Macromedia today announced Director MX 2004, the new version of its multimedia authoring tool. Enhancements in the new release include the new MX 2004 interface, support for JavaScript, support for Flash MX 2004 content, and DVD-Video capabilities. From the press release:

Macromedia, Inc. today announced Macromedia Director MX 2004, the latest version of the industry standard multimedia authoring tool. Macromedia Director has been at the forefront of multimedia development for more than a decade, and this latest version adds support for JavaScript, Flash MX 2004 content, DVD-Video, and the ability to create projector files for both Mac and Windows platforms in one simple step. Macromedia Director MX 2004 enables developers to unleash their creativity and build rich, interactive experiences that deliver measurable results. For more information, visit www.macromedia.com/go/dirmx2004.

"Macromedia Director defined both this company and this industry, and it remains the most sophisticated multimedia authoring tool to this day," said Norm Meyrowitz , president of products, Macromedia. "Macromedia Director MX 2004 builds on the productis rich legacy and adds new features that will enable richer content and easier development due to its seamless workflow with other MX 2004 products and the addition of an industry standard, widely used, scripting language."

Macromedia Director MX 2004 empowers professional multimedia developers, advanced Flash developers, professional DVD developers, e-learning designers, and game developers who need to create multimedia content that can be deployed anywhere, whether it be CD, DVD, intranets, kiosks, or the Internet. Director MX 2004 supports most major video, audio, bitmap, 3D, and vector formats to give developers the broadest content palette from which to deliver sophisticated, compelling user experiences. Extensive video capabilities within Director MX 2004 allow developers to stream video files in DVD-Video, Windows Media, RealMedia, QuickTime, and Flash formats. DVD-Video functionality will enable developers to embed, control, and playback DVD-Video content within multimedia projects. Director also has a powerful Xtras plug-in architecture, which enables developers to extend both the application and playback to add nearly limitless functionality.

[...]

Macromedia Director MX 2004 is also tightly integrated with other products and servers in the MX family. In addition to adding support for Flash MX 2004 content and applications, Director also has the ability to launch and edit both Flash and Fireworks to enable a seamless workflow. Director also includes support for Flash MX 2004 components, including user interface components. Flash content can be integrated into Director projects, and Flash performance within Director projects has been dramatically improved over previous versions. Like other MX 2004 products, the workspace is entirely customizable and Director now offers the ability for users to even customize both the stage and movie-in-a-window interfaces for better workspace management.

Macromedia Director MX 2004 is expected to be released in February for $1,199. Upgrades are available for $399. More information can be found on Macromediais Director web site.