Software Architects, Inc.

Tools and Technology for Digital Convergence

PRESS RELEASE


February 24, 2000

World's First File Recovery Software for Re-writable DVD Disks Announced by Software Architects, Inc.

FixDVD!TM Software Analyzes UDF Formatted DVD Disks & Repairs Directories to ensure reading & writing of disks in Windows and Mac OS systems.


Bothell, WA...Software Architects, Inc. (SAI) announced today release of its FixDVD! Disk Analysis & Repair Utility for Windows 95, 98 and Mac OS 8 & 9. The software is the world's first commercially available disk analysis and repair utility for rewritable DVD disks known as "DVD-RAM" disks. These fully rewritable, high capacity DVD disk drives are rapidly becoming the new standard for supplemental storage in the personal computer industry. For example, DVD-RAM drives now come as a standard internal drive on most Apple PowerMacTM computers sold into the publishing and digital imaging markets. Stand alone drives made by Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba and LaCie are rapidly becoming popular as a tape drive replacement for Windows based PC's.

FixDVD! provides users with a simple method to test, analyze and repair disks formatted in the Universal Disk Format (UDF). This new format is required by the DVD Forum for use on all DVD disks as the new standard for disk interchange between all types of computers and intelligent multimedia consumer devices. The UDF format is used in all DVD video players, as well as newly announced DVD audio players, and is already the standard adopted by Microsoft, Apple and other operating system companies as the new disk format to replace the aging ISO 9660 format now used on CD-ROM disks.

FixDVD! supports all manufacturer's and leading third party brand DVD-RAM drives including: Hitachi, LaCie, Panasonic, and Toshiba, and DVD-RAM media including: Maxcell, TDK, Panasonic and Plasmon brands.

FixDVD! Key Features:

  • Quickly determines format type (UDF or other), the version of UDF format implemented, and if the format is compliant with DVD Forum specifications
  • Displays summary information on the directories and files on the disk, along with the number and type of errors or format defects on the disk
  • Repairs defects or errors automatically.
  • Displays summary and detailed logs of the format and directory status

FixDVD! Benefits:

  • Quickly determine why a disk does not open
  • Quickly determine if the disk is UDF compliant
  • Quickly determine problems or errors in the format and directory structures
  • Modify disk formats to help ensure compatibility between computer systems.
  • Repair damaged disk formats, directory and file header information

Systems Requirements:

Version 1.0 supports systems running
  • Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000,
  • and Mac OS 7, 8 & 9.

Compatibility & Standards

FixDVD! reads, analyzes and repairs all versions of the UDF format: OSTA UDF v1.02, 1.5 and 2.0; and is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98 and Windows 2000 UDF readers. WriteDVD! is the only utility that can ensure read/write compatibility of DVD-RAM disks between Apple Macintosh and Windows computer systems. FixDVD! and WriteDVD! are OSTA (Optical Storage Technology Association) UDF compliant and complies with DVD Forum specifications for DVD-RAM drives and disk formats.

What is the UDF Format?

UDF stands for the "Universal Disk Format" and file system. It is the key software technology underlying DVD's disk format standard for digital convergence. Based on the International Standards Organization's (ISO) ISO-13346 standard, the UDF format ensures that disks can be properly used on all types of computer systems as well as future consumer digital appliances.

Advantages of DVD's UDF file format include:

  • Operating System independence. UDF is the optimal archival medium.
  • Large capacity. The UDF file system can store data to the terabyte level in a single volume
  • Optimized data transfer rates. Read and write speeds of UDF formatted disks can out perform data transfer rates of many native file systems when transferring larger files that are common with mulitmedia applications.
  • Supports unicode character set for compatibility with foreign language systems
  • Supports extended file attributes used in some native operating systems.
  • Supports long file names beyond the limits of current operating systems.
  • Allows for disk interchange between consumer DVD devices and computer systems with DVD drives.
There are two ways to get FixDVD!

First our upsell pitch.
FixDVD! is a special bundle with WriteDVD! Pro for Windows and DVD RAM TuneUp V.3 for the Mac. Each of these provide everything you need to run, maintain and repair your DVD-RAM drive and media. You can also buy it as standalone product.
Click here to buy your copy now!

About SAI -why you can be confident our product will benefit you

Software Architects, Inc. develops and publishes system-level utility software and specialty applications for personal computers. The company applies its file system, device driver and image enhancement technology to address the reliable integration and ease of use of input and storage devices with personal computers.

Founded in 1987, the company has over twelve years of commercial experience licensing its technology to OEM manufacturers and systems integrators worldwide. As a member of the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) as well as the DVD Forum, SAI plays a leading role in the application of the Universal Disk Format and technology for a variety of computer and consumer applications.

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