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Digital
Rapids Extends Encoding Leadership with Version 2.5 Software
Upgrades
Other Topics:
Interactive Broadcast Video,
Mobile Broadcast
Encoding,
Google WiMAX deal with Sprint and Clearwire
Digital Rapids
April 14, 2008
Las Vegas, NV -- Digital Rapids today unveiled new version 2.5 of
the StreamPro and StreamEnterprise software. The new version further
extends the market-leading capabilities of Digital Rapids' encoding
solutions that helped earn the company the 2008 Frost & Sullivan
award for Customer Value Enhancement in the World Video Encoders and
Transcoders market. Version 2.5 offers expanded compression and file
format support, enhanced video processing plug-ins, and extended DVD
publishing features. |
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Building on Digital Rapids' renowned format flexibility, version 2.5
adds new support for formats of particular interest to broadcasters
and users targeting mobile phones. A new option for version 2.5,
powered by technology from OpenCube, adds the ability to output
encoded media in an MXF (Material eXchange Format) container. A new
3GPP/Mobile option rounds out Digital Rapids' existing mobile format
support with live streaming and formats required by older phones.
The 3GPP/Mobile option incorporates H.263, H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 2
video with AAC-LC and AMR (narrow band and wide band) audio.
Version 2.5 also bolsters the SMPTE VC-1 encoding capabilities of
StreamPro and StreamEnterprise with the incorporation of the
Microsoft VC-1 Encoder SDK. New abilities include the creation of
VC-1 elementary video streams, multiplexing Closed Caption
information into VC-1 based outputs, and dynamic complexity
balancing (dynamically optimizing encoding settings against CPU
usage for maximum quality during live encoding). Other
format-related enhancements include optional input support for GXF
files from Grass Valley servers, input and output of QuickTime-based
Omneon server media, and new multi-channel, surround sound MP3
technology from Thomson.
"Digital Rapids has a rich history of support for Windows Media
formats, and we're pleased to be working with them closely to bring
the quality, performance, and feature enhancements in our new
Microsoft VC-1 Encoder to their customers." said Tim Harader,
business manager for VC-1 Tools and Technologies at Microsoft Corp.
Video processing plug-ins including de-interlacing and color space
conversion are enhanced in version 2.5, while integration with
Rimage disc publishing systems extends the automated DVD output
capabilities of StreamPro and StreamEnterprise into multi-copy DVD
production. Encoded DVD output can be directed to a connected Rimage
Producer or Professional server for the production of multiple
copies complete with disc label artwork printing, creating a
powerful automated workflow from ingest through encoding and disc
publishing.
"The expanded format support in version 2.5 extends our leadership
in publishing and distribution format flexibility into
broadcast-oriented acquisition and production workflows, opening up
the benefits of our encoding solutions -- from exceptional
productivity and workflow efficiency to our acclaimed output quality
-- to an even broader range of media professionals," said Brian
Stevenson, Director of Product Management at Digital Rapids
Corporation. "Our integration with Rimage systems will also deliver
significant workflow benefits to customers regularly producing
multiple DVD copies of their encoded media."
Digital Rapids Stream software is available in three configurations
-- Stream LE, StreamPro (with expanded workflow automation
capabilities) and StreamEnterprise (adding remote control and
enterprise-oriented functionality). Stream LE is included with
DRC-Stream ingest/encoding hardware bundles, with StreamPro and
StreamEnterprise available as software options. StreamEnterprise is
also included with StreamZ and StreamZHD encoding servers. The new
MXF output, GXF input, and 3GPP/Mobile options are available for
StreamPro and StreamEnterprise as separately priced options, with
the latter two also available as options for Stream LE. Thomson MP3
support is included with purchases of StreamEnterprise and StreamPro
2.5 after April 14, 2008, and is optional for Stream LE and existing
users.
The version 2.5 update will be available as a free download for
registered owners of StreamPro and StreamEnterprise version 2.0 or
higher, and as chargeable upgrades for users of version 1.5 or
earlier. For more information, visit www.digital-rapids.com.
About Digital Rapids Corporation
Digital Rapids is a leading developer of professional hardware and
software solutions for video ingest, encoding, transcoding,
protection, streaming, and delivery. Digital Rapids offers solutions
that scale from individual applications to enterprise and global
workflows, with the proven expertise to help our customers maximize
their productivity and the value of their content in the evolving
digital media market. Digital Rapids products integrate seamlessly
into new and existing post production, broadcast, institutional and
media distribution environments, dramatically increasing the volume
and quality of media produced while lowering overall costs. Digital
Rapids Corporation (www.digital-rapids.com) is headquartered in
Ontario, Canada with sales offices in the United States, the UK,
Australia, Argentina and Hong Kong. |
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