labDV newsletter
Contents:
- DVDx: new release 2.6 (bugfix and new Visual Studio 2005)
- Shopping: Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs
- Technology: zoom into the Blue (Blu-Ray& HD DVD)
- Hardware: Intel® Core™2 Extreme Quad-Core QX6700
- Legal: Sonic Solutions to sue Nero for patent infringement
- Software update: Intervideo release WinDVD 8
- Software update: new DivX for Windows 6.4
- Friends top ten: sites who link to labDV.com
- Software at labDV.com: November updates
- VIP Pass: register or extend your Pass before new 2007 pricing
November 27th, 2006
1. DVDx: new release 2.6 (bugfix and new Visual Studio 2005)
We're proud to announce that we succeeded in migrating the whole DVDx project to the latest Windows development platform: Microsoft Visual C++ 2500 Professional with Intel C++ 9.1 Compiler.
This has immediate benefit for the end-user by fixing bugs introduced by previous compiler, such as when DVDx silently crashes when exiting Input Settings with 44.1KHz or 48.0KHz (no conversion) option.
This will have great benefit for developers, so end-users, by providing new productivity features such as navigation across C++ objects declarations and definitions with one right-click. Intel 9.1 C++ compiler will provide latest greatest Hyper-Threading and Multi-Core optimization. And x64 cross-compilation will be facilitated.
Debug and DebugP4 versions are back, so we'll be able to debug DVDx mush more quickly.
DVDx 2.6 :
Packaging:
- Ultra Edition now contains a Tools menu with all DVDx binaries (Debug,
DebugP4, NoOptimization and RipperFree), so any user will able to run a
debug version to tackle bugs. - Ripper Free package has no change.
- No upgrade package is deprecated (not popular).
Bug fix:
- DVDx silently crashes when exiting Input Settings with 44.1KHz or 48.0KHz
(no conversion) option. So now you can try these modes to workaround
audio/video synchronization issues.
Debug builds:
- thanks to the new compilation platform, both Debug and DebugP4 configurations
can be built.
Compilation:
- update compilation platform to Visual Studio 2005 Professional (VS8) and
Intel C++ Compiler 9.1 - new reference compilation platform is Visual C++ 2005 Pro with Microsoft
Platform SDK for Windows Server 2003 R2, DirectX SDK October 2006,
Intel C++ 9.1.28 - Visual C++ Projects have been converted to Intel C++ Projects
- all configurations compile successfully (including Debug and DebugP4)
- added a new open source project: BuildNumber to manage build auto-increment
- removed VC6 build auto-increment macro
Known issues:
- Batch compilation and builds work for all project but not for mpeg_encode
Source-Forge CVS and file releases will be updated in the next few days (some CVS clean-up and synchronization are required before uploading the new 2.6 source code).
You can already download latest 2.6 builds and source code from labDV.com and DVDx official web site.
2. Shopping: Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs
If you're planning to buy a new PC for Christmas, you should ensure it will be ready for Windows Vista (coming in next February). Microsoft has defined two logos: Windows Vista Capable PC and Windows Vista Premium Ready PC.
The major difference is the capability to run Windows Aero (the new Windows GUI spectacular effects).
Windows Vista Capable PC
A new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user experience—may require advanced or additional hardware.
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
- A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
- 512 MB of system memory.
- A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
- 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
- 1 GB of system memory.
- Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)2, Pixel
- Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
- 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
- DVD-ROM Drive3.
- Audio output capability.
- Internet access capability.
Does buying a Windows Vista Capable PC mean that I will receive a free upgrade to Windows Vista?
No. A PC that is Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready means that the PC is ready for an upgrade from Windows XP. You would still need to purchase the edition of Windows Vista that you want to install on your Windows Vista Capable or Premium Ready PC.
3. Technology: zoom into the Blue (Blu-Ray& HD DVD)
Now blue laser technology is driving the future of optical storage. With the introduction of high definition television (HDTV) broadcasts and increasing use of high definition recording creating valuable content, Blu-ray and HD DVD optical media provide the high capacities required by these new high definition formats. These formats allow users to record crystal clear, superior images as well as benefit from the vast data storage capabilities of up to 50 gigabytes.
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Specifications |
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Recorder Drive
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Recorder Drive
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Single-layer capacity |
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25GB
2 hrs of MPEG2 HD |
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15GB
80 min of MPEG2 HD |
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Dual-layer capacity |
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50GB
4 hrs of MPEG2 HD |
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30GB
160 min of MPEG2 HD |
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Disc size |
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12cm disc compatible with current optical formats and 8cm disc that’s ideal for portable high-def recording
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12cm disc compatible with current optical formats
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Backwards read compatibility |
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Blu-ray hardware is backwards compatible with current CDs and DVDs
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HD DVD hardware is backwards compatible with current CDs and DVDs
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Video codecs |
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MPEG2, VC-1, MPEG4 AVC high profile
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MPEG2, VC-1, MPEG4 AVC high profile
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Audio codecs |
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Dolby Digital, DTS (DTS-HD), PCM
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Dolby Digital, DTS (DTS-HD), PCM
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More information |
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Can I play HD DVDs in my DVD player?
Yes, the HD DVD consortium has developed a special 'hybrid disc' which contains 2 distinct sets of information: one is the High Definition information, which will need a true HD DVD player to read it, and one is the standard definition information which can be played back on today's DVD players.
Will the new HD DVD players be able to play my old DVDs and CDs?
Yes, most definitely. This technology is not designed to make everything you currently own redundant. It's simply designed to give you a better experience in the future.
Is Blu-ray just another DVD format?
No, this may look like a DVD, but the technology is all new. The decision to invest in all new technology was made so that the performance of the disc could be maximized.
Will the new Blu-ray Disc players be able to play old DVDs and CDs?
Yes, most definitely. This technology is not designed to make everything you currently own redundant. It's simply designed to give you a better experience in the future.
Will Blu-ray be backwards compatible with DVD?
Yes, several leading consumer electronics companies (including Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and LG) have already demonstrated products that can read/write CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs using a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical head, so you don't have to worry about your existing DVD collection becoming obsolete. Although it's up to each manufacturer to decide if they want to make their products backwards compatible with DVD, the format is far too popular to not be supported. The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) expects every Blu-ray Disc device to be backward compatible with CDs and DVDs.
Will Blu-ray and HD DVD be compatible with each other?
No. A Blu-ray disc will not play in an HD DVD player and vice versa. However, it looks likely that manufacturers such as Samsung, will manufacture 'dual format' drives, players and recorders that will accommodate both formats in the future, in the same way that some manufacturers currently offer multi-format DVD players and recorders that can read and play DVD+ and DVD- discs.
High Definition Media: Which disc is better, HD DVD or Blu-ray?
Both discs will play high definition programming equally well. In fact, unless you are watching on a true HD screen larger than 32 inches, high definition will be difficult to distinguish from standard DVD. Larger screen sizes begin to show the inter-line flaws and artifacts of standard video; this is where the improvement of high definition resolution will be noticeable.
Much more on Imation website...
4. Hardware: Intel® Core™2 Extreme Quad-Core QX6700
The world’s first quad-core desktop processor is from Intel, running at 2.66 GHz with a total of 8MB of L2 cache and a 1066 MHz front-side bus. It's a little more than two Core 2 Duo E6700 cores in one socket package.
The Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad-Core QX6700 offers the same performance and efficiency enhancements found in its dual-core predecessor and it is particularly well-suited to professional graphics and video applications, buyers could see their work time reduced by up to 50%.
We've found two excellent reviews off the the web: from Tomshardware (in english) and Matbe (in french). They both prove that the Quad-Core is a real breakthrough for video, but software don't provide all same multi-core usage capability. MPEG2 encoders seems to take great benefit from the 4 cores while MPEG4 (DivX and WMV9) don't:
In a few words, only MPEG-2 encoders use the quad-core power to speed up dual-core by 2, other software (including DivX and WMV encoders) run at same speed either dual-core or quad-core.
5. Legal: Sonic Solutions to sue Nero for patent infringement
We talk regularly at labDV about Nero 7 Suite and Easy Media Creator Suite 9 so we can't avoid relating that Sonic Solutions has filed suit against German software manufacturer Nero AG and its U.S. affiliate, Nero Inc., for infringement of one of Sonic's video editing patents. Easy Media Creator Suite 9 is a product from Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions.
