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Ikegami Tsushinki and Toshiba Unveil Advanced Total Tapeless Acquisition and Production/Editing System at NAB2007



    Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd (Booth #C4226) and Toshiba Corporation
    (Booth #SL1405) today unveiled details of their strategic partnership
    under which the two companies will jointly develop and promote an
    advanced video production/editing system for broadcasters and video
    professionals.

    At a press conference on the opening day of NAB2007, the National
    Association of Broadcasters' annual convention, the two companies
    disclosed the key concept and components of the new video
    production/editing system, including its use of semiconductor flash
    memory as the main storage medium.

    With the transition to digital, high-definition broadcasting now
    gathering pace, video production professionals increasingly require
    highly capable, integrated solutions that seamlessly connect all parts
    of the video production workflow, from news acquisition in the field,
    through editing and archiving, to feeding edited programs to
    transmission platforms. The advanced system promoted by Ikegami and
    Toshiba brings ideal solutions to all of these processes. It offers a
    superior storage platform based on open standards, and delivers
    enhanced levels of productivity and innovation throughout the video
    broadcast workflow.

    Commenting on the significance of the partnership, Masaki
    Matsubara, President and CEO of Ikegami, said: "We look forward to
    promoting innovation in the broadcasting industry by working closely
    with Toshiba. The combination of our expertise in video production
    fields with Toshiba's wide-ranging experience and technological
    excellence in broadcasting systems, especially master control
    facilities for broadcasters, transmitters, and play-out servers, plus
    its advanced semiconductor flash memory technologies, promises an
    ideal partnership."

    Shunichi Kimura, Corporate Vice President and President and CEO of
    Toshiba's Social Infrastructure Systems Company, also remarked: "Our
    alliance with Ikegami, an industry leader in professional cameras,
    reinforces our efforts to strengthen Toshiba's position in the global
    broadcasting industry. We look forward to providing broadcasters and
    production companies with high value solutions."

    Product Concept

    The collaboration between Ikegami and Toshiba blends each
    company's expertise to bring new levels of workflow innovation to all
    stages of video production. The total system comprises the "GFCAM"(1)
    Hybrid Tapeless Camera; "GFSTATION"(2), an entirely new central video
    management and recording system based on flash memory; and "GFSTATION
    PORTABLE,"(3) a portable version of GFSTATION. All image and sound
    data are recorded to "GFPAK"(4), a removable medium that can be used
    with all system components. The network connectivity of all system
    elements creates a highly efficient, highly productive tapeless
    environment.

    Note 1: GFCAM, the newest member of the Editcam family, combines
    Ikegami's unsurpassed image quality and flash memory technologies.
    GFCAM is a development code name.

    Notes 2, 3, 4: GFSTATION, GFSTATION PORTABLE, and GFPAK are all
    development code names.

    1. Flash Memory Solution

    (1) GFPAK

    The new system's main removable storage medium, GFPAK, used with
    the GFCAM, GFSTATION and GFSTATION PORTABLE, is based on semiconductor
    flash memory. Flash memory offers distinct advantages over optical
    disc-based and other solutions: with no moving parts, it is rugged,
    highly impact- and vibration-resistant, and maintenance is easier and
    much cheaper; it is also a long-life, semi-permanent medium,
    supporting rewrite cycles in the order of tens of thousands, another
    significant factor in reducing running costs. GFPAK also integrates
    proprietary technologies and enhanced error protection that protect
    data integrity, and supports high-speed random access that boosts
    working efficiency.

    A single GFPAK can store up to 128 minutes of HD images, affording
    ample recording time when used in the field.

    Depending on the application, an alternative hard disc drive based
    memory pack is also available. Both the flash-based and HDD packs have
    the same profile and interface and are completely interchangeable in
    system components.

