Ritek Global Media

Ritek Global Media is a full service DVD production facility located in Taiwan. Services include premastering, mastering, replication, printing and packaging. Ritek can replicate DVD-5, DVD-9 and DVD-10 format discs. For more information contact:

Sonopress

Sonopress is a full service CD and DVD production company offering premastering, mastering, replication, printing, packaging, and distribution services. DVD-5, DVD-9, and DVD-10 discs can be replicated in their worldwide facilities. For more information contact:

Sony DADC

Sony DADC is a full service CD, DVD, MiniDisc and PlayStation production company with facilities located in Europe. Sony DADC can replicate DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10 and DVD-18 format discs. Their services include premastering, mastering, replication, printing, packaging and distribution. For more information contact:

Sony Disc Manufacturing

As the world’s largest producer of pre-recorded optical discs, Sony Disc Manufacturing (SDM) offers high-quality products and services to serve the growing needs of the education, entertainment and information industries. Services include digital authoring, graphic design, mastering, replication, packaging, distribution and fulfillment for audio CD, CD-ROM, DVD, Super Audio CD, PlayStation and web-connected discs. SDM has ISO-certified locations across the US in Pitman, NJ; Springfield, OR; and Terre Haute, IN. Competitive prices are quoted per individual order specifications and service requirements, and/or based on annual volume. For more information contact:

Technicolor

Technicolor is the world’s largest independent DVD replicator. With more than a dozen manufacturing and distribution operations worldwide, Technicolor replicates nearly 175,000 DVD units daily and has the capacity to produce almost 65 million annually. The company enhanced its DVD capabilities when it merged with Nimbus CD International, Inc., a leading international optical disc manufacturer. Services include premastering, mastering, replication, printing, packaging and distribution. Technicolor can replicate DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, and DVD-18 format discs. For more information contact:

Utech Media Corporation

UTECH is the largest DVD/CD manufacturer in Asia; offering a variety of services, including Compression, Authoring, Pre-mastering, Mastering, Replication, Printing, Packaging, Warehousing, Distribution, Single and Worldwide Distribution Services. UTECH’s DVD Studio provides computer graphics, editing, AV encoding and authoring, recording, CD pre-mastering, audio mastering with Dolby and DTS 5.1 surround sound technology. Besides DVD/CD replication, U-TECH also offers diversified service, including FreeCut CD and NameCard CD, Colorful CD and DVD, CD-Single (8cm CD), Semi CD and DVD, and 24K gold CD.

UTECH replicates DVD-5, DVD-9 and DVD-10 format discs. Input data is accepted on DLT in the DDP 2.0 format or on DVD-R in the Cutting Master (CMF) format. DVD replication capacity is over 3,000,000 discs per month. For more information contact:

Warner Media Services

Warner Media Services is one of the largest DVD production companies in the world. Their services include premastering, mastering, replication, printing, packaging, and distribution of DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10 and DVD-18 format discs. For more information contact:

Zomax

Zomax is a full service DVD facility offering DVD-5, DVD-9, and DVD-10 replication services. Input formats accepted are DLT (DDP format) and DVD-R. Their standard check disc package includes 100 replicated disc with a single color label, delivered in 5-7 days from receipt of the input media. Screen printing in up to six colors is available. Packaging options include Amaray, Alpha, Warner, Jewel Box, Super Jewel Box, Multi Jewel Box, Tyvex sleeve, binder sleeve, and bulk discs on spindles. Zomax also offers warehouse and complete fulfillment services including RMA processing. Zomax has completed more than 1,000 DVD replication projects to date, including titles for Microsoft MSDN, the US Patent Office, Apple, Dell, Gateway, Cisco, Novell, AutoDesk, and AOL. For more information contact:

Testing & Verification Products & Services

While DVD-Video players and DVD-Video authoring tools are all supposed to be designed to meet the requirements of the DVD-Video specification, there are a few compatibility problems with many consumer players. There are a number of independent testing facilities and third party products that can help you make sure your DVD disc image will work on as many consumer players as possible.

