April 16, 2009 -- Markham, Ontario: Digital Rapids -- the leading provider of tools and solutions for bringing television, film and web content to wider audiences -- continues to set higher standards for versatile, multi-format encoding with the launch of a powerful new version of the Stream software for Digital Rapids' ingest, encoding and streaming systems. New features in version 3.0 include significantly expanded compression and container format support (including Avid DNxHD(r), enhanced H.264 and more); new audio plug-in capabilities and third-party plug-in compatibility; enhanced Closed Caption support and more.
Further extending Digital Rapids' renowned format flexibility, version 3.0 features new or enhanced support for compression and container formats including Avid DNxHD(r), MXF, LXF, GXF, DVCPro, Dolby(r) Digital (AC-3), Dolby(r) Digital Plus and more. The expanded format support enables Digital Rapids' ingest and encoding systems to integrate seamlessly with a broader array of broadcast servers, acquisition devices and editing systems. New H.264 encoding optimizations deliver enhanced performance and quality with the existing DRC Studio AVC Encoder and AVC for Adobe(r) Flash(r) option modules.
Stream 3.0 incorporates a significantly enhanced plug-in architecture, including all-new audio processing capabilities, additional video processing plug-ins, and support for third-party DirectShow and DMO plug-ins. Optional Civolution Teletrax support embeds watermarks for content tracking and monitoring. Extended Closed Captioning capabilities include full CEA-608 and 708 support in multiple encoding formats; 608 to 708 translation when encoding from 608-only sources; caption retiming during Inverse Telecine; and VC-1 Closed Captioning in script streams. A complete list of new features in Stream 3.0 is available on our website at www.digital-rapids.com/stream3.
"With our earlier 2.5 upgrade, we extended our leadership in distribution format flexibility to connect broadcast-oriented workflows to new distribution opportunities. Stream 3.0 extends that versatility to a whole new level, as our expanded formats and extended Closed Caption support move us from the edges of broadcast and production workflows into the core of their operations," said Brian Stevenson, Director of Product Management at Digital Rapids Corporation. "At the same time, our new open plug-in architecture for video and audio processing allows users unlimited flexibility in refining the source content as they prepare it for distribution or archive."
The Stream 3.0 software is available in two software configurations -- the base-level Stream LE and the advanced Stream FE, adding expanded workflow automation, integration capabilities and format support. A comparison of new feature availability between the two levels is available on our website. Stream LE is included with DRC-Stream board-and-software bundles. Stream FE is included with StreamZ and StreamZHD encoding servers and is available as an option for DRC-Stream. Existing users can purchase upgrades to the version 3.0 software. Optional codec and container format modules are available individually or in select bundles for easy ordering.
Digital Rapids' StreamZ, StreamZHD and DRC-Stream encoding solutions deliver multi-format video ingest, encoding, transcoding and live streaming in versatile configurations that integrate easily into any media environment. Combining the quality and performance advantages of hardware-based preprocessing with the format flexibility of software codecs and a feature-rich software application, Digital Rapids systems seamlessly support multi-platform distribution opportunities and multi-format workflows with real-time, simultaneous encoding to multiple output formats.
The complete line of Digital Rapids solutions will be showcased in booth number SL6213 at the 2009 NAB Show, April 20-23 in Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.digital-rapids.com.
About Digital Rapids Corporation – Digital Rapids develops market-leading hardware and software solutions for transforming and delivering media, enabling the multi-platform experiences that are defining the future of digital video. Scaling from individual applications to enterprise and global operations, Digital Rapids systems span the critical points in today's complex media workflows. Recipient of two prestigious Frost & Sullivan awards in the World Video Encoders and Transcoders market, Digital Rapids combines innovative technology with proven expertise to help our customers maximize their productivity, quality, and the value of their content in the evolving digital media market. Digital Rapids Corporation (www.digital-rapids.com) is headquartered in Ontario, Canada with offices in the United States, the UK, Australia, Argentina and Hong Kong.
