DiscreetFX Press Releases

DiscreetFX Platform Shift

Chicago, IL -- November 8th, 2010

DiscreetFX's primary focus for quite a while has been developing visual effects products for video editing solutions on Windows. We would sometimes also make these effects available at a later date for Mac OS X. Potential Mac customers would call us concerned because certain products would ship much later for Mac OS X if ever. As 2010 winds down and ends we have noticed a softening in our Windows effects business. We did some research and found that while companies that sell integrated hardware/software solutions on Windows are doing fine software only vendors have noticed a great slow down.

Our research results have come back and this downward spiral will only continue and accelerate in the future. Microsoft continues to bleed many key executives at an alarming pace. What do they know that we don't? Since we wish to grow and expand DiscreetFX we plan to avoid this destitution and software sales decay. For some time we have already run the business side of DFX on Mac OS X and this has worked out well. Starting today we will change the focus of our software effects development from Windows to Mac OS X. Now the OS X versions of our software will come out first and later the Windows versions will ship if ever depending on the product. The first product this will affect is MusicFX.

This decision should strengthen DiscreetFX and help it grow. We are only reporting it here for transparency reasons and for full disclosure to our customers. Of course old products are still fully supported. If you have questions don't hesitate to ask. Our first mission is to help our great customer base. Exciting times are ahead like the Mac App Store. A lot of our regular customers have changed platforms from Windows to Mac and we will now join them. Expect to see other software developers follow suit. We are usually slightly ahead of the curve. If you remember we were one of the first to embrace selling software on Flash drives in 2006 and we completely moved to selling all our FX software on Flash drives in 2008. Apple just started selling Mac OS X and iLife 11 on Flash drives last week with the new MacBook Air.

About DiscreetFX Inc.

DiscreetFX creates digital video effects that make your productions and films more effective! DiscreetFX's stunning digital transitions support the TriCaster family of products including: TriCaster, TriCaster DUO, TriCaster PRO, TriCaster STUDIO and TriCaster BROADCAST, which are trademarks of NewTek Inc. DiscreetFX effects also work with VT[5] & SpeedEDIT 2 from NewTek Inc. and Final Cut Studio 3 from Apple Inc.

DiscreetFX's Free NewTek TriCaster Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3rd, 2010

Contact:
DiscreetFX Team

1-800-852-0930

Chicago, – September 3rd, 2010 – Visual Effects creator DiscreetFX Inc., developer of animated effects elements/transitions for TriCaster's, VT[5]™, SpeedEDIT 2™ & Final Cut Studio 3™ sponsors a contest to give away a NewTek TriCaster™ . Looking for a free TriCaster™ or some extra cash in this tough economic climate? Bored of editing with none NewTek equipment and want a free NT based solution? Make a thirty second to six minute commercial, movie short or promotional video using DiscreetFX's visual transitions and win.

Editing skills and creativity matter more than the length of your video demo. The content of your video does not have to be DiscreetFX themed, you only have to use a few of our video effects in your production. Bonus consideration will be given if your able to incorporate our registered trademark character Hottie® into your production in a creative way. Runner up prizes will also be offered including SpeedEDIT 2 and lovely cold hard cash. Win a cool original TriCaster from us just using your VT[5]™ or SpeedEDIT 2™ editing skills. We prefer you use a VT[5]™ , SpeedEDIT 2™ or even a TriCaster™ to edit the project. We won't get made if you use Final Cut Studio 3™ . We will be extra impressed if you use an Amiga Video Toaster Flyer and your not allowed to use Premiere. Content is king and the skill and creative elements of the video matter the most.

The winner of the contest will have several opportunity's for more paid video editing work in the future. Official contest rules are listed below. Winners will be announced at DiscreetFX's first trade show; The 2011 Creative Extreme Expo.

Contest Rules

1. Video should be created with NewTek video editing tools if possible.

2. DiscreetFX's video effects transitions must be used in your video. You can purchase these or you can use a few of the free ones available via download on the DiscreetFX web site.

3. Video must be thirty seconds to six minutes in length.

4. Winning videos will be heavily promoted on YouTube and will give your company great marketing.

5. Great video editing skills and creativity are a must.

6. Bonus consideration will be given if your able to incorporate our registered trademark character Hottie® into your production in a creative way.

7. All submitted videos retain the copyright of their original creator and will be only be used for marketing purposes by DiscreetFX.