CD Associates

The DVD Plus System provides real-time analog, digital, logical and physical measurements, with a highly accurate multi-point calibrated response. The DVD Plus System displays video real-time, while simultaneously displaying the PI Error Rate and Variable Bit Rate. With this capability visible artifacts can be determined to be due to a physical error, or a problem with the MPEG encoding. DVD Plus is a complete system based on the proven CDA DVD analysis architecture. The software has many features and functions, including simple multiple reference set auto-calibration, and many automated functions such as preset data printing configurations, user-configurable default data views, and highly configurable testing options and graph configurations. The user can tile windows to view multiple graphical and/or digital data streams while testing. For more information contact:

ContentWise

SecondSight is an automated DVD-Video test system designed to replace much of the current in-process content QC in the DVD authoring process. The system enables verification of video content and navigational command compliance across the full spectrum of available DVD players and drives, allowing authoring houses to check multiple devices from various manufacturers simultaneously. SecondSight was developed in conjunction with the California Video Center, the DVD production affiliate of Warner Bros. and the largest producer of DVD titles in the world. For more information see the ContentWise web site at http://www.content-wise.com.

DVD Forum Verification Labs

The DVD Forum has established a number of Verification Labs throughout the world. These Labs are generally located at one of the DVD Forum members facilities and are responsible for testing DVD hardware and discs to insure that they comply with the appropriate DVD Format Book. Services provide by the DVD Verification Labs includes physical disc testing, logical disc testing, player testing and market inspections. Contact information for each DVD Forum Verification Lab is listed below.

•   USA Lab (Crest National) Fax: 323-466-7128

•   USA Lab (Panasonic Disc Service Center) Fax: 310-783-4849

•   USA Lab (WAMO) Fax: 717-383-0328

•   Europe Lab (Philips) Fax: +31-40-273-2113

•   China Lab (3^rd Institute) Fax: +86-10-6438-2911

•   Korea Lab (LGE) Fax: +82-333-610-5355

•   Korea Lab (Samsung) Fax: +82-331-200-8666

•   Taiwan Lab (ITRI) Fax: +88-6-3-591-7531

•   Japan Lab (Hitachi) Fax: +81-3-3506-1603

•   Japan Lab (JVC) Fax: +81-45-450-1639

•   Japan Lab (Matsushita) Fax: +81-6-6909-5027

•   Japan Lab (Mitsibushi) Fax: +81-75-958-3731

•   Japan Lab (Pioneer) Fax: +81-42-990-2831

•   Japan Lab (Sony) Fax: +81-3-5769-5890

•   Japan Lab (Toshiba) Fax: +81-3-5444-9403

Intellikey Labs

Intellikey Labs provides comprehensive testing involving Compatibility, Functionality, and Linear Playback for all DVD and DVD-ROM applications. The lab consists of over 100 different DVD players (set top and portable machines) that cover all existing region codes as well as over 35 different DVD-ROM equipped computers. As manufacturers release new DVD drives and models, they continuously integrate them into their testing matrix. Check discs are used to detect programming, player, replication, and media errors using our patentpending testing methodology. Early detection of these problems saves thousands of dollars while increasing the number of DVD titles compliant with DVD players. Clients are usually provided with complete analysis of their project within 24-48 hours. Intellikey’s testing equipment consists of over 100 DVD players for Regions 1-6 and Region 8, and over 35 DVD-ROM equipped computers. Their hardware ranges from first generation players and DVD-ROM drives released in 1996 to the latest model players available. Since Intellikey Labs’ inception, they have tested approximately 7,000 titles including DVD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-Audio and web-enabled DVD projects. For more information contact:

Interra Digital Video Technologies

Surveyor^TM is a data analysis and error detection product for DVD authors, production facilities, and pre-mastering organizations. Designed for the DVD production environment, Surveyor provides DVD title developers with a simple to use tool to detect the presence of errors across the full array of DVD data types. Operating on the Windows platform, Surveyor performs comprehensive data analysis and compliance checking of DVD-Video content against the specification and bitstream standards. Surveyor performs an assortment of tests, including checks of: elementary video (MPEG) and audio (MPEG and Dolby Digital) bit streams, navigation data and commands, copy protection settings, system and general parameters, and DVD file structure. The various tests can be selected and deselected under user control where applicable to the particular type of object under analysis. Surveyor can analyze MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video, MPEG audio, Dolby Digital audio, MPEG stills, multiplexed video objects (VOBs), titles and title sets, zero directories, and disc images. Surveyor has a suggested retail price of $6,000. For more information contact:

Philips

DVD-Video Verifier, designed to run on a Windows NT platform is specially constructed to simplify the release procedures for DVD-Video titles by checking the structures and formats against the relevant specifications: DVD Specifications for Read-Only Discs part 2 (file system specifications) and part 3 (video specifications). The recommended system configuration for DVD-Video Verifier is a 300 MHz Pentium Pro or Pentium II system running Windows NT 4.0 with 64MB internal memory and a SCSI connection for external (DLT) drive with DDP disc image or a DVD drive. For more information contact:

PMTC

PMTC provides compliance testing services to insure that a DVD-Video disc complies with all appropriate DVD standards. To ensure compatibility between DVD Video playback systems and DVD Video titles, PMTC has set up a DVD Logical Verification laboratory. DVD Video discs and disc images are submitted to a test that examines their compliance with all the DVD Video related standards by means of a specialist tool. The three primary tests run include a Stream check where every stream in the title (audio, video, subtitles) is checked to verify encoding quality and synchronization. Compatibility check tests look for conflicts between specific titles and playback systems. PMTC offers compatibility tests on more than 40 playback systems. Finally functionality checks are run to verify the interactive structure of each title. For more information contact:

Testronic Labs

Testronic Labs provides independent QA testing of VHS tape, and DVD titles for a variety of customers. They have a Matrix of over 120 DVD players including dedicated DVD Region players for all six regions. They perform independent DVD title Emulation for DVD Authoring houses as well as DVD publishers. Testronic uses a combination of set-top and PC DVD playback equipment, as well as PlayStation2 systems for Region 1 and 2, and Aeco DVDQ analysis systems for electrical testing of DVD discs and stampers. For more information contact:

Training Products & Services

There are a few companies and education institutions that providing training products, services or classes for DVD-Video. Most of these companies specialize in one or two DVD authoring system, so make sure you locate a training facility that can teach you how to use the authoring system you will use to develop DVD titles. Each major DVD-Video authoring tool vendor also provides detailed training classes on their products, although only third party vendors are listed in this section.

all4dvd

all4dvd offers regular training classes for DVD developers using Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro. Students are walked through all aspects of DVD production in this comprehensive hands-on workshop. Topics include design, bit budgeting, video and audio encoding, authoring, proofing and pre-mastering. Limited class size and in-depth explanations allow students to master the techniques to produce static and dynamic menus, navigation, web-links and much more. Using their own DV tape, each student will create one or more DVD-video projects. The cost of a single day crash course is $399, while the cost of a three-day workshop is $999. For more information contact:

DVD.learn

DVD.learn is the Rocky Mountain regional DVD authoring training center for Sonic Solutions’ DVD Creator, Fusion and DVDIT! authoring systems, as well as the Interactual Technologies PC Friendly software. Located next to downtown Denver, DVD.learn offers full service training for the development and authoring of DVD applications and web-enabled DVD applications. The DVD.learn instructional staff is comprised of faculty and adjunct faculty from the Department of Technical Communications at the Metropolitan State College of Denver. Housed at Metro’s Center for Business Success, DVD.learn also offers customized training packages to businesses. DVD.learn offers three different training courses.

1.   DVD Authoring is a two-day course designed for anyone who wants to create DVD applications. This course teaches you how use DVD technology to create high quality media applications that are interactive and playback with full screen video and multiple audio tracks. When you complete the course you’ll be able to author DVD applications. This course costs $800

2.   Advanced DVD Authoring is a one-day course that builds on the concepts learned in the DVD authoring course. You’ll learn how to work with system and general parameters to create if/then statements, change audio, subpicture and angle streams and create password applications and scored quizzes. This course will also address 4:3 vs. 16:9 aspect ratio considerations. This course costs $400.

3.   The Web-Connected DVD course introduces you to the process of integrating DVD Video with HTML that is stored either on the DVD disc or on the web. Using the Interactual 2.0 player, you will learn how to connect to the web from within a DVD disc, or by embedding DVD Video within HTML content. Web connections can be based on user initiated events or initiated by content triggers. This course costs $800.

For course schedules and more information contact:

DVDMadeEasy.com

DVDMadeEasy.com, developed by award-winning DVD author, Mark Johnson, is a web site providing hands-on technical information for DVD authors around the world. Members receive full access to all of the site’s services, including articles, tutorials, reviews, tips & tricks, media and player compatibility tables & workarounds, file downloads, an electronic mailing list, and real-time chat system, all of which is maintained by leading experts in the field, including Ralph LaBarge, Dana Parker, Phil De Lancie, and Mark Johnson. For more information contact:

Ex’pression Center for New Media

Ex’pression Center for New Media is an authorized Sonic solutions training site offering a weekend course in DVD Authoring. Students explore current DVD videos with an emphasis on the advantages and differences between DVD and VHS. Over 4 instruction days, students participate in every aspect of DVD authoring from the initial project planning and bit budgeting, discussions in menu design and the processes of creating menus for DVD video, to the actual assembly of all video, audio, and sub-picture assets. In addition to a full exploration of the Authoring tool and navigation of DVD video, students also focus on the MPEG-2 video compression standard and Dolby Digital (AC3) encoding, as well as formatting and disc imaging. A basic knowledge of Macintosh computers is required for this course. The class is held on four consecutive Saturdays, and costs $795. For class schedules and more information contact:

Ferris State University

Ferris State University provides DVD training services including a semester length 3-credit course in DVD Production, as well as workshops for professionals. Students explore the full spectrum of DVD from an understanding of the DVD-Video specifications through the details of assembling assets, encoding and transcoding, navigation and instructional design implications, authoring, proofing, and then burning a DVD-R. Current tuition for is $180 per credit for Michigan residents, $380 per credit for nonresidents, and $265 per credit for Midwest Compact students. Workshop rates are competitive with other such learning opportunities. Full semester courses are targeted toward full-time students who have already acquired video production and image creation skills and who want to expand their skill set into an area of knowledge with recognized growth potential. Workshops are targeted at professionals who purchase Sonic Solutions products. DVD authoring systems include six Sonic DVDit! systems and two Sonic DVDFusion systems. For more information contact:

Gnome Digital Media

Gnome Digital Media is an authorized Sonic Solutions training facility, and also offers training courses on the Apple DVD Studio Pro system. The following training courses are offered on a regular basis.

•   Apple DVD Studio Pro, One-day seminar on “How to use DVD Studio Pro”. The cost of this course is $250.

•   Apple DVD Studio Pro, 2-day hands on training. The cost of this course is $695.

•   Sonic DVD Fusion, 1-day overview. The cost of this course is $250.

•   Sonic DVD Creator, 1-day overview. The cost of this course is $250.

•   Sonic DVD Creator, 3-day hands-on training. The cost of this course is $950.

Gnome Digital Media also maintains a web site dedicated to helping new DVD authors develop their first titles. This web site is called “Recipe 4 DVD” and can be found at http://www.recipe4dvd.com. For more information contact:

New Constellation Technologies

New Constellation Technologies has created several DVD training discs; “DVD from A to Z, A DVD-Video Production Primer” and “Inside DVD Studio Pro”. DVD authoring training and consulting services are provided on-site or by phone. Their primary markets are corporate, government and educational A/V departments; as well as broadcast and project studios. For more information contact:

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Digital Media Authoring Studio

Digital Media Authoring Studio (DMAS) is the first full-scale DVD training center in Asia based at the Centre for Film and Media Studies, NgeeAnn Polytechnic - the only educational institution in Singapore. DMAS is a collaborative project by NgeeAnn Polytechnic and A.C.E. Daikin (Singapore) Pte Ltd, funded by Ministry of Education and supported by Economic Development Board. DMAS has offered seven different course in DVD Authoring including (1) Introduction to DVD Authoring, (2) DVD Authoring, (3) Advanced DVD Authoring, (4) Enhanced DVD Authoring, (5) DVD: A Producers Course, (6) Audio for DVD: Premastering Dolby Digital, and (7) Video for DVD: Motion Menu Creation. For more information contact:

South Seas Film & Television School

South Seas Film and Television School is a New Zealand Qualifications Authority registered Private Training Establishment, which specializes in providing Film, Video, Television and New Media production training courses. South Seas Film and Television School offers a one-year New Media Production Course. This course first creates a foundation of computer-centric Basic Multi Media skills, which are developed simultaneously to ensure a full understanding of their interrelation. Once this foundation has been built, both the DVD and Advanced Internet and E-Commerce applications are covered. A student may choose to learn both skills or favor one over the other, although basic comprehension of both must be achieved. The course culminates in a logical combination of all skills where the students operate as a team for the Advanced New Media curriculum. This reinforces the individual skills, while exploring the full potential of the synergy between these technologies. This course costs NZ$7,260, which includes GST. For more information contact:

