Zapex Technologies, Inc., ZP-200/300 MPEG -2 Video/Dolby Digital -2 Ch- and PCM Audio Encoders Now Supports PAL and Enhanced Encoding Features
07/26/1999
Business Wire
(Copyright (c) 1999, Business Wire)
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 26, 1999--Zapex Technologies, Inc. delivers professional quality video and audio to the worldwide market with the release of the ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders - Version 2.0.
Along with supporting NTSC, the video standard for the United States, Canada and Japan, the top of the ZP-200/300 product line of video encoders include support for PAL, the video standard for Europe, Asia and other countries. This enables production of DVD-Video titles for any region in the world. In addition to PAL support, Zapex 's Version 2.0 features include: off-line transcoding with the ZP-Controller software, advanced VTR control features with Zapex's ZP-Decker software, enhanced encoding quality for VBR and animation content, I-frame insertion for DVD authoring, and support for the 16:9 aspect ratio.
Zapex's continued development of the ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders responds to the market demand for features that streamline DVD video title production while maintaining optimum quality. The enhanced features for the ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders were developed to further facilitate the encoding process during post-production, while continuing to offer high quality video.
"Zapex recognizes that support for the flourishing DVD markets in Europe and Asia are critical for worldwide sales," said Gary Marsh, vice president of sales and marketing. "The European market has been ready for high quality MPEG -2 video/audio encoders, and Zapex is ready to deliver." The ZP-200/300's PAL support produces the same high quality even at low bit-rates, and will be demonstrated at the European exhibition at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam on Sept. 10 - 14.
The enhanced off-line encoding feature now provides two options for transcoding AVI or WAVE files to MPEG -2 video elementary streams, PCM or Dolby(R) Digital audio elementary streams, or a VOB (DVD Video Object) on the fly. Zapex originally provided a plug-in for Adobe(R) Premiere(R) for transcoding files. The enhanced feature provides the option to use ZP-Controller to execute transcoding. Zapex's ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders off-line encoding feature gives video professionals the flexibility to use assets from a video and audio library and either transcode the files directly from the hard drive, or import the assets into video editing software to add transitions and overlays.
Zapex recognizes that video professionals need the ability to control the VTR deck before and after encoding. To meet this need, Zapex developed the ZP-Decker control software to enable full control of the VTR deck. From the ZP-Decker software, functions such as Play, Rewind, Fast Forward, Jog or Shuttle can be invoked. Once the source tape is loaded into the VTR, the deck can be fully operational with ZP-Decker software. In addition to improved VTR control, start and stop time-codes can easily be dragged and dropped to the ZP-Controller control panel. ZP-Decker software was designed to create a production environment that uses the PC to operate the key components of a DVD authoring workstation.
Cell based animation is recognized as difficult video content to encode. Zapex designed a special encoding algorithm specifically for video animation.
Using the optimized "Preference" option for video animation content, the ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders produce exceptional video quality for animated video content.
Zapex's enhanced one pass VBR feature improves bit budgeting and video quality. Using advanced algorithms for increased data compression, the ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders output smaller file sizes while maintaining enhanced video quality.
Another enhanced feature of the ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders is the ability to import a text file of up to 256 "entry points" of start time codes for real-time I-Frame insertion. The entry point list can easily be edited by exporting the text file to your Notepad. Automatically insert an I-Frame at each new start time code to start a new GOP. The benefit of using the entry point list is to create chapter points for DVD authoring and improve the scene change quality.
The advent of widescreen TV introduces different aspect ratios for watching video. Many of the DVD authoring applications or environments support 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for DVD-Video title creation. The ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders now support both the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
"Zapex's commitment to delivering high quality products is unsurpassed and these enhanced features will definitely streamline the video production environment," said Brian Brodeur, General Manager of Digital Services Technology. "Having created a plethora of DVD-Video titles with the ZP-300 video/audio encoder, I can easily attest to the outstanding quality, stability and reliability of the Zapex product. Without a doubt, Zapex's enhanced features will continue to provide me with the means to deliver recognized video quality to my customers."
Zapex's patented compression technology utilizes an adaptive field/frame full search for each picture block to produce superior video quality. Full motion estimation search guarantees every possible point is examined for the closest match possible. This patented technology contributes to the Zapex advantage of producing high quality video even at low bit-rates.
In addition to DVD-Video title creation, the ZP-200/300 video/audio encoders enhance video for PowerPoint(tm) and multimedia presentations, corporate training sessions, multimedia catalogs and company brochures as well as digital video archive/database and other applications in the non-professional arena.
Zapex Technologies will begin shipping the ZP-200/300 audio/video encoders the first week in August.
Zapex Technologies, Inc.
Zapex Technologies, a leading world-wide supplier of standards-based video and audio encoding solutions, is located in Mountain View, California. With a continued commitment to developing exceptional quality digital video and audio technology, Zapex is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge innovation. For additional product information visit www.zapex.com.
Note to Editors: Dolby, Dolby Digital, and AC-3 are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. All brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact: CONTACT: Zapex Technologies, Inc. Gracey A. Wood, 650/930-1300 gracey@zapex.com or Jean Newton Public Relations Sue Stone, 650/941-8800 suestone@jnpr.com
20:40 EDT JULY 26, 1999 |
