Reprinted from a Canopus press release:
Canopus Corporation, a leader in digital video production solutions, today announced ProCoder 2.0 will be available by the end of the month. ProCoder 2.0, an update to the company’s acclaimed professional video transcoding software tool, includes a host of new features such as watch folders with network support, an easy-to-use Wizard interface, and a batch manager tool to boost productivity by streamlining the transcoding process. Additional encoding options, such as HD and MPEG transport stream encoding, MPEG-4 encoding, and the ability to combine separate audio and video files into a single file have also been added to make this new version of ProCoder an extremely powerful transcoding solution for video professionals. Canopus will be demonstrating ProCoder 2.0 in booth #SL5805 during next week’s NAB2004 convention in Las Vegas.
Networkable Watch Folders, Batch Manager and Wizard Interface Boost Productivity
The new Watch Folder feature lets ProCoder 2.0 automatically encode any video file placed in a designated watch folder. For added flexibility, the watch folder can be placed on a network, so any video professional on the network, including those using Mac OS-based systems, can encode video with ProCoder 2.0. A new Batch Manager lets users monitor all ProCoder 2.0 encoding jobs and pause, remove or restart jobs as needed. ProCoder 2.0 also includes a Wizard interface that simplifies the transcoding process while retaining the highest possible image quality. This Wizard makes selecting the appropriate video codec as easy as answering a few simple questions.
“ProCoder has established a reputation of quality, speed and usability with video professionals, as well as corporate system integrators,” said Hiro Yamada, founder and chairman of the board of Canopus. “We received a great deal of positive feedback and suggestions from our existing ProCoder users and are pleased to offer many of the advanced automation features they requested.”
Expanded Format Compatibility Increases ProCoder 2.0 Versatility
ProCoder 2.0 fully supports HD resolutions (720p and 1080i) and can transcode between HD and SD resolutions and frame rates seamlessly. ProCoder 2.0 can also transcode between HD-compatible formats, including MPEG, DivX, Windows Media High Definition Video (WMV HD) and QuickTime. For added flexibility, ProCoder 2.0 supports MPEG transport streams, including over-the-air HDTV broadcast streams and those created by JVC’s GR-HD1 and JY-HD10 HD cameras. In addition, ProCoder 2.0 lets users encode MPEG-4 files with QuickTime or DivX Pro (full, licensed version included) for high-quality, low-bitrate Web or CD-ROM videos.
Advanced Features Make Encoding Easier
ProCoder 2.0 lets users combine separate audio and video tracks into a single file, which is useful for combining music or narration with a specific video file. ProCoder 2.0 also aids compliance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 by preserving closed captioning (line 21) information encoded in the source video. This eliminates the need to re-insert closed captioning information to the video when converting broadcast footage to a DVD-ready format. In addition, ProCoder 2.0 can use Canopus EDIUS or Adobe Premiere timeline markers to automatically create DVD chapter points when encoding MPEG-2 files for DVD production, eliminating the need to define chapter points using DVD authoring software.
About ProCoder
ProCoder is a Windows-based, professional video transcoding software tool that supports all popular video formats, including DivX, QuickTime and Windows Media, and features Canopus’s acclaimed DV codec and MPEG technologies. ProCoder is targeted at video, DVD production and Internet content creation professionals for use in entertainment, business, government and education. Designed for speed and flexibility, ProCoder is an ideal transcoding software tool for video professionals who encounter multiple video formats on a regular basis. Whether preparing video for DVD, Web streaming, digital archiving or a combination of applications, users will find that ProCoder is a fast, powerful and versatile transcoder.
Pricing and Availability
ProCoder 2.0 will be available by the end of the month through Canopus and its authorized dealers and system integrators for a suggested retail price of $499. Registered users who purchased ProCoder before September 11, 2003 may upgrade to ProCoder 2.0 for $149. Those who purchased ProCoder after September 11, 2003 will receive ProCoder 2.0 at no charge. ProCoder 2.0 supports Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional operating systems. Fully optimized for Intel Pentium 4 processor, ProCoder 2.0 also supports Intel Pentium II and higher, as well as the AMD K6, AMD Duron and AMD Athlon processors.
