Wave Issue 9039 X/XX/99 Article 5-01

***Pioneer Launches Free DVDesigner Tool
(April 5)

Pioneer New Media Technologies has launched DVDesigner, an
offline application allowing users to design DVD titles on laptop
or desktop computers. A Java- based program for PC and Macintosh,
DVDesigner is Pioneer’s way of helping kick-start more corporate
DVD projects - the software will be made available at no charge
to legitimate DVD title developers.

DVDesigner does not require audio or video assets to function.
Rather, it allows a DVD producer to build the framework for a
title while ensuring that it remains DVD-legal in terms of
navigational structure, menus and buttons, and bit budget. Once
the title has been designed, DVDesigner will output the
specifications to an online DVD authoring system for actual
production. So far, both Sonic Solutions and Spruce Technologies
have announced support for the DVDesigner output file format, and
Parsons expects more tool providers to sign on once Pioneer
creates a special API for that purpose.

In order to receive a copy, DVD developers will be asked to mail
in a request on company letterhead, describing the project
they’re working on. Free copies of DVDesigner will be sent out in
response to requests that Pioneer deems legitimate. When Pioneer
is ready to begin taking those requests, Parsons said an official
announcement will be made at Pioneer’s Web site.

www.pioneerusa.com