Texas State Technical College

Texas State Technical College is an authorized Sonic Solutions DVD training facility offering a three-day hands-on workshop. This workshop provides training in DVD Fusion and Sonic Creator authoring systems. Students learn to build interactive menus, kiosks, DVD movies, and develop DVD presentations. The three-day course costs $1,200. For more information contact:

Video Symphony

Video Symphony is an industry-leading digital media center located in Burbank, California. Thousands of professionals in the Hollywood entertainment industry have trained at Video Symphony since 1994 in nonlinear film, video and audio editing, 3D animation, DVD production, streaming video, and digital imaging. Video Symphony offers an Introduction to DVD Production with Sonic Creator/Fusion. This three-day course teaches students how to create DVD titles from start to finish. Key classes cover all aspects of design, authoring, video and audio encoding, proofing and pre-mastering. This course costs $995. For class schedules and additional information contact:

Video Encoding Tools

All video used in a DVD-Video title must be in either the MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 format. There are a number of excellent hardware and software MPEG encoders on the market, most of which can be used to create video streams for DVD titles. This section covers the major hardware and software MPEG encoding products on the market today.

Brent Beyeler

bbMPEG and AVI2MPG2 are Windows programs that convert AVI files to MPEG-2 or MPEG-1 files. Each program is freeware, and the source code is available on Brent Beyeler’s web site. The programs generate MPEG-2 (ISO/IEC 13818-2) or MPEG-1 (ISO/IEC 11172-2) video streams, MPEG-1 (ISO/IEC 11172-3, layer 1 and 2 only) audio streams and MPEG-2 (ISO/IEC 13818-1) or MPEG-1 (ISO/IEC 11172-1) program streams. bbMPEG requires Win95, Win98 or WinNT with at least a Pentium processor. AVI2MPG2 requires Microsoft’s DirectShow. For more information visit http://members.home.net/beyeler/bbmpeg.html.

Canopus

The Canopus Amber and Amber for DVD products are real time Single slot PCI MPEG capture cards that provide MPEG-2 D1, Half-D1 and MPEG1 real-time encoding. The Amber cards support constant and variable bit rate, user adjustable encoding at 1-15Mb/s. Both NTSC and PAL video can be captured with S and composite video input and outputs. The Amber cards require Windows 9x, 2000, or NT4.0 compatible systems, and provide simultaneous high quality VGA video overlay and analog video output. The Amber card has a suggested retail price of $2,300 and Amber For DVD has a suggested retail price of $2,998. For more information contact:

Cinema Craft

Cinema Craft Encoder Lite is a stand-alone MPEG encoder supporting AVI and MOV input file formats and generating MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 output files. It is designed to work on Windows 98, 98SE, Me, NT4.0, and 2000 systems, and it supports Intel Pentium and Celeron processors as well as AMD processors. The Cinema Craft Encoder Lite can also be uses as an Adobe Premier plug-in if stand-alone operation is not desired.

Cinema Craft Encoder Lite only supports constant bit rate encoding (CBR) and provides limited control over MPEG compression parameters. Compression parameters that can be set via the Cinema Craft Encoder Lite user interface include output format (MPEG-1, Half Resolution MPEG-2 and full resolution MPEG-2), progressive or interlaced frames, DVD compliant streams, compressed bit rate, image quality, noise-filtering and audio compression data rates. Cinema Craft Encoder Lite has a suggested retail price of $250. For more information contact:

Darim

MPEGator2 is a single slot PCI real-time MPEG-2 capture card for Windows 95/98 or NT 4.0 Operating systems. Its major features include composite, S-video, and component (YUV) video inputs, unbalanced and balanced stereo audio inputs, and D1 video capture resolution (720· 480 for NTSC or 720· 576 for PAL). Constant bit rate encoding is provided at bit rates between 3 and 15 Mbps. Real time source video preview to the computer screen is provided during encoding. MPEG editing software and other MPEG tools are provided with the product. MPEGator2 has a suggested retail price of $1,799. For more information contact:

