-
Hunting Games Explode on PC
Multigen And Paradigm Simulation Sign Definitive Merger Agreement
GameWorks to Open in Guam
Okino Computer Graphics Ships v2.2 of its NuGraf Rendering System and PolyTrans Software 
877.2 Story of the Issue
877.3 E-Commerce
S&P Rates Amazon.com $530 million 10% Senior Discount Notes ‘B’
Dialing WWW for Customer Services Could Replace 800 Numbers
877.4 Out of Home Entertainment
877.5 Markets
877.6 Legal
877.7 Imaging
Minolta and FlashPoint Deliver Intelligent Digital Camera
877.8 Cards
Diamond Multimedia Announces SpeedStar A50 AGP Graphics Accelerator
877.9 Computer
877.10 EDA
877.11 Multimedia
877.12 Video --------------------------------------
***Hunting Games Explode on PC
(September 3)Reuters reports that according to PC Data, GT Interactive’s “Deer Hunter” sold 448,800 copies between Jan. 1 and July 31, making it the second-ranked game title for the personal computer. Two other hunting titles, Head Games’ “Cabela’s Big Game Hunter” and GT’s “Wild Turkey Hunt” are also in the Top 20.
***Multigen And Paradigm Simulation Sign Definitive Merger Agreement (September 3)
MultiGen and Paradigm Simulation announced that the two companies have signed a definitive merger agreement in a move that will create MultiGen-Paradigm, Inc.
Terms of the deal, expected to close within 30 days, were not disclosed. Both companies are privately held.
MultiGen investors Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. and TL Ventures will retain their investment positions once the merger is final. Robert E. Keith, Jr., managing director of TL Ventures, will serve as MultiGen-Paradigm, Inc.’s Co- Chairman of the Board with MultiGen Founder and Co-Chairman Dennis Yeo. Paradigm Simulation Founder Ron Toupal will also serve on the MultiGen-Paradigm board. MultiGen-Paradigm, Inc. will maintain its existing offices in San Jose, Calif., and Dallas. The companies plan to consolidate their field sales offices.
http://www.paradigmsim.com
http://www.multigen.com***GameWorks to Open in Guam
(September 3)Sega GameWorks and LVMH (Louis Vuitton-Moet-Hennessy), parent company of DFS (DFS Galleria), announced that they have a preliminary agreement for an exclusive licensing arrangement to bring GameWorks to the popular vacation destination of Guam.
The announcement was made jointly today by the Honorable Carl T. C. Gutierrez, Governor of Guam, Michael Montgomery, President and CEO of Sega GameWorks, and Gerald Perez, President of DFS Guam.
The 25,000 square foot GameWorks will be located in the Pleasure Island entertainment center on Tumon Bay, Guam, an attraction that is drawing visitors from throughout Asia.
The venue is expected to open in March, 1999.
Five GameWorks are operating in the United States.
In late 1998, GameWorks will open three additional locations; in Miami, Florida; Detroit, Michigan; and Orange, California.
The company has also partnered with Grupo Multiplan, the largest developer and operator of shopping centers in Brazil, to introduce GameWorks in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in 1999.
The managing members of Sega GameWorks L.L.C. are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sega Enterprises, DreamWorks SKG and Universal Studios, Inc. Universal Studios, Inc. is a unit of The Seagram Company Ltd., a global beverage and entertainment company.
***Okino Computer Graphics Ships v2.2 of its NuGraf Rendering System and PolyTrans Software
Features of NuGraf include:
A new multi-threaded ray tracer for NuGraf. Handles very large scene files in a minimal amount of memory.
A graphical user interface for the interactive manipulation and modification of scene content. Hierarchies can be modified using drag-and-drop techniques, objects interactively placed, attributes of cameras/lights/materials/textures modified and animation previewed prior to re-export.
Automatic 2D bitmap conversion to and from the 2D bitmap file formats. For example, when importing scenes from Lightwave files to 3DS MAX, all Amiga IFF bitmaps are converted to MAX compatible formats (or to .pic for SoftImage, .gif for VRML or .rgb for OpenFlight).
Native 3D Studio MAX plug-ins that provide such unique capabilities as importing or exporting data directly from a running copy of SoftImage, importing entire Lightwave scenes for “Load & Render” results, or importing/exporting IGES files from/to CAD packages such as Pro/Engineer.
Camera and object animation conversion support among 3D Studio MAX, Lightwave, Renderman and DirectX (the latter two are export only).
Development and release of an “animation conversion engine” which includes cutting-edge “keyframe resampler” & “keyframe reducer” algorithms for optimal animation conversions.
A full implementation of the IGES 5.3 import/export CAD specification developed by Okino over a period of 10 years. Handles Pro/E, CATIA, SolidEdge and many IGES flavors.
Development and release of a “NURBS internal engine” which allows trimmed NURBS data to be imported, cleansed, triangulated to polygon meshes, displayed on the user interface and re-exported.
Trimmed NURBS support for Renderman and SoftImage (great for reading IGES 5.3 into SoftImage).
Trimmed NURBS support for the Wavefront OBJ file reader (for import & conversion of Rhino & Alias|Wavefront NURBS).
Native ACIS SAT 4.1 (solid model) import converter, licensed from Spatial Technology.
An implementation of the OpenFlight file format. Developed in cooperation with, and co-distributed by, MultiGen, Inc. Has the added & unique ability to convert to v14.2 of OpenFlight.
Full IGES 5.3 export, Renderware .rwx export, Lightscape .lp export, Imagine export and Detailer import/export converters.
The ability to read and write SoftImage database scenes directly from the 3DS MAX user interface.
For a complete list of features added to these programs since their original releases, including an overview of the features, please refer to the following Okino WEB page:
http://www.okino.com/nrs/new_12.htm
Okino’s stand-alone PolyTrans Model Translator for Windows and SGI has also been updated.
Okino’s PolyTrans supports the following3D formats:
3D Studio, 3D Studio MAX (via native plug-ins),
ACIS SAT 4.1 (or newer),
Alias PolySet,
Apple 3DMF (Quickdraw-3D),
DirectX, DXF,
Fractal’s Detailer,
IGES 5.3,
Imagine,
Lightscape,
full Lightwave,
OpenGL C Code,
OpenFlight,
POV 2.0/3.0,
Pro/Engineer .SLP,
Renderman RIB,
Renderware,
SoftImage .hrc models and scene databases,
Solid Edge v4 (v5 presently via IGES),
StereoLithography .STL,
Strata StudioPro v1.75 (v2.5 shortly),
trueSpace 2/3,
USGS DEM,
Vistapro,
VRML 1.0/2.0 and
Wavefront OBJ (both polygons and NURBS).NuGraf and PolyTrans are available through Value Added Resellers (VARs) in the design, CAD and multimedia markets. The products are also available directly from Okino Computer Graphics, Inc.
Fully functional demonstration versions (with minor limitations)
are available through Okino’s Internet WEB site
http://www.okino.com/nrs/demos.htm (NuGraf) and http://www.okino.com/conv/demos.htm (PolyTrans).
Pricing for PolyTrans starts at $395 (PC, Windows) and $495 (UNIX); pricing for NuGraf starts at $495 (PC, Windows).
http://www.okino.com/nrs/nrs.htm***Fujistu Marquis 2000 Comes Up With Many New 3D Features
One of the most complex and feature rich 3D chips yet to come from the 3D industry is being brought up by Fujitsu. Based, in part, on the original Microsoft Talisman architecture, the Marquis 2000 has the potential to define a high point in quality and performance. The WAVE Report saw an early demonstration of the chip and was impressed. The chip was running the Talion demo developed by Microsoft. In an exclusive to the WAVE Report, Microsoft stated that it is looking forward to seeing and working with the unique features of the chip including multiple image layers, full scene anti-aliasing and 32 bit color.
The next version of the silicon for the beta reference boards will be back on 10 September and boards are expected to be ready by the end of September.
In spite of the daunting level of complexity, with 1.6m gates, the designers found only 13 gates in error which could be corrected with metal spins.
