DiscreetFX Abandons DVD-ROM & CD-ROM Formats

[Pyromania]

Visual Effects company DiscreetFX Inc. , developer of animated effects elements/transitions for TriCaster, VT[5], SpeedEDIT & Final Cut Studio abandons software distribution on the dated DVD-ROM & CD-ROM mediums.

DiscreetFX has always been about forward thinking and providing customers with cutting edge technology. In the interest of giving customers the best value for their software purchases DiscreetFX will only distribute their effects software on fast USB Flash-drives. Internal tests by DiscreetFX have found that DVD-ROM & CD-ROM formats do not stand the test of time. These fragile formats are easily subjected to scratching, the elements, and small hungry children. DiscreetFX has no interest in selling customers quality software on a medium that's long term viability is unknown. USB Flash-drives provide a safer less fragile distribution format for our effects products. This policy applies to all current products with the exception of a few legacy Amiga software products that are not related to TriCaster, VT[5] or SpeedEDIT.

Changing our software distribution method will increase costs but that will not be past along to customers at this time. The net effect of this policy change will give TriCaster customers a discount on our products since their price will now be in line with the VT[5] & SpeedEDIT versions. VT[5] & SpeedEDIT customers will see no price increase but will get their effects software delivered on a safer and better format then DVD-ROM. USB Flash-drives are also a faster, morerobust delivery medium so customers will see that added benefit. TriCaster customers have enjoyed receiving DiscreetFX's software on Flash-drives for many years and commented they are very happy to buy software this way. Since DiscreetFX does not control the film industry movies will continue to be distributed on DVD-ROM's for the foreseeable future. Software technology like Drive-In from Telestream show that even Hollywood films can be preserved with bonus features and menu's intact
without the need of fragile DVD Discs.

Pricing and Availability
DiscreetFX effects products are available for immediate purchase from the DiscreetFX iShop or toll free (1-800-852-0930). Dealer inquires welcome, DiscreetFX gives NewTek dealers a heathy discount on our products so they can make a profit selling them.


DiscreetFX iShop

Here is a quick breakdown on how this change effects the entire product line.

Millennium for the Amiga Video Toaster - Product will still ship on three CD-ROM's unless customer requests Flash-drive. No extra cost for USB Flash-drive delivery.

Aladdin 4D 5.0 - Product will continue to be delivered on CD-ROM unless customer requests Flash-drive. No extra cost for USB Flash-drive delivery.

Aladdin 4D 6.0 - Product will only be sold via Flash-drive on Mac OS X, Amiga OS 4.1, MorphOS, AROS, Linux & Windows.

Digital Video Effects Products SportsFX, FantasyFX, CarFX, DVE Director's Cut, etc - No longer available on DVD-ROM, now sold on Flash-drive for no extra cost for TriCaster, VT[5], SpeedEDIT, Final Cut Studio & Express versions.


About DiscreetFX Inc.

DiscreetFX creates digital video effects that make your productions and films more effective! DiscreetFX stunning digital transitions support the TriCaster family of products including: TriCaster, TriCaster DUO, TriCaster PRO, TriCaster STUDIO and TriCaster BROADCAST, which are trademarks of NewTek Inc. DiscreetFX effects also work with VT[5] & SpeedEDIT from NewTek Inc. and Final Cut Studio & Final Cut Express 4 from Apple Inc. DiscreetFX also develops custom video effects software for the Classic Amiga Video Toaster Flyer and Aladdin 4D for Muti-platform Mac OS X, Amiga OS 4.x, MorphOS 2.2, AROS, Linux & Windows.

Contact:

DiscreetFX Team

Voice: 1-800-852-0930
Web:


DiscreetFX Abandons DVD-ROM & CD-ROM Formats


LAS VEGAS, -- NAB Show – April 19, 2009 –

[whiteb]

In the interest of giving customers the best value for their software purchases DiscreetFX will only distribute their effects software on fast USB Flash-drives. Internal tests by DiscreetFX have found that DVD-ROM & CD-ROM formats do not stand the test of time. These fragile formats are easily subjected to scratching, the elements, and small hungry children.

I have to agree, one small scratch in the wrong place, and it is bye bye CD/DVD.

Sometimes, you do not even need scratches for it to be readable.

[hooligan]

Quite the opposite. Sometimes data on a cd or dvd-rom is readable even though its completely fu*ked up. Usually its the bigger scratches going along the tracks direction(horizontaly) causing problems. Besides, with proper use they last several decades.

If I step on a memorystick it might break too.

[Matt_H]

I'm a fan of CDs. They're easy to back up, have nice little cases, and are much harder to lose because of it. Write-protection is hugely important, too.

Many years ago, I attempted to destroy one of those ubiquitous free AOL CDs that showed up in the mail. Scratched it up beyond recognition, put two holes in it with a hole punch, and it still worked - even in an ancient, caddy-style CD drive.

[InTheSand]

All well and good if you live in a country with fast uncapped broadband! Not so hot if you live somewhere with restrictive caps.

So, given this, would DiscreetFX keep downloads available indefinitely should people wish to reinstall, or should they be backing up to fragile unreliable CDs or DVDs?! :-)

 - Ali

[Pyromania]

If for some reason your USB Flash-drive failed we would replace it for you.

[Methuselas]

Poster: Pyromania  Posted: 2009/4/23 1:44:02

If for some reason your USB Flash-drive failed we would replace it for you.

You're just trying too hard to please us Amigans, aren't you??  :lol:

[Golem!dk]

@InTheSand
Broadband? Downloads? Did you even read the announcement?

[Argo]

Could alway write your own Steam like client. Purchase and download, also allowing you to puch out updates and advertize new products to customers.

[Phantom]

I prefer a CD/DVD in most ways. I don't like USB sticks either.

I think it's better to fix the USB problems on Sam440 boards and then sell your products with USB sticks, right? :-)

[wawrzon]

i am just backing up my data from cds und dvds on my network raid drive. i do not know how long this one lives, but a lot of optical media i have has gone faulty or even completely unreadable, and they are mostly just a few years old. in a lot of cases no physical damage is to be seen. dvd drives ceased to function in my computers one by one, but since burning is such a painful procedure i do not care for replacement anymore. do i need to say more?

[InTheSand]

Golem!dk wrote:
@InTheSand
Broadband? Downloads? Did you even read the announcement?

Err.. evidently not properly!  :crazy:

D'oh!!!

 - Ali

[motorollin]

For the sake of balance, I would like to point out that I have *never* had a commercially produced CD or DVD fail unless I did something to damage it, whereas I have had several memory sticks die for no apparent reason over the years.

--
moto

[x303]

Your a bit late for an april fools joke. If I bought one of the products, I would still back it up on cd/dvd, as the flash drive might get lost or broken. So what's the point ? It'll only cost everyone a bit more money.

[color=FFCC00]x303[/color] :shrug:  :shrug:  :shrug:

[hooligan]

Well hey its a free newsitem / ad