If you've already played with Roxio VideoWave9, you've enjoyed the storyline feature (you can switch between storyline and timeline). The patent n°6.204.840 which Sonic argue that Nero violate (check it at U.S. Patent database) is the one related to the storyline as a digital multimedia composition method.
Apparently, it seems weird because we've seen storyline-like methods in several software, at least in Ulead DVD Picture Show and Widows Movie Maker. Maybe, we've missed some details from the patent or Nero didn't paid for the patent while others do. We'll see how this will evolve.
6. Software update: Intervideo release WinDVD 8
Intervideo (recently acquired by Corel) has released its brand new WinDVD 8 player.:
The Latest in High-Definition Video: H.264, VC-1, HDV, MPEG 2 HD (1080i & 720p), WMV-HD
The Widest Range in Standard Definition Video: DVD-Video, DivX® 6 Pro, Real® Player, 3GPP, QuickTime®, Windows Media, AVI, MPEG 4
The Most Dynamic Audio: Dolby® Digital EX, Dolby® Pro Logic IIx, Dolby® Headphone, DTS 2.0, WAV, WMA, MP3, MPEG-4, non-protected iTunes
Top Technologies: UPnP Client and Server, IVI Hall Effect, IVI Headphone Surround.
HD DVD and Blu-ray Playback Support: To be purchased separately. Available soon - check back often!
Windows Vista™ Ready
7. Software update: new DivX for Windows 6.4
DivX Codec 6.4 has been released and there are several cool new features including: support for 1080HD encoding, faster multipass encoding, better compression when using the internal resize, adaptive noise reduction, and more.
What's new:
- 1080HD encoding mode (1080i and 1080p)
- New fast 1st pass rate control mode
- High efficiency resize filters
- Improved support for interlaced video
- Adaptive noise reduction
8. Friends top ten: sites who link to labDV.com
This rubric is to thanks labDV friends who link their web sites to labDV.com:
- Lonely Cat Games
- Doom9
- お得ＷＥＢ
- Tuttogratis
- DVD Dezone
- bbMPEG's Home Page
- DVDxのインストール
- WinTricks
- Ken (Katch Kakonacl - 動画狂メニュー )
- Lame Project
Major search engine aren't part of this list (Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Excite and Web Crawler).
9. Software at labDV.com
Now there are 233 software available from labDV.com, most of them are freeware.
New software added in September
In video editing, all latest stable and experimental versions of VirtualDub have been added, both 32-bit and 64-bit binaries and source code. Release 1.6.17 is for the legacy Microsoft Visual C++ 6 compiler platform and 1.7.0 is for the new Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional platform.
In DVD copying, DVDx 2.6 has been released.
Latest software updates
- Authoring DVD and (S)VCD
- Nero 7 Premium 7.5.7.0 FR
- Nero 7 Premium 7.5.7.0 EN
- DVD copying
- DVDx 2.6
- DVDx "ripper free" 2.6
- Video editing
- VirtualDub 1.7.0 src
- VirtualDub 1.6.17 src
- VirtualDub 1.6.17
- VirtualDub 1.7.0
- VirtualDub 1.6.17 x64
- VirtualDub 1.7.0 x6
10. VIP Pass: register or extend your Pass before new 2007 pricing
Year 2006 was likely the most inflationist year for a long time, particularly in Europe where stand most of our costs. So we'll have to proceed to a pricing adjustment in early January 2007, we'll try to keep this rise the lowest we can.
Therefore we recommend to register as a labDV VIP for 1-Year before end of December to get the best price. Then you'll access the whole labDV library, a lot of Digital Video articles and how-to's as well as a huge Digital Video software database, most of them are free.
Currently the 1-Year VIP Pass is only US$ 33.00 (€28.00) and joining us is a strong support for all our efforts such as our ambitious 2006 roadmap for DVDx!
And you can also currently join us for US$15.00 (€12.00) for a 3-months VIP Pass.
From time to time , we're sustaining our continuous efforts to develop DVDx software so the 1-Year Pass is likely the best deal for now.
