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Ikegami's NAB Highlights Include the New Editcam HD Tapeless Camcorder (7/4/2005)

Sensor, Display, and Compression Advances Contribute to Ikegami's Tapeless, Wireless, and Seamless Solutions for Broadcast and Professional Users

Ikegami Electronics (U.S.A.), Inc., the world-leading manufacturer of high-quality broadcast and professional video production solutions, showcases an unprecedented array of leading-edge products at this year's National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference and exhibition. High definition television (HDTV), tapeless digital newsgathering (DNG), and a full-size HD/SD production switcher are among Ikegami's NAB 2005 product introductions.

"Advanced implementations of new technologies for the era of tapeless HDTV production are at the forefront of this year's exhibit," states Alan Keil, VP and Director of Engineering for Ikegami. "NAB 2005 attendees will see historic Ikegami product introductions that will shape the future of broadcasting for years to come."

Chief among these products is the new Editcam HD camcorder, the recording section of which utilizes the Avid DNxHD high-quality mastering codec to deliver HD resolution, full-raster (1920 by 1080) images that can be edited on laptop and desktop systems in real time. And because DNxHD is an open system that can be licensed for free, it ensures viability far into the future. The Editcam HD currently employs a data rate of 140 Mbps (Megabits per second) to provide 1080/60i, 1080/24p, and 720/60p recording and playback using FieldPak2 recording media. The DNxHD codec also supports 220 Mbps for increased performance in the future.

Ikegami will also introduce a new 120 GB FieldPak2 that provides more than one hour of HD recording time. HD and SD desktop editing from the FieldPak2 on a variety of Avid edit systems will be demonstrated in a special section of the Ikegami booth.

Also on display is Ikegami's standard definition DNS-33W Editcam3, the proven performance leader in tapeless ENG and EFP. The DNS-33W Editcam3 is a next-generation 520,000-pixel AIT (Advanced Interline Transfer) CCD camcorder that features such revolutionary innovations as Retroloop recording (so videographers never miss a shot) and a Timelapse feature. New this year will be triax and multicore adapters for added versatility as a studio or field camera. Editcam's 80GB FieldPak2 can record six hours of DV25 digital video, with DV50 and IMX formats available as options. FieldPak2 is available in either hard drive or solid-state memory versions. Also shown in the Editcam line will be the DNR 20 Dockable Disk Recorder and DNE-31 Stand-Alone Disk Recorder.

Ikegami's new Editcam HD camcorder is one of several new Ikegami cameras at NAB 2005 that employ advanced CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors. CMOS technology offers several advantages, including smaller camera size, decreased power consumption, and multiformat and high-speed capabilities. All of these features are present in Ikegami's new HDL-40HS High-Speed HD Box Camera, which can produce images at 1080/60p and 720/120p for slow-motion applications in conjunction with an EVS server. CMOS technology will also be seen in the HDL-40C operating in 1080/24p and the HDK-79EC portable camera system with SE-79D System Expander for conversion into a fully featured native, multiformat HD studio camera.

In addition to its CMOS-sensor cameras Ikegami will also be showcasing its full line of state-of-the-art HD and SD Portable and Studio cameras at two dramatic and colorful demonstration areas of its NAB exhibit. Additional HD models include: the low-cost HDK-75EX in studio configuration, the HDK-79EX with SE-7000 System Expander for field production, and the HDK-790E full studio camera operating on Ikegami's HD Triax System. Additional compact HD cameras on display will include the box-style HDL-40 and HDL-40P, as well as the separate optical-block style HDL-79EXNA and ultra-compact HDL-20.

Studio and portable SD models include: the studio HK-399W and its portable companion, the HK-399PW, the triax HL-60W, the new HC-D57W, and the HL-DV7AW one-piece DVCAM camcorder.

Complementing this full line of HD and SD cameras will be the historic introduction of Ikegami's HSS-3000 Next-Generation, full-size HD/SD Large Production Switcher. The HSS-3000 can input HD, SD, or SDI signals; a total of 96 inputs and 64 outputs can be supported, with all output signals fully assignable. The HSS-3000 offers four M/E's (Mix/Effects buses), with either HD or SD signals assignable to each M/E. A two-channel DVE is built into each M/E for basic programmable effects. High flexibility key control, a dual LCD Touch Screen for easy set-up of complicated effect sequences, optional frame store, external machine control, and extensive networking capabilities make the HSS-3000 the perfect production switcher for high-end broadcast applications in the coming HD/SD DTV era. A smaller HSS-300 version based on the same technology, available in one- and two-M/E versions will also be shown.

Another major feature of Ikegami's NAB 2005 exhibit will be its extensive line of LCD and CRT monitors, including the debut of the nine-inch HLM-900 multiformat color monitor. Like the 22-inch HLM-2200 and the 17-inch 1700R, the HLM-900 provides high contrast ratio, space-saving design, and excellent angle of view. Ikegami will also continue to support a wide selection of both color and B&W CRT monitors in a wide variety of sizes.

Ikegami will also display digital microwave solutions including the PP-57 HD RF camera system for the HDK-75EX camera and the PF-503 digital HD COFDM microwave link suitable for a wide range of applications.

See the full line of Ikegami products throughout NAB 2005 at Booth No. C-5426 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

www.ikegami.com