The focus at Fujitsu is on the DirectX drivers but they are also working on OpenGL drivers.
Some of the features include:
Inline compression and decompression of textures and DirectDraw surfaces;
Single cycle trilinear filtering;
Single cycle full scene anti-aliasing with 4 X 4 sub-pixel mask;
3D Features including anistropic filtering, reflection mapping, environment mapping, shadows, reflections, motion blur, lens flare, video mapping and per pixel range based fog;
Hardware compositing which renders to multiple target surfaces and the ability to composite those surfaces at 2 pixels per clock;
AGP 2X with side band;
128 bit Memory Interface;
Square and Non-Square Texture Support up to 2048 X 2048
32 bit Color Rendering;
24 bit z-buffer with priority and stencil bits;
Rasterization support for affine BLT and overlays, surface stretching, rotation, and skewing, alpha BLT, BitBLT, line draws, fills, stretch BLT, affine BLT and patterns;
250MHz RAMDAC with support 1600 X 1200 at 85 Hz;
100MHz to 143MHz SGRAM or SDRAM;
Independent dual monitor outputs;
Full Screen DVD Playback;
4 - 16 MB Support;
.25 micron 5ML CMOS and
432 pin Enhanced BGA Package.***Intel invests in Asia-Pacific Content
(August 25)Intel Corp will invest in software content companies in the Asia-Pacific region to boost demand for its products.
Taking an active role as venture capital investor, Intel has bought stakes in the U.S. companies Cnet and CyberCash. Now Intel is in the process of setting up an Asian business development unit.
Targeted will be areas like the Internet, electronic commerce, three dimensional graphics, television production and broadband communications, all of which will fuel demand for Intel’s advanced chips.
Intel already has invested in a joint venture with Pacific Century group and two Chinese companies.
http://www.intel.com
***S&P Rates Amazon.com $530 million 10% Senior Discount Notes ‘B’ (August 20)
Standard & Poor’s assigned its single ‘B’ rating to Amazon.com’s $530 million 10% senior discount notes due 2008. The S&P also assigned its single ‘B’ corporate credit rating to the company.
The ratings reflect the company’s negative operating cash flow and rapid growth in the evolving marketplace. This necessitates high levels of investment in technology, logistics, and marketing. These risks are tempered by Amazon.com’s position as leading online retailer of books.
The company offers consumers approximately 3 million titles including most of the 1.5 million English language books in print and more than 1 million out of print titles. They also sell recorded music and are planning to offer video through their website.
Management has taken an aggressive strategy with their expenditures on marketing and product development which keep the company from realizing positive earnings. Their Internet sales model holds several advantages over traditional retailers though. The company carries a small inventory and receives payment from its customers about 30 days before paying its supplier. This enables the company to operate with negative working capital requirements.
A ratings upgrade will depend on the company’s ability to execute its strategies and leverage fixed costs and marketing expenses.
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.ratings.standardpoor.com***Dialing WWW for Customer Services Could Replace 800 Numbers
(August 23)
As companies deploy sales and customer service strategies on the Internet consumers find themselves conducting more transactions by typing “www” than by dialing 800.
Nine out of ten Americans say they use toll-free numbers, and one third estimate they dial toll-free more than 60 times a year according to AT&T.
The transition to “www” service seems inevitable. On the consumer side, the number of U.S. households with at least one personal computer jumped to 11.4% last year due to the sub $1000 PCs, according to Ziff-Davis Marketing Intelligence. The firm also found that approximately 70% of households with an annual income of at least $75,000 own more than one PC.
The web is more convenient. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike 800 numbers which subject the consumer to long waits and loud elevator music, the web uses cookies that customize a tailored response for the consumer by determining the preferences of the buyer with no music and little wait.
On the business side, transaction cost for “www” service is a fraction of the cost of toll-free calls. According to Air Transport Association, airlines are saving 80% of transaction costs per airline ticket every time a passenger books online, cost $1, rather than through a travel agent, cost $8.
