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CCTV Deploys Multiple Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD Multiformat Production Switchers for High-Profile Sports Coverage

Leading Chinese Broadcaster Deploys Kahuna for HD Production of 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2008 Olympic Games

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HAMPSHIRE, U.K. -- March 20, 2007 -- Snell & Wilcox today announced that China Central Television (CCTV), China's largest broadcaster, has purchased two Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switchers to support live HD coverage of key sports events including the 2008 Olympic Games, which will take place in Beijing. Earlier this year CCTV also incorporated a Kahuna switcher into its sports studio to enable mixing of SD and HD content for its coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. CCTV is the principal broadcaster for the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in China, for which the company is integrating the Kahuna SD/HD multiformat switcher into its first Olympic A-level outside broadcast (OB) van in China.

"Kahuna is the only production switcher that lets us work with both SD and HD sources at the same time, and this is a critical benefit for live production application," said Mr. Xue Jun Hong, director of the CCTV transmission center. "It provides the outstanding performance we require, along with the benefit of low delay through the system, small size, low weight, and low power use -- all of which are critical in mobile production applications. These features, and our positive experience with Kahuna during the World Cup, made Kahuna the ideal choice for the OB trucks we are building for the 2008 Summer Games."

Kahuna, the first production switcher to offer simultaneous SD and HD operations in the same mainframe with the same control panel, enables CCTV to work in HD now without upgrading its entire infrastructure or investing in external conversion equipment. The Beijing-based broadcaster can offer its audiences premium HD content while continuing to use its existing SD equipment. During CCTV's live sports broadcasts, the Kahuna allows operators to mix existing SD camera feeds, graphics, handheld shots, and archive footage directly into an HD production.

In addition to flexible format handling, the Kahuna offers tremendous keying power and the IMPAKT DVE option, which combines eight channels of powerful 3D DVE with straightforward operational logic and time-saving premade effects without the need for an outboard DVE unit. IMPAKT DVEs give technical directors and vision mixers complete control over effects and provide the power and flexibility to apply them in SD, HD, or both modes simultaneously.

"With the Kahuna incorporated into its fixed and mobile production studios, CCTV will be well-equipped to showcase Beijing and the 2008 Summer Games in all their glory," said Joe Zaller, vice president of marketing at Snell & Wilcox. "Kahuna gives CCTV the tools necessary to go ahead with HD production using many of its existing resources, and it offers the broadcaster proven performance and quality worthy of the highest-profile live events."

CCTV International (CCTV-9) is the English-language 24-hour news channel of China Central Television, China's largest national TV network. Launched on Sept. 25, 2000, CCTV International is dedicated to reporting news and information to its global audience, with a special focus on China. With a team of experienced and committed journalists, CCTV International is China's contribution to greater diversity and more perspective in the global information flow. With its new lineup starting May 3, 2004, CCTV International increased coverage of world events, in addition to its focus on China. CCTV International emphasizes a Chinese perspective while striving to give a more balanced picture of the world. CCTV International covers the globe via six satellites. Its news and feature programs can now be seen by 45 million subscribers outside China, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.cctv.com.

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, and IMPAKT are trademarks of the Snell & Wilcox Group. All other trademarks mentioned herein are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners.