Canopus Launches ProCoder

Canopus Launches ProCoder – A Professional Transcoding Software Tool

Designed for speed and flexibility, ProCoder retains video quality while transcoding for multiple uses in record time

San Jose, Calif. (March 25, 2002) – Canopus Corporation, makers of award-winning, digital video editing systems, today announced ProCoder, the newest member to its growing line of software solutions for video professionals. Featuring Canopus’ acclaimed DV codec and MPEG technologies and supporting all popular video formats, ProCoder is an ideal transcoding software tool for video professionals who encounter multiple video formats on a regular basis. Whether preparing video for DVD, streaming, digital archiving or a combination of applications, users will find that ProCoder is the fastest and most versatile transcoder on the market.

Versatility and Speed
Supporting all popular video formats, including Windows Media, Real Video, Apple QuickTime, Microsoft DirectShow, Microsoft Video for Windows, Microsoft DV, Canopus DV, Canopus Software MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 encoding, ProCoder makes it easy to convert video between formats at incredible speeds. ProCoder lets users convert single or multiple video files at one time and can output to multiple files in multiple formats simultaneously. For greater time savings and flexibility, ProCoder’s advanced stitching feature lets users combine multiple input files of different formats and frame rates into one output file, eliminating the need to combine them in a separate editing application. ProCoder also employs video and audio filters to enhance the quality of converted output. 

Through its advanced pipeline architecture, ProCoder maximizes speed by optimizing conversion elements and filter application, so processing power isn't wasted on redundant operations. This becomes very important when source clips are converted to multiple target formats. ProCoder eliminates all redundant conversions and performs in a much more efficient manner than the 1-to-1 converters currently on the market. To make the process as easy as possible, ProCoder automatically performs operations such as pull-down and frame interpolation when needed, but still allows the user to manually specify settings when desired.

In addition, ProCoder’s ability to save target presets lets users easily apply specific operations in just a few clicks, speeding up conversion workflow significantly. Support for batch conversion lets users run a series of conversions without any need for the user to start each operation individually. To make conversions a one-click procedure, ProCoder can assign presets to a desktop icon for drag and drop simplicity, fully automating the users workflow.

“With Procoder, Canopus leverages its experience in codec technology to provide a robust application for video professionals,” said Robert Sharp, vice president of marketing and domestic sales. “Video professionals no longer have to wait long periods or accept poor quality results for their transcoded video.”

Quality - The Codec Difference
By using the industry-renowned Canopus DV codec and MPEG technologies, ProCoder provides high-quality output without the long wait associated with similar tools. Known for its high-speed performance, rock-solid stability and high-quality output, the Canopus DV codec has been licensed by industry leaders and is at the heart of the company’s award-winning line of NLEs including DVRexRT, DVStorm and DVRaptor-RT. 

On the MPEG front, Canopus’s MPEG encoding technology delivers the high-quality video and audio output required for DVD authoring and video streaming. Content creators can maximize the quality of their output while minimizing its size using the codec’s two-pass variable bitrate (VBR) compression and advanced motion-estimation processing.

Scalable Technology Architecture
ProCoder also features Canopus’s Scalable Technology Architecture to take full advantage of the system’s processing power, including multiple processors, to deliver the maximum speed. Along these lines, ProCoder is optimized to take advantage of the powerful Intel Pentium 4 processor to boost performance and productivity for video professionals.

Pricing and Availability
ProCoder will be available in May 2002 through Canopus and its authorized dealers and system integrators for a suggested retail price of $699. ProCoder supports Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000 Professional/XP Home and XP Professional operating systems. Fully optimized for Intel Pentium 4, ProCoder also supports Intel Pentium II and higher, and AMD K6, Duron and Athlon processors.

About Canopus Corporation
Based in San Jose, Calif., Canopus Corporation manufactures award-winning, nonlinear video editing products for video professionals and enthusiasts. Canopus’s DV editing, MPEG-2 encoding and 3D DVE products combine innovative hardware and software designs to set new standards in performance, functionality and reliability. Canopus Corporation has offices in the UK, Germany, Australia and China in addition to an extensive worldwide distributor network. Canopus Corporation's parent company, Canopus Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Kobe, is Japan's largest maker of video editing and graphics products. For more information contact Canopus at (408) 954-4500 or visit their Web site at www.canopuscorp.com.

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Canopus is a registered trademark and ProCoder, DVRexRT, DVStorm and DVRaptor-RT are trademarks of Canopus Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.