META Group estimated that the cost of a typical customer service transaction is $5 on the telephone compared to the web where it is only a few cents.
Forrester Research reports that between now and 2000, companies that migrate from 800 number support to Internet-based service will cut call center labor costs by 43%.
http://www.metagroup.com
http://www.forrester.com
http://www.ziffdavis.com
http://www.air-transport.org877.4 Out of Home Entertainment
***CNN Center Under Major Renovation
(August 28)Turner broadcasting has announced that it will include restaurants and TV-theme entertainment into the 22-acre redevelopment of its corporate headquarters building.
Pano Karatassos, founder of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, will create his first downtown restaurant at CNN Center. The restaurant will have outdoor dining on widened sidewalks on the Techwood Drive corner. Coca-Cola Co. is talking about building a retail/entertainment operation, along the lines of its Coca-Cola Sky Field at Turner Field.
The new arena and surrounding public improvements will cost $213 million and will be paid for by Turner, revenue bonds issued by the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, and a new rental car tax. Turner plans to spend an additional $24 million to turn the CNN Center, which houses Turner’s corporate headquarters and the Omni Hotel, into a high-tech, TV studio-theme attraction.
The Center will house video monitors and suspended theatrical lighting to create a studio feel on the ground floor of the retail mall. The CNN/Headline News tour, which attracts 325,000 visitors annually, will be expanded, and a new Turner-theme attraction will be created.
The cement walls will be taken down and replaced with glass facing the Centennial Olympic Park. The idea, according to Hunter Richardson, the Vice President of development, is to make the building the front door to the park and have the park feel like the front lawn of the building.
Also planned is the construction of a street linking Techwood Drive and International Boulevard and parking decks and street level retail to fill the block anchored by the historic Glenn building. The building itself might go under construction as well, to become a Turner Foundation.
Construction is scheduled to begin on the sidewalks and streetscapes in September. Construction inside the CNN Center will begin in October. Both projects and the arena are expected to be completed in September 1999.***DRAM Market: Moving Quarters
(September 1)Semico Research issued an analysis of the DRAM module market. Following the trend of the DRAM market, the DRAM module market revenue will decline by 19 percent - the result of lower DRAM ASPs. Revenue is projected to by $14 billion in 1998.
The drastic drop in DRAM prices led to lower module prices, which served to stimulate growth in the module market. Demand for higher density DRAM modules increased which is moderating the revenue decrease. 1998 DRAM module consumption naturally increased in desktop PCs with increased memory size.
The greatest increase in demand came from OEMs. Unlike past years when DRAM modules were more expensive, OEMs loaded enough memory before shipment that most PC buyers did not need to upgrade at purchase time.
The module is essential to the DRAM industry future. It is in this form that more than 80 percent of all DRAMs reach the end-user. Modules are used by computer, consumer, industrial and communications markets. Even as “system-on-a-chip” becomes the phrase of the future, modules are still projected to be a critical component.
The computer industry led the move to DRAM modules. DRAMs in module form enabled memory configuration at the end of the manufacturing process or even at the customer’s premises. As operating systems were introduced for the desktop PC that consumed greater and greater amounts of memory, the module carried the DRAM into the consumer market. Computer retailers now have the capability to increase memory size for the consumer at the point of sale.
The number of participants in the DRAM module market is expected to decline. As the requirements to participate become more demanding and expensive, the dropouts will exceed the entrants. Among the requirements to produce PC100-compliant modules is engineering design expertise to work with clients to produce the functional product, assembly expertise to design high volume manufacturable modules, and final test capabilities to test modules to very exacting performance specifications.
This study also includes DRAM module vendor market shares. Samsung and Kingston were the number one and two vendors in the DRAM module market in 1997. Additional information about this study, and other products and services, is available at the Semico Research Corp. website.
http://www.semico.com***Alberta Mall at Center of Financial Trouble and Bribery Charges
(August 28)
West Edmonton Mall has found itself in financial trouble and accused of bribery and government meddling. The 800-store, 5.2 million sq. foot complex includes a theme park, roller coaster, and hotel rooms.
