Pinnacle Systems Inc., Mountain View, Calif., the consumer division of Avid Technology Inc., announced new video archiving and editing solutions, Dazzle DVD Recorder and Dazzle Video Creator Plus. The new Dazzle products allow all users to transfer, enhance and preserve their videos on DVDs. Dazzle Video Creator Plus also includes Pinnacle Studio video editing software with its Pinnacle Montage feature and the ability to export to Apple iPods, Sony PSPs and upload directly to YouTube and Yahoo Video.

  The Dazzle DVD Recorder is aimed at users who want a simple way to back up videotapes to DVD but who are not interested in editing them. Consumers can transfer video footage to a DVD using a PC by connecting a VCR, DVD player, camcorder, or almost any other video device with analog outputs, to the Dazzle USB 2.0 hardware. With the Pinnacle Instant DVD-Recorder software included in both Dazzle products, users can record from video source to DVD with one-click. Pinnacle Instant DVD-Recorder makes an exact copy of the tape to DVD through its direct-to-disc feature, and automatically adds DVD menus and chapter points by detecting scene changes.

  Dazzle Video Creator Plus Pinnacle Studio video editing software to restore and transform into movies with effects, transitions, titles and soundtracks. Pinnacle Montage automatically generates multi-layered effects, animated graphics and titles.

  Pinnacle Systems Dazzle DVD Recorder and Dazzle Video Creator Plus can be used with Windows XP or Windows Vista systems. The Dazzle products will be available by June 22 for $49.99 and $89.99, respectively.
  In separate news, Pinnacle announced version 12 of Pinnacle Studio, its consumer video editing software. The new version includes Pinnacle Montage, and more than 25 new features like more titles, DVD menus and templates. The software also includes professional audio and video controls and a complete HD workflow with Blu-ray authoring.

  The Pinnacle Studio version 12 family consists of three versions to meet the needs of consumers ranging from novices to dedicated video enthusiasts. In addition to Pinnacle Studio, the basic version, Pinnacle offers Studio Plus and Studio Ultimate with more advanced audio and video tools, including a complete HD workflow.

  The Pinnacle Montage feature includes more than 11 pre-defined themes with more than 80 single templates. In addition, all Pinnacle Studio version 12 products now offer marker tools for the timeline. Format compatibility has also been expanded to include photo import in Photoshop's native PSD format and the GIF format. With the new export options, users can create MP3, Flash Video, WAV and 3GP files or upload files direct to YouTube.

  Pinnacle Studio version 12 now incorporates advanced capabilities for audio, with numerical audio volume, master volume controls, a timeline VU meter and peak indicators. The new version also offers improved effects performance on lower-end PCs, advanced 2D editing, the ability to rotate effects and new content for titles and DVD menus.

  Designed for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista systems, the Pinnacle Studio version 12 family includes Pinnacle Studio, as well as Pinnacle Studio Plus and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate with full HD support. Pinnacle Studio family is $49.99, the Plus version is $99.99 and the Ultimate version is $129.99. Pinnacle Studio family is available now for pre-orders at the Pinnacle Systems estore and will be at e-tail and retail stores later this month. Upgrades from all of the previous Pinnacle Studio versions to version 12 will also be available from the Pinnacle Systems website with prices ranging from $69.99 to $99.99.

The Imaging Source Europe GmbH, Bremen, Germany, manufacturer of imaging hardware and software for industry, medicine and astronomy, is now offering amateur astro-photographers a series of low noise astronomy cameras to capture quality images of the night sky. The astronomy cameras ship in blue and black anodized aluminium and zinc industrial housing, measure 50-by-56mm and weigh 260 grams. The included nose piece is mounted onto a C/CS mount on the front of the camera. On the rear, a USB or FireWire connector is available, and a threaded tripod adapter on the bottom rounds off the exterior of the camera.

  Monochrome and color models are available with and without an IR cut filter in three resolutions: 640-by-480, 1024-by-768 and 1280-by-960. The astronomy cameras deploy low noise CCD chips from Sony, which have an exposure time of up to 60 minutes and a maximum frame rate of up to 60 fps. The cameras ship with the camera control and acquisition software IC Capture.AS, which allows image sequences and singular images to be written to disk. The astronomy cameras are available worldwide starting at US$350 or euro 290. They can be purchased online and from an international network of dealers.

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