Steinberg have announced Wavelab 5, now offering full multi-channel surround support and DVD Audio mastering and authoring, WaveLab 5 will ship to Steinberg resellers from 19th April, 2004, and will cost €699.00 EUR.

WaveLab 5 encompasses a full set of DVD Audio mastering and authoring tools. Among the new capabilities included is support for up to eight audio channels throughout the entire signal chain for recording, editing, processing and mastering. The DVD Audio burning capabilities also include video data; WaveLab 5 also offers DVD Audio extraction, conversion, and archiving. More DVD Audio-specific features include an extensive DVD Audio authoring toolset, including Playlist editing, on-screen video menu design, picture slide shows, and DVD text.

The range of new capabilities encompasses not only DVD Audio, but aims to offer additional capabilities within the stereo and multi-channel audio domain. A new "Smart" Video Thumbnail Track for editing audio for video is included, as is support for track based insert effects, multi-channel metering, and support for Steinberg Surround Edition plugins.