The scandal was unveiled August 25th, when Alberta Treasury Branches, a government owned bank, launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against four brothers of the Edmonton-based Ghermezian family, the mall owners. The Ghermezian’s also built the Mall of American in Minneapolis.
The suit alleges that the Ghermezian’s bribed a former head of the bank in return for his approving a West Edmonton Mall refinancing package when the complex was on the brink of bankruptcy in 1994.
The Bank has been criticized in the past, for making politically motivated loans. In a statement the bank said that although they were seeking an order to push the mall into receivership, the lawsuit was the result of 18 months of investigation and that the loan guarantee is not typical of the normal business practices of ATB.
The institution is also suing the man it accused of taking the bribes, Elmer Leahy, its superintendent from 1994-1996, two investment firms owned by him and two West Edmonton Mall managers. It alleges that payments of $250,000 were funneled to Leahy through a Tel Aviv bank in 1995.
Leahy has filed a countersuit for defamation.
The suits also called into question the motives of Alberta Premier Ralph Klein and his government, which won two provincial elections on a platform of nonintervention in private-sector affairs.
Last week, a private memo dated February 22, 1994 was made public. The memo, from Klein to two of his Cabinet ministers, urged them to find “an Alberta solution” to the mall’s financial trouble with the Alberta Treasury Branches.
Eight months after the memo, Toronto-based Gentra Inc. withdrew its position as lead lender of $375 million (Canadian) for the mall, paving the way for Alberta’s bank to refinance the complex with $440 million (Canadian) in loans and loan guarantees.***Bell Labs 360-Degree Panoramic Webcam Brings David Bowie Internet Users On ‘Bowienet’ Closer to the Artist and His Music (September 1)
Users of BowieNet, the rock star’s Internet service, will be able to experience live-action views of David Bowie thanks to FullView, a 360-degree panoramic Webcam designed by Bell Labs, the research and development arm of Lucent Technologies.
Initial applications call for the camera to be used for in-studio question-and-answer sessions with Bowie, as well as live “you-are-there” rehearsal sessions with Bowie and his band.
BowieNet is a joint venture between Concentric Network Corporation and Ultrastar Internet Services and is accessible to music fans throughout the country.
The FullView camera, invented by Vic Nalwa, member of the Bell Labs Multimedia Communications Research Laboratory has a single vantage point and comprises multiple charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, each aimed at a triangular mirror. The images are recombined through proprietary software so that the full 360-degree live-action view can be displayed along with, say, a 60-degree closeup in any direction the user chooses.
The resolution of FullView is 10 times greater than any comparable panoramic camera, offering 480 x 3200 pixel (columns x rows) resolution in color at 15 frames per second. Bell Labs has been granted 3 patents for FullView.
The FullView camera leverages Bell Labs’ heritage in image
processing. The CCD was invented at Bell Labs in 1969 by Willard
Boyle and George Smith and led to the invention of the first
solid-state TV camera. The CCD changed the video industry and
continues to find applications in areas as medicine, security,
and astronomy. For more information on the CCD, go to
http://www.lucent.com/ideas2/discoveries/telescope/docs/ccd1.html
Users wishing to utilize BowieNet as their Internet service provider will pay a fee of $19.95/month. For a limited time the first month’s fee will be waived. For those users wishing to remain with their current provider, access to BowieNet can be obtained for a monthly fee of $5.95.
Music fans choosing full Internet service will receive a CD-ROM containing the customized browser along with two classic live Bowie audio and video tracks never before released to the public. As a special bonus, there will be an encrypted recorded audio track which will unlock via the Internet.
http://www.lucent.com
http://www.multimedia.bell-labs.com
http://www.davidbowie.net***Minolta and FlashPoint Deliver Intelligent Digital Camera
(August 31)
FlashPoint Technology announced that Minolta Corp. has selected the Digita operating environment for its next-generation digital camera, the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500.
FlashPoint’s software platform-which provides PC-like capabilities including the ability to constantly add imaging applications that run directly in the camera-coupled with Minolta’s interchangeable lenses, makes the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 a flexible and customizable digital camera.
