DVD EXTRA, the technology that should see this company through to profits and a very bright future.
DVD-Extra

During the year the Group accelerated its development of a revolutionary
authoring software for producing interactive DVD-Video discs that will play on
any standard consumer DVD player. We applied for and received a SMART grant
award of 188,000 from the Department of Trade and Industry to assist with the
research and development. DVD-Extra unlocks the hidden interactive capabilities
that exist in every player, and allows developers to produce titles that exhibit
many of the properties of multimedia CD-ROM on a standard, unmodified, DVD
player.

ZOO's principal offering is a product for authoring interactive DVD-Video discs
called DVD-Extra Studio. This tool operates in a similar way to multimedia
authoring products that are designed for creating CD-ROM applications for PC and
Macintosh, but produces DVD-Video disc images as its output. It performs a
similar function to so-called DVD authoring products that are designed
specifically for creating DVD-Video discs, but due to the patent-pending
authoring method it employs, it offers substantial cost savings for companies
that are involved in the production of DVDs and also enables more sophisticated
functionality to be developed.

ZOO will license DVD-Extra Studio to multimedia developers and Compression and
Authoring facilities. Charges will be levied on a pay-per-use basis, such that
customers will pay a fee to ZOO for each project that uses DVD-Extra Studio.

The Group has applied for patents to protect the core DVD-Extra technology and
is continuing to further develop and protect its intellectual property
worldwide.

Outlook

Following the successful fundraising of 1.5m gross through the share placing
which was completed on 2nd June 2003 the Group looks forward to positive
progression. The portfolio of products is expanding, with a focus on the
development of our own intellectual properties. The board believes that the
combination of publishing low risk licensed product and in-house own brands
together with the huge potential of DVD-Extra Studio places the Group in an
excellent position for a move to profitability and significant future growth.

The Group plans to exploit the DVD-Extra technology internationally and has
established an Early Adopter Programme consisting of around twenty companies
including Technicolor, Warner and Comchoice, leading to the first commercial
release of the product within twelve months. We believe that the uniqueness of
DVD-Extra and the filing of international patents will allow ZOO to build and
maintain significant differentiation over other authoring tool providers.

John Barnes, Chairman

Ian Stewart, Chief Executive Officer.G

SHEFFIELD TODAY NEWS: APRIL 22nd

Sheffield-based ZOOtech has made a quantum leap forward
with its award-winning DVD-EXTRA STUDIO software,
created to cut the cost, complexity and time taken to produce
interactive DVDs that work with domestic players and TVs.
ZOOtech is wowing US entertainment giants with an expanded
version of DVD-EXTRA STUDIO which allows them to produce
complete DVD packages, films, interactive games and new
entertainment concepts, being kept under wraps until products
are ready.
Stuart Green, ZOOtech chief technical officer, uses the DVD of
Garfield the Movie to show what had to be done before the
new version was developed.
Film and interactive bonus material had to be developed
using different software, one package for the film and
DVD EXTRA for games. They then had to be "glued" together.
ZOOtech's breakthrough allows the film, chapter points,
smooth transitions between the chapters and interactive
material to be developed.
"We have created content using 1.6 that simply wouldn't
have been possible six months ago. The response to the
demos we have put together has been nothing short of phenomenal.
We are confidently predicting DVD-EXTRA STUDIO will very soon
become an industry standard," says Mr Green.
Chief executive Cees Zwaard said: "We are now talking about
how to make traditional content interactive.
Our customers are able to provide deeper interactive
experiences that will appeal to the mainstream."
ZOOtech is working with production companies and developers
in Hollywood, and other major digital media centres.

ZOO now back on the move in the right direction of the back of great news (see RNS).

Published: 0:16:19 Wednesday 29 June 2005

Zoo Digital is hoping it will start to see the fruits of its new interactive DVD technology and with 50 licences out there, a number of products should see the light of day this year.

Shares (ZOO) rose 0.125p to 10.5p, valuing the business at 33 million.

As we reported in February, Zoo had some delays closing deals last year, which has made it a little more realistic for this year. The companys main problem is that its revenue model for its new DVD-Extra technology, which enables interactive applications to be written for DVDs, is one of earning royalties on products developed using the technology. However, it has no control over how many products its customers will develop or when they will see the light of day.

