TV&Video spoke with Mark Ely, VP of Sonic Solutions, about the novelties of this technology, its trends and how its future is seen in the Latin American market.
TV&Video: What are the new developments for DVD creation?
Mark Ely: The most exciting development in DVD Media for this year has been the introduction of low-cost DVD burners. When combined with a product like Sonic DVDit, it allows videographers or any video enthusiast to make their own DVD at a surprisingly low price compared to what was possible just a few months ago.
TV&V: Are there any new tools for creating content on CD?
M.E.: The Sonic DVDit authoring application can write DVD-Video content to CD-R media. This allows professionals to place high-quality MPEG-2 video and Dolby Digital audio on standardized CD-R media for playback of high-quality presentations on personal computers.
TV&V: What is the best tool for desktop systems and what is the best professional systems for?
M.E.: SONIC DVDit is designed precisely for professionals working with desktop systems. Our new DVD Fusion product, developed for Windows platform, is aimed at professionals in the field of post-production who are looking for professional capacity and performance in DVD authoring.
TV&V: What is the trend in the development of tools for creating DVD titles?
M.E.: As the price of DVD burners continues to fall, more and more professionals are contemplating the possibility of publishing their works on DVD rather than tapes. This has led many people to take the lead in DVD publishing as a standard offered within their portfolio of video services.
TV&V: Does DVD have the ability to produce in different areas/zones?
M.E.: DVD titles can be created with eight audio streams, thirty-two subtitles and their design allows them to be viewed anywhere in the world, on NTSC or PAL systems.
TV&V: Do you think this division of areas/zones will cause problems for users in Latin America because users must import DVD equipment from the United States?
M.E.: No. Latin American consumers can choose to purchase their equipment in the United States, but they will not be compatible with DVD titles produced in Latin America, unless titles produced in this region also include support for U.S. playback equipment.
TV&V: How do you see the Latin American market?
M.E.: The Latin American market will quickly adopt the DVD standard and both consumers and professionals will quickly see the inherent superiority of the system over VHS tape for video playback.
TV&V: Do you think these countries have the possibility of building an industry for DVD creation?
M.E.: Absolutely. Just as Latin America has built a successful video and video tape production industry, it will also have the possibility of building a DVD distribution and production industry.
