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Miglia Technology Announces Open Plug-in Architecture For AlchemyTV DVR
Data Rescue X 10.4.2 Recovers Data From Crashed Disks
Runtime Revolution to Attend WWDC 2004 First Public Preview of Latest Features
Sophos Stops Viruses on Mac OS X
DAZ Productions Acquires Bryce From Corel
LightWorks Sketch integrated within RenderWorks 11Â Â
New Home Theater Accessories from Belkin Enhance Today's Advanced Audio Video Components
FileMaker Work Requests[/url]
Miglia Technology Announces Open Plug-in Architecture For AlchemyTV DVR
Miglia Technology, a global technology solution provider that manufactures, markets and supports a range of own and licensed branded products, has today announced that the AlchemyTV DVR application now supports an open plug-in architecture. This allows third party developers to extend the functionalities of the AlchemyTV DVR TV tuner/Video capture card by creating plug-ins.
Miglia has made the SDK for the post-processing plug-in available to third party developers and welcomes any person or organisation who wishes to enhance AlchemyTV DVR via a plug-in.
Thanks to the newly available SDK, independent software developer Fabio Verna has created DivTV, a plug-in enabling the export to VCD (MPEG-1) and S-VCD (MPEG-2). Thanks to this plug-in, any movie recorded with AlchemyTV DVR can be exported to VCD/S-VCD from within the application.
Eric Ferraz, Product Marketing Director, Miglia Technology, commented: "The AlchemyTV DVR product has been extremely successful for us. We are still continuing to implement the features that are being suggested through our development forums. However, many of our customers like to develop their own specific feature rich plug-ins. We have made this much easier for them by supporting a plug-in architecture and creating a platform to distribute them to other customers on the Miglia website."
Featuring a high performance Philips tuner and full QuickTime support, AlchemyTV DVR lets you watch TV in full screen mode on your PowerMac. AlchemyTV DVR features a scheduled recording functionality allowing you program the time and date for your recordings in a few easy steps. Your favourite TV program will be recorded onto your hard drive for later viewing or export to VCD or DVD.
With its TV/Antenna input, composite, S-Video inputs and stereo audio connector, AlchemyTV DVR can tune in to any TV station or record from your VCR. The Mac OS X compatible software allows you to select the supported QuickTime plug-in of your choice. This allows you to fine tune the level of video quality and size you desire. Fast PowerMacs can even capture straight to the new MPEG-4 codec!
Compatibility:
-PowerMac G4 or G5 with free PCI slot
-PowerPC G4/400 processor and higher
-256 MB of RAM
-Mac OS X 10.2.4 and higher
The AlchemyTV DVR is available now, from Miglia's distribution partners, refurb or online store, for a street retail price of £85, €139, $159 ex VAT. All units carry a full 2 year RTB warranty. A list of distributors and resellers is available on Miglia's website:
http://www.miglia.com/buy/index.html
To download the post-processing plug-in software development kit and DivTV, visit:
http://www.miglia.com/Support/alchemytvdvr_sdk.html
Data Rescue X 10.4.2 Recovers Data From Crashed Disks
Do you have a corrupt hard drive or one that no longer mounts? Are other tools failing to even recognize your bad drive? Did you accidently delete pictures from your digital camera?
Data Rescue is the best data recovery utility on the market for recovering files from a problem hard drive. Other utilities can cause more damage to your hard drive and files by trying to 'fix' the problem, instead of focusing on recovering your files.
Recovered data are saved to another medium, leaving the original disk untouched.The main interest in Data Rescue is that the strategy for finding lost files is original, different from the strategies used by other tools like 'NortonUtilities'. Not only will it find your data in situations where the other tools fail, but it will recover them in a much better condition, restoring icons,dates and even folder hierarchy.
New in this version:
Allows the user to read and agree to the license agreement when running the software for the first time.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.1.5 or higher
Data Rescue X sells for $89.00
For more information, visit:
http://www.prosoftengineering.com/
Runtime Revolution to Attend WWDC 2004 First Public Preview of Latest Features
Runtime Revolution has announced that it will be attending the Apple World Wide Developers Conference, June 28th to June 30th in San Francisco. During WWDC 2004 Runtime Revolution will be showing off the features which are currently in development for the next phase of Revolution, the user-centric software development environment. Members of the public and the press are invited to attend the demo sessions, ask questions and try the latest features out for themselves. They are also invited to try out the currently available versions of Revolution Express, Studio and Enterprise.
