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On
the software front, one of the hottest products at show had
to be Cleaner 5 from the folks at Terran/Media 100. Although
their booth was small, it was packed with creators checking
out this latest incarnation of the de facto solution
for compressing video. Cleaner 5 integrates the MotoDV engine
allowing users to capture from within the Cleaner application.
FCP users will have some challenges since the MotoDV codecs
currently interfere with FCPs operation but Terran was clever
about building an app that installs in the Cleaner folder
that disables the RadDV codecs and enables Apples codecs.
The user has to reboot for now, but I'm glad that the folks
at Terran had the thoughtfulness to consider the FCP user.
Cleaner also has a new tab in its user interface for metadata
and supports EventStream, a cool new technology that allows
a user to create hot spots in the video and builds both the
XML-based events and the properly compressed files for streaming
the media from the web. It should be noted of course that
not every feature of EventStream works with all the streaming
formats but the Cleaner manual will provide the matrix of
compatibilities to help you understand this! This is really
taking video interactivity to the next level and this product
should sell like hotcakes. Cleaner 5 is now shipping for $599.
Upgrades for existing MCP users are $179.
Emotion showed the consolidated version of their aggregate of companies, highlighting Creative Partner 3.2, Cinebase 3 and MediaQuest 3.1. These tools represent over six years of evolution in developing collaborative tools and media asset management tools for high end creative shops. Ultimately with so much digital media abounding, we will all need to consider some solution for properly managing our digital media in a way that is comprehensive, user-friendly and cost effective.
In the DVD area, the two leaders of the industry, Spruce Technologies and Sonic Solutions showcased their full range of products from their "lite" bundled versions that are OEM'd to other manufacturers to the full on Sonic DVD Creator and Spruce DVD Maestro, their high-end solutions with all the whistles and bells. Sonic also showed their web connect product eDVD. Spruce had a classroom set up with Compaq boxes and people could have a hands on experience and get a taste of what DVD authoring is all about.