Ulead, it would seem, has had its knuckles rapped over its claim that the newly-released version 5 of its budget authoring software DVD MovieFactory supports Blu-ray Disc. Worse, the company has also been forced to remove Blu-ray Disc-related functions from V5.
Apparently, though, the program does have approved support for the competing high-def DVD format, HD DVD and this will remain.
In a rather confused and confusing press release issued yesterday from Taiwan, the company says,
Ulead will disable direct recording to Blu-ray Disc by removing the BD DiscRecorder module from the product. Blu-ray Disc authoring will also be removed from the DVD MovieFactory 5 authoring module. Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 retains support for authoring video to the high-definition HD DVD format.
Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5
was originally developed with Blu-ray Disc technology. We remain
committed to providing customers [with] the best video experience no
matter [what] the next generation disc format they choose and look
forward to re-instating support for Blu-ray Disc when the current
verification process is complete.
The release goes on to say,
Ulead, in coordination
with its partner company InterVideo, is actively cooperating with the
Blu-ray Disc License Entity, based in Japan and operated by Sony, in
the Blu-ray Disc Recording Function Verification Program for Ulead DVD
MovieFactory 5. Testing is moving forward.
It rounds off by stating,
InterVideo is a Format and
Logo License Agreement (FLLA) licensee of various Blu-ray Disc formats
including Blu-ray Disc Rewritable Ver.2, Blu-ray Disc Recordable Ver.1,
and Blu-ray Disc Read-Only Ver.1. Ulead and InterVideo are confident
that the testing process will conclude smoothly and that Ulead DVD
MovieFactory 5 will earn the distinction of being the first Application
Software to receive full Blu-ray Disc verification.
Retail customers who purchase Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 online or through traditional channels during the Blu-ray Disc Verification Program will be offered a download the BD DiscRecorder module at no cost from the Ulead Website after testing is complete.
Retail customers who purchase Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 online or through traditional channels during the Blu-ray Disc Verification Program will be offered a download the BD DiscRecorder module at no cost from the Ulead Website after testing is complete.
What's this all about?
Well, it looks to us as though Ulead got a bit ahead of itself by putting DVD MF 5 on sales before it had been verified by the "Blu-ray Disc License Entity", whatever that is.
Does it matter?
Probably not - even though it's embarassing to Ulead and amusing to its competitors. As with HD DVD, there are currently no Blu-ray Disc burners on sale and by the time they do arrive, Ulead will likely have patched up its differences with the Entity, gained verification and be able to claim compatibility once again.
Comment, if you will, in the HEXUS.community.
