Contact: Rolland S. Going/Heather Gore
THE TERPIN GROUP
Voice: (310) 821-6100 Fax: (310) 577-9646
Internet: rgoing@la.terpin.com or hgore@la.terpin.com
For Immediate Release
November 13, 1995
Includes GEAR for Windows, Mac and OS/2 Operating Systems, Localized Versions in Four Languages, CD-R Support for New Recorders from Olympus, HP, Pinnacle Micro and Pioneer
"Elektroson is committed to the development of cross-platform applications and the Multi-OS Desktop Bundle is a culmination of this commitment," states Elektroson general manager, Jiren Parikh. "Elektroson is also taking the global approach by providing its CD-R/E software in localized versions for several languages."
All platforms of the popular GEAR CD-R software support ISO 9660 (Level 3) conventions and carry an extensive array of multimedia features. GEAR supports Multisession, HFS, Shared Hybrid, Enhanced CD (CD +), CD-ROM XA, Digital Audio, Video CD, CD-I and custom multimedia format files including game titles from Sony, Sega, Nintendo and others. The software also includes such advanced features as interleaving, archiving, scripting language, extensive error-code reporting, verify-after-write, jukebox and transporter support, DDP premaster output and sector level layout.
Elektroson's GEAR Multi-OS Desktop Bundle will retail at $299 for the English, German and French versions and $349 for the Kanji (Japanese) version. Elektroson is slated to release an updated version of the Desktop Bundle which will include Spanish in the first quarter of 1996. The Multi-OS Desktop Bundle will be available through a global network of distributors and OEMs. The bundle's distribution package will include valuable additional material including all updated versions of GEAR software, printed documentation, CD utilities for reading both audio and data files from FWB and Corel, a CD-ROM of online documentation in Adobe Acrobat Reader format, special offers and unlimited technical support. OEM versions of the bundle will include only the CD-ROM with online documentation in multiple languages in the Adobe Acrobat Reader Format. OEM versions will be available as standard or Multimedia/Multiformat (MM) versions.
Formats on GEAR Multi-OS Desktop Bundle
GEAR for Windows 95, NT and 3.1GEAR for 95, NT and 3.1
GEAR for Windows incorporates features of the existing 16-bit Windows product with the updated 32-bit versions of GEAR for Windows 95 and NT. By making use of the integrated Microsoft Mini-port IO driver and Virtual ASPI driver, the 32-bit versions of GEAR are easy to install on the Windows operating systems. The new 32-bit versions of GEAR will allow corporate users and multimedia developers to achieve the speed and performance requirements necessary to fully utilize the new 32-bit operating systems. Further keeping pace with advances in recording drives, the 32-bit version of GEAR for Windows has enhanced caching and extended memory management to support sustained data transfer rates for 4X and 6X writing-including virtual image writing. Because the 32-bit version of GEAR for Windows breaks out of ISO 9660 conventions, (it supports up to ISO Level 3) its optimized directory and file structure handling will let CD-R users, running Windows 95 and Windows NT, create 37 character directory and file names.
GEAR for OS/2
GEAR for IBM OS/2 continues the transformation of CD-R from a high-end to a general- business and small-office application. GEAR for IBM OS/2 breaks out of ISO 9660 conventions. Its optimized directory and file structure handling allow logical formatting up to ISO Level 3. These improvements come on top of GEAR's already noteworthy data integrity. Tested in InfoWorld magazine, GEAR paired with the Yamaha CDE 100 was "the only package that performed our data integrity tasks flawlessly." GEAR for IBM OS/2 is compatible with most popular networks and input/output devices, and it gives users the flexibility to make maximum use of existing configuration. GEAR for IBM OS/2 also continues to support all recorders, including the newest models from Olympus, Pinnacle, Plasmon, Yamaha, Philips, Hewlett Packard and FWB.
GEAR for Mac OS
GEAR for Mac OS is the only CD-R formatting software to run as a native 32-bit application on the Power PC and fully compatible with SCSI manager 4.3. It is the highest performing, CD-R formatting software available for the Macintosh. The newest and most prominent feature of GEAR for Mac OS is support for Shared Hybrid mastering. Developers will now be able to create cross-platform Macintosh CD-ROM titles for Windows and share common data files. A major upgrade to the user interface takes a new "Workbench" approach, which provides greater ease-of-use and functionality. In addition to extended Mac alias handling, AppleGuide support has been added for contact-sensitive help during the creation of a CD-R disc. The program supports ISO 9660 (up to Level 3), Enhanced CD (CD +), HFS, Digital Audio, MPEG Video images, CD-I files and has formatting support for CD-ROM XA (EB, XA Bridge and MMCD applications). Advanced proprietary image-mastering options, subcode support and DDP format-mastering tape also are offered on GEAR for Mac OS.
GEAR is available throughout North America, South America, Europe, Japan, Asia and the Middle East via a network of national and regional distributors, VARs, Integrators and OEMs. Elektroson is committed to the OEM market and has bundling and licensing arrangements with major computer industry vendors, including Olympus, Pioneer, Sony, Pinnacle Micro and Tracer Technologies.
For more information, contact Elektroson Inc., 10 Presidential Boulevard, Suite 125, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, 19004. Telephone: (610) 617-0850, fax (610) 617-0856, Internet: jparikh@elektroson.com.
In Europe, contact Elektroson B.V., Schootsestraat 14, 5616 RD Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Telephone: +31 40-515065, fax +31 40-514920.