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France 3 Extends Rollout of Kahuna SD/HD Multiformat Switchers With Installations in Grenoble and Rennes

Snell & Wilcox Kahuna Provides Future-Proof Production Platform Featuring Advanced Effects and Flexible Handling of SD and HD Content

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HAMPSHIRE, U.K. -- March 13, 2007 -- Snell & Wilcox today announced that France 3, a network of regional stations under the umbrella of national public broadcaster France Télévisions, is installing Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switchers at France 3 regional facilities in Grenoble and Rennes. The installations, which will support production of daily news, regional TV programs, and special events, are part of an upgrade of both facilities to digital operations. The Kahuna already is installed at France 3 regional centers in Montpellier, Toulouse, Reims, and Nantes.

"The Kahuna offers an intuitive user interface and robust production tools, such as integrated still and clip stores and a powerful 3D DVE option, that enable us to enhance the quality of our current broadcasts," said Jean-Luc Hachon, project manager for France 3. "By handling both SD and HD content without the need for external up- or downconversion, the Kahuna production switcher will enable our network to make a smooth transition into HD broadcasting. We know from our previous experience with the Kahuna and the Snell & Wilcox team that we can expect reliable product performance, backed by excellent responsiveness and technical support."

France 3 was one of the first broadcasters to invest in the Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher from Snell & Wilcox, and the network's newest Kahuna systems will be taken live early in 2007. France 3's Grenoble facility is installing a 2-M/E (mix/effects bank) Kahuna system equipped with twin channels of the IMPAKT 3D DVE option and configured, for the time being, for SD-only operation. The Grenoble installation also includes 13 RU of IQ Modular gear for signal processing tasks within the new digital infrastructure.

At the Rennes facility, France 3 is installing a 3-ME Kahuna production switcher, also featuring the twin-channel IMPAKT 3D DVE option, which will enable the operator to apply a comprehensive range of effects -- including warps, tiling, ripples, rolls, and peels, with trailstore and lighting effects -- to the keyers and background transitions. In addition to 11 RU of IQ Modular gear, the Rennes installation includes the Snell & Wilcox RollMap infrastructure management system, which enables engineers at the facility to monitor the new broadcast infrastructure and the assets delivered through it.

Designed to be future-proof, Kahuna allows operators 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 users can mix existing SD camera feeds, graphics, handheld shots, and archive footage directly into an HD production with no need to purchase expensive HD upgrades or extra HD upconversion equipment. Thanks to a Snell & Wilcox technology called FormatFusion, SD sources can now be seamlessly integrated into HD productions and vice versa, without the need for conversion.

"France 3 has been a long-time Snell & Wilcox customer, putting our advanced broadcast solutions to work in forward-looking workflows throughout its network of stations," said Joe Zaller, vice president of marketing at Snell & Wilcox. "As we've refined systems like the Kahuna and elements of our IQ Modular range, we've relied on feedback from engineers at France 3. As the network completes the digital overhaul of its regional stations and looks ahead to HD broadcasting, the Kahuna and IQ Modular systems will provide a smart and simple platform for growth."

More information about the Kahuna, IQ Modular, IMPAKT, RollMap, and other Snell & Wilcox products is available at www.snellwilcox.com.

France 3 is part of the France Télévisions group also comprising France 2, France 4, France 5, France �, and RFO. The channel broadcasts to 24 different regions across the country, providing local news coverage along with national feeds from Paris. More information about France 3 is available at www.france3.fr.

Snell & Wilcox designs and builds the world's most advanced systems for video playout, mastering, repurposing, infrastructure, and live production switching. Providing solutions that deliver immediate value while enabling a controlled and cost-effective transition to HD and file-based systems, the company serves a worldwide base of customers in the broadcast, postproduction, cable, satellite, mobile TV, and IPTV markets. In business since 1973, Snell & Wilcox maintains its U.S. headquarters in Burbank, 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. Further information is available at www.snellwilcox.com.

Press Contact: Susan Warren, Wall Street Communications, Phone: +1 631 261 1013. E-mail: susan@wallstcom.com.

Snell & Wilcox, Putting Pictures to Work, Kahuna, IMPAKT, IQ Modular, FormatFusion and RollMap are trademarks of the Snell & Wilcox Group. All other trademarks mentioned herein are acknowledged as property of their respective owners.