itfc, the leading London-based video services provider, has expanded its DVD offering with the launch of its new Blu-ray authoring service. In preparation, itfc upgraded its DVD QC department with a series of Blu-ray players - from popular entry level models and PS3 consoles to high-end players to help ensure compatibility.

The facility, which provides a full range of DVD services, is currently working on its first Blu-ray project – Martha Agerich playing Schumann’s Piano Concerto, Symphony No 4, for EuroArts, one of the world’s première Classical Music content owners. itfc is Euroarts’ exclusive authoring house creating around 60 DVD titles per year with an additional 20 Blu-ray projects in the pipeline.

“With technology continually evolving, it’s vital we keep up. Our clients were keen for us to offer Blu-ray services and this helped with our decision to invest in high-end Sonic encoders and Scenarist authoring workstations,” said Ian Beushaw, head of digital media at itfc. “Once the battle for the high definition format had ended, it was the perfect opportunity to expand the services we already offered.”

itfc’s past DVD project work includes the worldwide release of House of Flying Daggers in nine separate languages, The Actors, Football Factory, Strictly Come Dancing, Grand Designs, Time Team and various National Geographic titles. The facility also authored The Ashes series, which afforded the team a No.1 chart hit overnight.

Story filed 19.10.09