Dazzle

Digital Video Creator II is a single slot PCI MPEG-2 capture card for Windows 98, 2000 or Me systems. The card can create constant bit rate MPEG-2 streams with bit rates between 2.0 and 10.0 Mbps, from either NTSC or PAL composite video inputs. The product comes bundled with Dazzle MovieStar Software, Sonic Solutions DVDit!^TM LE, Mediamatics Software DVD Player, Sonic Desktop SmartSound^TM, Microsoft Media Player, Microsoft Internet Explorer^TM, Sample MPEG Video Clips, and RealPlayer 8. Minimum system requirements are 400MHz or higher Intel Pentium II, Intel Celeron, or AMD K6-2 with 64MB RAM, and an 800 x 600, DirectDraw compatible graphics card. The suggested retail price of Digital Video Creator II is $299. For more information contact:

Digital Ventures Diversified

DVDComposer is a high-end, stand-alone MPEG-2 compression system based on C-Cube MPEG compression chips and an SGI platform. The system supports NTSC and PAL analog composite, analog component and digital component (SDI) inputs. CBD, 1-pass VBR, 2-pass VBR or 3-pass VBR encoding is supported, with selective re-encoding for correcting small sections of a large encoded file. It supports open and closed GOP structures, and is designed to work easily with a Dolby Labs DP569 encoder and Sonic Scenarist SGI authoring software. Suggested retail price for DVDComposer is $45,000. For more information contact:

Digital Vision

Digital Vision’s BitPack-SD Pre-mastering Workstation is a stand-alone MPEG-2 encoding system with integrated pre-processing, based on MPEG2 Main Level using 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 formats. BitPack-SD is based on Digital Vision’s proprietary, non-chip set based MPEG2 engine, which provides excellent picture quality and system flexibility. Integrated machine control provides automatic frame accurate encoding as well as playback. The Windows NT user interface enables project management, graphical encoding control and quality analyses. It supports CBR or VBR encoding from 2.0 to 50.0 Mbps. An optional DVNR processor can be used to preprocess the video prior to compression. The suggested retail price of the BitPack-SD Pre-mastering Workstation range from $59,000 to $125,000 depending on system configuration and options. For more information contact:

Digigami

MegaPeg is a software MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 encoder. MegaPEG Batch Encoder converts AVI and MOV files into ISO-compliant MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 streams. MegaPEG is also available as a movie compiler plug-in for Adobe Premiere. MegaPEG is available in versions for MacOS 8.x, 9.x, Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000, and Adobe Premiere 5.x & 6.x. It creates CBR or VBR encoded MPEG-2 streams at bit rates up to 10.0 Mbps. The suggested retail price of MegaPEG is $495, while the suggested retail price for the MegaPEG Adobe Plug-in is $395. For more information contact:

DreamCom

The MPEGRich MPEG-2 Encoder/Decoder is a real time MPEG-2 single slot PCI capture card. It encodes at bit rates up to 15 Mbits per second. It supports NTSC & PAL composite (BNC) and S-Video (MiniDIN Adapter Cable) inputs. Minimum system requirements are a 233 MHz Pentium II with PCI version 2.1, 64MB RAM, 4GB SCSI ultra-wide hard disk, Windows Workstation NT 4.0, and one full size PCI slot. For more information contact:

Heuris

Heuris MPEG Power Professional (MPP2) provides a number of improvements over the original MPP product, including faster performance, improved image quality, image processing capabilities, source file concatenation, and closed GOP support.

The main user interface for MPP2 allows you to define one or more video segments for a project. Double clicking on a video segment brings up a dialog box where you define the basic parameters for that segment such as input and output file names, the type of encoding process (video, audio, still or multiplexed), and what template to use for the encoder parameters. You can control a wide variety of compression parameters in the “Encoder Settings” dialog box, and save them as a template for use with other segments in the same project, or even other projects.

You can control a wide variety of compression parameters, probably more than you will ever need. Supported formats include MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and Half-D1 MPEG-2, at the full range of resolutions, frame rates, and television standards called out by the MPEG standard. Both constant bit rate and variable bit rate compression are supported, and there is a good selection of motion vector search techniques (Auto, Logarithmic, Hybrid, Two-Pass and Complete) and search distances (Auto, Short, Medium and Long). Four different global filter settings are provided (Auto, Median, Non-Linear and FIR) as well as support for Inverse Telecine processing. The Source Crop option allows you to remove unwanted content from the source prior to compression. Finally, you can control detailed compression parameters such as GOP size, closed or open GOP, reference interval, aspect ratios, VBV size, frame rate, and field/frame (Interlaced or Progressive) encoding.

