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Devlin Video International Installs Alchemist Platinum Standards Converter As Facility Expands Into New Postproduction Services

Install marks upgrade in standards conversion capabilities as facility expands into new realm of postproduction services

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, September 30, 2002 -- Snell & Wilcox today announced that Devlin Video International, an independent postproduction facility located in New York City, has installed its first Snell & Wilcox Alchemist Platinum standards converter. The Alchemist Platinum replaces the facility's Alchemist Ph.C standards converter, the multiple award-winning predecessor, to the new version. The installation upgrades Devlin Video's standards conversion capabilities as the facility expands into new areas of postproduction services.

Alchemist Ph.C, first introduced in 1993, was the world's first motion compensated standards converter and rapidly became the de facto industry standard for high-end conversion. Alchemist Platinum uses newly improved Ph.C motion compensation technology exclusive to Snell & Wilcox to ensure the most precise motion processing possible.

Mick O'Connor, Vice President of Sales, Devlin Video International, first looked at the Alchemist Platinum during NAB 2002 when he and Devlin Video Chief Engineer Ben Vaughn visited the Snell & Wilcox booth. Upon studying the unit, they decided that the Alchemist Platinum was the superior standards converter in the industry. O'Connor points to improved algorithms over Alchemist Ph.C and exceptional handling of motion sequences as key selling points for Devlin Video.

"Our purchase of the Alchemist Platinum is another step for Devlin Video in keeping up with the most current and progressive technology," said O'Connor. "We've been consistently upgrading our equipment since adding DVD authoring, HD cross conversion and other postproduction services to our standards conversions. I've worked with all previous versions of the Alchemist over the years in both postproduction and sales, and found it to be a solid selling point. It has a recognizable, requested brand name and is a technically superior unit that delivers visually superior image quality."

Devlin Video initially tested the conversion capabilities of the Alchemist Platinum against its predecessor using PAL-originated motor sports footage converted to NTSC. According to O'Connor, the footage was bursting with motion, just the kind of test that showcases the limitations of a standards converter.

"The video featured motorbikes coming over a hill from long range to close up at high speed, and down to the low angle camera fixed at sidewalk level," he explained. "We ran a test comparing the NTSC conversions from the Ph..C to the Alchemist Platinum NTSC conversions. The clarity, sharpness and motion handling of the Platinum conversions were vastly improved and virtually transparent. The improvement was tremendously clear."

Alchemist Platinum offers 12-bit processing, improved resolution, and a noticeable improvement in picture fidelity. The option of high quality upconversion - along with standards (frame-rate) conversion - makes it the most versatile production, post-production and broadcast converter available.

International Press Contact: David Cunningham, Press Relations Manager, Snell & Wilcox, Southleigh Park, Southleigh Park House, Havant, Hampshire, UK PO9 2PE, UK. Tel: +44 23 9248 9144