    2. Workflow Innovation

    (1) Multitasking with GFSTATION

    The GFSTATION is a multi-task platform built around high capacity
    internal flash memory. It is the home for video sources transferred
    via a network to a non-liner editor, an import terminal for uploads
    from external sources, and an IN/OUT editor supporting instant direct
    editing during file transfer from a GFPAK. IN/OUT editing is also
    possible during recording, via the GFSTATION's front-panel or its
    universal controller.

    (2) Meta Data and Proxy Data Solutions

    As the GFCAM records high resolution image data, it also
    simultaneously records proxy video and other meta data. Proxy video, a
    low resolution MPEG 4 mirror of the high resolution image and sound,
    has the same timecode as the original, and can be quickly delivered
    over a network, or accessed on location, for initial viewing and to
    support scripting and editing. By recording INPUT/OUTPUT points set by
    a PC, replay of materials according to these points is easily done
    either on GFSTATION or GF STATION PORTABLE. Other meta data recorded
    during acquisition supports workflow efficiency by logging all key
    facts on the shoot -- the date, location, program name and equipment
    used.

    3. Open Solutions

    Every component of the system is built around open standards,
    including such codecs and formats as MPEG2 Long GOP/I-Frame and MXF.
    This approach supports broadcasters and production companies in making
    a gradual transition from existing systems to a new tapeless
    environment, and also facilitates interoperability with diverse
    third-party equipment and systems. Ikegami and Toshiba will draw on
    this open standard approach in forging partnerships with developers of
    non-linear editors.

    Key Specifications

    The main specifications of key component equipment are detailed
    below. Ikegami and Toshiba are proceeding with their joint development
    of the system, targeting commercialization in April 2008. In order to
    fully reflect specific requirements from the broadcasting industry,
    the companies will now start to propose the system in major markets,
    starting with the United States and Japan and then other markets.

    Hybrid Tapeless Camera GFCAM (Suggested List Price: US$25,000)

    -- 2/3 inch, 3 image sensors

    -- HD 1080i/720p format support

    -- MPEG2 LONG/I Frame Multi-codec

    -- 4:2:2 digital component recording

    -- MXF file recording

    -- NTSC or PAL MPEG2 recording

    -- Retro Loop function, Time-lapse function, Intelligent
    Recording

    -- Freeze Mix function

    -- Thumbnail display

    Flash memory-based recorder GFSTATION (Suggested List Price:
    US$45,000)

    -- 128GB(4hour/HD 50Mbps) internal memory

    -- HD 1080i/720p format support

    -- MPEG2 Long/I-Frame Multi-codec

    -- Up-converter/Down-converter for playback

    -- Color LCD monitor installed

    -- Thumbnail display

    -- JOG & SHUTTLE dial provided

    -- MXF file transfer

    -- IN/OUT editing

    -- Playlist delivery

    Portable Recorder, GFSTATION PORTABLE (Suggested List Price:
    US$18,000)

    -- Compact half-rack size

    -- HD 1080i/720p format support

    -- MPEG2 Long/ I-Frame Multi-codec

    -- Up-converter/Down-converter for playback

    -- Color LCD monitor installed

    -- Thumbnail display

    -- JOG & SHUTTLE dial provided

    -- IN/OUT editing

    Removable Media GFPAK (Suggested List Price: US$950 for 32GB
    version; US$350 for 120GB HDD version)

    -- 16GB/32GB/64GB NAND Flash Memory Pack

    -- 120GB Hard Disk Pack

    -- High-speed transfer based on the S-ATA standard

    Press contacts:

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    Ikegami Tsushinki Co., Ltd.
    Sales & Marketing Department
    tel: 81-3-5748-2216
    info_e@ikegami.co.jp

    Ikegami Electronics (U.S.A.), Inc.
    Teri Zastrow: tel: 201-368-9171 tzastrow@ikegami.com
    Brian McKernan: tel: 516-829-0404 bmckernan@marcommgroup.com

    Toshiba Corporation (Japan)
    Corporate Communications Office
    tel: 81-3-3457-2105
    http://www.toshiba.co.jp/contact/media.htm
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