8 offers a number of new and expanded features including support for high-def formats like MPEG2-HD, VC1, WMV-HD and H.264 HD.
InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ:IVII - News) today announced WinDVD 8, the latest release of the software DVD player favored by 175 million users worldwide. WinDVD 8 takes video and audio playback to the next generation with Windows Vista(TM) compatibility. Offering an unprecedented list of new and expanded features, the new version delivers the smooth, crystal-clear video and rich surround sound users have come to expect from WinDVD.

"With the advent of the Windows Vista era, being able to use a single software solution to play all DVD/video/audio in multiple formats simplifies our customers' digital lifestyle," said Steve Ro, CEO and President of InterVideo. "People are eager to adopt next-generation technologies like H.264, VC1 or the UPnP ability in the new Windows Vista OS, and WinDVD 8 provides this path. WinDVD users worldwide can always get the most out of their current systems. Now, WinDVD 8 users can also leverage the enhanced multimedia features and capabilities of Windows Vista."
WinDVD 8 is currently available at InterVideo's web site and will be at retail outlets within the next few weeks. The Gold and Platinum versions are priced at $39.95 and $59.95 respectively. More information on both can be found here. Add a comment
Erik Deppe has released yet another version of CD-DVD Speed. Along with the usual bug fixes and improvements, this version features a number of new Disc Quality tests for BenQ and Lite-On drives.

CD-DVD Speed v4.70 - Download
  • Added Advanced Disc Quality test for certain BenQ drives
    Following parameters are measured:
    CD: E11,E21,E31,E12,E22,E32,BLER,Jitter
    DVD: 1-5 PIE,PIE,PIF,POE,POF,Jitter  
  • Disc Quality test:
    • Jitter can be reported with recent LiteOn drives
    • Added CLV and P-CAV settings for BenQ drives (CD scanning)
    • Added Advanced options button
  • Replaced 'Write and Verify' option by 'Streaming' option
  • Bitsetting: improved support for NEC drives
  • Small improvements and bug fixes
More information can be found on the CD Speed website. Also, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
Sonic has announced that they've entered into multi-year licensing agreement with Microsoft. As part of the deal, Microsoft will embed Sonic's AuthorScript formatting and burning engine into Windows Vista. The two companies will also work together to develop Certified for Windows Vista digital media applications.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ:SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today that AuthorScript, the company's proven formatting and burning engine, has been selected to enable a range of DVD and CD recording features in Windows Vista. The built-in AuthorScript engine provides features within Windows Vista that help users archive digital memories to CDs and DVDs, create custom music discs, and perform important data backup functions. Sonic is also working with Microsoft to develop digital media applications that will optimize and enhance consumers' experience with Windows Vista. Certified for Windows Vista applications will include a range of applications within Sonic's Roxio product lines such as Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, the company's flagship digital media software suite of CD and DVD authoring, burning, photo, video, and music tools. As part of the Windows Vista launch program agreement between Microsoft and Sonic, Microsoft will showcase Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 in a range of venues and programs as it prepares for the launch of Windows Vista.
Easy Media Creator 9 is expected to be certified for Windows Vista by the time the OS is launched. If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Digital Media Applications sent out a press release this morning, announcing the release of their new DVD authoring software solution, ROCKETDVD.
Digital Media Applications, an innovative software developer has released ROCKETDVD, a new DVD authoring software solution that provides prosumers and media professionals with a fast and automated method to create and author DVDs. With an easy to use interface, professionally designed DVD templates and compatibility with DVD duplicators, ROCKETDVD streamlines the entire DVD authoring process by creating a totally integrated work flow.

ROCKETDVD provides videographers and small production studios a simple and intuitive way to author DVDs. In addition to supporting standard DVD burners, it also supports automated DVD duplicators that utilize PTBurn such as the Primera Bravo.
ROCKETDVD is available now for $399.00. A trial version can also be downloaded from Digital Media Applications' website. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Here's some good news for those planning to upgrade to Windows Vista. Nero has announced that Nero 7 will be Vista certified in time for the operating system's launch in January 2007.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announces that its premier digital media software suite will be Microsoft Windows Vista-certified for the new operating system's launch in January 2007, and will carry the Certified for Windows Vista logo. Nero 7, the latest version of Nero's software suite, is the industry-leading all-in-one solution for the management of data, audio, video, photo, phone and TV content.
As I reported earlier this week, the current version of Nero 7 (7.5.7.0) does work with the RC1 of Vista. If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
TMPG, Inc. has announced their new video editing and conversion software, DVD Source Creator 4. Based on the TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress engine, DVD Source Creator 4 can take virtually any existing video-file format and make it DVD ready by encoding it to MPEG 1 or 2.
TMPG, Inc. (www.tmpg-inc.com), the company that makes digital video easy, is set to add its new DVD Source Creator 4 software to its growing TMPGEnc-brand lineup. The product provides effortless editing and enhancing of almost any video file, which it then encodes to standard DVD compliant MPEG files. Multiple clips can be encoded into one file, or separate files can be encoded for each clip. Release date is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18.

"This powerful new software is based on our award-winning TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress engine," commented Kimi Matsuki, TMPG CEO. "DVD Source Creator 4 utilizes the engine's most important features, such as an easy-cut editor, video filtering, and automatic scene-change detection. Furthering its functionality, the TMPGEnc DVD Source Creator 4 is optimized for the latest Intel Core 2 Duo technology."
DVD Source Creator 4 will be available for purchase through TMPG's website on October 18th for $39.95. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Ulead has announced a new version of VideoStudio 10 optimized for Intel's Core 2 Duo processors. Here's part of their press release:
InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII) and its subsidiary Ulead Systems, Inc. (TSE:2487), industry leaders in video, image and DVD software, today announced Ulead VideoStudio 10 and Ulead VideoStudio 10 Plus, the company's award-winning consumer video editing products, are optimized for Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

"We are very excited that Ulead has added support for Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel Core 2 Extreme processors to VideoStudio 10 and VideoStudio 10 Plus," said Jason Chen, Country Manager of Intel Taiwan. "VideoStudio's friendly step-by-step workflow makes it an excellent choice for home users and people new to digital video editing. And when it comes time to burn video to DVD, VideoStudio users will love how fast things go with systems featuring Intel Core 2 Duo processors."
Ulead has also added support for HDV camcorder write-back and the newest hard drive camcorders to VideoStudio 10 Plus. If you'd like to read more, then entire press release can be found here. Add a comment