Software Solutions Futureproof the PC Listening Experience

May 2004-Focused on the growing demand for DVD-Audio titles recently reported by the DVD-Audio Council, InterVideo, Inc. just announced that the optional DVD-Audio Pack for WinDVD 5 is the only software solution on the market that provides DVD-Audio support without requiring additional hardware. With more than 75 million units sold worldwide, InterVideo WinDVD is not only the leading DVD playback software, it is recognized for consistently setting the pace for audio playback on PCs. The DVD-Audio Pack combines with WinDVD 5 to provide a complete feature set that consumers can use as a checklist for the software they need to enhance the audio quality of their PCs today and in the future.

DVD-Audio Support
The demand for DVD-Audio playback software is being driven by the growth in player sales and the dramatic increase in the number of titles available.

The DVD-Audio Council reports that over 10 million stand-alone DVD-Audio players (which also play CDs) have been sold - almost four times the number sold last year. In addition, the number of DVD-Audio releases more than doubled in 2003 and is now approaching 700. The increasing number of titles being released by many labels include releases by superstar artists such as Britney Spears, R. Kelly, Sting, The Who and Neil Young.

InterVideo's DVD-Audio Pack automatically detects the DVD-Audio source so users can quickly and easily navigate the audio content to skip tracks, play music and access special audio disc menus. When used with DVD-Audio discs, the unique software enables users to enjoy the extra features that are making this format so popular such as photos, discographies, slide shows and more.

In addition to DVD-Audio support, InterVideo's WinDVD 5 Audio Pack also includes support for other new technologies that aren't available with similar software video/audio playback solutions.

Intel High Definition (HD) Audio Support
InterVideo software serves as the enabler for Intel's HD Audio technology, delivering an in-depth PC listening experience that rivals home theater systems. When combined with InterVideo's optional DVD-Audio Pack and a PC incorporating the upcoming Grantsdale chipset Intel HD Audio technology, WinDVD 5 provides a complete, easy-to-use solution for playback of the highest-quality sound.

CD/DVD Audio Flip Disc (DualDisc) Support
InterVideo WinDVD 5 and the DVD-Audio Pack can be used to play the new CD/DVD Audio flip disc, called DualDisc. The CD/DVD Audio discs are double-sided discs with Compact Disc-compatible digital audio (44.1kHz 16-bit) on one side and high-resolution (192kHz 24-bit) DVD-Audio content on the other side.

Windows Media Audio (WMA) Support
Support for the WMA format is included in WinDVD 5 and does not require the WinDVD 5 Audio Pack.

Offering a true home theater experience, the Platinum version of WinDVD 5 includes individual speaker volume control, delay, equalization, and stackable audio effects. Some of the other audio features available with WinDVD 5 Platinum include:

• 96kHz/24bit Audio Decode: The quality of 96/24 audio is production studio-quality audio, the type musicians demand when they cut master tapes.
• Dolby Surround EX: Decodes the rear-center channel on Surround EX sources, creating 6.1 or 7.1 output. Ideal for mind-blowing 8-channel sound cards.
• Dolby Headphone: Dolby Headphone combines the 5.1 surround signals to create an amazingly vivid surround sound environment on your headphones.
• Dolby Virtual Speaker: Dolby Virtual Speaker technology uses an advanced psychoacoustics algorithm to create an amazing 5.1 surround sound environment using only two speakers. With this capability, WinDVD Platinum 5 users with as few as two speakers can enjoy rich, full home-theater surround sound.
• Multi-Channel MP3 Playback: With a multi-channel sound card and speaker set, WinDVD Platinum 5 transforms the output from two-channel (stereo) MP3s and CDs to multi-channel surround sound.
• LFE Redirection: Provides richer sound without a subwoofer. Redirects the Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel of 5.1 soundtracks to the main speakers (or headphones) when there are no subwoofers installed.
• Dynamic Range Optimization: Dynamic range optimization adjusts the sound to improve audibility in noisy environments, like airplanes, and to avoid bothering others. Dolby Pro Logic II: Creates 5.1 channel sound from 2-channel sources. This feature works on both encoded and non-encoded (music) content.
• ICE (InterVideo Channel Expansion) Surround: InterVideo's proprietary audio processing creates 5.1 to 7.1 channel output from 2-channel sources. This feature works on both movies and music.
• DSP Effects: InterVideo's audio equalization and effects technology is targeted for music playback, but can also be used for movie soundtracks. DSP effects include preset equalization settings (like Rock, Concert Hall, etc.) and special effects (echo, pitch change, etc.) for complete audio control.
• Pitch Shift and Vocal Suppression: When InterVideo's proprietary Time Stretching is used to speed up or slow down a movie's playback, WinDVD 5 Platinum also slows down or speeds up the audio-automatically. It adjusts the pitch of the audio so it sounds natural and clear, even if the movie is playing faster or slower than normal.

Pricing, Availability
InterVideo markets WinDVD 5 to consumers and hardware OEMs, including manufacturers of PCs, video cards, camcorders, disk drives and consumer electronics products. It can be used with PC and laptop computers running Windows 98/2000/Me/XP.

WinDVD 5 is available at InterVideo's web site at www.intervideo.com and at retail outlets around the world. Suggested list prices are $49.95 for WinDVD Gold 5 and $69.95 for WinDVD Platinum 5. Available at InterVideo's web site, the DVD-Audio pack is priced at $39.95.

For true DVD-Audio 96kHz/24-bit full-fidelity, multi-channel sound, WinDVD 5 and the DVD-Audio Pack can be combined with Creative Labs' Audigy 2 series sound card.

For more information, contact InterVideo at 510/651-0888 or visit the company's Web site at www.intervideo.com.

SOURCE InterVideo