Miranda Launches New Squeezy-3D DVE and DV Encoder for Sony, Panasonic, and Ikegami HD Cameras

NAB 2003, LAS VEGAS --Miranda Technologies announced that it hasstrengthened its Imagestore 3 master control switching and channelbranding processor with the launch of a new dual-channel Squeezy-3D DVEoption, which is ideal for dual "picture-in-picture" and"squeeze-and-reveal" type transitions, with 3D perspective, and tripleaxis rotation, plus borders and soft edges. Squeezy-3D providesexcellent picture quality with 10-bit processing, advancedinterpolation, and sub-pixel motion and scaling.

Miranda will also be showing the Gallery graphics preparation anddata interfacing software option for Imagestore 3 for the first time atNAB 2003. The software simplifies the creation and control of dynamic,data-driven broadcast graphics and is especially useful for text-richtelevision, such as news, sports, and music channels.

Gallery operates with the Imagestore 3 and Imagestore 2 ranges andruns on a single PC. The system allows the user to create high-qualitygraphics very quickly by dragging "high level" broadcast elementsdirectly into the workspace from a gallery, which comprises animatedbackgrounds, logos, clocks, lower thirds, and other typical broadcastelements. The graphical elements can be readily linked to live datasources from databases and streaming data feeds to achieve live tickersand dynamically updated graphics. While creating the on-air graphicslayout, Gallery can automatically generate an easy-to-use controlinterface for manual control of the individual graphical elements.

The Imagestore 3 automated master control switching and channelbranding processor features two layers of keying, plus integral clipplayout for moving character generator backgrounds, interstitialinsertion, and emergency programming playout. The entry-levelImagestore 3 provides storage for six hours of video/audio clips, plus4,000 animations/frames, and has an Ethernet interface for mediadistribution. Multiple options include video and audio mixing(expandable for multi-group mixing), audio storage for voice-overs, aDVE, an automated character generator, EAS support, and an in-visionanalog/digital clock.

Building upon Imagestore 2's proven serial/Ethernet controlprotocol, Imagestore 3 can be fully operated by Miranda's Presmaster 2multi-channel master control switcher and station automation systems.Clips can be easily browsed and loaded from the Presmaster 2's colortouch-screen interface.

Imagestore 3 has a 2-RU chassis with dual redundant power supplies.New channel branding control features include Virtual GPIs, whichprovide easy control of complex transitions and offer more flexibleanimation control.

NAB 2003, LAS VEGAS-- Miranda Technologies announced that itscamera-mounted DVC-800 HD downconverter and DV encoder is now availablefor Sony HDCAM, Panasonic VariCam, and Ikegami HD cameras. The DVC-800,which mounts between the cameras and its batteries, simplifies HDacquisition monitoring, rough-cut DV editing, and the preparation ofdailies while on-site. The DVC-800 adds less than an inch (2.5 cm) tothe overall length of the cameras, with minimal impact on batterylife.

Multiple monitoring outputs include HD-SDI, SDI, composite andDV/IEEE 1394. The DV output allows the camera to be plugged directlyinto a laptop/DV editing system or a DV portable drive. The HD-SDI, SDand DV outputs include embedded audio and timecode. A built-in aspectratio converter allows 16:9 material to be viewed readily on 4:3monitors.

The DVC-800's timecode burn in, graticules markers, and on-screendisplay of metadata information--such as scene, take, and reelnumber--allow everyone on set to see the complete picture at all times.A DV loopback feature also simplifies the reviewing and approval ofmaterial on-site.

The DVC-800 handles a complete range of HD formats, including 1080i,1080p, and 720p formats, at all the popular frame rates, including23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF, 29.97PsF, 50i, and 59.94i.