Win During IBC in Amsterdam last month, Proximity debuted Artbox, its video asset management system targeted at broadcast television and postproduction creative professionals. Through a single interface, users of Artbox can store, search, locate, transfer, and transcode video content, streamlining the production work flow. The program supports popular still and video formats and hardware and software solutions from such makers as Adobe, Avid, Chyron, Discreet, Leitch, Pinnacle, and others.
Proximity; www.proximitygroup.com
Modeling
Win Mac E-on Software has upgraded its scenery rendering and animation software tool, Vue Esprit, to Version 5. For creating and rendering realistic scenery, Vue 5 Esprit features High Dynamic Range Image (HDRI) and Image-Based Lighting (IBL), global illumination, and radiosity via an EasyGI slider, 3D text editing, advanced atmospheric and OpenGL en-gines, pre-animation mesh support, and more. Now shipping, Vue 5 Esprit is priced at $249; the company also offers special upgrade and sidegrade pricing.
E-on Software; www.e-onsoftware.com
Video
WinMac Sorenson Media has begun shipping the new Sorenson Squeeze 4 family of video compression programs. To date, the new product line boasts Sorenson Squeeze 4 Compression Suite, Sorenson Squeeze 4 for Macromedia Flash MX, and Sorenson Squeeze 4 for MPEG-4—priced at $449, $119, and $199, respectively. Sorenson has upgraded the product family with support for HD, improved usability and efficiency, and a customizable interface. Squeeze 4 also gains a batch-processing feature, a video zoom tool, a preview slider, and shortcut keys.
Sorenson Media; www.sorenson.com
Workstation
Monarch Computer has unveiled its Hornet Pro NexGen P4, a workstation targeted at graphics design and gaming professionals. The Monarch Hornet Pro NexGen P4 features a small form factor, an Nvidia Quadro FX graphics card, and support for PCI Express and DDRII memory. In addition to an Intel Pentium 4 775 processor, the new release is equipped with Intel's D925XBC motherboard, onboard Gigabit Ethernet from Marvell, high-definition 6.1-channel audio, three IEEE-1394 FireWire ports, and one PCI Express x1 slot. Offered as a Barebone or Complete System, Monarch Hornet Pro comes with a choice of modem and Windows operating system (Windows Professional, Home Edition, or 2000 Pro). Optional equipment includes a sound card, video card, video capture card, and NIC.
Monarch Computer; www.monarchcomputer.com