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Roxio releases Toast 9 with streaming
With their newly-updated Toast Titanium 9, it looks like Roxio is really embracing new ways of using media, moving beyond Toast's original disc-burning functionality. New features include AVCHD camcorder video conversion, support for creating Blu-ray and HD DVD discs (though why someone would want to make HD DVDs at this point is anybody's guess), automatic tagging of unknown audio tracks via their "audio fingerprint," internet audio stream recording, and more. Previous support for CD/DVD burning and TiVo video is naturally still included.Perhaps most interesting is the new Roxio Streamer, which allows video streaming from your Mac to "your Wi-Fi connected iPhone, iPod Touch or to any Internet connected Mac or PC." It seems like Roxio has recognized that disc-burning has a limited future and is steadily moving Toast towards streaming, etc.Toast 9 is $99.99, but previously registered users are eligible for a $20 mail-in rebate. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Sonic's Scenarist now Blu-ray, digital distribution format only
Sonic Solutions has announced it will no longer sell the HD DVD version of its Scenarist professional authoring software, focusing instead on Blu-ray and digital distribution. Sonic -- provider of consumer authoring software under the Roxio brand (still w/ that sweet HD DVD flavor, at least for now) -- plans to expand its features to ease creation of BD Live features, and package high definition video for delivery on any of the many platforms popping up. It's not all bad for red fans, Sonic promises to continue customer support and product updates "where appropriate" for its HD DVD package, and a special promotion for users to switch to Blu-ray, although the terms aren't mentioned.[Thanks, Kiwi616]
DVD-enabled Wii on the backburner
If you're holding out for the day when you can play DVDs on your Wii, you may be waiting a really, really long time. We told you that DVD playback on the Wii was coming this year, but we lied. Okay, we didn't lie, Nintendo did.This feature was suppose to arrive in Japan by the end of this year, but it has now been pushed back to 2008. As for the US and Europe? We're not even mentioned in these plans, so don't hold your breath. Instead, Nintendo plans to focus its energy on meeting global demand for the console.At this point, you probably have another method of DVD playback, whether it's another system or a standard DVD player. We know we do, so it's hard to get too riled up by this news. Still, some of you minimalists might be pretty disappointed. Different strokes for different folks, we guess.[Via Aussie-Nintendo]
Roxio releases Popcorn 3, adds TiVoToGo support
Roxio has released version 3 of their DVD and video conversion utility Popcorn. The biggest new feature is probably the "exclusive TiVoToGo support for the Mac" that lets you burn TiVo recorded shows to disc or convert them for playback on other devices. However, other improvements include the ability to create compilation DVDs and custom DVD menus as well as improved Apple TV and iPhone/iPod support. Popcorn is $49 and is available now.For my own money, I think the the only compelling feature of Popcorn is the TivoToGo support. Unless that's a big deal for you, I think you'd probably do better with VisualHub ($23.32) plus Handbrake (free), as the ffmpeg based conversion of the former is considerably faster than the QuickTime based conversion that Popcorn appears to use.[via MacMinute]
Roxio to announce Crunch, a new video conversion app
Looks like VisualHub and iSquint are going to have some competition on their hands, as Roxio on Monday will announce Crunch, their own entry into the software video conversion market. With computer-based video leaving the nest for devices like the Apple TV, the iPod and soon the iPhone, tools that can easily convert video from a plethora of sources and formats are becoming ever the more useful. Roxio looks to make a decent splash in the market with Crunch, as it features their typical UI (which, personally, I detest) and a nice array of features, including batch encoding of multiple files, conversion of DVDs created with Toast, iMovie, and other video editing apps (in other words: it won't rip and encode commercial DVDs), support for a very wide array of video formats including the elusive MPEG-1, presets for specific devices and one killer and rare feature you don't see in many (if any) other apps: encoding from VIDEO_TS files that are ripped straight from a DVD.Still, all this comes at a price: Crunch will cost $50, whereas similar solutions that don't do DVD or VIDEO_TS conversion, like VisualHub, can be had for half that. Still, we'll have to reserve a final judgment until we can get our hands on a copy. Until then, check out our gallery of Crunch screenshots to get a better perspective on whether you should try out a demo.[Correction: VisualHub does convert VIDEO_TS folders as of version 1.1; our apologies.]%Gallery-2967%
Roxio says stand-alone TiVo To Go client a "possibility"
I spoke with the folks at the Roxio booth here at Macworld Expo 2007 about that slight complaint many of us have over the much-anticipated new TiVo To Go client being bundled into Toast for the not-so-low price of $99. Obviously, if you're looking for the power of Toast and TiVo To Go, this is a killer deal since the inclusion of this hot new software didn't increase Toast's price at all. For everyone else just looking to score a TiVo fix, Roxio did say the don't have any immediate plans for a stand-alone TiVo client, but they *would* consider it if enough (potential) customers expressed interest. Obviously, this is by no means a promise, but they at least didn't slam the book on the idea and kick me out of the booth.
