LaCie will show at Macworld Conference & Expo a new tool for users to aid in DVD creation. The LaCie FastCoder allows people to convert DV NTSC video files to MPEG-1 and/or MPEG-2 in real-time using a G3-equipped Mac or higher.
FastCoder offers batch-encoding capabilities, which reduces the amount of time spent waiting for encoding to complete. In addition to MPEG-1, users can create MPEG-2 streams that are compatible with the bundled CaptyDVD authoring software or MPEG-2 elementary streams that are compatible with Apple DVD Studio Pro.
LaCie FastCoder works with Mac OS 9.2 and Mac OS 10.2.6 or greater and supports full quality DV-compatible QuickTime file exported from Apple Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express or iMovie.
LaCie FastCoderwill ship in February 2005 and will cost US$249. LaCie FastCoder ships with one FireWire cable (6-to-6 pin), a full version of CaptyDVD 2.0 software and Quick Install Guide.