FYI: VIDEOPACK 5

[kabanero]

Hi guys,
For german speaking VCD fans here is the Roxio url:

http://www.roxio.de/german/presse/video.html

For english speaking VCD fans here is the English translation:

VideoPack5
With the new VideoPack5 a new software generation is coming: demanding video authoring, combined with user-friendly service.
VideoPack5 makes it possible for the user to comfortably and easy burn his/her digital videos on DVDs or CDs. The user concentrates on the creative design process, VideoPack5 takes care of the technical conversion.
With VideoPack5 everyone can create their own Video-CDs, Super Video-CDs, DVDs and MiniDVDs, so they can be played on the DVD-player and showed on TV. VideoPack5 is very flexible, no matter where your Material came from, e.g. from a digital camera, or if it was created trough a TV card on your hard drive, or if it was downloaded from the internet, VideoPack5 converts many different formats automatically into the valid standard. VideoPack5 has its own MPEG I - MPEG II encoder.
Instead of asking the user for certain formats, VideoPack5 makes it possible to concentrate simply on the disc design. VideoPack5 provides extensive and powerful functions. Interactive menus and animated buttons in different formats can be easily created with VideoPack5. Chapter markings in different positions can be easily inserted into the source material.
Thanks to the DE-Multiplex, alternative sound tracks can be added. VideoPack5 is also flexible with routing: just with a mouse click the standard route can be determined, which can adapt to the individual requirements of the user. Last but not least the complete disc can be completely simulated in the software, before it is actually burned onto a disc, and expensive testing is not necessary.
For the final burning process VideoPack5 uses its Roxio Burning-Engine. This engine supports all CD and DVD burners and standards that are available on the market. The shipment of VideoPack5 will also include a Video-CD-Software Player and a DVD-Software Player.

Availability and Price

VideoPack runs on nearly every current Multimedia PC with a CD/DVD burner in Windows 98/ME/2000. The price is DM 999.00. It will be in stores starting Mid-August and will also be available through our website.

[Killer Joe]

That sounds GREAT!!! And we have to wait just a few days.

[AntnyMD]

Lets hope they hold to their anticipated delivery date ... unlike that other German company, Ahead.

[joe-mamma]

999.00DM can we get an exchange rate here, I'm assuming its deutch marks they're talking about. This sounds like it may be the first program I actually pay for LOL. It sounds great, what is this about "animated buttons" would this only be for the dvd authoring?

[Por_Que2k]

999.00 DM ~ $450 USD. That's pretty steep for a CD burning program if you ask me.

[TurboRunner]

Ripoff They better lower that price to something more realistic like $50USD

[AntnyMD]

For everything you can currently do in VideoPack 4, even with its quirks and bugs, is totally worth $450 for professional VCD authoring. To have VideoPack 5 do all the VCD stuff, plus add in SVCD and DVD, I think its totally worth $450. However, at that price, it will be pirated beyond belief. A lower US$ pricepoint will certainly encourage me to buy. I bid US$200.

[AntnyMD]

For everything you can currently do in VideoPack 4, even with its quirks and bugs, is totally worth $450 for professional VCD authoring. To have VideoPack 5 do all the VCD stuff, plus add in SVCD and DVD, I think its totally worth $450. However, at that price, it will be pirated beyond belief. A lower US$ pricepoint will certainly encourage me to buy. I bid US$200.

[ejai]

If the price stays at $450.00 you will hear the trumpets playing the tune of Warez. $200 dollars or lower seems reasonable.

[leebo]

Seeing as how any DVD authoring software with professional capabilities typically runs $1000, for me this is exciting news.
I agree for VCD authoring it's a bit steep, but this software will be capable of authoring DVD's with animated buttons!

And an English version WITH a manual would be worth a lot to me.
I love VP4, hopefully VP5 will be as good or better.

[leebo]

Email from Roxio USA:

"Unfortunately we do not have any information on this product. It has not
been released. I do not believe that this will be available in the US for
awhile. I believe that it will be released in Germany first.


You would need to check the German site for additional information. You
may want to check back with us in the coming months. There will be an
announcement on the World Wide Web site (http://www.roxio.com) as soon as
new products and drivers are available.


Carrie Hansen
Roxio Inside Sales"

[DVD Master]

Are you out of your mind? To pay over $400.00 for that DVD authoring program when you can by Spruce for just $129.00. NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DVD Master]

Are you out of your mind? To pay over $400.00 for that DVD authoring program when you can buy Spruce for just $129.00 NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AntnyMD]

SpruceUp is buggy, is not intuitive, and cannot author VCD and SVCD. VideoPack 5 will hopefully be less buggy and more intuitive than VideoPack 4, but since VP4 is the best thing on the planet since sushi, it's worth the cash!

[AntnyMD]

Quick question. Will VideoPack 5 support anamorphic video for the DVD or SVCD functions? SpruceUp does not