MARIN COUNTY, CA - Sonic Solutions (www.sonic.com) recently began shipping its eDVD 3 software, a DVD authoring tool that delivers reliable Web linking features, helping to extend the interactivity of DVD releases.
The eDVD release bridges the gap between the personal computer and the DVD format by allowing producers to create links from a DVD to live Internet Web sites and on-disc files such as catalogs, brochures, user manuals, registration forms and high-rez graphics. These links can be launched from a DVD menu button or triggered during video playback and are compatible with both Windows 98/XP- and Apple OSX-based computers.
Sonic eDVD links DVD-Video content to standard Web pages and document files located on the DVD using technology that combines DVD authoring with the creation of Microsoft DirectShow-compliant JavaScript. DirectShow is an applications programming interface (API) that provides playback of multimedia assets from local files or Internet servers, enabling video and audio content compressed in DVD, audio-video interleaved (AVI), and WAV formats to be decoded on the PC. A DirectShow-compliant DVD player, such as the InterActual Player on the computer, enables playback of the DVDs.
An eDVD-enhanced title offers the same playability on set-top DVD players as standard DVDs. To alert viewers about additional bonus features and Web links available when watching the title on a PC, eDVD 3 includes video and still authoring assets that DVD producers can incorporate into their projects. In addition, eDVD 3 comes with packaging graphics that can be used to brand titles as Web-enabled, as well as Sonic's RecordNow DVD and CD burning software, and a license to distribute the InterActual Player software on replicated discs.
"DVD-equipped PCs and broadband access to the Internet have become commonplace, and eDVD connects these technologies in an undeniably powerful way," says Scott Epstein, eDVD product manager at Sonic Solutions. "Now, producers of business-to-business, special interest and event titles can create connected DVDs for their customers with the same enhanced feature technology that drives major Hollywood studio DVDs."
Sonic's eDVD 3 is available through the company's worldwide network of value-added resellers at a suggested list price of $899.