Zoo Digital Regulatory News (ZOO)

18 Mar 2005 07:00

Zoo Digital Group PLC18 March 2005 18 March 2005 ZOO DIGITAL GROUP PLC ("ZOO" or "the Group") TECHNOLOGY UPDATE - Feasibility study completed for DVD-EXTRA STUDIO in next generation DVD - - Next version of DVD-EXTRA STUDIO to be released in April 2005 as planned - ZOO Digital Group plc, the world's provider of leading tools for the productionof interactive DVD-Video content, today announces an update on its technology inthe areas of next generation DVD and the release of the new version of DVD-EXTRASTUDIO. Next Generation DVD ZOO has completed a series of feasibility studies on next generation highdefinition home video formats. Following this feasibility study DVD-EXTRASTUDIO, ZOO's professional development system, will be enhanced to incorporatesupport for the next generation of video discs in the two leading formatscurrently being developed by the major electronics corporates. These new highdefinition formats are called "HD DVD" and "Blue-ray disc". Unlike conventional DVD authoring software, DVD-EXTRA STUDIO will provide amulti-format development system that enables professionals to cost effectivelydesign a video disc title and then automatically generate that title in any orall supported formats i.e. Standard Definition DVD, Blu-ray or HD DVD. DVD EXTRA STUDIO version 1.6 The next version of the DVD-EXTRA STUDIO software will be released in April asplanned. DVD-EXTRA STUDIO version 1.6 is a significant development andintroduces important new 'linear' authoring features. Previously, when producinghome video titles, DVD-EXTRA STUDIO was designed to be used in conjunction withother DVD authoring tools such that ZOO's software provided the interactivecontent for a DVD, for example games, and other software provided the linear ornon-interactive content i.e. the film. The new version provides key linear authoring functionality which will befurther enhanced in future versions, enabling a customer to develop home videotitles entirely within DVD-EXTRA STUDIO. Stuart Green, Chief Technology Officer of ZOO Digital Group PLC commented: "With the advent of two new video formats, DVD authoring facilities have been facing the prospect of having up to three separate systems for developing titles, and creating each project three times. We believe that a single development environment is the ideal way forward enabling our customers to develop a title once and then deploy it multiple times. We are working alongside the developers of both future disc formats at the highest level and are members of the DVD Forum and the Blu-ray Disc Association. ZOO's technology will, uniquely, be compatible with all three formats and as such we see the development of the new high definition formats as a significant commercial opportunity." - ends - Enquiries Ian Stewart Terry GarrettCEO, ZOO Digital Group plc Weber Shandwick Square Mile0114 241 3700 07771 787098 John Llewellyn-LloydNoble & Company Limited020 7763 2200 Notes to Editors About ZOO Digital Group PLCZOO is divided into two separate divisions; ZOOtech Ltd ("ZOOtech") and ZOODigital Publishing Ltd ("ZDP"). • ZOOtech Ltd ZOOtech focuses on R&D and licensing of DVD-EXTRA, the Group's highly original development software capable of creating complex interactive content for standard DVD players. The strategy for ZOOtech is simple; to create the industry standard tool for the production of interactive DVD content and drive revenues through licensing worldwide in a combination of up front fees and royalties. • ZOO Digital Publishing ("ZDP") ZDP focuses on the publishing and distribution of interactive entertainment products across multiple platforms such as interactive DVD, PS2, Xbox, GBA and PC. About "Blu-ray Disc" and "HD-DVD" The two leading formats fighting for supremacy as the next-generation videodiscformat are HD DVD (developed by the DVD Forum) and Blu-ray Disc (developed bythe Blu-ray Disc Association). Who gains supremacy is dependent on film studiosupport. Studios who have announced their support for Blu-ray include Sony-owned ColumbiaTri-Star, and Sony has recently bought MGM. Disney has commented that it plansto release titles on Blu-Ray discs. HD DVD is backed by Time Warner (WarnerBros. and New Line), Universal, and Paramount. 20th Century Fox has yet todecide but is on the advisory boards for both formats. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange