Blu-rayAuthoring
Latest
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]
sofatronic's Kaleidoscope software creates interactive applications for Blu-ray
Now that Blu-ray is the last format left standing, we're definitely hoping that it ups its own game in regard to interactive content. Thankfully, sofatronic is looking to make the development of interactive applications on Blu-ray Discs a good bit easier. Essentially, Kaleidoscope -- not to be confused with Kaleidescape -- enables users to work in a visual authoring environment and create "user interfaces and advanced interactive features without having to write Java code." Additionally, the program's framework "supports all available Blu-ray player models and automatically handles performance differences and compatibility issues," which sounds pretty impressive, we must say. Click on through for the full release. %Gallery-16694%
Nero 8 update brings Blu-ray authoring, mini HD DVD support
Sure, there are a couple of software suites out there that offer up Blu-ray authoring, but it's still far from being a common feature. Additionally, we'd have to say that Nero is one of the more popular burning applications, and the firm's latest update to Nero 8 adds in BDMV authoring and playback, improved file encoding speed and support for mini HD DVD-Video discs. If you're unfamiliar with the latter, it's essentially the process of squeezing down content more suitable for an HD DVD onto a vanilla DVD for playback in an HD DVD player (phew) -- something we've certainly touched on before. For existing Nero 8 owners, you can snag the new plug-in for $24.99, while current owners of the plug-in will reportedly be able to upgrade gratis.
Disc Authoring Problems
EMediaLive has an article about some of the issues and problems with authoring advanced content for next-gen DVDs such as Blu-ray and HD DVD. As we've discussed in the podcast, both formats have had their troubles creating advanced content on their discs beyond just a high-definition version of the movie. Up until recently, even HD DVD has only had the same extra content as on the standard DVD. While content providers and studios struggle with the new tools for authoring discs, currently the process is more likened to writing code line by line than using a drag-and-drop graphical tool to create advanced interfaces, picture-in-picture, and telestrator-like overlays while the movie plays. Surely just as DVD before it, once the tools mature, and authors have more experience creating content, we'll see some really great features and applications coming out from both formats.[ Thanks wifispy! ]
