Montreal-based Softimage has announced it will begin shipping its Softimage|DS Version 2.1 for the new StudioZ GT Workstation from Intergraph Computer Systems. Version 2.1 is the newest upgrade of the DS nonlinear production system from Avid-owned Softimage.

Running with the increased power of the Intergraph workstation, the system provides software-based, realtime effects with two streams of D1 uncompressed video and uncompressed graphics. With a view to future DTV and HDTV applications, Version 2.1 also supports 16:9 aspect ratio anamorphic material.

Turnkey hardware and software systems with one hour of uncompressed storage are available for us$150,000.