NEWS

Nov 2003
 

Minnetonka Audio Announces Version 2 of Advanced discWelder CHROME

Minnetonka Audio Software, creators of the first affordable DVD-Audio tools, announces Version 2 of the flagship DVD-A authoring application discWelder™ CHROME. This highly-anticipated upgrade maintains the high-level DVD-Audio feature set of Version 1, while adding ground-breaking enhancements not found in any other DVD-A authoring programs.

New Features added to discWelder CHROME Version 2 are:

· Video Auto-Mirror – This exclusive, innovative feature allows the user to automatically create the Video Zone from the contents of the Audio Zone, which allows playback on both DVD-A and DVD-V players (by creating a universal DVD-A/V disc). The audio Tracks are encoded with an integrated SurCode™ Dolby Digital (AC-3) encoder, and the VIDEO_TS (video title set) is auto-formatted. The Auto-Mirror option creates the video main menu and a static MPEG2 slide per track (if there is a slide programmed for the Track).
· DSD Import/Conversion – Also an exclusive feature, this allows the import of DSD-format DFF audio files into the CHROME playlist. The DSD-to-PCM conversion bit-depth is set at 24-bit, and the sample rates are set at 48kHz for surround and 96kHz for stereo. This product innovation will encourage the authors of SACD discs to create DVD-Audio reference and approval discs of their SACD projects, something not possible in the DSD native format.
· Video Track Link – This feature allows a Track in the Audio Zone to be linked to play a Video Title in the VIDEO_TS. This makes possible the playback of Videos within the Audio menu.
· Custom Menu - This major feature upgrade allows the user to customize the DVD-A look and feel by creating the menu Background Image and Overlay bitmaps in an image editing program (like Adobe® Photoshop® LE), then importing these into CHROME to create the “hit” or “button” boxes with their associated actions (such as play Track, go to menu, etc).
· Motion Menu – Allows the user to select an MPEG video file to use as a menu background. The MPEG may contain audio as well as video, and the user may select a “video loop” option.
· Motion Logo – Allows the user to select an MPEG video file to be displayed once upon disc insertion. The file may contain audio as well as video. If the “Auto Play” option is checked, Group 1 Track 1 will start to play after the Motion Logo plays. Otherwise, the first page of the menu will be displayed after the Motion Logo.
· Active Menu – This feature allows the playlist menu to be active during Track playback. This option will override the display of slides on a track.
· CPPM – This allows the option of enabling the copy-protection flag for the album. (Note that the key file and encryption must be applied at the manufacturing facility).
· PGC Blocks – This allows two audio formats (surround and stereo, or different languages, for example) to be contained in each DVD-A Track – the DVD player will automatically play the format selected by the user. This allows one album menu structure to be used for both surround and stereo content, eliminating the need for surround downmixes.

Adding these and several other new features to discWelder CHROME brings unparalleled value with custom-authoring functionality to this high-level authoring tool. The new features are very easy to learn and use, continuing Minnetonka’s design goal of always offering an easily-understood user interface driving a highly-sophisticated application. Everyone can now create professional-grade DVD-Audio discs.

CHROME 2 will make universal DVD-A/V disc burning available to anyone, regardless of video skill level. This brings new flexibility to one-off discs burned for reference, client approval, and mixing checks, and is a major step forward in the push for DVD-A tools for all audio professionals. It will also make possible, for the first time, DVD-A reference discs for DSD streams.

The release of discWelder CHROME Version 2 is scheduled for January of 2004, and it will be available through all Minnetonka Audio Software Dealers and on the discWelder website (www.discwelder.com). The MSRP for discWelder CHROME Version 2 is $2995, and upgrades from CHROME Version 1 will be available for US$500 by contacting Support at Minnetonka Audio, at 1-952-449-6481, or on the website.

discWelder CHROME Version 2 Features:

· Supports all DVD-A Linear PCM formats: 16, 20, and 24-bit depth / 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, and 192kHz sample rates (stereo); 44.1 and 48kHz (5.1 surround); WAV and AIFF files.
· MLP-Encoded File Import (allows lossless 24-bit, 96kHz 5.1 surround files)
· Supports Intermixed Surround and Stereo (PCM and MLP) Tracks
· Slide Show (Still Image) Graphics Import (to accompany audio tracks)
· 4:3 and 16:9 / NTSC or PAL Image Support
· Slide Show Transition Effects (dissolve, fade, etc.)
· Hierarchy of Multiple Selections Menus
· User-Defined Menu Background Graphics
· VIDEO_TS Import (for universal DVD-A/V authoring – discs also work in DVD-V players)
· MLP Track Pointers (for Gapless Play of MLP Tracks)
· Gapless Linear PCM Track Play
· Linear PCM Track Pause (.5 to 10 seconds)
· DLT (Digital Linear Tape) Output for Replication
· Multiple DVD-R/RW Burner Support, including General and Authoring
· Up To 9 Groups with up to 99 Tracks per Group
· Drag-and Drop or Double-Click Soundfile Placement
· Downmix Properties Settings
· Multiple Right-Click Menu Shortcuts
· Multiple Toolbar Shortcuts
· Menu Column Number Selection (up to 3)
· * Auto-Mirror Video Zone
· * DSD File Import/Convert
· * Video Track Link
· * Custom Menu
· * Motion Menu
· * Motion Logo
· * Active Menu
· * CPPM
· * PGC Blocks
· * PCM Track Points
· * Multi-Channel WAV Support
*New in Version 2
System Requirements – Windows 2000/NT/XP with at least 10 GB free hard disc space, supported DVD±R/RW drive, and Quantum DLT drive if applicable.
As always, specifications are preliminary and are subject to change without notice.