This just in: Roxio charging $99 for free software
Michael posted that Roxio has released a new version of Toast, complete with a highly-anticipated bundled version of TiVoToGo for Mac OS X. While this is certainly a joyous day for those anxiously awaiting the ability to Macify their TiVo content, I can't help but have a severely bitter taste in my mouth from the fact that TiVo and Roxio are essentially charging $100 for what Windows users get to do for free. Sure, it was probably a painstaking and grueling process to build a Mac OS X client, and it's even likely that many Bothans died to bring us this software. But *bundling* it with a $100 disc burning app and no alternative for a stand-alone purchase? Even accepting the fact that they (for some odd reason) *have* to charge for a Mac client, I call foul - and so do plenty of our readers. I'm sure many of Toast's users will welcome the new 'feature' in this version upgrade, but Roxio and TiVo really need to offer a separate purchase (or free!) option for those who, like me, would rather use burning software that won't break the bank. With complaints in hand, I'll be sure to bug Roxio about this during our Macworld 07 coverage this week.
Roxio ships TiVo to Go for Mac
Engadget and Zatz Not Funny! are reporting that Roxio -- yes, Popcorn, Toast with Jam, that Roxio -- has partnered with TiVo to deliver the long-awaited TiVotoGo for Mac client, built in to Toast Titanium 8. All together, everyone: "Wha?!?"The new Toast will allow you to browse your TiVo content, play back TV shows, burn to DVD (of course) and also transcode for iPod or PSP. Zatz notes that the included video player appears to have come over from Elgato's EyeTV 2 package, which already features tight integration with Toast. The new version also includes non-TiVo goodness like BluRay support, new audio mastering and conversion utilities, and cross-platform support for spanned disk backups. Toast is normally $99 but there's a $20 rebate in play now if ordered direct from Roxio. I'm sure that some of my colleagues will be running over to the Roxio booth at Macworld to check it out.
Roxio delivers TiVoToGo for Mac -- yes Roxio
Yeah, you read that title correctly. Stumped by their inability to lock media down on the Mac like they did the PC, TiVo had no choice but to look elsewhere for Mac technical assistance in the development of their long overdue TiVoToGo software for the Macintosh. In comes Sonic, TiVo partner and developers of Roxio Toast. The new software doesn't require TiVo Desktop and is composed of four distinct functions: TiVo Transfer, Video Playback, DVD Burning, and Portable Conversions. TiVo Transfer allows you to pull .TIVO shows to your Mac either on demand, or via schedules. The player decrypts the .TIVO content in real time while Burn allows you burn content to DVD in one of two ways: archive shows for use on Mac (or PC) or burn for use in a set-top box. Take heed, the software does indeed embed a non-visible watermark of your Media Access key into converted video -- same as the PC kiddo. From Toast, clicking "Export" will bring up common profiles for iPod or PSP conversions -- you know, 320x240 and MPEG-4 or H.264 -- with iPod conversions dropped directly into iTunes. Toast 8 Titanium TiVoToGo retails for $100 (upgrade rebates available) and is available now according to Mr. Zatz. However, the link is currently dead... maybe Monday. No worries, you have alternative solutions.[Via Zatz Not Funny!]
Roxio's DVDit Pro HD authors Blu-ray / DVD
Now that Blu-ray burners are (finally) hitting PCs, and that uber-expensive media is (finally) available if you look hard enough, we're sure those folks shooting in drool-worthy 1080i / 1080p need an authoring program to finalize their work. While Roxio already released its Toast software with BD support, the firm has now thrown down a revamped version of DVDit Pro HD, built to author and output media to DVD or Blu-ray writeables. Boasting pre-constructed menus, features, and slideshows, the software can handle (and output) 720p, 1080i, and / or 1080p content. Of course, if you're not much on the cookie-cutter approach, Roxio provides the tools to build your own scenarios from scratch. So if you've already thrown down for a built-in Blu-ray burner, have stacks of BD-Rs waiting to be used, and have hours of HD content awaiting production, what's another $499.99 to get this application, right?[Via DVGuru]
DVD upgrade coming next year
First we thought we were going to have DVD playback on the Wii. Then we heard it was a no-go. Then we were told that it might be Japan-only. Now we hear it's a go for everyone, but only through an update to be released late next year. But here's the thing -- does anyone really care?Yeah, it was, and is, silly that the console doesn't play DVDs. It was frankly a bit silly that the GameCube didn't play DVDs, back when it mattered, back when everyone didn't already own multiple DVD players. But these days, is it even an issue? How many DVD players do you already own? If the Wii Fanboy staff added up all their in-home DVD players, the number might stagger you (there are seven just in this blogger's house).So. The Wii will get an update from Sonic Solutions (the folks behind Roxio) that will provide DVD playback. And there was much rejoicing. Yay.