In the Multiplex window you can control the target data rate to match your delivery media (CD, DVD, or custom), set the type of multiplexing used (System, Program, Transport or DVD VOB), set stream IDs and even control the Initial Clock Reference. If you are not sure what any of these compression parameters are used for then you should just use the default settings. Since MPP2 is a software encoder, its performance depends on several different variables, including how fast the CPU in your computer is, and what specific compression parameters you are using. MPP2 has a suggested retail price of $1,500 and comes in versions for both Windows and Mac systems. Heuris customers who own a previous release of MPEG Power Professional can update to MPP2 for $525. Optional support for DVD Video Object multiplexing is offered in the MPP2-DVD product that has a list price of $2,500 and an update price of $895. For more information contact:

InnovaCom

The TP-EWS is an integrated MPEG encoding, editing, and assembly work station. Encoding supports MP@ML MPEG from SIF to full D1, in CBR or VBR mode. Analog composite, Svideo and component video input is standard with balanced or unbalanced analog audio. SDI video and AES/EBU audio is optional. The TP-EWS video encoder includes VTR control and other video sources with frame accuracy. The authoring suite permits output to network devices and includes a combination DVD-ROM, CD-RW as standard input and output storage. A high capacity, removable hard drive, such as 60 GByte, can also be added. Constant or variable bit rate compression at data rates from 1.6 to 15.0 Mbps is supported with digital pre-filtering, adaptive field/frame processing, and automatic scene change detection. NTSC and PAL video is supported at both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. The TP-EWS has a suggested retail price of $26,950. For more information contact:

Ligos

The LSX-MPEG Encoder is a standalone AVI-to-MPEG transcoder for the Windows platform, taking advantage of Intel’s MMX technology to deliver reasonably fast software MPEG encoding. In addition to being fast, the LSX-MPEG Encoder is also full featured. The users interface is simple, yet powerful, providing control over every major MPEG-2 compression parameter. Both constant-bit-rate (CBR) and variable-bit-rate (VBR) encoding are supported. The LSX-MPEG Encoder comes with 18 predefined profiles to create MPEG files for a variety of applications, from streaming Internet video all the way up to DVD-Video.

The LSX-MPEG for Adobe Premiere is a plug-in that provides Adobe Premiere^TM users the same features available in the standalone LSX-MPEG Encoder. It can output MPEG streams directly from Adobe Premiere, exporting for media types such as AVI, MOV, DV, and others. It produces fully compliant MPEG video, MPEG Layer 2 audio, and multiplexed video/audio streams for MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VideoCD, Super VideoCD, and DVD applications.

LSX-MPEG Encoder has a suggested retail price of $179, while LSX-MPEG for Adobe Premiere has a suggested retail price of $179. Both products require an Intel Pentium CPU, Windows 95/98, ME, or Windows NT 3.51, 16 MB RAM, 16-bit VGA display adaptor, and 9 MB free hard drive space for installation of the software. For more information contact:

Media100

MediaPress is a Mac based real-time MPEG encoder that supports both NTSC and PAL formats. CBR and VBR encoding at data rates up to 15.0 Mbps are supported with S-video and Composite video inputs. The suggested retail price of MediaPress is $2,499.

MediaPress Pro YUV has the same features as MediaPress while adding features suited to video professionals with legacy analog equipment and QuickTime-based nonlinear editing systems such as Media 100 i, or Avid Composer. MediaPress Pro YUV includes the MediaPress component analog input, so can accept analog video from a Beta or BetaSP deck and convert it directly to MPEG-2 in real-time. MediaPress Pro YUV also ships with the QuickTime Transcoder, allowing the export of QuickTime files directly from a nonlinear editor and transcode them to MPEG-2 at accelerated speeds (currently 6X real-time). The suggested retail price of MediaPress Pro YUV is $3,999.

MediaPress Pro SDI takes all of the features of MediaPress Pro YUV and adds serial digital interface complete with S/PDIF and AES/EBU audio connections. The suggested retail price of MediaPress Pro SDI is $5,499.

