Adobe Advances Content Creation, Delivery and Playback Technologies at NAB

Today at the 2009 NAB Show, Adobe Systems Incorporated is highlighting advances in video and dynamic media software technologies that improve the creation and delivery of content across personal computers, televisions and mobile devices. The show sees the company debut Adobe Flash Platform for the Digital Home, an optimized implementation of Flash technology that brings HD video, interactive applications and services, new user interfaces and online content to Internet-connected televisions, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and other devices (see separate press release). Adobe also unveiled a software framework, code-named Strobe, that will help establish an open industry standard for media players and accelerate the creation and delivery of high-quality video and interactive experiences for Web audiences (see separate press release).

In addition, NAB 2009 sees the company preview Adobe Story, a new online and offline software application for collaborative scriptwriting, aimed at the film and broadcast markets. Currently in the early stages of development, Adobe Story ties into the pre-production phase of video workflows and will be integrated with other Adobe products, as part of the Creative Suite product family.

“Adobe’s customers and partners continue to stretch and reinvent the boundaries of storytelling and are looking for technologies that expand audiences, help build businesses and showcase content in new and compelling ways,” said Jim Guerard, vice president and general manager of Dynamic Media at Adobe. “Adobe continues to shape the future of media by providing creative tools that streamline rich media workflows so broadcasters and media companies can create and deliver consistent and engaging experiences on screen, online, and on device.”

Adobe’s presence at the NAB Show includes two prominent executive speaking engagements focused on the benefits of new digital technologies for broadcasters and media companies. Today at 10:30 a.m., in room number S222/223 in the South Hall, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen will co-present a Super Session address with Disney Interactive Media Group CTO A.D. “Bud” Albers. “Reinventing Storytelling In the Digital Age” will explore the impact of digital technology as it expands its reach into all areas of content production and delivery.

On Tuesday, April 21 at 9 a.m., Simon Hayhurst, senior director of product management for Digital Video and Audio at Adobe, will deliver the keynote address at the Post Production World Conference organized by Future Media Concepts at NAB. Entitled “The Post-Production Broadcast & Film Revolution: Streamlining Today, Preparing for Tomorrow,” the presentation will describe how post-production professionals can benefit from new technologies such as searchable video and native, tapeless workflows.

Adobe also announced Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 version 4.1, a free update for existing customers of Adobe Premiere Pro CS4. The update improves compatibility with RED cameras, offering more control over RAW settings when used in conjunction with an updated RED plug-in, available in May from RED.com. In addition, Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 4.1 provides interoperability with Avid Media Composer software through a number of software fixes, enabling Adobe Premiere Pro to import Avid projects without recapturing media files. Finally, the update includes software fixes to enable full HD workflows on leading post-production hardware—including AJA, Blackmagic, and Matrox video cards—and many other important fixes. Adobe Premiere Pro 4.1 is expected to be available in late May via the Adobe updater and from www.adobe.com.