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Snell & Wilcox Rolls Out Second Generation of Kahuna IMPAKT 3-D DVE at NAB2007

Enhanced IMPAKT 3-D DVE for Kahuna SD/HD Multiformat Production Switcher Features Extended Range of Effects, Advanced Models, and Timesaving Presets

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LAS VEGAS -- April 16, 2007 -- Snell & Wilcox today announced the introduction of the second generation of IMPAKT, the powerful 3-D DVE (digital video effects) option for the company's multi-award-winning Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher. Shipping now, this second-generation technology is available for all Kahuna products, including existing systems in the field, which can be upgraded simply and easily.

With the introduction of this second-generation technology, the IMPAKT DVE now features twelve new effects and effects models that extend the image-manipulation capabilities of Kahuna operators while simplifying application of these effects during live production. These include circular "pond" ripples, swirl, glow effect, warp, melt, and flat and 3-D shatter effects. Further enhanced functions enable greater flexibility through the use of preset triangular-based effects, trail-based effects, and a lighting generator. These new transition models complement the IMPAKT's original effects offering, which includes spheres, slabs, zooms, warps, tiling, ripples, rolls and peels, fragmentation, lighting effects, and corner pinning.

With IMPAKT, Kahuna offers up to four twin-channel 3-D DVEs that users can apply in either SD, HD, or both, and which work in source-based or bus-based modes, allowing both background and fill-and-key manipulation. Offered across the whole Kahuna family, including the new Kahuna Compact range that is also being introduced at NAB2007, these advanced 3-D DVE effects and effects models are available through the switcher's mainframe and require no additional connections or extra rack space.

Kahuna's flexible, networked architecture gives users the option of controlling its DVEs directly from the main Kahuna control surface or from a separate 1-M/E Kahuna control panel for productions requiring a separate DVE operator. Kahuna's DVEs can also be timelined, allowing for full key-frameable control, easy editing and pausing, and play/store recalls.

"The Kahuna is known not only for its flexibility and transparency in handling SD and HD content, but also for its versatility in the live production environment," said Joe Zaller, vice president of marketing for Snell & Wilcox. "This new range of DVE effects provides an even broader selection of visual effects and, with a number of preset effects options, allows for execution of more dynamic looks even in the creation of fast-paced programming and event coverage."

More information about the Snell & Wilcox Kahuna SD/HD multiformat production switcher is available online at www.snellwilcox.com.

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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@wallstreetcom.tv.

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