Digital MediaPress is a Macintosh hardware transcoder that offers real-time transcoding from DV to MPEG-2. Digital MediaPress includes an easy-to-understand software package for controlling the encoding process. A built-in preview window even lets you see your material as it’s captured. Data rates range from 2 mbps to 8 mbps in either NTSC or PAL standards, and audio can be captured at either 44.1 or 48 kHz. The suggested retail price of Digital MediaPress is $499. For more information on any of the MediaPress products contact:

Nanocosmos

MPEG SoftEngine is a digital audio and video encoder supporting the MPEG1- and MPEG2- Standards. SoftEngine reads Digital Video / Audio Files in AVI and WAV formats as compresses them into MPEG through an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI). Major features of MPEG SoftEngine include full support for Digital Video / TV / HDTV (interlaced PAL/NTSC), nanoDVR real-time capture included, Adobe Premiere MPEG plugins included. MPEG SoftEngine is available for the Windows, Linux and Solaris Operating systems. The suggested retail price for the Windows and Solaris versions is $299, while the Linux version is priced at $199. For more information contact:

Optibase

MPEG MovieMaker 200 Publisher is a real time MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 encoder designed for the content creation broadcast market, where high quality and Dolby Digital audio are required. MPEG MovieMaker 200 Publisher is ideal for DVD and SVCD title creation as well as high quality broadcast applications such as satellite transmissions. MPEG MovieMaker 200 Publisher supports features designed for quality content creation and broadcasting, including SDI inputs and digital audio. For professional DVD title creation and broadcast quality applications, MPEG MovieMaker 200 offers digital and balanced analog audio with 20 bits per sample and a signal to noise ratio greater than 100dB. It includes audio and video preview on an optional preview card, as well as multi-channel support. MPEG MovieMaker 200 Publisher comes bundled with MPEG Composer 200, Optibase encoding management application. For product prices or more information contact:

PixelTools

Expert-DVD is a multi-pass MPEG-2 software encoder that creates constant or variable bitrate content for DVD authoring. Expert-DVD includes extensive control of compression parameters that facilitate the generation of feature length compressed video segments for DVD production at a high level of quality. An analysis pass evaluates encoding complexity and scene changes. The final encoding pass can be customized for scene complexity and entry points.

Expert-DVD’s analysis pass coupled with the Expert-DVD’s Edit Decision List (EDL) file utilization permit optimization of encoding bits throughout an entire DVD disk. The optional preliminary analysis pass provides detailed graphical and textual information into the encoding complexity of the subject content on a frame-by-frame and scene-by-scene basis. Expert DVD is optimized for speed on all Pentium processors. The suggested retail price of Expert DVD is $1,995. For more information contact:

Sony

The DVA-V700 system consists of two essential elements; the video encoding hardware, which is packaged on a standard PCI board, and the software that controls the encoding process. The encoded MPEG date stream is output in the NTFS file format, which allows the DVA-V700 to be used with most major DVD authoring systems. The optional advanced encoding software (BZDA-V701) permits the operator to perform such tasks as Auto Bit Budget, segment bit-rate adjustment, multi-angle encoding, pull-down detection and more. This encoder should be pre-configured with the optional Windows NT-based PC, model DVAPC800/256 in order to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction and support. The suggested retail price of the DVA-V700 encoder is $19,995. For more information contact:

Spruce Technologies

The MPX3000 is a real time MPEG encoder for Windows NT systems. The MPX-3000 uses the latest C-Cube MPEG encoding chips, which has consistently been rated as superior to other solutions. The major features of the MPX3000 include multipass VBR with inverse telecine, automatic scene detection with I frame insertion, forced I frame insertion, one pass, two pass and three pass VBR recording, simultaneous video and audio encoding with full preview, and batch encoding. For pricing or more information contact:

Zapex

The ZP 200 / 300 audio - video encoder boards offer features that ensure the highest quality output at the lowest possible bit rates. Zapex boards are PCI bus compatible, and can be installed in most PC systems. The ZP series supports both PCM and Dolby Digital audio, and MPEG 2 video encoding. Video inputs supported include D1 serial digital, Component analog and digital, and S - Video. Encoded streams created by the Zapex ZP 200 / 300 series are DVD compliant, and can be imported into most DVD authoring tools. For pricing or more information contact: