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Press
Release: May 19, 2003
| PLEXTOR
INTRODUCES PC INDUSTRY'S FIRST DIGITAL VIDEO CONVERTER
WITH REAL-TIME MPEG-4 COMPRESSION
Also
Converts Analog Video to MPEG-1 for Recording VCDs,
MPEG-2 for DVDs;
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Connection Maximizes Throughput
to Computer
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FREMONT,
Calif. — April 14, 2003 — Plextor®
Corp. has entered the digital video market with the announcement
of ConvertXT, a hardware real-time digital video converter
and editing device for Windows-based personal computers.
This straightforward box captures video from a wide range
of sources-such as camcorders, DVD players, VCRs, and
television-and automatically converts the analog video
into a digital format for editing, authoring, and recording
on media. With support for a variety of MPEG video/audio
compression standards, including the latest MPEG-4 technology,
ConvertX is easily the most flexible and versatile product
in the video converter market.
As
the first product of its kind to support MPEG-1, MPEG-2,
and MPEG-4 encoding, ConvertX provides users with several
options for long-term storage of video. For example, MPEG-1
could be used to record one hour of video on a VCD, while
MPEG-2 could be used to record up to two hours of high-quality
video on a single DVD. MPEG-4 could be utilized to create
highly compressed video archives to save space on a hard
disk drive. Users can now store 2 hours of high-quality
video on a standard CD or 10 hours on a DVD.
ConvertX
also features a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connection to maximize
data throughput to the host computer. This enables high
bit rate video capture using MPEG-2 compression. A bundled
package of editing and authoring software from industry
leader InterVideo, Inc. makes it easy for users to manipulate
audio and video to create custom CDs or DVDs.
"The
rapidly growing video capture market dovetails perfectly
with our present mission of manufacturing the world's
highest quality CD and DVD optical disc drives," said
Howard Wing, vice president of sales and marketing for
Plextor. "Much of the video captured to a PC eventually
ends up on CD or DVD discs, so it made sense for Plextor
to develop a digital video converter optimized to work
with our CD and DVD burners. ConvertX offers MPEG-4 support,
Hi-Speed USB 2.0, and Plextor quality, all at a low price,
putting it ahead of comparable products on the market
today."
"Plextor's
reputation for developing high-quality CD and DVD optical
disc drives gives them a competitive edge as they enter
the digital video conversion market," said Steven Ro,
president and CEO, InterVideo. "Bundling InterVideo WinDVD
and WinDVD Creator software with the Plextor ConvertX
results in a highly-integrated, total solution for end
users."
Plextor
ConvertX
ConvertX allows users to capture analog video and convert
it to a digital format faster and more easily than ever
before. Users simply connect an analog video source to
one of ConvertX's AV connections: RCA Composite Video
Input, RCA Composite Audio Input, and S-Video Input. Video
capture formats include MPEG-1 (VCD), MPEG-2, (DVD), and
MPEG-4. In Playback mode, ConvertX supports video display
resolutions up to 720 x 480.
InterVideo
Software Bundle
ConvertX software is based on InterVideo's popular WinDVD
player and WinDVD Creator products. The software walks
the user through capturing video, editing it, adding titles,
transitions, effects, music, and menus, and finally burning
the finished product as a DVD (or VCD), mini-DVD, AVI,
MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 ASF, WMV or DivXT movie - all with
a single program.
In
capture mode, users can select bit rate and size, utilize
a count down recording timer, and view real-time encoding
playback. Editing controls include trimming, title insertion,
MPEG cutter, and combine/divide MPEG-4 video file.
The
WinDVD Player is the world's most popular DVD player,
which enables DVD, VCD and MPEG-1, 2, 4 playback, de-interlace,
de-blocking filters, fast forward/rewind (o.5x, 1.5x,
2x, 4x, 8x), reverse play, fast playback with audio up
to 2x, and navigation support.
Recommended
System
Personal computer system with a 800 MHz
or faster processor, 256 MB RAM, 10 GB hard drive; Microsoft®
WindowsT XP Pro/Home/2000 operating system; Windows compatible
AGP or PCI graphic card; Windows compatible sound card
with support for 48-KHz playback (PCI recommended); and
USB 2.0 port. A CD-R/RW or RDVD disk drive is required
for CD or DVD creation.
Pricing
and Availability
The Plextor ConvertX is scheduled for shipment to distributors
and resellers in June 2003 with a Manufacturer's Suggested
Retail Price (MSRP) of $179.00 USD. All product packages
include unlimited toll-free technical support and one-year
full warranty. Reservations for ConvertX are now being
accepted at www.plextorshop.com.
About
Plextor
Plextor Corp. is a leading developer and
manufacturer of high-performance CD-related equipment
for professional use in consumer and business environments.
Since opening its headquarters in Silicon Valley in 1990,
Plextor has introduced numerous generations of award-winning
optical storage products, including CD-ROM, CD-Recordable,
CD-ReWritable, and DVD+R/RW drives. Plextor is privately
owned by Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd., a developer and manufacturer
of advanced technology hardware and precision electronic
equipment headquartered in Japan. Shinano Kenshi is best
known for its expertise in manufacturing motors.
Plextor is privately owned by Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd.,
a developer and manufacturer of advanced technology hardware
and precision electronic equipment headquartered in Japan.
Shinano Kenshi is best known for its expertise in manufacturing
motors.
Plextor
is a registered trademark and ConvertX is a trademark
of Plextor Corp. WinDVD Creator is a trademark of InterVideo,
Inc. All other trademarks, trade names, registered trademarks,
or registered trade names are the property of their respective
holders.
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