The 1998 NewMedia Hyper Awards: the top tools for digital media

Article Abstract:

The top multimedia products and technologies are acknowledged in various categories, including systems, storage, display, graphics, input devices, audio, authoring, video, and web development. The technology of the year is FireWire/IEEE 1394, which will bring 100-Mbps-and-faster data transfers via phone-like connectors to homes and professional studios. The emerging technology of the year is the extensible markup language (XML), which has the potential to convert web pages into coherent documents and services. The system of the year is Intergraph's TDZ 2000 multimedia workstation, whose modular tower expansion design supports the upgradability digital media producers require. The storage product of the year is Seagate Technology's Cheetah hard drives, which are the first to bring speeds faster than 7,200 rpm to desktop systems. Kinetix' 3D Studio Max R2 is named the graphics software of the year for its ability to give smaller studios the design tools they need to compete with big-budget FX firms.

Electronic computers, Software Publishers, Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Computer Storage Device Manufacturing, Analog Computers, Computer storage devices, Rigid Disk Drives, Energy Mgmt Software Pkgs (Micro), Microcomputers, Product description/specification, Product information, XML, XML (Extensible markup language), Cover Story, Achievements and awards, SCSI-3 adapter, SCSI adapters, X86 processors, Intergraph Corp., INGR, Hard disk drive, Hard disk drives, Image processing software, Review of past year, Business conditions, Desktop video, Seagate Technology L.L.C., SEGT, Kinetix (Canton, Ohio), Pentium II-based system, Pentium II based computers, Intergraph TDZ-2000 ViZual Workstation (Pentium II-based system), Seagate Technology Cheetah (Hard disk drive), 3D Studio MAX R2 (Image processing software)

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Authoring tools bent on cross-platform development

Article Abstract:

Autodesk, Oracle, Quark and Macromedia all used the Feb 1995 Intermedia show to demonstrate new offerings. Autodesk is developing a Windows authoring application that is built around object-oriented technology acquired from MediaShare. M Factory announces its M Tropolis object-oriented system, which is priced at $4,995 and is targeted at CD-ROM developers. It is shipping for PowerMac and Mac, but a Windows 95 version is slated for later in 1995. A Windows 3.x player is already available. Oracle's Media Objects CD-ROM mastering software employs the HyperCard metaphor for stacks, scripts and cards. It is priced at $495. Macromedia's $4,995 Authorware 3.0 includes a variety of enhancements compared to earlier versions, such as improved performance in development and playback. Quark's Mac-based Orion XTension for QuarkXPress is a new type of authoring tool and is expected to be priced at $895

Product development, Desktop publishing software, Oracle Corp., ORCL, Macromedia Inc. (San Francisco, California), Autodesk Inc., ACAD, CD-ROM mastering software, Quark Inc., Oracle Media Objects (Multimedia authoring software), Software Product Introduction, MFactory Inc., mTropolis (Multimedia authoring software), AuthorWare 3.0 (Multimedia authoring software), Orion XTension (DTP extension)

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Microsoft takes on QuickTime with DirectX 5.0 (general system services for multimedia product)(Product Announcement)

Article Abstract:

Microsoft announces its new DirectX 5.0 (DX5) application for multimedia, which closely parallels Apple's QuickTime technology. Industry observers contend that while Microsoft is a bit tardy getting into the market, its multimedia strategy is a good move. DX5 is expected to ship in Jun 1997, and it will feature video functions of the current version of ActiveMovie. At the same time, Apple will ship QuickTime 3.0 for Windows 95/NT, which will be the first Windows version to include playback and authoring functions so that developers will be able to ship products that work the same on both Windows and Mac platforms. DirectX provides authoring only on Windows, and Microsoft has not promised to make it possible to have playback on UNIX or the Mac. DX5 is a two-layer model that will be very familiar to those with experience using Apple's QuickTime Media Layer.

Microsoft Corp., Application development software, MSFT, Software product introduction

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