8. You may still be considered for future video editing work even if you don't win the contest.

9. Runner up prizes will also be offered.

a. 2nd Place - SpeedEDIT 2™

b. 3rd Place - $300

b. 4th Place - All video effects products that DiscreetFX currently sells for TriCaster™, VT[5]™ or SpeedEDIT™ .

c. 5th Place - $100

d. 6th Place - $50

e. 7th Place- McDonalds® Happy Meal®

10. Contest deadline is April 6th, 2011, but the sooner you submit your video the better.

11. Videos should be saved as high quality as possible and can be submitted to DiscreetFX in several formats.

12. Video when complete can be submitted via FTP. Request your FTP account when project is ready to upload to our servers. Projects too large for FTP can be submitted via snail mail.

DiscreetFX - Making your Digital Films more Effective!

About DiscreetFX Inc.

DiscreetFX creates digital video effects that make your productions and films more effective! DiscreetFX's stunning digital transitions support the TriCaster family of products including: TriCaster, TriCaster DUO, TriCaster PRO, TriCaster STUDIO and TriCaster BROADCAST, which are trademarks of NewTek Inc. DiscreetFX effects also work with VT[5] & SpeedEDIT 2 from NewTek Inc. and Final Cut Studio 3 from Apple Inc.

Amiga Seeding the Success Campaign

Chicago, Illinois – June 9th, 2008

Amiga Seeding the Success Campaign from DiscreetFX

The Amiga computer represents a lot of firsts in the computer industry but it also represents many missed opportunities. Since the death of Commodore in 1994 the Amiga has descended into dark times. They say you learn most from your failures and not your successes and this is most certainly the case when it comes to Amiga. And yet some good things have happened as well.

The Amiga market has branched off into some healthy competition with the arrival of MorphOS, AROS & Amiga OS 4.0. The Amiga emulation scene is alive and well with Amiga Forever from Cloanto. And lets not forget the hard work of the developers of Minimig, Natami & CloneA. Amiga developers have transcended the need of one company controlling the destiny of Amiga and have forged ahead in interesting ways.

It is this Amiga spirit that DiscreetFX loves and we want to nurture. So starting today we will select one winner per month and give them $100 donation via paypal. No this is not a ton of money but it is a gesture that is meant to encourage positive feelings and development in the Amiga community of families. Each month if a developer or even user does something outstanding that pushes forward the Amiga, MorphOS, AROS or Amiga OS 4.0 brand we will send them this little reward. The first reward has already been sent in fact.

The winner is Jan Zahurancik's AmiKit. Jan has worked tirelessly and created a killer add on for WinUAE and the Amiga emulation scene. He is not alone and it takes many to change the world. But it is our sincere hope that the Amiga scene can grow one day again. One million users and 100,000 active developers would be just grand. Thanks again Jan Zahurancik for all your hard work and your the winner for June 2008. Who will July 2008's winner be? Feel free to participate in the process and let us know via e-mail who you think deserves to win in July. They can be MorphOS, Amiga OS, OS 4.0, AROS users or developers. That does not matter, what does matter is that they worked hard and pushed the community forward in a positive way.

Best regards

- DiscreetFX Team

Contest: Give Aladdin4D mascot a name, and win 100 US$

DiscreetFX had recently purchased all intellectual properties of Aladdin 4D rendering software.

Now the firm (that is a well known name in the Amiga scene) is ready to launch Aladdin 4D as a multi-platform rendering software package, but there is a little problem.

Eric Schwartz has created a mascot for Aladdin 4D, a beautiful fairy Djinn... But this girl has no name at all... yet.

Do you feel so confident to find her the most beautiful name on Earth, and win?

If you want to participate, please send emails to DiscreetFX or write a comment on this blog:
http://aladdin4d.blogspot.com/2008/06/genie-is-out-of-bottle-but-she-needs.html

DiscreetFX Launches Aladdin 4D Website & Blog

DiscreetFX Announcement:

Chicago, Illinois – December 27th, 2007 -- Visual FX company DiscreetFX LLC Inc., launches Aladdin 4D Forums & Blogger website to support the existing Aladdin 4D community. Aladdin 4D has a very vibrant and talented installed user base and we want to give them a place to express their dreams and hopes for the rebirth of Aladdin 4D. DiscreetFX is very happy to open a community website and news blog to support these loyal and creative customers. Expect the site to grow and mature over the coming weeks/months. Welcome to the DiscreetFX product family. The current Yahoo eGroup Aladdin 4D forums will stay open for legacy purposes. Please direct any questions or interests you have about Aladdin 4D to the forum website. DiscreetFX is looking for some volunteers to moderate the forums and create graphics for the forums. Simple Machine Forums experience is a plus. If you do a great job you never know what you might receive.

