Have things just got better or worse?

[sjj1805]

Source: http://www.corporatemedianews.com/artic ... p?id=48671

InterVideo Taiwan Officially Merged With Ulead Systems
InterVideo Taiwan acquired the remaining shares of Ulead Systems Inc.

(July 05, 2006)

InterVideo(R), Inc. (NASDAQ:IVII) an industry leader in next-generation DVD and multimedia software, announced today that its Taiwan branch, InterVideo Digital Tech, and Ulead Systems (TSE:2487) will be officially merged.

InterVideo Taiwan acquired the remaining shares of Ulead Systems Inc. in order to consolidate resources efficiently, reduce operational costs, and enhance operational efficiency. InterVideo currently owns 67 percent of Ulead and will pay NT$30 per share to buy back the remaining 33 percent of shares from Ulead shareholders.

About Ulead Systems
Ulead Systems, Inc. (TSE:2487), a subsidiary of InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ:IVII) is a 17-year industry leader in video, image and DVD software. As more people use digital technologies at home, school and the workplace, Ulead software empowers users of all levels with the tools to easily and affordably personalize, manage and share digital content. Ulead is a member of the DVD Forum, participates in DVD Forum Working Groups and is a general member of the HD DVD promotion group. Ulead is also a Contributor member of the Blu-ray Disc Association and serves on the BDA TEG. For more information on the company, its products and services, please visit Ulead's Web site at www.ulead.com.

About InterVideo, Inc.
InterVideo is a leading provider of integrated digital and high-definition multimedia and audio/video content solutions in the PC, CE and wireless industries. The company's broad suite of integrated multimedia software products are designed to enhance the consumer's entertainment experience, whether the content is delivered to a home system, HDTV set, wireless system, mobile or personal multimedia device. InterVideo's unique iMobi(TM) multimedia codec technologies are widely used by Smartphones, GPS units and portable entertainment device OEMs and ODMs to enhance music and video enjoyment...anyplace, anytime. The firm's worldwide headquarters is at 46430 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA, 510-651-0888, InterVideo also has major offices in Taiwan, Japan, Mainland China and around the globe. For more information, visit www.intervideo.com.

[Ron P.]

For Better or for Worse? That is a question based on perception and or perspective.

If Intervideo keeps the Ulead products, continues to develop them, and provide support for them, I would have to say that it is better. Intervideo may (and probably do) have a plan to correct some of the shortcomings with Ulead products, which could elevate the products to new heights. MSP, VS could become the leader in video editing.

One recent merger (purchase) comes to mind, the Adobe-Macromedia merger. So far Adobe is maintaining and developing the Macromedia products. I think it would be foolish for Adobe to do away with it. Purchasing Macromedia, was a smart financial business decision.

However with coporate mergers there is the risk that the merger was due to competition. The reasoning could have been the "if you can't beat-em, buy-em strategy. Thus they might say good-bye to Uleads products, and drop them like a hot potatoe. I don't think this is likely, due to Intervideo's strong point is DVD authoring, not video editing. So to better themselves financially, they just wanted more products, and couldn't develop the products the way they wanted without infringing on copyrights..

So in my opinion the reason for the lag in SPs and development on DVDWS 3, does and has had this merger written all over it. Not knocking Ulead for this, because if the boat is going to sink, irregardless of how much you bail water, or try to patch the holes, why try. It would be money thrown away.

Lastly is the question, since Ulead is going to cease to exist, what is the outlook for support of the programs? This board was a primary tool used by Ulead to help with their products. So I suspect that the board will cease along with Ulead, and the users will be left to figure things out for themselves. I do hope that is not the case..

Ron P.

[htchien]

For Better or for Worse? That is a question based on perception and or perspective.

Yes.

If Intervideo keeps the Ulead products, continues to develop them, and provide support for them, I would have to say that it is better. Intervideo may (and probably do) have a plan to correct some of the shortcomings with Ulead products, which could elevate the products to new heights. MSP, VS could become the leader in video editing.

InterVideo will keep Ulead main-stream products and continues to develop / support them, according to my information.

However with coporate mergers there is the risk that the merger was due to competition. The reasoning could have been the "if you can't beat-em, buy-em strategy. Thus they might say good-bye to Uleads products, and drop them like a hot potatoe. I don't think this is likely, due to Intervideo's strong point is DVD authoring, not video editing. So to better themselves financially, they just wanted more products, and couldn't develop the products the way they wanted without infringing on copyrights..

Competition is not the case.

InterVideo's strong point is DVD playing, copying, media management and product marketing. Ulead's strong point is video editing, DVD authoring, burning and image editing, and that's why InterVideo buys Ulead.

So in my opinion the reason for the lag in SPs and development on DVDWS 3, does and has had this merger written all over it. Not knocking Ulead for this, because if the boat is going to sink, irregardless of how much you bail water, or try to patch the holes, why try. It would be money thrown away.

I think I'm not allowed to say more on this. However, before InterVideo buys Ulead, Ulead is not a boat going to sink, and it's running well at that time. I can say it for sure.

Lastly is the question, since Ulead is going to cease to exist, what is the outlook for support of the programs? This board was a primary tool used by Ulead to help with their products. So I suspect that the board will cease along with Ulead, and the users will be left to figure things out for themselves. I do hope that is not the case..

That's what I hope, too.

Best regards,
H.T.

[Bignosetw]

Let me just add my 2 cents to what HT already said:

The Ulead brand and main Ulead product line will remain.

Ulead products will continue to be developed and supported.

Regards

Tobie Openshaw
MarCom Dept
Ulead

[heinz-oz]

Haleluja.

[sjj1805]

Let me just add my 2 cents to what HT already said:

The Ulead brand and main Ulead product line will remain.

Ulead products will continue to be developed and supported.

Regards

Tobie Openshaw
MarCom Dept
Ulead

Which begs a question - What is considered main line ?

[skier-hughes]

Let me just add my 2 cents to what HT already said:

The Ulead brand and main Ulead product line will remain.

Ulead products will continue to be developed and supported.

Regards

Tobie Openshaw
MarCom Dept
Ulead

Which begs a question - What is considered main line ?

Yep, a direct answer once and for all would be great.

Yes or No, for WS3?

Graham

[sjj1805]

Intervideo have now been taken over by Corel.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/money/national/ ... video.html

[Ron P.]

I wonder if this board will be closed once the deal is complete. Corel does not have an internet board/forum. They rely on newsgroups, which is email based, yuk!!! I've tried it, but got tired of d/l hundreds of responses every time I fired up OE. Then to find a topic or reply related to your problem boarders on impossible.

With all the corporate buys and sells, I wonder who is going to be the lucky corp that owns all:?: (Adobe, Sony, or Corel)....hummm

I thought Ulead was relatively secure, even though it was bought by Intervideo. Now that Intervideo sold to Corel, I have serious doubts about that. Too bad none of the Uleads (if they are in fact still employed) could not give us some insight as to the future of this forum. After all we have done to help them, seems a small thing to ask. Then if we had knowledge of that, maybe some preperation could begin to look for another home..

Ron P.

[heinz-oz]

Well, I just got myself a trial version of all the Adobe products. Can't do any harm to look at all the other possibilities in case Ulead will disappear or the little service they do offer will cease.

I'm surely not buying any more Ulead programs until this has been sorted and we know where we stand.

The sooner they will let us (at least us who have carried this board) know where we stand, the better for all involved.

I certainly didn't need another depressing news item today, it's been bad enough already

[DVDDoug]

Too bad none of the Uleads (if they are in fact still employed) could not give us some insight as to the future of this forum. After all we have done to help them, seems a small thing to ask.

They probably don't know. I've been through a few buyouts, and here's how it usually goes...

1 - "We aren't going to make any big changes. We bought this company because we like it."

2- A big layoff and a 'survivor meeting': "This is a positive step for the company. You are still here because you are are all valuable employees."

3- Eventually, you might get your "pink slip". And, there's another 'survivor meeting'.

It would be sad to see the forum go. But, I have the impression that Corel has better overal technical support. (They do have published techincal support phone numbers.)

[sjj1805]

I wonder if this board will be closed once the deal is complete. Corel does not have an internet board/forum. They rely on newsgroups, which is email based.......

I think that would be a real step back into the dark ages. At the time of this reply the forum has 18245 registered members.

If the board is closed I will be extremely 'miffed' after the amount of time I have spent creating various tutorials.

[htchien]

Hi,

I wonder if this board will be closed once the deal is complete.

I think it would still remain for a while. It's still too early to said the future of this forum.

With all the corporate buys and sells, I wonder who is going to be the lucky corp that owns all:?: (Adobe, Sony, or Corel)....hummm

Microsoft, maybe? Just kidding.

Too bad none of the Uleads (if they are in fact still employed) could not give us some insight as to the future of this forum. After all we have done to help them, seems a small thing to ask. Then if we had knowledge of that, maybe some preperation could begin to look for another home.

They probably don't know. I've been through a few buyouts, and here's how it usually goes...

1 - "We aren't going to make any big changes. We bought this company because we like it."

2- A big layoff and a 'survivor meeting': "This is a positive step for the company. You are still here because you are are all valuable employees."

3- Eventually, you might get your "pink slip". And, there's another 'survivor meeting'.

I'm still here (and maybe will be here for a while).

I've been through these "survivor meetings" for several times, and I think there will be some in the near future.

I think I can say thanks for Ulead to all you guys who offered helps and time in this forum.

As I said to Jerry Jones in another user forum, I would see changes as chances to make things better. That's all I can say for now.

Please let me thank you guys again, not just for a customer relationship, but also for a freindship (I really treat you guys as friends in my heart).

Yours Truely,
H.T.

[editfan]

I was just getting use to the idea of Intervideo and what they might do. Interesting how many buyouts and such happens these days.. Avid's takeover of Pinnacle was a disaster. Half the products were pulled and Studio 10 was rushed out so fast it is useless. At least VS10 works.