CyberLink has released the latest version of its award-winning video editing software, PowerDirector 9. Designed with high usability for consumers and powerful, pro-like features for prosumers, PowerDirector 9 unleashes users’ full creative potential with performance-driven technologies including CyberLink’s new TrueVelocity Engine.
PowerDirector 9 is designed to make the editing process not only easier, but also faster. TrueVelocity editing technologies take advantage of native 64-bit OS support and leading CPU/GPU components to significantly reduce video processing time, while powerful, high quality tools such as the new unified keyframe control and a greatly improved timeline editor allow users to create even the most demanding and complex video productions. You can check out a free trial download available on the Cyberlink Website. MSRP: $100

CyberLink has announced MediaEspresso 6, renamed from MediaShow Espresso, the latest version converts any video, photo and music files to a broad range of devices including smart phones like the Apple iPhones and Google Android phones; media players such as iPods and iPads; and game consoles such as Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. MediaEspresso 6 also features CyberLink’s TrueTheater Technology that enhances video quality as it converts.

MediaEspresso 6 offers an easy way to convert and sync videos, photos and music files to a broad choice of media players, without needing to understand complicated file formats and settings. Simply import your media content then select a preferred playback device, and MediaEspresso 6 handles the rest.

CyberLink MediaEspresso 6 features:

• Ultra Fast video conversion: The first video conversion software optimized for the new 2010 Intel Core Family Processors—Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition, i5, and i3 – NVIDIA CUDA and ATI Stream technology, delivering ultra fast conversion speeds with easy batch conversion
• Smart Detect Technology: MediaEspresso 6 auto-detects the type of mobile devices that are connected to the PC and selects the best multimedia profile to begin the conversion without the need for any user intervention.
• Direct Sync for a broad range of media playback devices: MediaEspresso 6 converts media content that is compatible with a wide range of devices such as Apple iPhone, Google Android and Windows Mobile devices from Acer, Blackberry, HTC, LG, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson, and media players such as the iPod, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360 and Zune as well as other devices.
• Improve video quality instantly with TrueTheater Technology: MediaEspresso 6 enhances the videos while it converts. With TrueTheater Lighting, it corrects overall colors and luminance while TrueTheater Denoise improves overall video quality by removing unwanted artifacts from the video. Users will be able to enjoy excellent video even on mobile devices.
• Extensive format support: MediaEspresso 6 supports all popular media formats including MKV, RM/RMVB, FLV, DivX, MOV (H.264), WMV, MPEG-2, M2T, TiVo, MP4 and many more.
• Ease of use: Easy batch conversion, auto-shutdown, and the My Favorites list of device profiles, offer a range of easy-to-use and time-saving features that take the hassle out of the video conversion process.
• Share videos to Social Network: MediaEspresso 6 provides even more ways for users to share their content. Users can now publish videos and photos to Youtube and Facebook directly.

CyberLink MediaEspresso MSRP:

MediaEspresso 6 (download): $39.95

MediaEspresso 6 Upgrade (download): $19.95

How many of us have received homemade gifts over the years and wondered why someone would take the time and effort to make THAT? I still have the hand-made “Santa’s Workshop Tissue Holder” I received a few years ago because I felt guilty disposing of it.

Here’s an idea, though, where your homemade gift can be the most appreciated gift of all: dub those old VHS tapes onto DVD  quickly and easily, and if you have time, even edit out the bad stuff.

SAVE IT!
Those memories are precious, you need to get moving to save them while you can. After all, those special memories are going to be memories only, if someone doesn’t save them. I’m quite passionate about this because I have had every photo, video, and treasure I owned and grew up with destroyed in a flash. My childhood memories and the memories of my son’s childhood are only that: memories. There is no video. There are no photos. Don’t let this happen to you!

Even if you have the video on VHS, how long with it last? Video quality degradation becomes apparent within a few years and videotape breaks down every time you play it. Older tapes lose their protective coating, which can flake off into your VCR every time its played, perhaps rendering the VCR unusable over time, too.
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