MGI Software Announces VideoWave III

In its continuing march to consumerize video editing technology, MGI Software today announced the launch of MGI VideoWave III. MGI VideoWave III includes the industryís most comprehensive support for digital video (DV) and includes SmartDV, a technology that accelerates DV video production while maintaining exceptionally high quality results. This new version also supports the ability to work with video in MPEG-2 format, the universal standard for broadcast. In addition, MGI VideoWave III now makes PC video even easier with a series of new templates for capturing, editing and publishing movies.From March 2000, VideoWave III users will be able to download even more features free-of-charge from www.videowave.com, including support for MP3 music files and the ability to capture from VideoCDs. MGI VideoWave III is available from PC World, Electronics Boutique, Software Warehouse, Staples and other leading high street retailers. Leading The Industry With The Most Robust DV SupportMGIís VideoWave is the first product in its class to offer support for both conventional analog video capture hardware, including USB cameras, and the new Digital Video (DV) camcorders and PC connection standards (IEEE-1394/FireWire). The software is designed to enable the co-existence and cross-compatibility of both analogue and DV, so the user can work in one or both formats seamlessly, maximising the investments they have made in their VCR, camcorder and conventional video capture hardware, while moving to digital. MGI has worked closely with Microsoft, leading IEEE-1394 chip manufacturers including Texas Instruments and Lucent Microelectronics, and DV camcorder manufacturers, to ensure smooth connectivity between camcorder, PC and MGI VideoWave III. MGI VideoWave III includes a new set of underlying drivers that support any OHCI-compliant IEEE-1394 card, making the process of getting DV video into and out of a computer simply a matter of connecting the camera to the PC and running MGIís software. There are no special or unique configuration settings required, regardless of which combination of camcorder, IEEE-1394 card or PC the user owns. In addition, MGI VideoWave III includes SmartDV, a technology that only renders or produces the parts of a DV video that have been changed (i.e. edited). Rendering just the edited parts dramatically increases the speed in which the final video is assembled, and ensures that the high quality of a DV movie is preserved. MPEG-2 - The ""Broadcast Ready"" StandardProduced using a handheld digital camcorder, the sensational success of the Blair Witch Project has inspired home video enthusiasts everywhere. Now every home movie-maker can produce a DV-quality film ready for prime time airing by their local TV station, distribution on DVD or via the Internet. MGI Software has enhanced VideoWave with capabilities that, until recently, were only found in products designed and priced for the broadcast professional. The software has an improved MPEG engine that supports real-time MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 capture regardless of source, plus the ability to edit and publish in both MPEG standards. The combination of DV and MPEG-2 makes the user ""broadcast ready"". PC Video Made Easy Even Easier!MGI VideoWave III makes it even easier to capture, edit and publish videos in AVI, MPEG (1 and 2), DV and Web video formats. New capture and publishing templates make the video production process simple for both beginners and advanced users. The built-in templates enable new users to select the hardware they have and the type of video output they want, without having to figure out and adjust complex settings, such as frame rates and codecs. More advanced users can, of course, edit or create their own templates, saving them for future use. MGI VideoWave III now includes StoryLine templates, for events such as birthday parties, weddings and graduations, as well as business presentations, which provide tips and tricks on how to maker better, more interesting videos. About MGI VideoWaveMGI VideoWave was the first video editing application to fundamentally change how video is edited on a PC quickly and easily. Its revolutionary StoryLine allows users to focus on ""telling a story"" with video. VideoWave has garnered several industry awards and accolades including the Camcorder User DTV Award 2000 for Best Budget Video Software. The product has consistently led the market in both retail and OEM (original equipment manufacturers) sales. For example, according to PC Data statistics, the retail consumer video editing market is on track to double this year compared to 1999, and VideoWave continues to maintain a 50 percent market share. MGI VideoWave is also included with various video capture cards, such as the ATI Technologies All-in-Wonder Pro and 128, and comes preinstalled on Compaq Presario PCs that include an IEEE-1394 option. About MGI SoftwareFounded in 1995, MGI Software is one of the worldís leading digital media companies. The companyís early focus on delivering digital media editing technology to the mass market has led to leadership in digital imaging and video editing worldwide. MGI Software recently broadened its market to business and online users of photography and expanded its technological leadership to encompass digital entertainment media. Through its ever-growing network of partnerships with major consumer electronics manufacturers, computer hardware and software vendors, photo retailers and the entertainment industry, MGI Software is uniquely positioned to benefit from the digital revolution shaping our lifestyles. MGI Software employs over 200 people with offices in North America, Europe, Pacific Rim, and Japan. MGI Software is publicly traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.mgisoft.com.

Source: M2 Communications