Phase One has released Media Pro, a professional digital asset manager built to handle photographic and video files.

Media Pro is based on the Microsoft Expression Media software, which was formerly known as iView MediaPro. Phase One acquired the application in 2010 in a bid to create a photo manager for "true professionals".

"Media Pro offers a flexible and intuitive way to catalog, organize, and utilize digital media assets," says Phase One. "Its strength is in organizing photo files, no matter where they are stored -- on shared folders, CDs, hard drives, DVDs or other media. It's an application comprising visual catalogs, which can be easily and quickly browsed, searched, and annotated." Phase One claims that Media Pro can support more than 128,000 files per catalog.

All catalogs can be archived, backed up and published via slide shows, web galleries, and distributed via email, contact sheets and prints.

Media Pro has also been enhanced to work seamlessly with Capture One. "Images and adjustments made in Capture One are updated in Media Pro and the two applications offer integrated exchange of the metadata that describe images, and convey ownership and licensing information," says Phase One.

The application supports raw files from more than 100 new camera models, as well as video support for Canon and Nikon pro and semi-pro digital cameras.

Media Pro is available now and retails at €139 ($199). Current Expression Media 2 users can upgrade to Media Pro for €39 ($59).

For more details, visit www.phaseone.com/media-pro.