Aurora Launches New Ultra Low-Cost PipePro SDI Card for Apple RT Extreme

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- Aurora Video Systems announced therelease of its new PipePro SDI video capture and editing card, ahigh-performance yet extremely cost-effective addition to the AuroraPipe product family. The PipePro, priced at an incredible $799.00 USD,allows editors to take advantage of the RT Extreme capabilities withinFinal Cut Pro.

Both the PipePro and the original Aurora Pipe system, now alsoultra-competitively priced at just $499.00 USD, provide an affordablesolution for online and offline editors working with a variety offormats from uncompressed to DV.

"This unheard of pricing scheme for the PipePro makes it thelowest-cost card capable of providing a complete solution for usersranging from the home-based videographer or 'prosumer' to theprofessional broadcaster. PipePro is the first truly professional10-bit solution at this unprecedented price point. Unlike otherproducts which merely link directly to a deck or Firewire devices,which sacrifice performance and features, PipePro will connect to mostaudio and video devices, thus providing users a greater level ofcreativity and flexibility than ever before," said Aurora Video SystemsCEO Darryl Hock.

"Anyone who plans to take advantage of Final Cut Pro -- and RTExtreme in particular -- for online and offline editing in a digitalenvironment will find PipePro fits the bill in terms of price,features, and performance."

Aurora Pipe cards integrate seamlessly with Final Cut Pro and AfterEffects so that editors can take advantage of new technologies such asRT Extreme. The new PipePro video capture and editing card outperformsmore expensive competing devices and offers 10 bit inputs and outputsacross the board.

The card features an SDI input, which enables editors to connectdirectly to a DigiBeta deck, while two SDI outputs allow for a directconnection to an external video monitor and to a digital deckcontrolled via PipePro's RS 422 serial port. Simultaneously PipePro canoutput analog video via composite, S video and YUV connectionsfacilitating video monitoring on a lower-cost analog solution andlaying off to analog decks such as BetaSP. A Genlock input is alsoprovided for synchronization to studio equipment, but is not requiredas PipePro produces an internal genlock signal onto which the deck canlock.

In addition to outputting two channels of 24 bit, 48kHz analog audiofor monitoring purposes, the PipePro features four channels ofhigh-quality, 48kHz SPDIF (AES/EBU compatible) digital audio I/O, whichoffers excellent sound and compatibility while giving users the abilityto work in multiple channels.

In addition, PipePro supports up to eight channels of 48 kHz audioembedded in the SDI inputs and outputs. A second desktop feature allowseditors to view and manipulate video in other applications, such asPhotoshop, and then see how it will appear when output by the PipeProcard.

The entry level Pipe product offers composite and S-video inputs andoutputs, as well as 24-bit, 48 kHz, dual-channel RCA unbalanced audioI/O. Upper- and lower-field PAL is supported with no rendering requiredto operate in an upper-field-first PAL timeline. Single- and dual-fieldstills provide a perfect image for color correcting or graphicsediting. Aurora's Open Video Technology allows for simple and regulardriver updates, giving users quick access to the newest features andfunctions.

Because Aurora Pipe cards are true QuickTime solutions for the MacOS, no third-party software is necessary for previewing video inapplications other than Final Cut Pro. In addition to moving data fromFinal Cut Pro and putting it on screen, Aurora Pipe cards providereal-time preview compatibility with programs such as Adobe's AfterEffects and Discreet's Combustion.

Aurora's PipePro will be shipping in February 2004. For moreinformation about Aurora products, visit www.auroravideosys.com.