Hamburg, Germany-based BD tool developer sofatronic released 1.1 version of the Blu-ray middleware authoring software, Kaleidoscope. The new features streamline the authoring process in a convenient and efficient manner. In addition, the implementation of BD-live services via a simple plug-in module only requires a few steps to be configured into any project title.

A new key feature is the Template System, which provides studios with a fast and easy production cycle for back catalogue titles. This system is just as effective for time-saving when creating menus for film and TV series that spread across several discs.

Authors can create template placeholder menus in Adobe Photoshop, then
import to create the base for upcoming titles that behave similarly. The appearance and
functionality can be fine-tuned and easily. Using pre-defined rule sets and importing stream and playlist information from Sonic Scenarist or Sony Blu-Print nearly the whole setup can be implemented, omitting the need for any handwritten code. This optimises and simplifies the time-consuming and complex scripting of audio and subtitle rules, says the company.

With sofatronic Kaleidoscope Mac OSX users get a first chance to use a BD-J authoring platform on Apple computers. “The new Kaleidoscope version will be great boost for C&A facilities and Studios. The update takes what are complex Blu-ray production cycles and makes them easier to manage whilst simultaneously saving time and money. The new features provide seamless interaction with other software packages making sofatronic Kaleidoscope 1.1 to a must have for BD-J developers on Mac and PC platforms,” says Rouven Malecki, CTO sofatronic.

Story filed 06.07.09