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World's First HD Pre-Processor Arrives at IBC 2003

"HD Prefix" is a high definition version of the popular Prefix compression pre-processor and bandwidth optimiser.

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IBC 2003, Stand 1.411 -- "HD Prefix" is the world's first independent HD pre-processor and is based on the popular Snell & Wilcox "Prefix" compression pre-processor - which optimises the balance between picture quality and bit rate usage.

Film grain and electronic noise, though not generally visible, are just as prevalent in HD standards as they are in SD. Subsequent MPEG processing of the impaired video will result in higher bit rates and may even result in visible blocking artifacts. The performance of digital video compression systems such as MPEG can be significantly improved by removing these impairments prior to compression. Benefiting from existing Snell & Wilcox pre-processing technology, HD Prefix incorporates unique and proprietary new noise reduction algorithms.

Pre-processing a HD signal can bring economic benefits to the user by enabling an additional, revenue generating, SD stream to be transmitted using the bit-rate saving made by HD Prefix.

Additional features include AES-3/AC3 audio embedding (with monitoring output); automatic gamut legaliser; test patterns; down-converted video monitoring output; multiple SMPTE 292M inputs and outputs; adjustable audio video sync; RollCall™ error logging and remote control; redundant power supply and integral synchroniser - all in a 2RU box.