Digital Rapids Highlights HEVC Among New Formats and Features for Award-Winning Media Transformation Platform at 2013 NAB Show

LAS VEGAS, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NAB Show, Booth SL5624 -- Digital Rapids – the trusted provider of innovative media transformation and workflow solutions for bringing video to wider audiences – is showcasing an array of powerful enhancements for the recently-released Digital Rapids Transcode Manager^® 2.0 automated, high-volume media processing software and its underlying Kayak^® dynamic workflow platform at the 2013 NAB Show. New capabilities being previewed at the show include support for the HEVC (H.265) compression format; 4K Ultra HD encoding; Dolby^® E audio decoding and more.

The new HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) standard, also known as H.265, significantly improves compression efficiency over the widely deployed AVC (H.264) specification. HEVC can reduce bandwidth requirements and file sizes by as much as 50% relative to AVC, lowering delivery and storage costs while enabling higher-quality viewing experiences, including higher-resolution service offerings beyond HD.

HEVC encoding is being previewed in Transcode Manager 2.0 with technology from Kayak ecosystem partner Vanguard Video. Vanguard's 'V.265' HEVC codec will be available as a modular component integrating directly into the Kayak platform, enabling users to easily incorporate support for the new format into Transcode Manager and Kayak workflows.

Encoding for 4K Ultra HD distribution is also being demonstrated in Transcode Manager 2.0. 4K Ultra HD features four times the number of pixels (3840x2160) as 1080p HD frame sizes, enabling more immersive viewing experiences with corresponding displays.

Bolstering 4K encoding performance and other advanced encoding capabilities are new optimizations for 64-bit processors and operating systems within Transcode Manager 2.0 and Kayak. The expanded 64-bit support further extends the platform's highly efficient multi-threaded architecture and optimizes memory usage, particularly beneficial for processing ultra-high resolution frame sizes. Modular workflow components designed for 64-bit operation can also interoperate seamlessly with 32-bit components within a single Transcode Manager workflow, maximizing flexibility while taking full advantage of available performance optimizations.

Other new additions to Transcode Manager 2.0's extensive format support also being highlighted include Dolby E audio decoding; input support for media in the GXF and LXF container formats; GXF output support; and SDI ancillary data creation for inclusion as data tracks within interchange formats.

"Transcode Manager 2.0 and Kayak make it easier than ever before for users to integrate new technologies and functionality in response to new market trends, technology standards and opportunities. The new capabilities we're unveiling here at the show are perfect examples of how Kayak provides a future-proof platform for both evolutionary and disruptive market changes," said Darren Gallipeau, Product Manager at Digital Rapids. "Kayak's catalog-based architecture and flexible deployment model also enable us to bring such capabilities to our customers on a feature-by-feature basis without the lengthy release cycles of typical 'monolithic' software upgrades, and we're excited to be accelerating the pace of our advances."

The enterprise-class Transcode Manager 2.0 software goes far beyond transcoding and workflow orchestration, seamlessly blending media file transformation and workflow processes while offering unparalleled efficiency and agility for applications from post production and archive to multiscreen distribution. Building on the unique benefits of the Kayak platform, version 2.0 of Transcode Manager combines its robust management tools and hallmarks of superior output quality and format flexibility with powerful new advances including adaptive, automated decision-making with rich metadata support; intuitive, visual workflow design tools; dynamic deployment; fast, easy integration of new and emerging technologies; and a deep ecosystem of third-party technology partners.

The complete range of Digital Rapids solutions is being showcased in booth number SL5624 at the 2013 NAB Show, April 8-11 in Las Vegas. For more information about Digital Rapids, please visit www.digitalrapids.com.

About Digital Rapids Corporation – Digital Rapids provides market-leading content transformation and workflow solutions that empower the world's leading media organizations to reach wider audiences more efficiently, more effectively and more profitably. Recipients of more than two dozen prestigious awards for company and product excellence, Digital Rapids combines innovative technology with proven expertise and visionary insight to help our customers expand their audiences, increase their revenues, and reduce their costs. Digital Rapids Corporation (www.digitalrapids.com) is headquartered in Ontario, Canada with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia and Argentina.

Copyright 2013 Digital Rapids Corporation. All rights reserved. Digital Rapids, the Digital Rapids logo, Digital Rapids Transcode Manager and Kayak are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digital Rapids Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

SOURCE Digital Rapids Corporation