3/15/99
BILL FERSTER’S VIDEOGRAPHICS NEWSWIRE
ISSUE 99-7
ABOUT THIS NEWSWIRE
Bill Ferster’s VideoGraphics NewsWire is published bi-weekly and summarizes the important events in the convergent worlds of multimedia, video, animation, chips, mass storage and computers.
Please feel free to forward this NewsWire to someone who might appreciate an item, or heaven forbid, might want to subscribe to it. Please refrain, however, from continually mailing it to others on a regular basis. You can visit my website for more information, as well as read and search past issues of this NewsWire, at http://www.stagetools.com/bill.
BUSINESS
--> The Amiga May Rise Again
This computer has more lives than a cat, but computer-maker Gateway (http://www.gateway.com) plans to re-introduce the platform, which has a cult-like following, as an internet appliance and a low-cost PC when OS enhancements are completed.
---> Mattel Wanted to Buy Purple Moon
Recently defunct software maker Purple Moon, which was founded by usability pundit Brenda Laurel, apparently turned down a $45M offer by toy-maker Mattel (http://www.mattel.com) before closing its doors. Purple Moon supposedly thought the company was worth $100M and Mattel decided to buy Learning Company instead. Oh well.
---> Software Sales Up 13% Last Year
America’s growth industry of the information age boasted revenues of over $5B last year, in spite of the continuing retail price drops in products, according to a study by PC Data (http://www.pcdata.com). Microsoft accounted for 23% of the total sales, with the Learning Company, Symantec and Adobe trailing at 11%, 9% and 7% respectively.
BROADCAST / POST-PRODUCTION
---> Tops Vector Paint Goes HD
Vegas FX, (http://www.vegasfx.com) headed by graphics pioneer Tom Brinson (RIO Animator, Parachute, & Ron Scott’s HiRes QFX) has added the capability to draw and convert images between all 18 digital television formats. The $999 Windows program allows resolution-independent pixel painting with the flexibility and control of traditional vector-based drawing packages such as Adobe’s Illustrator.
---> Nonlinear Editing Comes to the Home
Matsushita (http://www.panasonic.com) announced a new technology that will spawn a number of new consumer applications. Their "Audio-Video Hard Disk Drive" (AVHDD) is slated to be added to TVs, VCRs and SetTop boxes under the Panasonic moniker, to enable applications such as home nonlinear editing and slo-mo.
---> Alias|Wavefront Announces Maya Fusion Compositor
SGI subsidiary Alias|Wavefront (http://www.aw.sgi.com) will show a new NT-based compositing package at this year’s NAB that will help make the merging of 3D and 2D show elements easier through depth-buffered techniques. The $5,000 software package will also use standard plug-ins from Ultimatte, eyeon, and 5D Limited’s Monsters.
---> Telestream Moves Digital Video
A start-up made up of former Grass Valley people is creating tools for moving video over networks. Telestream’s (http://www.telestream.net) first product, "ClipMail" system (a dedicated unit), makes it as easy for video professionals to exchange video streams as it is to send email. The product is MPEG-2 based and handles the compressing, transmission and decompression automatically through the Internet or other network in a store-and-forward manner.
IMAGING
---> Kodak’s Picture CD Looking Good
In the midst of trying to divest it’s poorly performing electronic imaging division, film giant Eastman Kodak (www.kodak.com/go/picturecd) looks like they have hit on the right formula to marry the convenience and cost edge of shooting on film, with the advantages electronic imaging. Unlike their failed initial attempt with PhotoCD, Picture CD uses standard JPEG encoding at 1536 by 1024 on CD’s, which cost about $9 per 36 exposure roll.
---> S3’s Prospects for Savage4 Look Better
One time leader and current second-running graphics-chip maker, S3 (http://www.s3.com) announced strong design demand for their new Savage4 3D-render accelerator chip, estimated to bring in $150M this year. Samsung, Diamond and Creative Labs plan top make cards using the new chip.
---
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Bill Ferster’s VideoGraphics NewsWire is published weekly and summarizes the important events in the convergent worlds of multimedia, video, animation, chips, mass storage and computers.
The cost is $49 per quarter billed to your MasterCard, Visa or American Express card. You may cancel anytime you like for a pro-rated refund. I regret that the administrative billing overhead prohibits me from accepting checks and purchase orders. Corporate site licenses can be negotiated. Students, Schools and other educational facilities may receive the NewsWire at no charge.
---
CYA DISCLAIMER: The preceding NewsWire represents my best efforts to gather the facts and the offering of my opinions. Although I try to describe the world as it appears me, I make no representations as to the accuracy of the reports within, which are gleaned from press releases, print and online magazines and the Inquisit Information Service.