Analysts estimate that intelligent, software-enabled cameras-like the Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 has, will have Worldwide shipments above 12 million units by 2001, and as many as 20 million units will ship in 2002.
Dimage EX ZOOM 1500 can be customized for a variety of vertical markets, special interests and tasks.
Using the Digita Script programming language, software developers and users can create customized applets to meet their evolving digital imaging needs and address diverse market requirements. For example, professional photographers can directly access advanced camera functions like f-stop and shutter speed giving them more control over their images. Real estate agents can photograph homes, automatically build in-camera Web pages and immediately post them for potential buyers thereby saving valuable time and streamlining workflow. And photo enthusiasts can easily sort and categorize their images, and create on-screen slide shows that enrich their overall photography experience.
FlashPoint Technology, Inc. designs, develops and markets complete software solutions for digital photography and imaging devices. The company’s Digita operating environment is licensed by leading manufacturers including Kodak, Sharp and Minolta.
www.flashpnt.com
http://www.minoltausa.com***Appian Gets WHQL Certification
(September 1)Appian Graphics became the first to receive Microsoft’s Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) Windows 98 certification for its latest multiple monitor board, the Jeronimo Pro.
The Jeronimo Pro is a 2D/3D multi-monitor card that delivers the multi-monitor promise of increased productivity.
http://www.appiangraphics.com
*** Diamond Multimedia Announces SpeedStar A50 AGP Graphics Accelerator
(August 31)
Diamond Multimedia announced the SpeedStar A50 graphics accelerator. SpeedStar is an AGP 2D/3D graphics board based on the 6326AGP chip from SiS and is available in 4MB or 8MB of SDRAM memory with a 200 MHz RAMDAC.
SpeedStar A50 will be available in mid-September to system integrators and VARs from their local distributors. Diamond did not release pricing.
http://www.diamondmm.com
***Intergraph Announces TDZ 2000 GX1 ViZual Workstation Family with Dual 400 MHz Intel Pentium II Xeon Processors
(August 31)
Intergraph Computer Systems announced TDZ 2000 GX1 ViZual Workstations, the company’s new Xeon-based workstation family, powered by up to two 400 MHz Intel Pentium II Xeon processors.
The TDZ 2000 GX1 uses single or dual 400 MHz Pentium II Xeon processor technology, Intel 440GX AGP chipset. TDZ 2000 GXI supports up to 2GB of RAM, and 100 MHz SDRAM memory. It has a Wide Ultra2 LVD SCSI disk controller and 10K-rpm LVD disk drives with SMART technology.
The TDZ 2000 GX1 ViZual Workstation offers 2D and 3D graphics subsystems. The selection includes:
RealiZm II 3D Graphics VX113:
RealiZm II 3D Graphics VX25
RealiZm II 3D Graphics ZX25:
Intense 3D Pro 2200S
Matrox Millennium II:
Matrox DigiDesktop: Delivers dual-screen high-resolution for the Windows NT desktop with multiple video-in-a-window displays.TDZ 2000 GX1 ViZual Workstation is immediately available from authorized Intergraph Computer Systems value-added resellers. Prices start at $4,999 (U.S.).
www.intergraph.com/ics/
***Sand Microelectronics and VSI Alliance to Develop On-Chip Bus Modeling Environment (September 1)
Sand Microelectronics announced a joint agreement with the Virtual Socket Interface Alliance to develop a unique modeling environment that facilitates the mix-and-match of semiconductor intellectual property (IP) cores that use on-chip buses.
Sand is undertaking the pro-bono project as part of the VSI Alliance (VSIA) Pilot program, which is designed to validate industry specifications proposed by the Alliance before being placed in the public domain.
Based upon the virtual component interface (VCI) specifications proposed by the VSIA’s OCB development working group (DWG), Sand Microelectronics will develop a standard VCI model that simulates how an IP core will operate both stand-alone and across a bus. Additionally, Sand will provide software that will facilitate debugging and compliance verification with the VCI standard.
