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Thomson's Infinity Digital Media Camcorder Expands Workflow with MPEG-2 HD Long GOP Codec Choices (22/9/2008)

Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS), the worldwide leader in video solutions, announced that its Thomson Grass Valley(tm) Infinity(tm) Digital Media Camcorder (DMC) now includes MPEG-2 HD Long GOP (group of pictures) as a codec choice. The addition of MPEG-2 Long GOP creates a low bit rate recording choice to complement the existing high-quality, high bit rates within the Infinity DMC and allows Infinity users to choose among a range of high-definition (HD) choices from 18 Mb/sec up to 100 Mb/sec - all in the same camcorder, which can all be recorded to the same piece of media.

Recognizing that some applications need lower bit rates for ease of editing on laptops or to achieve greater storage capacities, Thomson has now added a Long GOP MPEG-2 codec with user selectable bitrates of 18, 25, 35, and 50 Mb/s. The MPEG-2 Long GOP choice gives users additional file-based workflow options that are compatible with industry standard nonlinear editors (NLEs) and expands the options for recording and transmission.

Infinity offers choices and options for unrivalled flexibility in HD and SD recording applications and workflows for use the world over. These codec choices along with format choices that include 1080p, 1080i, 720p, PAL, and NTSC can be recorded to a choice of affordable media including REV PRO, CompactFlash and external USB drives.

"The Infinity program was all about providing choices for our customers," said Jeff Rosica, Senior Vice President of Thomson's Broadcast & Professional Solutions within the Systems divisions. "With the addition of this new codec, the choice is even greater - no other camcorder on the market allows users to select bit rates from 18 Mb/s up to 100Mb/s 10-bit, 4:2:2 on a job-by-job or even shot-by-shot basis. Users choose the format and codec to match their workflow and then connect their media directly for editing with popular editing platforms."

Material shot using the MPEG-2 HD Long GOP codec can be edited natively in the Thomson Grass Valley EDIUS(r) and Aurora nonlinear editing systems. For those using Avid editors, MOG Solutions have created the Toboggan plug-in - which simply and quickly rewraps the Infinity MXF files into Avid-ready MXF files. Toboggan can be configured as a watch folder to automatically perform batch rewrapping as a background task in Avid. In the case where Avid workstations are deployed in an Avid Interplay or Avid MediaManager environment, Toboggan is also able to check in the media for use in Avid NLEs. The HD MPEG-2 Long GOP video and audio essence are un-changed in the process thus creating a faster than real-time solution.

For those using Apple Final Cut Pro (FCP), Telestream have created the Flip4Mac(r) Infinity Component. The Flip4Mac Infinity Component is a plug-in that simply and quickly rewraps Infinity MXF files and places them into the project bin ready for editing. The file transfer happens faster than real-time and preserves the original image quality.

The Infinity Digital Media Camcorder gives its users complete freedom to select the format, codec, and recording media that best suits their application on a day-by-day basis. Infinity users are able to choose the format they need to match their workflow just before they hit record versus choosing a limited format camcorder at time of purchase. As well as standard definition formats like DV25, the camcorder can shoot in HD using JPEG 2000, 10-bit, 4:2:2 up to 100 Mb/s for ultimate quality or MPEG-2 I-frame up to 80 Mb/s, and now MPEG-2 Long GOP down to 18 Mb/s.

Thomson is unique in supporting the entire media chain from high-definition content creation to multi-play services for home consumption. As broadcasters become broadercasters, Thomson is the right technology partner, as it will demonstrate at IBC 2008 in two booth locations - Hall 1, Stand D.11 and Hall 7, Stand F.31.

Pricing and Availability

MPEG-2 Long GOP codec choices will be made available at IBC 2008 and through a software upgrade to Infinity users who have already purchased the Infinity DMC MPEG-2 HD/SD Compression Board (DMC 1120/00). Pricing on the DMC 1120/00 is $4,002.

www.thomsongrassvalley.com

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