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nNovia's FireSwitch Delivers Frame Accurate DV-Format Switching |
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SAN JOSE, California - December 1, 2003 - nNovia Inc., the innovative Silicon Valley OEM manufacturer of professional Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and other complementary DV products, announced today that it is shipping FireSwitch, a frame accurate, 4x1 DV switcher that allows up to 4 independent, nonsynchronized DV sources to be connected and switched "glitch-free" for multicamera live video production. Based on nNovia's patent-pending DV switching technology, FireSwitch is an asynchronous, IEEE-1394 DV 4x1 switch that provides two key features necessary for live production: frame rate synchronization and accurate frame boundary switching. FireSwitch automatically adjusts its output rate to match the selected input source and prevents the display of partial video frame data ("glitches") as well as video data loss by switching exactly at the frame boundary. As a result, DV-based live production can be used in place of the traditional, genlock-based analog alternative.
FireSwitch appears to other 1394 devices as a camera, making it easy to connect to any DV environment. It can be operated from GPI or RS-232 control interfaces or through its front panel. Multiple units can be controlled through a single serial interface, providing access to a larger network of DV devices. "Professional videographers finally have a convenient solution for complex shoots that gives them the results they want quickly and easily," explained Robert Caldeira, President of nNovia. "FireSwitch makes it possible to use today's high quality, low cost DV camcorders in a multicamera environment."
Jim Greer, President of the 1010 TV Internet broadcasting network, has already used FireSwitch for a number of live events. In early October, 1010TV.com presented a live webcast of the 12th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Calif. The two-day pay- per-view event featured over 15 hours of coverage of both the cars and the participants. Using FireSwitch and nNovia's QuickCapture DV-to-disk recorder, Greer and his crew could easily broadcast live video during the event as well as capture and edit DV material for later use. "We had three static cameras positioned around the track with wireless connections to FireSwitch," stated Greer. "We switched between them on the fly without any noticeable glitch. A fourth camera was used to record filler to QuickCapture, which we plugged into the FireSwitch for playback. I think we've discovered an easy fix to some of the problems with live broadcasting."
Based on his success in Bakersfield, Greer is already planning to broadcast more drag racing as well as some snowboarding and mountain biking events. "We've already recorded a couple of 270 mph drag racing runs so people can go along for the ride," he added. "For the other sports, we'll put wireless cameras on the athletes and then switch between them and the course on the fly. We have a small portable setup with a switching station and editing system in a trailer, so we can go anywhere."
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