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The combination of InnovaCom's MPEG-2 encoding hardware and Daikin's DVD authoring software brings together a relative newcomer with a stalwart DVD provider. InnovaCom introduced its first DVD solution at NAB 1999, aIthough the company has actually been making MPEG encoders for some time, while Daikin's Scenarist, the granddaddy of authoring systems, was the only game in town during the early years of DVD authoring, running on UNIX and exclusively bundled with Sonic Solutions hardware.
Both companies now have multiple business partners. InnovaCom, in addition to bundling Scenarist, also resells Intec's DVDauthorQuick and the new NT version of Astarte's DVDirector authoring software, although the encoder will theoretically work with any authoring package. Daikin likewise has relationships with several encoder companies including Optibase, FutureTel, Minerva, and Heuris, Inc.
Ultimately, there is nothing revolutionary about InnovaCom's Scenarist bundle-Optibase also offers a similar solutionsince there's no interaction between the hardware and author, ing software beyond the production of compliant DVD streams to be imported into Scenarist. However, by providing a completely integrated solution including the computer, InnovaCom has taken a lot of the mystery and hassle out of getting started with DVD creation. And, by offering a variety of software options, InnovaCom also has pricing to meet different budgets.
While both InnovaCom DVDimpact and Daikin Scenarist can also be purchased separately, the bundle gives us an opportunity to review InnovaCom's DVDimpact/ DV5100 hardware for the first time and revisit Scenarist, now in Version 2.0 for Windows NT.
hardware first
While InnovaCom manufactures only the MPEG2 encoding hardware, the DVDimpact/DV51 00 system we tested is a turnkey solution integrated into an InnovaCom-branded 350MHz Pentium II PC. It has a black, industrial-strength and rack-mountable chassis and comes pre-configured with authoring software. Aside from typical cabling and configuration, it's ready to go almost straight out of the box.
InnovaCom's multiple card set includes the encoder, a hardware decoder/DVD emulator card, and a Time Base Correct (TBC) card to ensure a clean single. The TBC may be overkill for many situations, but you'll be pleased to have it if your source footage isn't pristine. Some other companies have built many TBC-style features into a single card encoder for less money, but none offer the range of a dedicated TBC.
The TBC is especially...