Mac Blu-ray burner adds Toast 7, slips to mid-August
The Logitec LBD-A2FU2/WM Blu-ray burner for Macs & PCs has unfortunately been delayed again until mid-August, but they've shown off the box for the external edition and announced it will ship with Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium. All the delays should give you sufficient time to scrape together the $1100 or so dollars you'll need to take one of these home. What we really want to know is if that price includes some playback software, unlike Sony's BWU-100A drive.[Via Engadget]
Roxio Toast 7 with Blu-ray support for Macs ready
Is that Blu-ray drive-sporting Power Mac Mac Pro just around the corner? Maybe, maybe not, but for Apple users who like to stay ahead of the curve they can expect to see the new Toast 7 w/ BD support bundled with Blu-ray recorders shipping soon. The Toast Dynamic Writing feature makes the jump to next-gen, allowing Mac users to drag-and-drop to 50GB BD-R or BD-RE discs with ease. No mention of whether the automatic disc-spanning feature is intact, at $47.99 and 50GB each a dual layer disc (whenever they are available) should be more than enough. Still, with pricetags of at least $750 it may be some time before even deep-pocketed Apple aficionados jump in. The Logitec LBD-A2FU2 Blu-ray burner for Macs & PCs we previewed back in April has apparently slipped, Amazon Japan dates its release as July 31, for 132,762 yen ($1,136 US).This is as good a time as any to (re)start an Apple rumor about a Blu-ray burner in the next product refresh. All we need to do is check our calendar for Lord Steve's next public appearance and there is your totally unsubstantiated predicted release date. We'd express more concern about the lack of consumer edition HD DVD recording software if there were, you know, any burners available or even officially announced in the U.S.[Thanks for the tip Joe L.!]
Sony's VAIO RC310G desktop with Blu-ray reviewed
You probably know already if something like the "world's first PC with Blu-ray drive" appeals to you, but just in case you needed some reassurance: yes, the Sony VAIO RC310G burns and reads Blu-ray discs, and yes it costs a few million dollars for the privilege. The main hiccup is that Windows recognizes the drive as a CD-ROM drive, and the Blu-ray discs as just really large CDs. Otherwise, things worked smoothly, with the included Roxio software recognizing the drive correctly right off. The burning experience sounded similar to that of the Pioneer BDR-101A, with about 45 minutes required to fill the disc, and another 45 minutes to verify. Luckily, the VAIO includes a full software suite to take advantage of the drive, with Roxio DigitalMedia SE for data, Ulead BD DiscRecorder for burning Blu-ray movies, and InterVideo WinDVD for Blu-ray playback. The Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT card included with the system claims to offer HDCP decryption for protected HD content, and hardware decoding to keep the load of your CPU, though there aren't currently any titles to test it out with. With 2GB of RAM, a 300GB HDD, a 3.2GHz Pentium D 940 processor, and (a bit of) room to grow, the RC310G shouldn't do too bad as a media-centric desktop, but it's not a top-tier system either. At $2,249 for the setup, it's not the greatest of deals, since the drive itself should only cost $1000 independently. But if you have to have it now, or you want something that's more or less guaranteed to work with Blu-ray, Sony's VAIO RC310G is the best (and only) way to go.
Logitec LBD-A2FU2/WM: the first Blu-ray Disc drive for Macs
Ok Macheads, now you can get your Blu-ray on too with Logitec’s (no, not that Logitech) announced LBD-A2FU2/WM Blu-ray Disc drive. From the machine translation of the press release, it would appear that this is just a rebadged Panasonic burner (pictured) which brings the love for some 13 BD, DVD, and CD media formats. Logitec will deliver what they say will be an industry first Mac BD drive as an external unit connected by either USB or Firewire and bundled with Roxio Toast 7 Titanium. It's so new that they couldn't even muster-up a photo! Uh, yeah. Like its Panny cuz, expect these to drop for around $850 but a bit later in mid-July with more OEM'd Mac drives sure to follow.[Via Akihabara News]
Popcorn 2 goes Universal
Roxio announced Popcorn 2 is a Universal Binary now. Popcorn is a little app that'll supposedly move content around to your mobile stuff— a PSP, iPod, or "mobile phone." I couldn't get a list of supported phones, but I'm assuming it won't convert your movies to ASCII so they show up on Nokia's from 2000. Popcorn also says it'll grab your unprotected DVD content. Now, I haven't used Popcorn, but will it just refuse to rip store-bought DVD's? Ugh, I'm beginning to hate DRM too... If anyone knows the answer to these burning questions, leave your experiences in the comments.
