CV Productions Grabs DVDVirtuoso from Spruce to Make Last Minute Save for Client.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 11, 2000

Professional Entry-Level DVD System Finishes Projects

When "Free" Bundled Authoring Software Comes Up Short

CV Productions, a leading corporate video producer in the Midwest, recently replaced its low-level DVD authoring software with DVDVirtuoso(TM) from Spruce Technologies to save an important DVD project.

According to Peter Draves, owner of CV Productions, "A lot of manufacturers are giving away their low-end DVD systems in bundles with video editing and compositing systems. I decided to take advantage of one to complete an important client's project -- a continuous play kiosk being installed at a local mall for an eye care laser surgical clinic. That so-called leading-edge authoring software had at least 100 bugs in it -- its output wasn't even DVD compliant!"

With a rapidly approaching deadline at 3:00 PM the next day, Draves called a local Spruce dealer. "To make a long story short," said Draves, "I had the job done on Spruce DVDVirtuoso by 11:00 AM the next day -- less than two hours of work. The key was the intuitive DVDVirtuoso interface that invites you to jump right in and get work done. Unlike low-end systems, DVDVirtuoso was built with professionals who need to get real work done in mind. DVDVirtuoso may be the fastest, easiest software I've ever used."

DVDVirtuoso's familiar nonlinear editing-style timeline interface has made it a popular choice for users of market-leading NLE systems such as those from Avid, Canopus, Fast Multimedia, Matrox and Media 100. In fact, DVDVirtuoso has the same interface and compiling engine as Spruce's award-winning DVDMaestro and DVDConductor software. The shared interface means users can upgrade their software to Spruce's powerful DVDConductor system as their needs change without having to learn a new interface. DVDVirtuoso also shares advanced productivity features such as Spruce's powerful RealView(TM) preview technology that enables users to proof their entire DVD project at any time during the authoring process without compiling. DVDVirtuoso even includes Spruce Convergence(TM) for easily merging rich DVD media with the interactivity of the Internet, and DVDonCD(TM) technology for distributing DVD format material for use on any of the over 200,000,000 CD-ROM and DVD-ROM-equipped PCs installed today.

"Just because I'm not making a big equipment investment doesn't mean my result don't have to be top notch," said Draves. "My customers come in with expectations that have been set by high-quality productions they see every day. My work has to be up to those standards and DVDVirtuoso lets me achieve that level of sophistication. Other systems only give you simple tinker toy tools. With DVDVirtuoso, the sky is the limit when it comes to designing your DVD menus and I really like the interconnectivity options -- the results are just beautiful. DVDVirtuoso does what you want -- not what some manufacturer tries to limit you to. I can make titles that are as polished as anything you would see coming out of a major movie production house."

CV Productions has been offering professional video production services for eight years. The company specializes in corporate projects including trade show videos, kiosks, national and local television advertising and corporate communications.

DVDVirtuoso is available from Spruce resellers and selected dealers worldwide, and is also bundled with encoders from Canopus and DVStudio.

About Spruce Technologies, Inc.

Spruce Technologies develops and markets DVD and WebDVD authoring software and MPEG encoders for the corporate, new media, and entertainment markets. Based in San Jose, California, Spruce combines the best Silicon Valley software expertise with extensive DVD, MPEG and video postproduction knowledge. For more information, contact Spruce at 408/861-2200. Additional information about Spruce is also available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.sprucetechnologies.com.

Note to Editors: DVDMaestro, DVDStation, DVDConductor, DVDVirtuoso, Convergence, DVDonCD, RealSync, and RealView are trademarks of Spruce Technologies, Inc. Other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners and may be registered in certain jurisdictions.