Zoo Digital aims to transfer DVD success to the Blu-ray disc format

Blu-ray is the new media format for high-definition home video and is growing rapidly.

Sales of Blu-ray discs increased 123 per cent in 2009 and accounted for over 20 per cent of new disc sales on leading titles.

Sheffield-based Zoo said its Blu-ray system is being evaluated by an un-named major Hollywood studio, thought to be Disney.

In addition to the Blu-ray launch, Zoo has also signed up its first customer for its Translation Management System.

"Following extensive trials, this system has now been deployed for a major Hollywood studio where it is beginning to be used to manage, coordinate and regionalise worldwide marketing campaigns for theatrical film releases," said Zoo chief executive Stuart Green.

The company expects that the system will be used by the studio's staff on a daily basis in more than 60 territory offices.

Zoo's unique technology allows quick design of software for interactive DVDs and video titles at a fraction of the normal cost.

Its software toolset automates the preparation of digital content including complex interactive menus, regionalisation into multiple languages, assembly and formatting.

Mr Green said: "We are excited by the potential of our new automated Blu-ray authoring system as the entertainment industry continues the migration of products for worldwide publishing in high definition.

"It is pleasing to secure our first customer for the Translation Management System which will deliver significant savings of time and cost for our customers."

Last week the group announced it had won a new contract with American TV giant CBS Corporation.

The company, which already counts Disney, Warner Bros and Sony Pictures among its clients, said it had won a deal to supply CBS Home Entertainment with its DVD production software.

CBS will use Zoo's products to design and produce DVD titles in-house.

CBS Home Entertainment manages the worldwide DVD and Blu-ray businesses for the CBS Corporation for programmes including NCIS and 90210, as well as classic series from the CBS library.

Mr Green said: "This agreement further cements our position in the entertainment industry through a relationship with a leading provider of television content on DVD."

Analyst Andrew Darley, at house broker FinnCap, said he expects growing use of Zoo's software within CBS.