The VCI modeling environment developed by Sand will be distributed along with the specification to members of the On-Chip Bus DWG as part of the Pilot program. The internal release is expected December 1998. Once the interface is approved, an example bus functional model will be placed in the public domain to assist designers in implementing components that comply with the standard.
The VSI Alliance, which consists of over 180 representative companies from the semiconductor, EDA, IP and systems industry, is chartered to define and promote open standard specifications for integrated circuit design interoperability. The VSIA is divided into seven DWGs, each focusing on a particular issue key to making system-level ICs a reality.
The goal of the On-Chip Bus (OCB) DWG is to develop standard attributes and virtual component interface (VCI) specifications, an interface protocol, and a transaction language that will allow system integrators to mix-and-match multiple IP blocks together on the same chip. Information on VSI Alliance Pilot programs can be accessed and downloaded from their web site.
http://www.vsi.org
http://www.sand.com***Intergraph To License Apple’s QuickTime 3
(September 1)
Intergraph Computer Systems announced that Intergraph will deliver Apple’s QuickTime 3 Pro software in its family of MacFriendly TDZ ViZual Workstations and TD PCs.
QuickTime’s multi-platform technology enables QuickTime files to be viewed on any Windows or Mac-based system while ensuring that the files look and sound exactly the way they were intended when created. Graphic design, new media, and video professionals benefit from this combination with QuickTime 3 Pro features including playback capabilities, support for Web-based media, and easy content authoring and editing tools, and Intergraph’s unprecedented price/performance and seamless Macintosh connectivity delivered in its Extreme TDZ workstations and TD PCs.
QuickTime 3 Pro includes the following applications:
QuickTime Internet Plug-in
MoviePlayer
PictureViewerIntergraph Computer Systems’ Extreme TDZ ViZual Workstations and TD PCs with the MacFriendly Connectivity Package and QuickTime 3 Pro are available immediately.
http://www.intergraph.com/publishing
http://www.intergraph.com/ics/
***Minerva Systems Announces Minerva Impression (August 31)
Minerva Systems has announced Minerva Impression which has been designed to enable video producers in the corporate and education market to author DVD titles with software-only tools that plug right into their existing development environment. Minerva Impression offers integration with non-linear editing tools, a video-centric interface and flexible production options.
With Minerva Impression, the output from any video editing system can be immediately fed into the DVD creative development process. The “Format-Independent Import Engine” feature allows the author to import any AVI video file, as a proxy, into the DVD project. A separate MPEG encoder is no longer a requirement for an author to structure a DVD title.
The “Smart PhotoShop” support enables a user to import entire multi-layer image files with a single mouse click, which are then parsed and captured as backgrounds, buttons and highlights.
Minerva Impression features a familiar project timeline paradigm; the author can see all of the video assets in the correct order, link any DVD asset to any menu and add new menus anywhere in the project timeline. All of the authoring steps are executed through a 100 percent (100%) drag-and-drop interface.
Every asset and title element is icon-based and can be linked to menus with a single mouse click. “Dynamic asset linking” is an important feature of Minerva Impression that greatly simplifies the process of creating and changing menus and navigation links during development.
A built-in simulator allows the author to preview the results of his or her actions. All the aspects of the DVD file format are completely hidden from the user, while still giving the developer access to a powerful DVD authoring environment.
Once the creative process of DVD title authoring is complete, it is time for the production process which includes MPEG encoding of video assets and disc building. The author has the option of performing MPEG encoding and disc burning in-house (assuming the availability of encoding and DVD-R hardware), or simply exporting the DVD project to a DVD service bureau.
Minerva Impression features a DVD engine developed by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. A joint development effort was established between Minerva Systems and Samsung Electronics to provide users worldwide with advanced digital media publishing tools.
Minerva Impression authoring software requires Windows NT (V 4.0) on a Pentium II (300Mhz) personal computer with 64MB RAM. Disk storage is typically configured at three times the size of the asset files. Minerva Impression will be available in October, 1998 starting at $9,995.
http://www.minervasys.com--------------------------------------
Copyright 1998 4th WAVE, Inc.
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