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BBC Post Production Takes Delivery of First Alchemist Ph.C - HD Frame Rate Standards Converter

Transparent HDTV Frame Rate Standards Conversion Facilitates International Co-Production, Unlocks International Revenue Streams for HDTV-Originated Content

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HAMPSHIRE, U.K. -- March 21, 2007 -- Snell & Wilcox today announced that BBC Post Production, part of BBC Resources Ltd, has taken delivery of the first Alchemist Ph.C - HD, the company's new HDTV frame rate standards converter.

One of the world's leading content creators, the BBC is involved in multiple content co-production deals around the world. With much of this content now being created in HDTV, the BBC is now both a major originator and purchaser of HDTV content. BBC Resources Ltd is one of the largest broadcast production facilities in the U.K. and a profitable wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC, selling both to BBC customers and the rest of the market. It comprises BBC Studios, BBC Outside Broadcasts and BBC Post Production. BBC Post Production purchased the Alchemist Ph.C - HD in order to convert a broad range of HDTV originated material to the appropriate HDTV broadcast standard for both internal use and for international distribution.

"As broadcasters worldwide transition their operations to HDTV, content owners are rapidly moving toward HDTV production to meet the demands of viewers and to guarantee greater archive value for their content," said Joe Zaller, vice president of strategic marketing at Snell & Wilcox. "With the launch of Alchemist Ph.C - HD, HDTV content can now be exchanged internationally across standards boundaries at the highest possible quality level, and with virtually no conversion artifacts. For companies like BBC Post Production, the ability to achieve this level of HD picture quality in any format enables distribution of dazzling visual productions worldwide and strengthens the facility's leadership as a provider of engaging programs and services."

BBC Post Production is a long-time Snell & Wilcox standards conversion customer, which for many years has utilized the SDTV version of the Alchemist Ph.C for international program exchange. The newly installed HDTV conversion system will be used primarily to convert finished 1080i programs between 1080/25 and 1080/29.97 interlaced and progressive formats, with some conversion to 720/59.94p, as well. The unmatched picture quality provided by the Alchemist Ph.C - HD is made possible through Snell & Wilcox's award-winning Ph.C motion estimation technology.

"The sophistication and accuracy of motion portrayal is critical to the quality of HDTV programming and, in particular, to the vivid, lifelike impression given by the BBC's programs," added Zaller. "BBC Post Production has achieved stunning results in SD conversion and HD upconversion with our Alchemist Ph.C system, and we're confident that the results of HD cross conversion with the Alchemist Ph.C - HD will be equally impressive."

More information about the Alchemist Ph.C - HD and other Snell & Wilcox products is available at www.snellwilcox.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, Alchemist Ph.C, and Alchemist Ph.C - HD are trademarks of the Snell & Wilcox Group. All other trademarks mentioned herein are acknowledged as property of their respective owners.