Products and Services

Neptune is an editor for Web content that includes that also includes delivery optimization processing and the ability to embed server-specific system administration information for seamless Web mastering. With neptune, artists use Discreet's editing, effects and animation tools to master a project. Using neptune's delivery optimization processing, the artist can then create multiple versions of their content in popular industry standard Web formats. Versions can be created in batch, and processed in an unattended background task, allowing the artist greater productivity benefits and continued creative design.

neptune incorporates compression and bit rate management tools, where users can design and preview quality levels of their work based on user-selectable compression and bandwidth rates. Using a new "compressionist" interface, artists "pre-stream" video against selected codec parameters. Video scenes that will not compress acceptably are identified and can be substituted with higher-quality frames to produce a final product with excellent video streaming quality. Web video quality can be viewed and optimized for target bandwidth rates, from traditional modem speeds to DSL and other broadband rates. This unique ability to pre-stream and interactively modify end-results before the encoding process gives artists complete control over video quality while ensuring the streamed project is optimized to reach the widest population of Web surfers.

neptune also includes an intelligent Web-publishing interface, where users provide straightforward instructions to aid the webmaster in simplifying the streaming process. Artists can embed systems administration information such as destination server, HTML pages, and URL information, along with all project meta-data associated with the Web video, providing the webmaster with all the necessary data required for server-based delivery. neptune will also provide a template-based customizable ASP page design allowing quick easy access to Web video, an ideal feature for clients viewing broadcast, advertising agencies, and post-production content.

Initially, neptune will be integrated with Discreet's NT-based nonlinear editing system, edit* v6, due for shipment Fall 2000. Discreet is also examining additional implementations of this product, including licensing alternatives.

Discreet, 10 Duke St., Montreal, Province of Quebec H3C 2L7 Canada. Phone: 514-393-1616; Fax: 514-393-0110.

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