LAS VEGAS (NAB Booth # 11051) — Sony announced today the availability of its new Vegas+DVD Production Suite of software tools, which includes Vegas 5^®, DVD Architect 2 and a Dolby^® Digital AC-3 Encoder software.

Sony Vegas^® 5 software, the latest version of the award-winning non-linear professional video and audio editing application, now offers increased functionality, more specialized features and the most extensive audio upgrade to date. With advanced, real-time scalable production for SD, HD, HDV and other formats across unlimited tracks, Vegas software is the ideal application for professional DV, DVCAM TM and audio editing and encoding, and an overwhelming favorite among digital video and audio professionals who are looking for a single-platform solution for A/V editing and finishing.

"This program rocks," said writer/director/producer Steve Oedekerk (Bruce Almighty, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Nutty Professor, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls). "I've been using Sony Vegas software as my personal editing platform for years. With the new professional features, such as control surface automation, 3D planar compositing and network rendering, we're now experiencing the true convergence of simplicity meeting high-end production power."

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite is part of a full line of A/V software assets developed by Sony Creative Software, a business unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Production Systems division manages the U.S. sales and distribution for the software products in the professional A/V, music industry, and government channels.

"Vegas software has evolved into one of the most comprehensive video and audio editing products in the industry and with the addition of the expansive new feature set for both audio and video production, the product's efficiency is now unrivaled," said Steve Banfield, senior vice president, technology for Sony Creative Software. "Adding in the product's ability to more efficiently integrate with Sony's existing hardware and workflow solutions, Vegas 5 software is truly a force to be reckoned with in the professional media production market."

For the professional end-user, the integration of this feature-rich software with Sony's pro A/V equipment provides a nearly unlimited array of production options.

"Customers are looking for ways to streamline their workflows," said Bob Ott, vice president of Sony's Professional Audio and Video Group. "Their ability to now go to one source and have at their fingertips both software and hardware that takes them from content creation and editing through display accomplishes that goal."

New features in the Vegas 5 software include 3D track motion and compositing, keyframable Bezier masks, network rendering, transition progress envelopes, subtitle/text export to DVD Architect^® software, Flash™ .swf import, ACID^® software loop properties support, keyboard event pitch shifting, 5.1 audio plug-in support at the master bus level, film-style 5.1 surround panning, downmix monitoring, external control surface support, envelope automation recording, customizable UI's and keyboard mapping, media subclips, realtime A/V event reverse, support for external Sony hardware devices such as the DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000 video disk recorders and J-H3 HDCAM ^® player, and more.

New features for the DVD Architect 2 software include programmable end actions, subtitle creation and multiple audio track support, enhanced disk optimization tools, real-time external monitor playback via i.LINK^® connector/IEEE-1394, Flash™ .swf import, support for 24P DVD encoding, elementary stream import, and much more.

As an added bonus, the Vegas+DVD Production Suite and Vegas 5 software will include a stand-alone version of Boris Graffiti^® 3.0 LTD for enhanced 2D and 3D titling, along with Red Giant Software's Magic Bullet Movie Looks ™ plug-in effect for Vegas 5 software that provides simulated film looks for digital video projects.

Availability and Pricing

About Sony Creative Software

Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production. Sound Forge, ACID, and Vegas software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts. These signature product lines continue to advance the art of providing powerful, accessible tools to unleash the imagination. Today, there is a Sony Creative Software application for every level of expertise, including a full line of consumer software based on the company's professional applications. In addition, Sony Creative Software produces the extensive Sony^® Sound Series collection of royalty-free loops and production music, Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series exclusive sound effects, Vision Series video creation assets, as well as www.ACIDplanet.com, the internet's premier site for independent music and video artists. As a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the company also develops applications that enhance the experience for users of Sony hardware devices including the PSP^® (PlayStation^®Portable) and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Sony Creative Software customers span the globe and include seasoned professionals in the film, television, video game, and recording industries, students and educators, hobbyists and enthusiasts, and young children exploring music creation.