Encoding solutions provider Sorenson Media has rolled out the latest iteration of its Sorenson Squeeze encoding and transcoding software.
Version 8.5, the company said, is the fastest version yet of the application, and includes an updated feature set focused on improving workflow productivity improvements through the Sorenson 360 online video platform (OVP).
The company rolled out version 8 in November, and in March introduced a Pro version that included support for Avid DNxHD and Apple ProRes, as well as the ability to encode for Dolby Pro audio along with support for the most popular video formats, including H.264, Flash, WebM, Windows Media, adaptive bitrate and DVD Blu-Ray.
This mid-year update of Squeeze 8, is really about speed, and is based on process improvements in the Squeeze video encoding engine, including optimization for each of the major output formats: MP4, QuickTime (MOV), WebM and Matroska. Sorenson said parallel rather than sequential processing now drives the Squeeze engine ad claimed that internal benchmark tests showed the re-architected Squeeze 8.5 averaging 200 percent faster than the prior version, Squeeze 8.
Sorenson collaborated with Intel engineers to optimize Squeeze 8.5 for Intel's Quick Sync platform and codec, including optimization for Intel's Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors on Windows machines. Benchmark tests on these platforms with the new optimization have demonstrated a doubling of speed, over and above the single output acceleration improvements.
The company said that it's also encoding adaptive bit rate in parallel, rather than sequentially, with a similar reduction in encoding time.
Squeeze 8.5 also brings significant workflow enhancements to the table through seamless integration and free permanent storage within Sorenson 360, Sorenson Media's OVP. Sorenson said the free storage enables users to encode and upload video files to the cloud for storage and distribution directly from the Squeeze interface.
Sorenson Squeeze 8.5 and 8.5 Pro are now available for $799 and $999, respectively, for new Squeeze customers. It is also available for a limited time as a free upgrade for customers of Sorenson Squeeze 8. Sorenson Squeeze 8 customers receive 5 GB of free permanent storage and use of all Sorenson 360 features.
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