May 3, 2007
Santa Clara, CA - May 1, 2007 - Digital artists seeking to produce content with new interactive and networked features just got a powerful set of modules from Metabeam that extend its popular Metamenu media navigation system. The Metamenu code base and design standard is used in many Hollywood productions for HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc. The new Metamenu modules build on this foundation enabling producers to mix, match and customize design elements to fit the needs of the content.
"Our goal is to free artists to concentrate on art, and to get the technology out of their way," explains Chris Brown, CEO of Metabeam. "We developed these modules by isolating viewer scenarios and minimizing the effort to achieve common user goals. This functional framework is provided to the artist, who can then modify the look and feel for artistic expression. This speeds development and lowers cost, substantially reducing risks associated with starting from scratch."
The Metamenu modules feature a variety of viewer enhancements, including:
BEAM provides content producers a mechanism to distribute mobile content triggered by a viewer request.
GALLERY is a simple slide show module that can be used to browse a collection of still images, online or off.
KEYPAD is a variety of alphanumeric modules for data entry by viewers.
PERSISTENT PREFERENCES allow users to store and recall audio and video setup preferences. Brown adds, "When you buy a new movie or device, you shouldn't need to learn how to use it. Instead, it should learn how to serve you."
SCREENSAVER gives artists controls for the user to mix content from the disc with personal videos and photos to play during periods of screen inactivity.
SEARCH provides an alternative to the traditional scene-based method of navigation, giving users finer control oftheir experience. Viewers can more deeply explore a content property in the way that suits their interests best.
Many of the new Metamenu modules are available now to members of the Media Experience Trade Association (www.mediaexperience.org) and are being incorporated into the web services METAMENUS.COM and SimpleROM.com. Additionally, Metabeam is participating in Sonic's Extended Developer Group (EDGe), a certified program for the creation of third-party plug-ins for its world-class high-definition authoring platform Scenarist with its METAMENU MODULATOR.
"METAMENU MODULATOR is an outstanding addition to our initial Scenarist plug-ins, generating high-definition interactive menu interfaces without the need for hand coding," said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Professional Products Group. "METAMENU MODULATOR will help our Scenarist customers more quickly and efficiently develop advanced interactive HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) titles that deliver a far richer, more innovative consumer entertainment experience."
Metabeam CEO, Chris Brown, is a panelist at CONNECTIONS: The Digital Home Conference and Showcase in a session titled "Search: Who's the Google for the Digital Home?" on Thursday, May 3rd, at 10:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom EF. Metabeam will also be demonstrating for the first time the release of its latest Metamenu technology at its booth #302.
About Metabeam
Metabeam(tm) conceives, develops, produces and promotes new forms of entertainment with unprecedented audience control and ease-of-use. Founded in 2005, the company delivers entertainment technology to the world's leading digital media artists. Metabeam invented the Metamenu(tm) system, a production method and consumer interface that sets a design standard for mobile and next-generation home media. The Metamenu method is currently in use in the production of multiple projects on DVD-ROM, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Hollywood has chosen Metamenu technology for a diverse set of blockbuster titles including Academy Award winner "Crash," and science-fiction classic "Terminator 2." Located in Manhattan Beach, CA and Seattle, WA, Metabeam is privately held.
Metabeam, www.metabeam.com
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