Sonic has announced the launch of Roxio Labs. According to their press release, this new website gives consumers early access to new software and technologies as well as a way to provide feedback.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today launched Roxio Labs, a customer and technology-driven initiative to rapidly bring innovative digital media technologies and services to Roxio's digital media-savvy customer base. Through the Roxio Labs Web site (http://labs.roxio.com), consumers will have the opportunity to try a wide variety of emerging technologies - developed both in-house as well as by 3rd parties - and provide valuable feedback that will help shape a new generation of compelling, web-connected, digital media software applications.

"Innovation is innate to the Sonic culture and has been a key component of our long-term strategy and successful track record of industry firsts," said Mark Ely, Sonic's executive vice president of strategy. "With Roxio Labs, we're building on this culture of innovation by enabling our global teams of digital media experts to rapidly develop exciting new products and services and deploy them directly over the web. In addition to providing applications that integrate into and complement our flagship Easy Media Creator and Toast platforms, Roxio Labs will launch a broad range of tools and technologies essential to today's digital media lifestyle."
Sonic already has a number of applications for download. Unfortunately, most of them are not free. More information on Roxio Labs can be found here. Add a comment
CyberLink has announced that their BD Solution software is being bundled with Panasonic's new Blu-ray Disc writer, the LF-MB121JD . Here's part of their press release:
CyberLink Corp. (TSE:5203.TW - News), a world leader in digital home solutions, and a contributing member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, will begin bundling CyberLink BD Solution software with Panasonic's Blu-ray Disc burner, the LF-MB121JD series, from June in Japan.

CyberLink's applications enable the burning of Blu-ray Discs via data burning software Power2Go, packet-writing software InstantBurn, and archiving software PowerBackup. PowerDVD provides playback functionality and PowerProducer enables authoring.
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Intervideo has announced that WinDVD HD is the first software HD DVD player to feature support for Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus. Here's part of their press release:
InterVideo, Inc. (Nasdaq:IVII - News), a leading provider of integrated digital and high-definition multimedia and audio/video content solutions in the PC, CE and wireless industries, today announced that its WinDVD HD(TM) is the first software HD DVD disc player to include Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus technologies for high-definition audio.

Both Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus are surround sound audio codecs developed by Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB - News) as the next-generation audio technologies for high-definition programming and media. Dolby TrueHD delivers tantalizing sound and offers an unprecedented home theater experience. Dolby Digital Plus combines the efficiency to meet future broadcast demands with the power and flexibility to realize the full audio potential of HD DVD discs for an amazing high-definition experience.
If you'd like to read more, Intervideo's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
TMPG, Inc. sent out a press release, announcing TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress. This new version of their advanced video-encoding software features a number of new functions and advancements, including the ability to import multiple files instantaneously.
TMPG, Inc. (www.tmpg-inc.com), the company that makes digital video easy, is introducing the latest version of its advanced, high-quality video encoding software: TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress. The new version is twice as powerful than previous versions and includes a host of new functions and advancements. The release date for the English and German languages are scheduled for Tuesday, June 13 (PST), the French release is scheduled for late July.

"TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress gives video aficionados the power to take virtually any video file and encode it to any number of today's most popular file formats," stated Kimi Matsuki, TMPG CEO. "The powerful software upgrade also includes an array of features from frame-level cut-editing tools to advanced multiple video filters and effects. 4.0 XPress encoding also provides mobile support for PSP, iPod, and PDA's for on-the-go video viewing."
TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress will be available for purchase through TMPG's website on June 13th for $99.99. More information can be found here. Add a comment
InterVideo has announced that Lenovo has decided to bundle WinDVD Creator 3 with their ThinkPad, ThinkCentre and 3000 family of PCs. Here's part of their press release:
InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII) announced today that it has partnered with Lenovo to bundle WinDVD Creator 3, a full-featured DVD authoring package, with select Lenovo notebook and desktop PCs.

Lenovo, an innovative international technology company formed as a result of the acquisition by the Lenovo Group of the IBM Personal Computing Division, is including InterVideo's WinDVD Creator 3 pre-installed with its ThinkPad T Series, ThinkCentre A and M Series, and Lenovo 3000 family of notebook and desktop PCs.
If you'd like to read more, InterVideo's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment