Press Release

The new suite includes Vegas 7 and DVD Architect™ 4 software, as well as a Dolby Digital® AC-3 multi-channel encoder for 5.1 surround output.

The all-new Vegas 7 nonlinear editing software combines superior HDV and XDCAM support with innovative workflow enhancement tools that make the application more powerful and intuitive than ever before. Responding to industry-wide demand for new HDV-enabled technology, Vegas 7 software offers full frame rate playback of native HDV on the Vegas timeline and includes improved memory for handling HDV 1080i longform projects. In addition, Vegas 7 software provides all the tools needed to edit proxy and full resolution High-Definition and Standard Definition XDCAM MXF files natively without requiring further transcoding.

"Not only does Vegas 7 respond to the current needs of content creators and producers, it provides a comprehensive tool-set that supports the latest formats, and future-proofs their workflows no matter how they're currently taking advantage of the platform.  Reconfigured memory handling streamlines the editing of large HDV clips and we've also included improved support for Blackmagic Design Decklink and AJA hardware.  The new multithreaded audio engine maximizes audio playback and performance, and the overall enhancements to workflow give unprecedented control over project development," said Sebastian Scala, Product Manager, Pro Audio, Content Creation Marketing, Broadcast Communication Solutions Group, Sony of Canada Ltd. "Individually, each of these elements would make Vegas 7 a compelling product, but the combination of these additions with many other new features make Vegas 7 a must-have for professional production in the studio or field."

New features in Vegas 7 software reinforce its position as one of the most intuitive, nonlinear editing tools for all formats. New capabilities include improved snapping with enhanced visual clues across multiple tracks, and flexible window docking, which provides customized layouts for modifying the user interface preferences.

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite is also bundled with two free bonus applications: Boris® Grafitti Ltd and Magic Bullet Movie Looks™ HD65, an enhanced version of the Movie Looks program that shipped with earlier versions of the suite. The new Magic Bullet Movie Looks™ HD65 supports HD resolutions and provides 65 different presets that mimic popular television and movie looks.

New features in the Vegas+DVD Production Suite include:

Vegas 7 New Video Features:

•Improved native HDV 1080i .m2t playback performance and improved memory handling for HDV 1080i longform projects;
•Comprehensive XDCAM support, including XDCAM viewer window, proxy support, FAM (i.LINK®) and network support, multichannel audio I/O, proxy conform and master to disc. All SD and HD XDCAM formats are supported;
•Improved DeckLink implementation includes support for current-generation DeckLink PCI-e and PCI-x cards, improved batch capture, multichannel audio I/O, insert edit to tape, mixed  timecode handling, 1080i 24p I/O support, and 720p timeline monitoring;
•Support for AJA SDI cards (requires Xena LH, LHe, LS, or LSe card). Includes support for batch capture,  multichannel audio I/O, insert edit to tape, mixed timecode handling, SD and  HD I/O including 1080i 24p, and 720p timeline monitoring;
•High-quality H.264 AVC/AAC import and export.  Includes templates for Sony PSP® , Apple iPod® , and HD (originally released  with Vegas 6.0d);
•I-frames insertion at marker positions when rendering  MPEG-2 (works in conjunction with I-frame viewer in DVD Architect 4);
•Export to PSP® (originally released as special upgrade in Vegas  6.0d);
•5.1-channel  audio extraction from DVD-based camcorders and home movies on DVD; and 
•Red-eye reduction for still images.

Vegas 7 New Audio Features:

•Multithreaded audio engine maximizes real-time audio playback and rendering performance — more tracks and effects with lower latency;
•Support for Sony Cinescore™ music-generation plug-in;
•Multichannel audio rendering, audio import and Broadcast Wave (BWF) audio import with arrange to timestamp;
•Improved VST plug-in support;  
•Support for opening and rendering ATRAC3™,  ATRAC3plus™, and ATRAC Advanced Lossless™ files, mono, stereo, and 5.1 surround; 
•Gracenote® MusicID™ technology for extracted audio from CDs; and 
•Support for the Frontier TranzPort control surface.

Vegas 7 New Workflow Features:

•Improved video preview — now includes auto-fit to preview window, simultaneous internal / external preview, additional resolution modes and optimized scaling for previews;
•Enhanced window layout management offers ability to save, recall, and share custom window layouts;
•More flexible window docking lets timeline and tabs display on top of docked windows or below;
•Improved snapping includes colour-coded visual snap indicator and the ability to snap to event edges on other tracksl;  
•User-definable default smoothness values for Pan/Crop and Track Motion keyframes; 
•Freehand envelope drawing on the timeline; 
•Improved project copy/trim with media includes support for uncompressed AVI, Sony YUV AVI, and CineForm AVI files, copy/trim  of audio and video to a single .avi file, copy/trim support for media with  velocity envelopes;
•Cut/copy/delete applies to grouped events; 
•Display option for media marker names in events;   
•Improved Media Manager performance; and
•Enhanced keyboard customization.

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite also includes an updated version of DVD Architect software, offering new capabilities in the design and production of DVDs.  New scripting tools in the software enable custom navigation and interactivity in DVD menu design.

Additional updates available in DVD Architect 4 software include:

DVD Architect 4 New General Features:

•Scripting support offers the ability to create simple games, custom kiosks automation, and locking passcodes;
•Random playlist playback;
•Parental Control;
•Support for Sony Cinescore™ music-generation plug-in; and
•DVD-R DL Support.

DVD Architect 4 New Editing and Layout Features

•Keyframeable transformations;
•Keyframeable crop and effects;
•Additional marker types;
•Graphical subtitles;
•Title reordering;
•Snap to I-Frame - provides precise chapter layout;
•4:3 and 16:9 preview settings; and
•Greater than 100% zoom.

DVD Architect 4 New Audio and Video Features

•Buttons on Video;
•Crop and adjust dialog;
•Slideshow animations;
•Picture slideshow duration; and
•ATRAC support.

DVD Architect 4 New Testing and Burning Features

•Burn mastered folder;
•8cm to 12cm DVD copy; and
•Button overlap indication.

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite provides professionals with the ultimate platform for scalable DV, HDV and HD production. With unparalleled image quality, robust media management and unrivaled audio support, it has become the new standard for tape and file-based workflow editing. It is available today at a manufacturers'suggested retail price
(MSRP) of $795.

About The Broadcast Communication Solutions Group

The Broadcast Communication Solutions (BCS) Group is a division of Sony of Canada Ltd., headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. BCS Group markets and supports Sony's full range of broadcast, professional video and audio equipment, including high definition video, interactive and security applications for the broadcast, production, business, industry, government, medical and education sectors through a network of authorized systems integrators.

About Sony of Canada Ltd.

Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in the manufacture and marketing of electronic and computer products for consumer, business, electronics publishing and multimedia applications on a global scale. With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and distribution centres in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Whitby, Ontario, approximately 1,000 employees support about 78 Sony stores and a network of more than 500 authorized dealers across Canada.

For further information, please visit us at www.sony.ca, www.thesonystore.ca, www.sonybiz.ca or www.sonystyle.ca, Sony's product information and e-commerce Web site, or contact:

John B. Challinor II   APR   
General Manager, Advertising  
& Corporate Communications   
Sony of Canada Ltd.    
(416) 495-3740    
john_challinor@sony.ca

Michelle Cowan Lefler
Account Executive,   
Technology Practice
Silverhammer Public Relations
(416) 324-2024
michelle_cowan_lefler@ca.cohnwolfe.com