Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

"CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, today launched the latest version of its video-editing software PowerDirector. Featuring end-to-end high-definition format support, PowerDirector 7 allows users to turn their captured videos into professional-looking movies with ease. Key features in PowerDirector 7 include: High-definition support throughout – from capturing, to editing, enhancing, production, and disc-authoring, users can enjoy the best in video quality, and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Full support for Blu-ray Disc authoring – including BDAV and BDMV formats. Advanced video-editing tools – support for 6 independent PiP tracks, key frame controls for personalized effects and motion paths, 3D slideshows with soundtrack beat detection, for pro-like results. Greatly enhanced Magic Tools and user interface – users can enjoy quicker access to all functions, 1-click fixing and editing, and improved usability. DirectorZone – the new web community for PowerDirector users, it allows for upload, download and sharing of customized templates for DVD menus, frames, motion objects and more; direct access to Flickr and Freesound – users can browse and download thousands of photos and audio tracks to use in their productions."



I have to admit I have very little experience with Cyberlink products - in fact, until I started looking at the hp tx2000, I had never had any hands-on time with Cyberlink software beyond their software DVD player of bygone years. Cyberlink continues to move ahead with a wide array of digital media software, and this latest release looks feature-packed - the Flickr integration looks slick for those of you who are Flickr users. Unfortunately they don't have a free trial available yet.

Here's our 11th giveaway, courtesy of Cyberlink: two copies of Cyberlink DVD Suite 6 Ultra, valued at $129.95 USD each, will be given away. Here's a bit about the product:

"DVD Suite 6 offers a cool choice for video enthusiasts and movie fans. Love to edit high-definition home videos and watch the latest movies on Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs, or are you simply looking for the best home-theater playback quality available for DVDs? DVD Suite 6 Ultra for creating discs of your high-definition video content, editing videos automatically, and watching Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs.DVD Suite 6 Pro for creating DVDs of your videos, editing videos automatically, and watching DVD movies with home theater audio. DVD Suite 6 Essential for watching DVD movies, and creating DVDs of your videos."



Here's how to enter: just post a message as a reply telling me what application inside this suite looks like it would be the most useful for you, and what you'd like to do with it. That's it! There's one post per person allowed, and two winners will be randomly chosen. The contest will stay open for entries until April 7th, 2008.

Special thanks to Cyberlink for their donation of this software!

"CyberLink Corp., innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, announced today the release of disc authoring software CyberLink PowerProducer 5, which supports the creation of Blu-ray Discs and DVDs featuring video content recorded in the AVCHD format. PowerProducer 5 is available in two versions. PowerProducer 5 Ultra lets users create high-quality professional-looking discs on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. With support for the AVCHD video format, users can also create DVDs featuring highly compressed high-definition content. PowerProducer 5 (DVD) supports the creation of customized menu designs for DVDs and VCDs. In version 5 CyberLink has made major improvements to product usability, providing a simpler, re-stylied interface, and new design tools for creating customizable disc menus with imported photos and videos."

This seems to be "high definition video editing and DVD burning product release week" - and no one told me! Cyberlink's product looks quite powerful. Any fans of Cyberlink products out there? I have yet to try anything they make, though I know a friendly PR person who's hoping that will change one day (it will, I swear!). The remainder of the press release can be found on the Cyberlink site.