Sony Creative Software Announces Z Depth™ 2.0 Upgrade

LAS VEGAS, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- [NAB Show - Booth #C11001] - Sony Creative Software, a leading provider of professional video and audio editing applications, today announced a new upgrade to Z Depth™. Z Depth 2.0, which will be released in May 2011, will be demonstrated in the Sony booth during the NAB Show®. A significant upgrade to the Blu-ray 3D subtitling application, Z Depth 2.0 enhances the ability for 3D authoring companies to easily create required disparity metadata files for positioning of subtitles and interactive graphic menus in 3D Blu-ray Disc™ production.

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Combined with the improved performance and 3D capabilities of Vegas™ Pro 10, Z Depth 2.0 now provides editors with automated depth value calculation of stereoscopic (SS) video and graphically displays the offset value in the preview window during recording and playback when preparing subtitles for 3D Blu-ray Discs. The latest version also provides additional support for Digital Cinema 3D production, enabling editing professionals to create 3D projects with advanced precision.

"The new user capabilities in Z Depth 2.0 further establishes it as one of the most advanced 3D subtitling solutions in the market today," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. "Professionals in the disc authoring and TV broadcast markets will find substantial value in the new and refined features offered in Z Depth 2.0, which provide for improved accuracy and efficiency in the subtitling process."

Z Depth 2.0 New Features

    --  Automated Depth Analysis of Stereoscopic (SS) Video - Automatically
        determines the most effective depth value used to assign Z-axis
        placement for the subtitle or menu graphic event; depth value analysis
        can be automated based on time code entries, length of video, or number
        of graphic events
    --  Enhanced Graphical Offset Value Display - Displays a new visual queue in
        the preview window during recording of the disparity value being applied
        to the subtitle or menu event
    --  Subpixel Precision for Digital Cinema - New adjustment options for
        offset data values allow for subpixel precision when outputting file
        formats compatible with Digital Cinema 3D productions

About Z Depth

For 3D Blu-ray production, the Z Depth application allows 3D Blu-ray Disc authoring facilities and subtitle creation companies to edit and position subtitle and interactive menu events accurately on the Z-axis of a 3D scene for the most comfortable viewing experience. The BDA compliant offset metadata files created by Z Depth can be used in any 3D Blu-ray Disc authoring application that follows BDA specifications Profile 5. There are no special hardware requirements for Z Depth, though it is recommended that editors use the Presonus Fader Port for data input.

Price and Availability

Z Depth 2.0 will be available for online purchase in May 2011 at www.sonycreativesoftware.com/zdepth at an MSRP of U.S. $5,000.

About Sony Creative Software

Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, audio, and music production, as well as industry-leading technology for DVD production and Blu-ray Disc™ authoring. Sound Forge™ Pro, ACID™ Pro, and Vegas™ Pro software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals. These signature product lines continue to advance media production by providing powerful, accessible tools. Today, there is a Sony Creative Software application for every level of expertise, including a full line of consumer software based on the company's professional applications. In addition, Sony Creative Software produces the extensive Sony® Sound Series collection of royalty-free loops and samples, Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series exclusive sound effects, and Vision Series video creation assets. Further, the company provides the industry-leading tools for enterprise-level Blu-ray Disc™ authoring: Blu-code™ encoder, Dualstream 3D™ MVC encoder, Z Depth™ 3D subtitle editing application, and Blu-print® software. The company's customers span the globe and include professionals in the film, television, video game, and recording industries, as well as students, educators, and hobbyists. For more information about professional and consumer products, visit www.sonycreativesoftware.com.

Vegas is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Creative Software Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Sony Creative Software

SOURCE: Sony Creative Software

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Web Site: http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com