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NetBlender drops iPhone exclusivity on BD Touch 2.0, connects Blu-ray to Blackberry, Android & Pre
It's a new year and NetBlender has a new change of gear, pairing with BluFocus to bring last year's BD Touch software -- and its BD-Live enabled Blu-ray player to iPhone / iPod Touch connections -- up to version 2.0, featuring crossplatform capability with other WiFi enabled handhelds like Blackberry, Android and Palm Pre. While going iPhone exclusive hasn't hurt some apps, hopefully we'll see wider adoption of the technology, which can enable things from making the phone a remote control to using it as a keyboard, downloading files from the disc or playing games, now that it supports more than one platform. More info should be available once it hits the floor at NAB 2009 later this week.
NetBlender Live BD-Live platform launched
Moviemakers ready to jump to BD-Live production can add NetBlender's offering to their list of options, now that NetBlender Live has launched. Much like Ascent Media's group, NetBlender can handle the hosting and backend so interested producers can add content as necessary and extend the life of discs. All this means is we should expect even more Internet-enable movies, we'll have to see what they do with it to know if the effort has been worthwhile.
NetBlender's DoStudio 1.6 Blu-ray authoring solution includes BD Touch support
Back in February, we saw NetBlender blend in Blu-ray support to its DoStudio authoring software. Now, version 1.6 is packing even more BD-related goodness, and it's BD Touch in particular that we're intrigued by. The latest flavor of DoStudio includes expanded capabilities such as Slideshows, Dolby TrueHD support, and BD Touch integration, not to mention a number of workflow enhancements including copy / paste, enhanced asset validation, printable reports, etc. As for BD Touch, this software now gives production outfits (or just entrepreneurial individuals) the ability to bake in support for iPhone control when the disc is played back in a PlayStation 3. The application is available for a $395 monthly rental fee, $2,495 for a 1-year license or $6,995 for a permanent license.[Thanks, Jason]
Inlet Technologies and NetBlender team up to help smaller studios go Blu
It looks like Sonic Solutions isn't the only one bringing new Blu-ray production tools to market -- plenty of smaller studios just want an easier way to jump into Blu-ray titles, not necessarily flashier BD-J features. To answer that need, Inlet Technologies has taken its Fathom encoding platform and partnered with NetBlender's DoStudio authoring software to put smaller studios on the Blu-ray bandwagon. So the tools are all lined up; if only something could be done about player prices, we might see some critical mass building up behind Blu-ray.
BD Touch Blu-ray disc-to-iPhone app officially unveiled
Ending the awful (two) days of waiting, NetBlender's officially presenting its latest innovation, BD Touch. Bringing together Apple's iPhone/iPod Touch and Blu-ray's BD-Live internet connection to potentially allow combinations like sending copies of a movie to iPhone directly from the disc menu, viewing fan created content in sync with a movie or, yes, using the iPhone as a remote control. All that geolocation, 3D motion sensitive, multitouch and predictive keyboard could be a part of our favorite movie (The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension) -- once some developer makes it happen. The disc authoring end of the tool is built into NetBlender's DoStudio software, while there are two iPhone SDKs (the Connect SDK is free, while the Premiere Blend/In SDK adds functionality but requires certification and licensing) available. Video demos are after the jump, so take a look and see what you can come up with.
NetBlender prepping Blu-ray disc to iPhone connection?
NetBlender is preparing to reveal new technology aimed squarely at connecting Blu-ray content to Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, called BD Touch. Designed to "leverage network capabilities of Blu-ray players" Macworld UK surmises it could lead to possible use of those devices as a remote control for Blu-ray players, but given NetBlender's history of authoring tools we see the potential for an add-on that easily helps developers implement features like Digital Copy or BD-Live enabled ringtone purchases. Remote control -- or better yet Remote Play style -- apps could be interesting however, so we'll keep an eye out for the official announcement, expected April 10.
NetBlender adding Blu-ray support to DoStudio authoring software
NetBlender has made plans official for new versions of its DoStudio authoring software, adding support for Blu-ray and BD-J features including BD Live. DoStudio Authoring Edition is expected out after NAB 2008, allowing users to create professional Blu-ray discs from a graphical interface. Unfortunately picture-in-picture support won't be part of the hardware and software package until Q3, with BD Live support slated for early 2009. While major studios may be able to create BD-J enhanced discs on their own, the idea is that this package can allow other professionals to make full featured discs without having to learn scripting. Anyone looking for that kind of access can look forward to DoStudio Developer Edition in the fourth quarter, with full access to scripting, for even more advanced features. DoStudio MX users aren't left out either, with Blu-ray support on the way there as well. As for the simple home viewers, we just hope these tools get in the right hands sooner rather than later to create truly innovative high definition discs.
DoStudio MX software authors HD DVDs
Though Blu-ray aficionados have long since had ways to create their own Blu-ray discs, NetBlender is making sure you HD DVD fans aren't left in the dark. The DoStudio MX software is a "complete HD DVD authoring tool" that features a graphical layout editor, Photoshop integration, keyframe animation / playlist editor, advanced logging, an image list manager, and Corel's PureHD Multiplexer. Currently, users interested in trying it out can download the beta version for the price of the prior release ($99 per month) so long as they "report issues in a timely fashion," but those who lag around will end up forking out $249 per month come September. And yes, the company is already working up a Blu-ray version of this very software, and folks who'd like to join the BD-J limited public beta that will release later this year need only sign up and cross their fingers.[Thanks, Jason]
