Avid Studio Toolkit adds Blu-ray authoring tools

Avid Technology has giving those looking to simultaneously author DVD content for both DVD and Blu-ray that option in version 5.6 of its Avid Studio Toolkit. The system includes a set of tightly integrated, industry-leading software applications, including Avid 3D, Avid FX, and Avid DVD by Sonic.

“An end-to-end HD workflow for independent professionals is finally here,” said Patrick McLean, senior product manager for Avid. “With increasing numbers of professional editors looking to create content and output finished projects in HD, this release of Avid Studio Toolkit comes at a perfect time. With Blu-ray support, Avid is offering the first editing solution to make it very easy for independent professionals to deliver their projects in a beautiful HD quality, on a low-cost distribution medium.”

The Blu-ray Disc format, now supported in Avid Studio Toolkit 5.6, will enable recording and playback of HD video, and has more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs – holding up to 25GB on a single-layer disc. The system also has more than 1,500 customizable title, effects and transition templates for any system in the new Media Composer family, as well as Avid Xpress Pro or Avid NewsCutter systems.

Available now, version 5.6 of Avid Studio Toolkit is priced at $1,995 USMSRP. Through December 20th 2006, Avid Studio Toolkit is available at the promotional price of $1,295 USMSRP, and can also be purchased together with Avid Xpress Pro and Avid Mojo for $2,995 USMSRP. Avid Studio Toolkit, including upgrades for existing customers, is available now through Avid’s worldwide reseller channel or online at www.avidstore.com.

New features in Avid Studio Toolkit v 5.6 include:

— Integrated Blu-ray support in Avid DVD by Sonic – allowing
Avid Xpress Pro, Media Composer and NewsCutter users to output
HD projects to Blu-ray Discs. Avid DVD by Sonic offers new HD
and 16:9 menu support, enabling customers to make the most of
the next generation of DVDs.

— Updated UI, new paint engine and more for Avid FX – offering
professionals the ability to create visuals with integrated 2D
and 3D compositing, titles and animation. With Avid FX version
5.6, editors can benefit from:

— AVX(TM) 2 plug-in support for 16-bit color rendering;

— A streamlined UI for improved integration and ease-of-use;

— A new paint engine for touch up and rotoscoping;

— A Raster-to-Vector conversion tool for easily bringing
corporate logos and other graphics into a vector-animation
environment, including 3D extrusion;

— A new motion key feature, to remove unwanted objects from
the frame;

— Several new filters – in addition to the 110 existing
filters – such as color match, half-tone, median, noise
map, and turbulence; and

— A new subtitle workflow that converts EBU format subtitle
files to a flat movie with alpha channel.

— Updated UI, new title features and more for Avid 3D –
delivering more powerful “3D for the Video Guy,” via an
updated UI that allows any editor to import, animate, and
light 3D models and create compelling text animations with
greater ease. It includes directly accessible controls for
camera and model animation, task-oriented workflow, and new
title creation features. This makes it easier to create text
animations, create unique 3D looks, and export back to the
Avid editor.

— Expanded I/O with Avid Mojo SDI – providing digital and
analog SDI I/O to expand interoperability with mastering
quality SD cameras and decks.