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To: John Rieman who wrote (24603)	10/29/1997 4:07:00 PM
From: BillyG	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Another Windows DVD authoring system............ Spruce Announces DVDMaestro; Next Generation, Windows NT-Based, Authoring System for DVD Video Content SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1997--At the Intel/SPA DVD Developers Conference, here today, Spruce Technologies announced DVDMaestro, their new generation DVD authoring system. DVDMaestro breaks new ground in many areas and is the first system designed from the ground up to run under Windows NT, rather than a simple port of an application designed for another platform. The Spruce product uses modern compiler techniques of data abstraction to present the operator with real world data types. This means that, rather than dealing with arcane DVD spec acronyms, the user deals with concepts such as Movies, Chapters and Menus. This approach, combined with an intuitive user interface, dramatically simplifies the learning curve and speeds the authoring process. According to Spruce VP of marketing Pete Challinger, "Post Houses are telling us that low productivity and long training times are roadblocks to more widespread adoption of DVD authoring. DVDMaestro attacks these issues head on and provides an affordable and productive tool from day one." DVDMaestro is able to take full advantage of the advanced features of Windows NT. It is fully multithreaded so that multiplexing and disk layout can be under way while other authoring work continues on the same system. WYSIWYG style operation and real-time preview, basic requirements on video editing systems but not available before on DVD authoring systems, are fully supported. DVDMaestro also incorporates all the expected features of modern software applications. Drag and drop, cut and paste and multiple levels of undo have been commonplace in productivity software for years but have been missing from existing DVD authoring products up until now. The new Spruce product will be sold in two preconfigured versions, each fully bundled with the necessary hardware. Both systems will incorporate a high end Intel-based PC and come fully equipped for real time preview and emulation. One system will be designed for users with existing MPEG and AC-3 encoding systems while the other will incorporate real-time video and audio encoding as part of the package. Anticipated prices are $38K and 70K respectively for the two turnkey packages Both systems are scheduled to ship to beta test sites in December and shipment of the production release will be early in the first quarter of next year. About Spruce Technologies: Based in Cupertino, Calif., Spruce Technologies was formed to design and market DVD authoring solutions. The Principals have extensive experience in DVD authoring, audio and video compression and desktop non-linear audio and video workstations. Note to Editors: Spruce Technologies, Inc., Spruce and DVDMaestro are trademarks of Spruce Technologies, Inc. Other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. CONTACT: Spruce Technologies Pete Challinger, 408/863-9718 petec@spruce-tech.com www.spruce-tech.com

To: John Rieman who wrote (24603)	10/29/1997 4:18:00 PM
From: DiViT	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

The interesting comments from your post:... DSS could become even more commodity-driven business in 1998 with emergence of 3rd-generation chip that will lower manufacturing costs $40-$50 by combining functions such as conditional access and AC-3 audio on single IC AViA did this in 1997? Philips is said to be closing out its Uniden-sourced first-generation IRDs at Best Buy and there's no word on 2nd-generation product. Philips spokeswoman said "there is nothing for us to say" on subject Hmmm. Matsushita, which currently sources DSS from Thomson Why not could use their (Matsushita) DVD chips?