DVD MovieFactory 5 by INTERVIDEO ULEAD

[Jerry Jones]

http://tinyurl.com/jsyox

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Dr Mordrid]

Key points:

DVB-T digital capture

a video editing toolbox

Ad-Zapper

HD authoring

menu transitions

$39.99 upgrade

Dr. Mordrid

[wkulecz]

HD authoring to what?

Burned by the DVD-R/DVD+R fiasco I'm keeping my money in my pocket until this stuff gets sorted out.

--wally.

[Dr Mordrid]

Expect to see more than a few H.264/WMV capable players out there that are menu capable with those formats, and software to match.

Dr. Mordrid

[Jerry Jones]

That is "music to my ears," Doc!

All we need is either WMV HD or H.264 HD output capability... with menus.

Then - distribution makes sense because most people can play these formats on their computers NOW.

I now work at Idaho State University's Boise Center and we have classrooms equipped wth PCs featuring 3.0 ghz Pentium chips.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[wkulecz]

Whats the buzz words to look for in the ads for this feature?

Do these players have HD component outputs? 720p? 1080i?

Or are y'all talking about the HD-DVD players and some form of HD on DVD+/-R like MPEG2 DVD formant on CD non-standards?

--wally.

[Jerry Jones]

Currently, Sonic markets a very expensive program:

http://tinyurl.com/s3auy

What this program allows one to do is fairly limited with regard to WMV HD.

The Sonic program allows one to burn WMV high definition (HD) video content - for computer playback only - to standard definition, NTSC compliant DVDs.

I suspect there may also be some stand alone players that would be able to access this HD content - burned to an NTSC compliant DVD disc - for playback on high definition TVs.

This KISS model, perhaps:

http://tinyurl.com/7oct3

I suspect this Modix device might also be able to access such content:

http://tinyurl.com/badhc

But I wonder...

Would it be technically possible to incorporate WMV high definition (HD) video content onto a standard definition, NTSC compliant DVD disc that could be played - with full menu functionality - on a specially-designed, inexpensive NTSC DVD player???

I have to admit I am very skeptical - at this point - about the Blu-ray high definition DVD format because of the high costs being projected by various news articles.

HD DVD seems to be a relatively less expensive high definition disc format, but even HD DVD is fairly expensive.

LG is the latest tech firm to jump on the HD DVD bandwagon:

http://tinyurl.com/znpbr

I suspect many consumers are satisfied with standard definition NTSC DVD quality and won't feel strongly compelled to adopt any high definition DVD format unless the cost comes way down.

The fact is that high definition flat panel displays are still BRUTALLY EXPENSIVE for the average person.

Sure... the consumers are gawking at these flat panel displays on the showroom floors, but many aren't buying them at current prices... in spite of the fact the prices have dropped.

I see consumers who are instead willing to settle for DVD-quality tube TVs... these are the new, VERY INEXPENSIVE 27" digital TVs with ATSC DIGITAL TUNERS that allow for reception of locally transmitted ATSC digital TV signals.

The HUGE advantage of these types of TVs is due to the nature of digital TV reception.

If one has a reasonably good antenna, one can receive FREE over-the-air digital channels in one's local viewing area:

http://tinyurl.com/f9unr

If the digital broadcast signals are strong enough, then one's reception should yield DVD QUALITY... free of the ghosting and other reception problems inherent in analog, NTSC TV broadcasting.

These new digital TVs can be had for $250 and their picture quality is SUPERB when compared to TVs with old fashioned analog NTSC tuners.

I suspect many consumers will settle for these DVD-quality TVs rather than adopt flat panel high definition displays that cost several hundred dollars or more.

I also suspect that many consumers in that category will eventually transition into high definition video viewing via their COMPUTER SCREENS and not via flat panel TV displays.

As computer displays get larger, they will - in my humble opinion - replace TVs.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[wkulecz]

When we switched from a 32" 480i NTSC analog TV to a 65" 1080i rear projection set changing the DVD player to progressive (480p) mode made far more difference than I'd expected.

I suspect many folks making the switch will be happy with the improvement until HD DVD content and players come down a lot in price.

Sure the technical quality of CSI in 1080i is better than a DVD in 480p but in terms of enjoying the story its pretty close to nada. I think Hollywood may be in for a rude surprise if they think the masses are going to spend a ton of money rebuying content in HD.

Most people watch such poor quality feed on mal adjusted analog NTSC sets that 480p on a digital set will blow them away and they'll assume its high definition.

Watching HD broadcasts on a 20" Dell LCD (via the DVI input, no computer beyond the cable set top box) vs. the 65" projection TV, its no contest, size matters. Not that I'd complain if there was a 65" computer display monitor I could afford, but I's sure want more pixels than HD delivers

--wally.

[Jerry Jones]

When we switched from a 32" 480i NTSC analog TV to a 65" 1080i rear projection set changing the DVD player to progressive (480p) mode made far more difference than I'd expected.

I suspect many folks making the switch will be happy with the improvement until HD DVD content and players come down a lot in price.

Sure the technical quality of CSI in 1080i is better than a DVD in 480p but in terms of enjoying the story its pretty close to nada. I think Hollywood may be in for a rude surprise if they think the masses are going to spend a ton of money rebuying content in HD.

Most people watch such poor quality feed on mal adjusted analog NTSC sets that 480p on a digital set will blow them away and they'll assume its high definition.

Watching HD broadcasts on a 20" Dell LCD (via the DVI input, no computer beyond the cable set top box) vs. the 65" projection TV, its no contest, size matters. Not that I'd complain if there was a 65" computer display monitor I could afford, but I's sure want more pixels than HD delivers

--wally.

Well said, Wally.

Agree 100%!

The other MAJOR problems that I anticipate include:

1. Many of today's flat panel TVs **don't** include digital tuners! This adds complexity to the consumer's purchasing decision... John Doe wants simplicity... turn it on and it should receive DIGITAL signals... and the manufacturers are playing with his mind and his pocket book by withholding digital tuners to mask the high costs... and some are even 'screwing' the customer - in my view - by building inferior ANALOG tuners into high definition TVs;

2. There's no definite high definition DVD standard as "HD DVD" battles it out against "Blu-ray" - two INCOMPATIBLE (currently) high definition DVD formats - which means the eventual loser could put some consumers in the position of having obsolete technology within 5 years;

3. Copy protection schemes *might* get in the way of hardware playback systems, making it impossible for some consumers to view true HD video content without spending hundreds of extra dollars on even newer HD equipment:

http://tinyurl.com/9f8r4

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Hulk]

Would love to see a DVDWS3.

Multi-angle, updated GUI and most importantly better error handling.

WS2 is still a very useful product but it is getting long in tooth.

- Mark

[Jerry Jones]

I agree, Mark.

I suspect that product is definitely in the works.

I supect they may be waiting for the copy protection issues to be resolved.

For kicks, I went to Boise's "Best Buy" store tonight and picked up a brand new Insignia 27-inch NS-27RTV standard definition (SDTV) set... for a modest $230... and it INCLUDES a digital ATSC tuner.

Insignia is a "Best Buy" in-house brand:

http://tinyurl.com/7dluh

Here in Boise, we get a fairly decent selection of FREE over-the-air digital channels.

I have a good antenna and - after turning the TV on - I got DVD quality video from all of the digital channels... as expected.

And - for those forum visitors who haven't yet tried digital TV reception - the difference between analog reception and digital reception is like night and day.

So if you don't have several hundred or even thousands of dollars waiting to be spent on a flat panel HDTV, consider saving your cash and splurging instead on a DIGITAL SDTV.

It's like watching DVD movie quality programs from your local TV stations.

You can easily find your area's digital channels:

http://tinyurl.com/f9unr

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[wkulecz]

I think Jerry's system will make most people very happy compared to what they have now. Fact is HD brings little to the party unless you have a 36" or larger screen.

If you are on a cable system, having a tuner built in doesn't bring much if any benefit except as a backup. Needing an outdoor antenna is a show stopper for a lot of folks.

--wally.

[Jerry Jones]

The interesting difference between using an antenna for digital reception is that it behaves nothing like when used to pick up analog channels.

With analog reception, one must move the antenna around in an effort to make the picture "better" - but it rarely is perfect.

With digital reception, it's "all or nothing."

You either get a perfect picture or you get a black screen with no sound and some text advising you that the signal isn't sufficiently strong.

Once you get the antenna positioned correctly, however, you never have to move it again.

It's like getting digital satellite reception... without the high price.

I really hope they figure out a way for public access TV to be funded for local communities because I think that's going to be a popular way for people to share their digitally-produced videos with the greater community.

Here in Boise, the PBS station utilizes FIVE digital channels.

Often, two or three of those channels are not in use... you get just a black screen when tuning to those unused digital channels.

It's a shame that the community doesn't have a cooperative DIGITAL channel.

People could broadcast their documentaries, the videos of their children participating in sports or other activities, etc.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net