New Aladdin 4D Forum Website
http://aladdin4d.com/

New Aladdin 4D Blog
http://aladdin4d.blogspot.com/

DiscreetFX Completes Aquisition of Aladdin4D

On December 17, 2007, DiscreetFX completed the acquisition of Aladdin 4D from Nova Design for an undisclosed sum of money. All remaining inventory of the current version is being shipped to DiscreetFX and Nova Design will no longer be selling this application. DiscreetFX is a leading developer of 3D digital video effects technology. This acquisition extends DiscreetFX's reach into 3D software development in the hobbist and beginner 3D animation industries. This also marks the first time DiscreetFX 100% controls an application. Before today we were always a 3rd party developer for other companies.

Aladdin 4D was a leading 3D animation program on the Classic Amiga platform and sold over 18,000 units on Amiga OS alone. DiscreetFX will breath new life into this application and release a new version on the following platforms.

Amiga OS 4.0 - For the first time Amiga OS 4.0 customers will have a professional PowerPC native application for their operating system to show off it's true potential. With the exception of Pagestream 5.0 Pro and Hollywood the amount of current professional commercial applications is very limited. There are no native 3D applications for OS 4.0, other Amiga developers left long ago for more lucrative platforms or went out of business.

AROS - For the first time AROS customers will have a professional native 3D animation application for their operating system to show off it's true potential. AROS has never had any commercial 3D software released for it.

MorphOS 2.0 - If a new version of MorphOS ships then a native version will also be produced for this exciting operating system. For the first time MorphOS 2.0 customers will have a professional PowerPC native 3D animation application for their operating system to show off it's true potential.

Mac OS X - Aladdin 4D has a rich heritage on the Amiga platform but never reached it's full potential since it was limited only to Amiga customers. The OS X version of Aladdin 4D will take full advantage of Core Animation/Core Image on Mac OS and should give Mac customers a new, fast and unique animation program to learn 3D and enjoy.

Linux - We are strongly considering doing a version for Linux but the expectation of open source and completely free software may hinder this release. Linux customers will have to show us a demand, then we don't mind supporting them.

Windows - DiscreetFX will never sell a version of Aladdin 4D for Windows but a free version will be included with each purchase of A4D for other platforms. DiscreetFX dares to admit what other developers keep to themselves. That Windows is an old legacy code garbage operating system that should be abandon. The failure of Windows Vista in the marketplace only goes to show that Windows days are numbered. The Windows version of Aladdin 4D will not be free but included as a bonus to support customers that may still temperately be using Windows. It will support the industry standard OpenGL and not lock in technology's like DirectX.

Other versions of Aladdin 4D will take advantage of OpenGL or whatever accelerated graphics technology is available on the host operating system. In order for Amiga OS 4.0 and other Amiga type systems to succeed a developer has to take the risk and release professional software to breath new life into OS4.0/AROS/MorphOS. DiscreetFX is willing to take that lead and work hard to reestablish a market. We welcome competition and hope that other developers will also return to the platform and create fresh new software ideas/releases.

Nova Designs CEO stated, we are happy to have reached a mutual agreement with DiscreetFX and have selected them because we feel they will give Aladdin 4D a great exciting future and will add cool new features.

A message to current Aladdin 4D owners. Be happy your 3D program of choice will not die and has a great future!

The following is a very quick FAQ that will try to cover the most common questions users may have about this acquisition.

1. Will the current Amiga version remain available?

A: Yes, the current version will remain available from DiscreetFX instead of Nova Design.

2. Will the price of Aladdin 4D be going up?

A: Not on the current version but for later versions yes.

3. What about the effort to make Aladdin 4D open source?

A: DiscreetFX also donated to the Open Aladdin effort and was hoping it would succeed. DiscreetFX derived no benefit from donations to this effort but any donators should contact DiscreetFX with your paypal receipt and we will work to accommodate you.

4. What about Aladdin's Lamp newsletter?

A: It will return shortly with a new issue on the DiscreetFx website. All back issues will appear there as well.

5. Why is DiscreetFX getting in the 3D animation software business?

A: We feel there is a need in the lower cost and easy to use beginner's market. This market is currently not being served.

6. Will Aladdin 4D complete with high-end applications like LightWave 3D or Cinema 4D?

A: No Aladdin 4D is a lower end beginners product. In fact once the new version is available DiscreetFX will give buyers a $50 cash back voucher if they buy LightWave 3D within one year of buying Aladdin 4D. Also, we are considering making Aladdin 4D a Lightwave 3D plug-in.

