AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Media
Software, a leading provider of professional video and audio editing
software applications, announced today the immediate availability of the
Vegas(TM)+DVD Production Suite, a significant upgrade to its award-winning
professional video, audio, and DVD production software solution. The suite
includes Vegas 7 and DVD Architect(TM) 4 software, as well as a Dolby
Digital(R) AC-3 multi-channel encoder for 5.1 surround output.

The all-new Vegas 7 nonlinear editing software combines superior HDV
and XDCAM support with innovative workflow enhancement tools that make the
application more powerful and intuitive than ever before. Responding to
industry-wide demand for new HDV-enabled technology, Vegas 7 software
offers full frame rate playback of native HDV on the Vegas timeline and
includes improved memory for handling HDV 1080i longform projects. In
addition, Vegas 7 software provides all the tools needed to edit proxy and
full resolution HD and SD XDCAM MXF files natively without requiring
further transcoding.

"Not only does Vegas 7 respond to the current needs of content creators
and producers, it provides a comprehensive tool-set that supports the
latest formats, and future-proofs their workflows no matter how they're
currently taking advantage of the platform. Reconfigured memory handling
streamlines the editing of large HDV clips and we've also included improved
support for Blackmagic Design Decklink and AJA hardware. The new
multithreaded audio engine maximizes audio playback and performance, and
the overall enhancements to workflow give unprecedented control over
project development," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of marketing, Sony
Media Software. "Individually, each of these elements would make Vegas 7 a
compelling product, but the combination of these additions with many other
new features make Vegas 7 a must-have for professional production in the
studio or field."

New features in Vegas 7 software reinforce its position as one of the
most intuitive nonlinear editing tools for all formats. New capabilities
include improved snapping with enhanced visual clues across multiple
tracks, and flexible window docking, which provides customized layouts for
modifying the user interface preferences.

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite is also bundled with two free bonus
applications: Boris(R) Graffiti Ltd and Magic Bullet Movie Looks(TM) HD65,
an enhanced version of the Movie Looks program that shipped with earlier
versions of the suite. The new Magic Bullet Movie Looks(TM) HD65 supports
HD resolutions and provides 65 different presets that mimic popular
television and movie looks.

New features in the Vegas+DVD Production Suite include:

    Vegas 7 New Video Features:

      *  Improved native HDV 1080i .m2t playback performance and improved
         memory handling for HDV 1080i longform projects
      *  Comprehensive XDCAM support, including XDCAM viewer window, proxy
         support, FAM (i.LINK(R)) and network support, multichannel audio I/O,
         proxy conform and master to disc.  All SD and HD XDCAM formats are
         supported
      *  Improved DeckLink implementation includes support for current-
         generation DeckLink PCI-e and PCI-x cards, improved batch capture,
         multichannel audio I/O, insert edit to tape, mixed  timecode
         handling, 1080i 24p I/O support, and 720p timeline monitoring
      *  Support for AJA SDI cards (requires Xena LH, LHe, LS, or LSe card).
         Includes support for batch capture, multichannel audio I/O, insert
         edit to tape, mixed timecode handling, SD and HD I/O including 1080i
         24p, and 720p timeline monitoring
      *  High-quality H.264 AVC/AAC import and export.  Includes templates for
         Sony PSP(R), Apple iPod(R), and HD (originally released with Vegas
         6.0d)
      *  I-frames insertion at marker positions when rendering MPEG-2 (works
         in conjunction with I-frame viewer in DVD Architect 4)
      *  Export to PSP(R) (originally released as special upgrade in
         Vegas 6.0d)
      *  5.1-channel audio extraction from DVD-based camcorders and home
         movies on DVD
      *  Red-eye reduction for still images

    Vegas 7 New Audio Features:

      *  Multithreaded audio engine maximizes real-time audio playback and
         rendering performance -- more tracks and effects with lower latency
      *  Support for Sony Cinescore(TM) music-generation plug-in
      *  Multichannel audio rendering, audio import and Broadcast Wave (BWF)
         audio import with arrange to timestamp
      *  Improved VST plug-in support
      *  Support for opening and rendering ATRAC3(TM), ATRAC3plus(TM), and
         ATRAC Advanced Lossless(TM) files, mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround
      *  Gracenote(R) MusicID(TM) technology for extracted audio from CDs
      *  Support for the Frontier TranzPort control surface

    Vegas 7 New Workflow Features:

      *  Improved video preview -- now includes auto-fit to preview window,
         simultaneous internal / external preview, additional resolution modes
         and optimized scaling for previews
      *  Enhanced window layout management offers ability to save, recall, and
         share custom window layouts
      *  More flexible window docking lets timeline and tabs display on top of
         docked windows or below
      *  Improved snapping includes color-coded visual snap indicator and the
         ability to snap to event edges on other tracks
      *  User-definable default smoothness values for Pan/Crop and Track
         Motion keyframes
      *  Freehand envelope drawing on the timeline
      *  Improved project copy/trim with media includes support for
         uncompressed AVI, Sony YUV AVI, and CineForm AVI files, copy/trim of
         audio and video to a single .avi file, copy/trim support for media
         with velocity envelopes
      *  Cut/copy/delete applies to grouped events
      *  Display option for media marker names in events
      *  Improved Media Manager performance
      *  Enhanced keyboard customization

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite also includes an updated version of DVD
Architect software, offering new capabilities in the design and production
of DVDs. New scripting tools in the software enable custom navigation and
interactivity in DVD menu design.

Additional updates available in DVD Architect 4 software include:

    DVD Architect 4 New General Features:

      *  Scripting support offers the ability to create simple games, custom
         kiosks automation, and locking passcodes
      *  Random playlist playback
      *  Parental Control
      *  Support for Sony Cinescore(TM) music-generation plug-in
      *  DVD-R DL Support

    DVD Architect 4 New Editing and Layout Features

      *  Keyframeable transformations
      *  Keyframeable crop and effects
      *  Additional marker types
      *  Graphical subtitles
      *  Title reordering
      *  Snap to I-Frame -- provides precise chapter layout
      *  4:3 and 16:9 preview settings
      *  Greater than 100% zoom

    DVD Architect 4 New Audio and Video Features

      *  Buttons on Video
      *  Crop and adjust dialog
      *  Slideshow animations
      *  Picture slideshow duration
      *  ATRAC support

    DVD Architect 4 New Testing and Burning Features

      *  Burn mastered folder
      *  8cm to 12cm DVD copy
      *  Button overlap indication

There will be Vegas+DVD demonstrations at various times throughout the
IBC 2006 tradeshow, September 8-12. Visit the Sony Media Software booth
(hall 7, 7.936) or the main Sony booth (hall 9, 9.410) for times and
topics.

Price and Availability

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite provides professionals with the ultimate
platform for scalable DV, HDV and HD production. With unparalleled image
quality, robust media management and unrivaled audio support, it has become
the new standard for tape and file-based workflow editing. It is now
available from software retailers worldwide for $699 (MSRP). French,
German, and Japanese versions of the software will be available through
international retailers in October 2006. For more information on Vegas+DVD
software or any of Sony Media Software's leading audio or video editing
solutions, please visit http://www.sonymediasoftware.com.

About Sony Media Software

Sony Media Software inspires creative expression with its award-winning
line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production. Sound
Forge(TM), ACID(TM), and Vegas(TM) software have defined digital content
creation for a generation of creative professionals, amateurs, and
enthusiasts. These signature product lines continue to advance the art of
providing powerful, accessible tools to unleash the imagination. Today,
there is a Sony Media Software application for every level of expertise,
including a full line of consumer software based on the company's
professional applications. In addition, Sony Media Software produces the
extensive Sony Sound Series collection of royalty-free loops and production
music, Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series exclusive sound effects, Vision
Series video creation assets, as well as http://www.ACIDplanet.com, the internet's
premier site for independent music and video artists. As a subsidiary of
Sony Corporation of America, the company also develops applications that
enhance the experience for users of Sony hardware devices including the
PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Sony Media
Software customers span the globe and include seasoned professionals in the
film, television, video game, and recording industries, students and
educators, hobbyists and enthusiasts, and young children exploring music
creation.

SOURCE Sony Media Software