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Inlet Technologies Introduce Semaphore and Releases Fathom 2.1 at IBC 2005 (20/9/2005)

Innovations Improve Speed, Quality and Control of Next-Generation Encoding for HD DVD, Blue-Ray, Video on Demand, Dailies and more

Inlet Technologies, a leading provider of professional encoding solutions for next-generation content distribution, today announced the release of Fathomú 2.1 and the introduction of Semaphoreú 1.0. Introduced at IBC 2004, Fathom was the first real-time encoding solution for Windows Media Video HD content. Designed to improve post production workflow, Fathom combines a hardware encoding engine with analysis software to deliver smaller file sizes, better quality output, and greatly reduced processing time.

Today's Fathom 2.1 version adds additional efficiency-enhancing features such as MediaCatú, for concatenating content from multiple tapes for encoding into a single project. It also includes Semaphore ö an innovative software analysis tool that improves the Quality Control process and gives content creators, compressionists and video engineers more mastery over their encoding projects. For the first time, Semaphore is now available as either part of the Fathom suite or as a standalone software product, allowing the separation of encoding and QC processes, for greater efficiency and speed.

Fathom 2.1

Inlet continues to work closely with customers to deliver break-through advancements for professional encoding in the Windows Media Video and the SMPTE VC-1 format. New features now available in Fathom 2.1 include MediaCat, ALE/FLEX file import and custom I-frame control.

MediaCat tape concatenation provides easy management of projects received on multiple tapes with multi-time code content. This new feature greatly simplifies the encoding process for complex video content. With MediaCat, multiple sources can be encoded and output as a single file, in one-pass, two-pass or segment encoding modes.

"Feature encoding projects generally involve sourcing content from multiple tapes or reels, while episodic and advertorial projects often require multiple start and stop times within a single tape," explained John Bishop, Inlet senior vice president of business development and strategy. "MediaCat is a great solution for complex projects because it has the flexibility to manage multiple sources, multiple start/stops and multiple encoding modes."

New Fathom customer, Digital Media Production (DMP) realizes the benefits of these new product enhancements. As the leading DVD production house in Central Europe, Czech Republic-based DMP has pre-mastered more than 1000 DVD titles for its international clientele (in Western and Eastern Europe, Far East, Australia).

"Inlet's Fathom has allowed us to streamline our encoding process and work with Windows Media in ways previously reserved for MPEG-2 encoding only," said Lubomir Celar, CEO, Digital Media Production. "Fathom's unique combination of direct encoding from HD SDI, Seen by Scene segment encoding and MediaCat allow us to focus on competitively differentiating our encoding work and delivering a much better media experience to our clients."

The addition of advanced ALE/FLEX file support was inspired by feedback from another new Fathom customer, Modern VideoFilm (MVF). After three decades of providing post-production services for the film and television industry, Burbank, California-based MVF understands the complexities of encoding. Their goal was to streamline the time-intensive, manual process of synchronizing encodes with both source and Flex files.

"In the past, we had to manually input individual starts, stops and times for each file and each individual scene. Inlet has removed numerous steps to create significant time and resource efficiencies. What could have taken several hours in the past now requires only a few quick clicks of the mouse," said Michael Rebel, data manager, Modern VideoFilm.

Fathom 2.1 is also the first encoding solution to offer custom I-frame controls for Windows Media, which allow the user to insert DVD chapter points properly and precisely position I-frames.

Semaphore

Semaphore is an exciting new addition to Inlet's product family that allows customers to achieve unprecedented efficiencies in advanced encoding Quality Control (QC). Semaphore uses frame-by-frame statistics within the QC environment to ensure that the encoding project has met quality thresholds, project specifications and/or compliance standards. In addition, Semaphore allows customers to develop custom encoding parameters based on real-world data.

"It takes a highly-trained eye to catch every nuance within professional encodes," said Bishop. "Semaphore sheds light on the mysterious Îblack boxâ of encoding, allowing compressionists to understand how encoding parameters affect their final results. Comprehensive encoding metrics displayed in easy to read graphs allow for quick navigation to encoding hotspots. These frame-accurate stats give you more control, and speed the process of working with Windows Media and SMPTE VC-1 content."

While Fathom 2.1 users leverage Semaphore to fine-tune the encoding process for better quality output, Semaphore is also offered as a standalone product to aid anyone involved in encoding content QC, both on the vendor and on the client side. Separating the QC process from the encoding process adds further efficiencies to the content workflow. Semaphore broadens Inlet's market appeal, since it complements not only Fathom but also any other professional Windows Media encoder.

Speed, Quality and Control

Inlet is dedicated to improving the Speed, Quality and Control of next-generation encoding:

- With real-time hardware encoding, Fathom can trim hundreds of hours from the production cycle, helping encoders meet production deadlines, without sacrificing quality. - Fathom's advanced capabilities helps digital media professionals deliver the high-quality, visually distinctive results their clients demand. - Unique features such as Semaphore, Seen by Scene and MediaCat provide visibility into the encoding process, and enable precise adjustments to improve final output.

Fathom and Semaphore are available through qualified professional video resellers and solution integrators.

www.inlethd.com

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