Sorenson ships Squeeze 4

has begun shipping Sorenson Squeeze 4, an update to its line of video compression applications for digital video professionals and enthusiasts. The Sorenson Squeeze 4 product line includes the Sorenson Squeeze 4 Compression Suite ($450), Sorenson Squeeze 4 for Macromedia Flash MX ($120), and Sorenson Squeeze 4 for MPEG-4 ($200). Version offers improved workflow and timesaving enhancements, including several innovative new features, including support for high-definition (HD) video and the Sorenson AVC Pro codec (also known as H.264) in the Sorenson Squeeze 4 Compression Suite and Sorenson Squeeze 4 for MPEG-4. Other new features include improved batch processing, a customizable interface, etc. Electronic versions are available now.

Sorenson says that Squeeze 4 Compression Suite is the first full-featured compression application to incorporate high definition (HD) encoding for a variety of video formats including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime, and RealMedia. Additionally, the Windows version of the Suite includes HD encoding options for Windows Media 9. The new Sorenson AVC Pro codec included in the Sorenson Squeeze 4 Compression Suite and Sorenson Squeeze 4 for MPEG-4 creates high-quality video at roughly 70 percent the data rate of MPEG-4, according to the company.



The Squeeze 4 product line also features a customizable interface that allows users to arrange a video preview pane anywhere on the screen in either single- or multi-monitor workstations. Also, among the list of additions to Sorenson Squeeze 4 is a new batch-processing feature that allows producers to apply many presets and filters at the same time to multiple video files; a new video zoom tool for pixel-perfect cropping; a preview slider with in/out markers allowing a segment of video to be previewed before compression; and shortcut keys that supply quick access to common compression functions.



Electronic versions of Sorenson Squeeze 4 (Windows and Macintosh) are currently available for purchase at Sorenson's website, while boxed versions will be shipping within three weeks. Sorenson Squeeze 4 Compression Suite is available for $450; Squeeze 4 for Macromedia Flash MX is $120; and Squeeze 4 for MPEG-4 is $200. Upgrade pricing is also available for current users of Sorenson Media products.



Sorenson also announced an agreement with Macromedia to bundle Sorenson Squeeze 4 Lite for inclusion in the recently released Flash Video Kit. This new bundle provides Web developers and designers using Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 with the ability to easily encode and deliver high-quality Macromedia Flash Video. The bundled version provides a simple solution for compressing Flash Video, offering basic video encoding capabilities with In/Out Trim Points, both One-Pass and Two-Pass Variable Bit Rate (VBR) compression for maximizing speed or quality; optimized presets for streaming, progressive downloads; and digital video capturing capabilities through any DV source.



For a limited time, customers who purchase or upgrade to Macromedia Studio MX 2004 with Flash Professional and register online by Sept. 30 will receive the Flash Video Kit for free. In addition, for a limited time, the kit is available for purchase to existing Studio MX 2004 with Flash Professional customers for $50. Special pricing is available for users wishing to upgrade to the full version of Sorenson Squeeze 4 for Macromedia Flash MX or to the Sorenson Squeeze 4 Compression Suite.

by MacNN Staff