7. Will Aladdin 4D still support the Amiga Video Toaster?

A: Of course, that is one of it's strengths.

8. When will a new version be available.

A: We are still in the process of reviewing source code but rough estimates are 6-12 months. The source code is very portable.

Stay tuned... more information is coming soon.

DiscreetFX Great Christmas 2007 Giveaway!

Chicago, Illinois – December 17th, 2007 -- Every Christmas DiscreetFX LLC enjoys giving away lots of prizes to the Amiga Community. This Christmas is the best giveaway yet. We will be giving out the following items to randomly select winners that e-mail our sales department requesting to be in the contest.

1. 10 copies of Amiga Forever!

2. 10 copies of Aladdin 4D!

3. Three copies of ImageFX!

3. The grand prize one Minimig to a lucky amigaworld.net member!

With this many prizes everyone has a great chance to win and no purchase is required to enter. If you are looking for something cool though don't forget our Special on the Video Toaster 4000 card for all big box Amiga's (A2000,3000/T,4000/T) or A1200's expanded with a video slot. Only $199 while supplies last.

http://www.discreetfx.com/millennium.html

Minimig is subject to FPGA availability and will have to be built. Minimig winner should get their system on or before February 15th, 2008.

Good luck everyone and thanks for supporting DiscreetFX.

Best regards

DiscreetFX Team

Video Toaster 4000 cards available for select OS 4.0 Developers

Chicago, Illinois – November 30th, 2007

Now that Amiga OS 4.0 is available for Classic Amiga, Visual FX company DiscreetFX LLC Inc., is willing to work with select members of the Amiga OS 4.0 development team to insure future compatibility with the Video Toaster 4000 card. This includes free Video Toaster 4000 cards to members of the team that have Amiga 4000/T computers running Amiga OS 4.0 and have an available video slot.

DiscreetFX's CEO stated:
"It's great news that Amiga OS 4.0 is now available for Classic Amiga's with PPC cards. What would be even more exciting is if the Amiga Video Toaster 4000 also worked on OS 4.0." The time is at hand for the Amiga to reemerge as a video editing/desktop video platform. The release of the Amiga Video Toaster source code was step one. Amiga OS 4.0 for Classic Amiga was step two. Now lets go on to step three."

Amiga OS 4.0 Classic Celebration

October 21st, 2007

Sacramento, California -- October 21nd, 2007 -- To celebrate the much anticipated release of Amiga OS 4.0 for Classic PowerPC based Amiga's, DiscreetFX will be giving away ten copies on November 30th, 2007.

Click read more

DiscreetFX appreciates the hard work and fine programming talent that went into the development of this fantastic upgrade of the Amiga operating system. We want to celebrate and give classic users something positive and fun to think about. To be entered in the free giveaway just e-mail DiscreetFX with the name of one of the original Amiga designers. On November 30th ten lucky individuals that answered the question correctly will receive Amiga OS 4.0. Please watch for more
DiscreetFX contests and giveaways before Christmas 2007.

Best regards,
DiscreetFX Team

AmiZilla Booty Splits Four Ways

For Immediate Release

September 28th, 2007

We are trying something new to stimulate AmiZilla development. The Booty is now available as a split if a team can successfully port it on their favorite Amiga OS type system. It breaks down this way:

Amiga OS 4.0 = Successful stable port of Firefox equals 25% of the AmiZilla Booty.

MorphOS = Successful stable port of Firefox equals 25% of the AmiZilla Booty.

AROS = Successful stable port of Firefox equals 25% of the AmiZilla Booty.

Amiga OS 3.1= Successful stable port of Firefox equals 25% of the AmiZilla Booty.

While it will be less money to the winner, if they are able to port to their favorite system it will mean that the technical difficulty's that some have complained about porting to 3.X are now removed. Also we believe that once one port is complete the others will fall into place. Of course if the same team did all four ports then they would get 100%. We hope this can push AmiZilla forward and not hold it back any longer. Donations are optional but always welcome if you feel this will push the contest forward.

http://amizilla.net/

DiscreetFX Sponsers a Retro Amiga Game Creation Contest starring "Hottie™

DiscreetFX Sponsers a Retro Amiga Game Creation Contest starring "Hottie™"

Chicago, Illinois – March 23rd, 2007 -- Visual FX company DiscreetFX LLC Inc., offers $1000 to the developer or team that can create a three level demo of a platform game starring Hottie, in the classic gaming style of Arabian Nights, Shadow of the Beast, Nicky Boom, Zool, etc.