Chief executive Ian Stewart told Citywire that the company now has 50 licensees for the technology, and internal forecasts reckon as many as 150 products could be in development at this time.

The agreements range from using DVD-Extra for quiz shows, education and reference products, marketing and corporate products and interactive DVD games to the creation of a variety of content and bonus material for the film industry, including a number of Hollywood studios, which is a key target for Zoo.
The company is very close to signing a deal with one of the major studios, whose delays in signing deals last year were the cause of Zoos February profits warning. However today the company said it has signed documentation and a financial framework agreed that should bring in around $1 million (560,000) of revenues in this financial year.

Stewart said Zoo was just waiting for a signature, but it learned the hard way last year that large companies can be very slow in putting pen to paper.

For the year to December, turnover rose by 149% to 12.7 million. The more established Zoo Digital Publishing, which publishes DVDs, games and mobile content, including its own interactive DVDs such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire, made a maiden profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of 498,000, although group loss before write-offs were 1.6 million up from 955,000 due to increased investment in the DVD-Extra software.

After the year-end, the company raised 3 million through a placing of 37.2 million shares at 8.5p

The core publishing business still looks pretty interesting, with games such as Millionaire and a new music quiz likely to sell well this Christmas.

More importantly, the technology business should start to show its worth this year. Interactive DVD is a new concept that has only really been around for about a year, and is likely to become ever more popular for many different applications, including entertainment, marketing and education. Zoos patented and patent-applied for technology stands a good chance of becoming the de facto standard for interactive DVD, which should make the next few years very interesting.

We said in February and re-iterate again today, that this is high risk with plenty of unknowns still, but for risk-takers it could still be worth a punt


http://www.citywire.co.uk/

Still holding and awaiting.

Please remember patience pays off in the long term.


cheers GF.

Chaps,

Dont be sucked in by this baby. The only winners
are the directors who sell & sell in the market
after receiving discount allotments from time to time.
one to stay clear of!!

Transco - Always happy to hear bearish views on a stock but they need to be grounded. Why is this one to stay clear of, in your opinion?

the directors can only sell half their options at 15p
and the other half at 30p if they wish

Which sounds more bullish to me. Transco?

Totally agree queen1 , the trouble with zoo is everyone who gets on board dosen't know the history and the potential. they just expect to buy for 10p and sell for 50p within a month. if only it was that easy!!!!

Yeah, I've been waiting for that 50p for 2 years now :-) !!

Same here but i'm waiting for 1 so guess i've got another 2 years !!!
I do think when the market wakes up to zoo the sp will rocket.One day we will get the rns we've all been waiting for .Until that day comes the sp will stick around these levels.The directors can only exercise a percentage of there options at 30p.The way i look at this if they were in it for the short term quick buck they could soon get the sp up to 30p and cash in. They haven't which makes me think they are in this one for the long term.Zoo have a tremendous technology which could be sold around thew world if marketed correctly. The only problem i see is they have the future funding and marketing techniques to make it work.If not then i guess one of the hollywood studios may swallow them up!!

http://www.dexia-bil.lu/webquotes/info_index.asp?lang=en&page=maract&idnews=20050818101467&pageto=3

Historically the company has granted massive share options at regular
intervals and the shares have been dumped in large quantities whenever
the price rises.

news very soon ;o)

popped in to say hi to the shadow board... whilst taking advantage of L2 free....
I am from yorkshire!

I've only got 1 thing to say to you JJ7 Karma Zootra lols

Some good news for ZOOer's

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=94233

ah the old sticky book.... i have a friend on the other site, who likes to show his etchings.....

http://lifestyle.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=3976

Available interactive DVD titles jump by 800% - gaining own shelf space

MultimediaPublished: Friday 25th November, 2005


discuss in the forums email to a friend


Nearly 60% of the available iDVD titles were created using ZOOtechs DVD-EXTRA technology

Stores legitimize iDVD for Christmas

ZOOtech-inspired new-product category nets dedicated shelf space for first time

November 24, 2005 - Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush, shoppers may notice something different about the shelves of HMV, Virgin, W H Smith or Borders this year: for the first time ever, interactive DVD is being awarded dedicated shelf space. The number of iDVD titles has increased by 800% from last year, forcing shops to officially recognise the new product category.

