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Snell & Wilcox Kahuna Sweeps Honors at NAB2005, Capturing Four Best-of-Show Awards

Kahuna multiformat production switcher recognized for enabling broadcasters to cost-effectively take control of transition to HDTV

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The Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD production switcher was recognized with four best-of-show awards at NAB2005, with wins including the Broadcast Engineering Pick Hit, a TV Technology STAR (Superior Technology Award Recipient) Award, a Television Broadcast Top Innovation Award, and a Government Video Salute.

Kahuna, the first production switcher to offer simultaneous standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) operations in the same mainframe with the same control panel, puts broadcasters in control of their transition to HDTV by allowing them to start working in HD now while continuing to use legacy SD equipment.

"The Kahuna allows users to leverage both new and existing broadcast systems for a measured and controlled progression from SD to HD production, and we're pleased that this critical capability was so widely recognized at NAB2005," said Joe Zaller, Snell & Wilcox vice president of marketing and product management. "It has been very satisfying to see the Kahuna highlighted among a host of innovations targeted to HD production. Each of these prestigious awards is a tremendous honor for Snell & Wilcox."

Kahuna's extraordinary flexibility enables users to work initially in SD-only or HD-only mode, and then upgrade to multiformat SD/HD operation whenever they choose. In multiformat SD/HD mode, Kahuna's unique FormatFusion technology allows SD sources to be seamlessly integrated into HD productions and vice versa, with no need to purchase expensive HD upgrades or extra HD upconversion equipment.

Kahuna operators can allocate mix/effects banks (M/Es) to either SD or HD sources, or to mix the two together on a single M/E. This operational flexibility makes maximum use of all available M/Es by networking multiple control surfaces to different mainframes, allocating one mainframe to separate control panels, or operating in SD or HD as required. This capability not only makes Kahuna the most versatile production switcher available on the market, it also eliminates the expense of additional upconverters, graphics systems, and other peripheral equipment. Its low weight, power consumption, and heat generation make Kahuna equally at home in weight-sensitive OB vehicles and in fixed installations.

Users of the Kahuna system have access to an extraordinary customer support program created by Snell & Wilcox. The multitier Kahuna Care program provides a preventative maintenance regime, and offers services - such as on-site attendance by a Snell & Wilcox engineer or backup TD at critical events - that address all the practical eventualities that might occur in the course of using a Kahuna production switcher.

The range of clients placing orders for Kahuna testifies to the system's versatility. They include national TV networks such as Denmark Radio, FR3, and Korea's MBC; mobile truck operators such as Neon Broadcast in London and Betanews in Italy; American call-letter television stations; A/V specialists such as U.S.-based LMG; and even professional sports teams such as Real Madrid soccer club and the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

To date the new SD/HD production switcher from Snell & Wilcox has achieved more than 20 orders from customers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Snell & Wilcox, the leader in its field, delivers technologies and products that enable television and satellite broadcasters, post-production facilities, filmmakers, and communications professionals to move content seamlessly between analog, digital, high definition, and file-based systems and to bridge the world's multiplicity of line/field and color standards. The company provides switchers and keyers, standards conversion systems, networked infrastructure components, and products for noise reduction, image enhancement, and restoration. In business since 1973, Snell & Wilcox maintains its U.S. headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., and European headquarters in Hampshire, U.K. Additional offices are located in New York, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, and Russia. Visit www.snellwilcox.com for more information.

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Americas Press Contact: Laura Schoeggl, Wall Street Communications, Phone: +1 253 404 0020.
Email: laura@wallstreetcom.tv.

Asia Pacific Press Contact: Genevieve Hilton, Ketchum Newscan Public Relations Limited, Phone: 852-3141-8112, Fax: 852-2510-8199 or E-mail: Genevieve.Hilton@knprhk.com

Snell & Wilcox, Engineering with Vision, Alchemist, Ph.C, Kudos, Magic Dave, IQ Modular, RollCall, RollTrack, Mosalina, Niagra, and Kahuna are all trademarks of the Snell & Wilcox Group.