"I have noticed game development for Amiga has seemed to stagnant and want to help change that, stated DiscreetFX's CEO. So begins a fun contest to sharpen your Amiga game creation coding skills. The three level demo you create will need to run on classic Amiga's and WinUAE/E-UAE/PSPUAE. We don't care so much if it is AGA or Amiga 500 specific. We care more of the quality and polish that will go into the demo. The game will need to star "Hottie", DiscreetFX's leading virtual character. Links to her image can be found here. Link to image
Runner up prizes will also be offered and the winner will get a chance to complete the game and release it on Amiga OS 4.0, MorphOS, AROS, and other gaming systems.
More information will be available on the following site in the next week.

For more information about this contest please contact us.

DiscreetFX announces the Winner of The QuikPak 060 Contest

DiscreetFX is please to announce the winner of our QuikPak 060 card for the 4000T. In November 2005 DiscreetFX issued a press release and contest for one lucky winner to receive a very sexy 68060 card for their Amiga 4000T. The winner was selected on December 25th 2005.

And the Winner is!

George Barns from Marina del Rey, California!

Congratulations George and please enjoy your 060, it has already been mailed out to you. Thanks everyone that e-mailed us and tried to win. Keep a look out for more exciting contests from DiscreetFX in 2006 including a free Video iPod to be given away at the Newtek party in Los Vegas for NAB 2006.

If you have a moment why not visit our website that hosts the Amiga Video Toaster Flyer source-code. More source-code is coming soon and it is amazing that Newtek in their great wisdom allows DiscreetFX to host and give away for download the code to one of the most successful video tools of all time on computers. Why not stop by today and take a peek at the code. Don't forget to click on some of our Google Adsense sponsors to help support the bandwidth of the site so we can bring you more exciting source very soon.

http://www.openvideotoaster.org

Happy Holiday's Amiga 4000T owners from DiscreetFX

Happy Holiday's Amiga 4000T owners. DiscreetFX is giving away a QuikPak 060 card to one lucky winner. The card and the shipping are 100% free; you will have to track down your own driver disk though. We will even include some EDO memory if we can find some before we ship the card. E-mail our sales department to be added to the contest list.

Winner will be chosen @ random on Dec 25th 2005 and is required to own a 4000T. We hope you will enjoy the speed of an 060 and will not sell it. This offer is for true Amiga fans only not e-Bay profiteers. As a bonus, we will even throw in a free issue of NewsTek #1, our new magazine/zine.

DiscreetFX Acquires Millennium from Nova Design

Chicago, Illinois & Richmond, VA � August 31st, 2004 -- Visual FX company DiscreetFX LLC Inc., acquired all remaining stock and all rights to the Amiga Video Toaster Flyer software package Millennium held by Nova Design, Inc.

"Earlier this year the CEO of DiscreetFX approached us about buying out Millennium and I am now happy to report we have reached an agreement and completed this.", stated Kermit Woodall; Nova Design CEO. DiscreetFX has purchased all remaining copies of this great add-on software toolset for the Amiga Video Toaster Flyer. DiscreetFX CEO Bill Panagouleas stated, "Millennium represents a good fit for the direction my company is going. DiscreetFX has some interesting plans for Millennium that will be made public very soon."

If you are not aware of the many powerful features that Millennium gives your Amiga Toaster/Flyer, DiscreetFX will shortly be making available a video that demonstrates its features for only the cost of shipping. DiscreetFX also welcomes feedback and suggestions from the Millennium community, and we want your feature requests and suggestions on the direction you would like to see this software package go in the future.

For more information about Millennium please access the following web link.

http://www.novadesign.com/exoops/modules/freecontent/index.php?id=12

About DiscreetFX

DiscreetFX has been creating software products for the Amiga, video editing, computer generated graphics (CGI) industry since 1995. The Amiga computer defined and created the video editing, computer graphics market with its birth in 1985. DiscreetFX creates Real-time transitions and effects seen on over 100 television programs including
Blind Date, 5th Wheel, Shipmates and more! You can also see DiscreetFX software used on the following networks HBO, Showtime, Discovery Channel, PBS, Fox and many more!

About Nova Design

Nova Design, Inc. is an award-winning software company that has been creating graphics software for over a decade. It's product line includes ImageFX and Aladdin 4D for the Amiga, and Cinematte for Windows/Macintosh. It's products have been used by companies big and small. It's products have been used in major television science fiction series on the SciFi Channel and in syndication, major Hollywood films, and plenty of non-major films! See us on the internet at www.novadesign.com