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Snell & Wilcox Alchemist Ph.C - IP Raises the Bar for Software-Based Standards Conversion

New Software Platform Enables High-Quality Frame Rate Standards Conversion Within a Completely Tapeless Workflow

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HAMPSHIRE, U.K. -- April 12, 2007 -- In anticipation of the NAB2007 introduction of the Alchemist Ph.C - IP file-based standards conversion software, Snell & Wilcox offers a radically improved approach to file-based international program exchange.

Utilizing the same algorithmic expertise that has made the company the industry's undisputed leader in frame rate standards conversion, Alchemist Ph.C - IP has been designed to deliver transparent conversion of file-based video, audio, and metadata between the 625/50 (PAL) and 525/60 (NTSC) standards, and vice versa.

"Until now, no software-based product operating in the tapeless domain could provide conversion quality nearing that of our Alchemist Ph.C motion-compensated standards converter," said Joe Zaller, vice president of strategic marketing at Snell & Wilcox. "Consequently, those companies seeking the highest-possible conversion quality were forced to decode file-based media to baseband, convert the content through an Alchemist Ph.C, and re-ingest it once again. The Alchemist Ph.C - IP changes all this, providing Ph.C motion compensated conversion performance within the file-based domain and dramatically reducing the time required to deliver top-quality content in the appropriate broadcast standard."

Alchemist Ph.C - IP is a true plug-and-play system, requiring no user setup and providing simple drag-and-drop operation. In addition to providing superior frame-rate conversion of video material, it also provides seamless conversion and handling of audio and metadata.

Because this new conversion system runs on commodity IT hardware, it offers post-production and duplication facilities a low cost of entry into high-end standards conversion, and a valuable tool for the shift toward IT-based operations.

Recognized as the industry benchmark for quality motion measurement and used by the majority of the world's major broadcasters and postproduction facilities, Snell & Wilcox's Alchemist Ph.C - IP delivers clear and crisp outputs from a wide range of video input material. Like the hardware-based Alchemist Ph.C system, the new Alchemist Ph.C - IP accepts and outputs 626/50(PAL) or 525/60(NTSC) files in a range of formats including MXF and MPEG2 program streams.

More information about the Alchemist Ph.C - IP 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, Ph.C, Alchemist Ph.C, and Alchemist Ph. C - IP are trademarks of the Snell & Wilcox Group. All other trademarks mentioned herein are acknowledged as property of their respective owners.