"We made Revolution 2 the user-centric software development environment for developers of all abilities and backgrounds." Said Kevin Miller CEO of Runtime Revolution adding, "These new features we will be unveiling extend our user-centric approach to some of the leading and most important areas of software development."
Runtime Revolution will be part of the MacTech pavilion for the duration of the WWDC 2004 exhibits fair.
Information on pricing, versions, and local distributors, as well as a free 30-day trial edition of Revolution for all supported platforms: Windows, Mac OS X, classic Mac OS, Linux and Unix, is available at
http://www.runrev.com
Sophos Stops Viruses on Mac OS X
Sophos, a world leader in protecting businesses from spam and viruses, has announced the release of Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X, a product designed to protect computers running Macintosh operating system 10.2 and above from all known viruses.
Ideal for multi-national organizations, Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X is available in five languages: English, French, Spanish, German and Japanese. It allows users to perform on-demand scanning of files and folders and its on-access scanner safeguards computers by detecting and disinfecting both Macintosh and non-Macintosh viruses. Any file that is identified as being infected will not be allowed to run, ensuring that the computer remains virus-free.
Keeping anti-virus protection updated is critical and Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X enables the automatic updates of all desktops, whether they are connected to a local area network or to the internet. Remote users can ensure that their systems are up-to-date, even if they cannot access the network, with automatic updates from their company's website. Reporting can also be sent to a remote location. Sophos Anti-Virus uses Mac OS X's own SMTP client to send alert messages, therefore if a user is disconnected from the network, messages will queue until a connection is found, ensuring no alerts are lost. This also allows the administrator to be kept abreast of all updating activities and virus incidents.
Unlike anti-virus products from other vendors, Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X offers a central configuration of updating and anti-virus settings, including the ability to manually administer virus identity files. Administrators can create a central installation source and install to all networked Macs automatically using XServer tools such as Network Install to provide automatic updates as needed.
Using the innovative Sophos Update Manager, part of Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X, administrators can configure centralised Mac anti-virus updates across their business. System administrators can also apply virus protection updates manually.
Anti-virus updates are deployed across the network automatically, so that all computers are kept up to date with the latest protection whether they are connected to a local area network or the internet.
In addition, Sophos Anti-Virus uses Mac OS X's own SMTP client to send virus alerts. If a computer is disconnected at the time the virus is detected the alert is automatically queued and delivered when the computer is reconnected to the network.
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X creates a central installation resource that uses Macintosh X Server tools to roll out installation automatically to all networked computers, so that drives no longer need to be mounted manually.
On-demand scanning of files, folder and volumes, along with on-access scanning when files are opened, provide total protection against Macintosh and non-Macintosh viruses. A command-line virus scanner is also available for administrators who want to access the operating system via the Mac Terminal utility to perform an immediate scan.
"Despite the popular misconception that Mac users aren't affected by viruses, Apple customers need to take the virus threat seriously," said Phil Wood, product manager for Sophos Anti-Virus. "Sophos's latest anti-virus solution ensures that all Mac users are protected, whether in the office or on the road, and it also allows third-party developers to incorporate virus-scanning into their own products."
Users who choose to access the Unix operating system directly on Mac OS X will benefit from the availability of a command line version of Sophos Anti-Virus, allowing administrators to run it through the Mac Terminal utility.
The enhanced security model prevents end users from disabling their anti-virus software. Users need to have administrative rights in order to install and/or remove Sophos Anti-Virus or change any of the System Preferences, including enabling and disabling InterCheck.
For a demonstration of Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X, visit Sophos at MacWorld in Boston from July 13-15, 2004 at booth 632. Sophos is a proud sponsor of the MacWorld Conference and Exposition.
For more information, visit:
http://www.sophos.com
Apple's H.264 Video Codec Adopted for Next Generation DVDs
Apple yesterday announced that the DVD Forum has ratified the H.264 Advanced Video Codec (AVC) to be included in the next generation High Definition (HD) DVD format. The H.264/AVC codec was jointly developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and has been ratified into the MPEG-4 specification as the next-generation video codec. H.264/AVC is based on open standards and will ship in Apple’s QuickTime® software in an upcoming release next year.
“Apple is firmly behind H.264 because it delivers superb quality digital video and is based on open standards that no single company controls,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “QuickTime 6 has already topped 250 million downloads, making it one of the most successful media standards ever, and we will be adding support for H.264 to QuickTime next year.”
H.264/AVC is an extremely scalable video codec, delivering excellent quality across the entire bandwidth spectrum—from high definition television to video conferencing and 3G mobile multimedia. As shown in a preview at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in April, video encoded at full high definition resolution (1920x1080 24p) was played back between 6.8 and 8 Mbps on a dual-processor Power Mac® G5 delivering full HD quality at up to half the data rate of MPEG-2.
As the platform of choice for content creators worldwide, QuickTime delivers the full media experience for thousands of unique software titles, enhanced music CDs and hundreds of digital camera models. More than 250 million copies of QuickTime 6 have been downloaded in less than two years since its release. According to Frost & Sullivan’s 2004 Global Media Streaming Platform Report, between 2002 and 2003 Microsoft’s and Real Networks’ worldwide market share percentages were either stable or declining while QuickTime’s market share increased to 36.8 percent, a close second to Microsoft. Real Networks came in third place with less than 25 percent of the worldwide streaming market share. QuickTime 6.5, which also includes enhanced support for 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and 3GPP2 mobile networks, is available as a free download for Mac and Windows users at:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime
DAZ Productions Acquires Bryce From Corel
DAZ Productions and Corel have announced that DAZ has acquired Bryce, Corel's award-winning 3D landscaping and animation package.
Widely used by designers seeking to integrate 3D technology into their creative workflow, Bryce complem
ents existing DAZ software packages and further strengthens DAZ's presence in the digital graphics market.
"Bryce is an exceptional product and we feel confident that DAZ is the right company to carry it forward," said Amish Mehta, CEO of Corel. "Given Corel's focus on its primary business lines, lead by CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, WordPerfect Office and Corel Painter, we needed to identify a strong partner who would preserve the investments of our Bryce customers and assure them of continued product availability, customer support and future product enhancements. With a proven track record in the 3D community and a commitment to deliver new releases of Bryce on both the Macintosh and Windows platform, DAZ is the ideal candidate to fill this role."
"We're extremely excited about this news," said Dan Farr, President of DAZ Productions. "The acquisition of Bryce fits perfectly into our vision of offering a complete 3D creation suite for artists and animators. We look forward to a bright future for Bryce in conjunction with our existing software packages and vast library of 3D content."
DAZ has extensive development plans for Bryce including launching new versions for both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. DAZ also plans to develop a pathway to bring existing DAZ 3D content into Bryce seamlessly. Further integration with DAZ|Studio is also scheduled for development.
"The future of Bryce will be molded directly by actively engaged community members," said Christopher Creek, Vice-President of DAZ. "DAZ works hard to listen to our customers and we feel that Bryce will be welcomed with open arms. DAZ remains committed to continuously searching for and providing what is most desired by our customers."
Working closely with online community members and key Bryce content developers, DAZ will ensure a smooth transition and continued development of the application. In addition, DAZ will assume responsibility for all Bryce customer service, providing full-time technical and sales support, as well as online discussion and technical support forums. Bryce customers interested in learning more can visit http://bryce.daz3d.com/ or call DAZ Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-267-5170.
DAZ Productions, Inc. specializes in 3D digital content creation. DAZ is known for providing high-quality 3D models at the industry's most competitive prices. DAZ also develops software applications that support its content, including DAZ|Studio, a 3D character posing and rendering application available for free to the public; and DAZ|Mimic, a lip-synching application. For more information, visit:
http://www.daz3d.com/
LightWorks Sketch integrated within RenderWorks 11Â Â
LightWork Design, the world's leading supplier of rendering solutions for developers of advanced 3D computer graphics software, announces that its LightWorks Sketch product has been licensed by Nemetschek NA and integrated into the latest release of RenderWorks.
LightWorks Sketch is a unique technology that supports artistic rendering for conceptual design and also allows the easy creation of impressionistic and stylized presentations at any point during the design process. It works directly from the 3D model to give designers the ability to instantly generate non-photorealistic and hand-drawn images that can very quickly be re-rendered from any viewpoint, without having to use other tools.
Artistic RenderWorks is a new rendering mode in RenderWorks 11 that creates artistic renders of 3D models with soft, hand-drawn effects. There are twelve sketch styles available: cartoon, color wash, contour, tapered lines, hatch, ink print, lines and shadows, mosaic, oil painting, overlapping lines, soft lines and stipple. Artistic RenderWorks was introduced because many RenderWorks customers want to produce soft, hand-drawn or artistic renderings of their 3D designs - which were hitherto impossible.
As Richard Diehl, CEO at Nemetschek NA commented; "We integrated LightWorks Sketch within RenderWorks because we wanted to provide each and every customer of RenderWorks with a facility to produce non-photorealistic renderings of their projects - for the conceptual design phase as well as their final client presentations. Conceptual rendering allows the designer to get the idea across to the client using handsome and informal imagery." He went on to say; "We are very happy with the way LightWork Design worked with us for the 11.0 release; the response of the LightWorks support team, as well as the developers, was simply superb."
"The flowing, sketchy images created using LightWorks Sketch are ideal for showing the 'concept' of a design to clients” added Clive Davies, Partner Program Manager for LightWorks. “Because designs visualized using LightWorks Sketch do not appear ‘finished’, we’ve found that it enables more open discussions between the designer and their clients – leading to more ‘buy-in’ from clients and so more successful results. As LightWorks Sketch is included as standard with RenderWorks, we’re looking forward to seeing some great images from users."
What other features does RenderWorks 11 offer to designers? In addition to artistic effects, RenderWorks 11 now renders QuickTime VR object and panorama movies, supports multi-processor machines using LightWorks advanced multi-threading, EPIX export, and dynamic in-document texture editing (instead of a dialog-based UI) based on LightWorks IIR technology. Artistic RenderWorks is accessible simply as a new rendering mode, so that there is no learning curve for end-users. Users select the mode from a list of modes and then specify the style and style-specific settings. For each style a quick preview is generated and the parameters of each style can be easily changed to customize the appearance.
To view a QTVR created using RenderWorks, go to:
http://download2.nemetschek.net/www_movies/Area2QTVR.mov
For more information, visit:
http://www.lightworkdesign.com
and
http://www.lightworks-user.com
New Home Theater Accessories from Belkin Enhance Today's Advanced Audio Video Components
Belkin introduces its new PureAV Silver Series line of home theater accessories, designed to unleash the performance and versatility of your home theater system while complementing the features and prices of today's AV equipment. Silver Series, which includes interconnects and power-conditioning products, will be available in North America on August 1, 2004.
The promise of affordable-yet-advanced AV components to deliver a powerful home theater experience is not possible without similarly sophisticated and affordable accessories. Capabilities of the LCD display far exceed those provided by standard connectivity out-of-the-box. Matching the sonic experience of digital theaters at home requires digital interconnects to support DTS surround sound components found in both places. Power-conditioning accessories are critical to achieving the cleanest possible sound and clearest picture.
With dramatic improvements in the performance, capabilities and affordability of today's home theater components, PureAV was developed to match these components in features, aesthetics and prices. Networked AV components, improved surround sound processing, and next-generation digital audio video interfaces are here now; and Silver Series is engineered to optimize these technologies.
"A much larger audience is now experiencing the passion felt by a small, select group of enthusiasts in the early days of hi-fi. Audiophiles and videophiles have long recognized the critical role that accessories play in achieving optimal results," says Gavin Downey, PureAV Business Unit Manager for Belkin.
"Advancements in display technologies and its lower prices are driving sales in the home theater arena," Downey further explains. "But, what's lost in this rush of mass adoption is an understanding of the importance of accessories in achieving the best possible home theater experience."
"Today's challenge is educating people to this fact while providing accessories that complement AV components in all facets. PureAV Silver Series solutions are built to perform beautifully while meeting this challenge," Downey concludes.
With plasma and LCD displays driving the evolution of home theater design, AV products are becoming more sophisticated both in function and aesthetics. It is a return to the early days of television with components displayed as technological works of art.
"We wanted to complement this new art in the sculptural form of our products," explains Ernesto Quinteros, Director of Belkin's Industrial Design Group. "Our goal was to create a sleek line that fits seamlessly in your home while also delivering enhanced function and usability."
Silver Series Interconnects include everything from the latest digital audio video connectivity -- such as HDMI, DVI, FireWire, Digital Coaxial and Digital Optical -- to high-performance Speaker Cable and Component Video connectivity options. Prices range from $29.99 to $159.99.
Silver Series Home Theater Power Conditioners and Power Consoles
Silver Series Power Conditioners and Consoles ensure a sharper picture and more natural sound free of interference, protecting your expensive home theater system from damaging power disturbances. PureAV incorporates PureFilter(TM) Circuitry to guard from surges and spikes, while delivering clean power to your equipment. Prices range from $199.99 to $599.99.
For more information, visit:
http://www.belkin.com
FileMaker Work Requests
Scheduled for release in July 2004, FileMaker Work Requests is a ready-to-use work request management application that helps you create, track and report on work requests with ease!
With its flexible submission and tracking system, customizable reports, pre-defined security access levels, re-usable mail templates, and a foundation of award-winning FileMaker technology, FileMaker Work Requests gives you the tools you need to:
• Streamline your work request process from submission through completion
• Produce reports to show status, budget, and performance details the way you want
• Control access to information based on the specific needs of individuals and groups
• Automate communication with requestors, assignees, managers and vendors
• Leverage the additional benefits of FileMaker, including customization, sharing, web publishing and more.
FileMaker Work Requests streamlines your work order process by consolidating work order information in a single, centralized location for easy and instant access by members of your organization while minimizing phone calls, data entry and paperwork.
• Track work request status from submission through completion in an easy-to-use, intuitive application for individuals or workgroups.
• Enable members of your organization to easily originate requests through their Mac or PC desktop or through the Web.
• Track disposition of requests and their expected completion dates.
• Access specific requests instantly using the built-in Find system.
• Save searches for re-use at any time to identify requests that belong to a given individual, work request for a specific category of work, incomplete work requests, and more.
• Specify individual line items required for completion and record expenses associated with each work request.
• Detail line-by-line actual and estimated expenses and hours worked.
• Approve requests as necessary, or simply assign to a worker for follow-up.
• Designate an appropriate reviewer or approver to automatically receive the request upon submission.
• View work requests in the List View that you can filter and sort, or click on an item to see its complete details in Detail View.
• Prioritize work requests using the built-in priority types or create your own priorities to match your existing system.
• Flag requests for additional review by Management if resources are unavailable or additional direction is required.
• Overdue work requests appear in red for easy identification on-screen and in reports.
• Store contact details for requestors, assignees, and vendors including first name, last name, phone numbers, and email address.
• Share contact information between multiple FileMaker Applications so you don't have to store duplicate information. (Sharing of contact data requires FileMaker 7 compatible Applications such as FileMaker Meetings 2.0 and FileMaker Tasks 2.0)
Get a bird's eye view of details, uncover items that need attention, and easily provide project status. With FileMaker Work Requests, you and your team will have a clear picture of what work has been ordered, what's approved, work in progress, as well as associated costs and resources for each request.
• Use the robust reporting engine, which features pre-designed report layouts, to produce informative reports without any programming.
• Re-use saved Finds in reports to enhance consistency of data.
• Save report designs so there's no need to re-create your customizations each time.
• Report on performance, costs, hours required, type of work and vendors used.
• Understand and report on how well your organization is completing work as scheduled and within budget.
• Classify work in categories for easy reporting of what kinds of work are being completed.
• View reports on screen or print in a variety of formats.
FileMaker Work Requests come with five pre-defined security access levels so you can assign the right level to individuals and groups within your organization.
• Provide access to FileMaker Work Requests in an 'unlocked' mode giving users access to information or choose from preset groupings that restrict access of different user types.
• Allow only those managers with approval authority to approve or decline a request.
• Allow requestors to see just the information they need to make a request or check its status.
• Allow managers to view management reports on the performance of the organization and get a more complete view on the work being requested and completed.
• Allow assignees to access a request without altering the original request.
Save time, minimize keystrokes and enhance accuracy with re-usable mail templates. Consistent communication of approved requests, work in progress, changes in priority, and status updates is a breeze with FileMaker Work Requests.
• Set up mail templates to dynamically incorporate work order-related information.
• Re-use these templates to automate repetitive messages.
• Emails are sent using your existing email client.
• Emails are logged in the Mail Archive so there's a searchable communications record.
Although FileMaker Work Requests is ready-to-use right away, it's built on award-winning FileMaker technology so you have the additional benefits of FileMaker at your fingertips. You may want to customize it to meet the unique needs of yourself and your teams or share your information with others through a network or over the web.
• Customize and extend the application, modifying database layouts, screens, scripts and more using the robust documentation.
• Add your company logo to the screen or new task attributes to the database.
• Share FileMaker Work Requests information with others in your workgroup including FileMaker users on Mac OS and Windows computers.
• Allow users to access the work order system through their desktop version of FileMaker Pro 7, FileMaker Developer 7 or through an Internet browser*.
• Import and export information to and from a variety of the most popular file formats.
(*) In order to access the work order system via a browser, the Instant Web Publishing feature of FileMaker Pro 7 or the Custom Web Publishing feature of FileMaker Server 7 should be used to publish the database to the Web.
For more information, visit:
http://www.filemaker.com/applications/wr_home.html
Charles W. Moore
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