Every label seems to be jumping on the interactive DVD bandwagon this year after the recent successes of titles over the last couple of years, said Borders DVD and video buyer Ross Morgan. To be honest, I can't blame them, as they are ideal for gifting and also for the festive family get-togethers.

Sheffield-based software company ZOOtech has pioneered the development, with nearly 60% of the iDVD titles available this Christmas created by developers using ZOOtechs DVD-EXTRA technology. DVD-EXTRA allows DVD content to be made fully interactive, giving users an experience more akin to CD-ROM or interactive TV than conventional DVD.

ZOOtech paved the way for interactive DVD when its DVD-EXTRA software was used by sister company ZOO Digital Publishing to produce Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in 2002. Three versions later and the game remains both the benchmark for the industry, and the most successful iDVD title to date. This years edition allows players to select adult or junior questions and is packed with over 1,500 new questions and more than 400 images.

I think its fair to say ZOOtech owns the interactive DVD market, says ZOOtech MD Jonathan Beardsworth. DVD-EXTRA was used to create the first interactive DVD and is now responsible for the majority of titles in this growing sector. If you buy a title with the DVD-EXTRA logo on it then youll be guaranteed a truly interactive DVD experience this Christmas.

This year more developers than ever before have turned to the software in a bid to gain competitive advantage over their rivals. Early indications suggest the following iDVD titles will dominate the UK market this Christmas: Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit Interactive DVD Game, Test the Nation, Beat the Intro 2 and Gary Linekers Football Challenge. All of these were created using DVD-EXTRA.

ZOOtech has been the driving force behind the growth in the iDVD market, says Conrad Withey of The Rights Company, whose John Thompson Poker game was created using DVD-EXTRA. We couldnt have added the level of complexity we got on John Thompson Poker with traditional authoring. DVD-EXTRA has allowed us to create the random feel of a poker game on DVD. I think in three or four years time you wont be able to release a DVD without some form of interactivity and ZOOtech has paved the way for that.

DVD-EXTRA is crucial to the interactive DVD market, says Tim Payne of 2Entertain, which has four titles out this Christmas manufactured using DVD-EXTRA. It not only enables authoring houses to achieve interactivity, its the sheer volume of data it allows you to put on a disc that is important. Without it, it would take an impractical amount of time to physically input data onto a disc.

Jonathan Beardsworth concludes, ZOOtechs continued commitment to delivering cutting-edge interactive DVD technology, coupled with content owners desire to exploit this exciting new area will result in the iDVD market extending beyond the traditional gifting periods ultimately benefiting retailers and consumers.

About DVD-EXTRA
Using conventional DVD authoring systems to create interactive DVD-Video content is enormously complex, laborious and costly. DVD-EXTRA STUDIO offers a solution to this. It reduces development costs by automating the most complex, labour intensive and error-prone elements of the design and production phases thus enabling rich interactive content to be delivered comparatively cheaply and efficiently.

DVD-EXTRA is not a new format for DVDs, it does not require any new disc pressing technology and it does not require any amendment of existing standards and specifications. It complies entirely with the DVD-Video specification and DVD-EXTRA content will play on any normal consumer DVD player conforming to that standard.

About ZOOtech
ZOOtech Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sheffield-based ZOO Digital Group plc. ZOOtech pioneered DVD-EXTRA technology to enable CD-ROM style interactivity in the DVD-Video format.

Today, DVD-EXTRA developers worldwide are shaping the future of interactivity by pushing the boundaries of DVD functionality. Non-traditional DVD-Video markets such as advertising, gaming, music, education, and corporate training have begun harnessing the power of DVD-EXTRA to exploit DVD as an interactive communication medium. Universal Pictures, Ascent Media, Comchoice, OUAT Entertainment, and Freestyle New Media Group are among the companies who have already delivered engaging DVD-EXTRA products.

For more information, visit ZOOtech's web site at http://www.zoo-tech.com

trading was busy in zoo shares today, anyone know why?

looks like interims this coming week ...