News

Thomson Adds Cine-style Options to Infinity Digital Media Camcorder (22/9/2008)

Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS), the worldwide leader in video solutions, announced today the latest developments for the Thomson Grass Valley(tm) Infinity(tm) Digital Media Camcorder (DMC). Heading the new announcement is the Cine-style option, which enables the camcorder to shoot in production-style, high-definition (HD) progressive formats giving dramas, high quality documentaries, and music videos the look they deserve.

In addition to the ability to use cine accessories and lenses, the new option enables the DMC to create content in 1080P23.97, P25 and P29.97 at a full 1920x1080 HD resolution. Combined with the ability to capture full 10-bit 4:2:2 HD, with its top-of-the-line JPEG 2000 codec, the Infinity DMC product line now offers unmatched functionality and performance at an unprecedented price point.

The cine-style option is just one of a number of functionality boosts since its introduction. Added to the already impressive list of supported MPEG flavors of the MPEG board, is the ability to record HD in Long GOP. This gives the user the option of selecting and capturing HD in bitrates at 18, 25, 35 and 50 Mb/s.. Combined with the Infinity camcorder's existing capabilities, Infinity users can select the precise balance of capturing bandwidth, storage capacity, and operational functionality for each individual production and scene, all of which can be recorded onto any of the supported solid-state and spinning-disk media, regardless of format chosen.

In standard-definition (SD) the Thomson Grass Valley Infinity now supports recording of the D10 format using the MPEG option. This open standard format gives very high quality (30 to 50 Mb/s) SD capture with embedded metadata.

"When we launched the Infinity Digital Media Camcorder, we committed to a continuing development program," said Jeff Rosica, Senior Vice President of Thomson's Broadcast & Professional Solutions within the Systems division. "The IBC announcements are a realization of that commitment: we have added more functionality, more choices, and an even further improved user experience. The Infinity is now many camcorders in one - without compromising quality or usability in any of its many roles."

This series of new options and expanded functionality - which can be applied to existing cameras in the field as well as on new cameras - follow on from the announcement of two new versions of the REV PRO recording media at NAB earlier this year. These latest versions of REV PRO Digital Media offer a faster sustained data rate for editing direct from the REV PRO media in HD (REV PRO XP), or an extended storage capacity of well over an hour at the highest HD quality (REV PRO ER).

The result is that the Infinity DMC offers absolute performance for every application imaginable. Its uncompromised HD in progressive formats using open compression codecs including JPEG 2000 10-bit, 4:2:2 meets the real needs of practical digital cinematography. With its broad choice of video standards and recording media it can also be used for virtually any application, moving from news to drama, to corporate videography, to documentaries on a day-by-day or even shoot-by-shoot basis.

The Infinity demonstration at IBC will also feature the specially developed version of the Telecast Fiber System CopperHead platform, which turns the Infinity camcorder into a full-featured system camera with full external control.

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

For additional ordering and pricing information on this revolutionary software only upgrade to add 24p to your Infinity camcorder, please contact your local Sales representative.

www.thomsongrassvalley.com

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