High-Definition Spectacular for Volvo at Geneva and New York Motor Shows

MENLO PARK, Calif., May 8 Accom®, a leader in broadcast and professional video products today announced that Gothenburg (Sweden)-based global events specialists Massteknik used the WSD®/HD multi-definition disk recorder to drive spectacular large-screen displays of high-definition video at the Geneva and New York motor shows.

Integrated into a complex presentation driven by centralized control and including lighting, sound systems and a remotely-operated Volvo car, Massteknik's WSD/HD provided high-definition video to a 15 square-meter screen continually during the 11 day Geneva show. The rolling 9-minute presentation was delivered over 4,000 times without a break during the event.

For the launch of the new XC90 model in Geneva and New York, Volvo produced a special car to be incorporated into the show. With hydraulics revolving the vehicle and opening sections of the bodywork to reveal key components, the WSD/HD delivered synchronized high-definition video sequences that illustrated the highlighted features of the new model under frame-accurate RS422 control from Massteknik's computerized command system.

Despite taking delivery of the WSD/HD only on the eve of the show, Massteknik's Project Manager Niclas Ljung was delighted with the faultless performance of the unit. "We'd had time to rehearse the whole set up, controlling the lighting, sound and the hydraulic activation of the car from a central control unit, but we had to do all the rehearsals without the WSD/HD," Ljung explained. "So we set out to the show with an untried system and our fingers crossed, but setup and operation at the event was absolutely trouble free and we didn't need to touch it for the entire eleven days of continuous operation."

Volvo's video sequences for the event were all shot in 24p HD format and recorded on to the WSD/HD in real time on the show floor. "With the WSD/HD we are able to record straight from the HD source at any location: that's important for us because we nearly always receive our material at the last moment and there isn't time to convert it to MPEG, which is what a lot of disk recorders require," Ljung added. WSD/HD records and delivers uncompressed video in all standard-definition and high-definition formats.

"Volvo has taken the decision to use high definition video exclusively at its events," said Ljung. "They're leading the way in that and the results we were able to deliver using the WSD/HD to drive our screens were outstanding. It's very satisfying to have so many people at the show telling us how great the picture quality is -- that shows the impact this form of presentation is making."

"The WSD/HD was the only choice for us to be able to deliver what we wanted," Ljung concluded. "It provides beautiful pictures, and as we proved by taking it out of the box and running it immediately at a live event, it's easy to integrate and use." Massteknik's event credits include the Olympic Games, CART motor racing and the Swedish soccer league, where they provide in-stadium large-screen presentations of highlights at every game. For the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, the company will provide giant outdoor displays at the Gothenburg stop-over. For this event, coverage will include both high-definition material from Volvo and standard definition video from other manufacturers competing in the race. "This is another area where the WSD/HD scores," added Managing Director Kenneth Paterson. "We can combine standard video and hi-def and deliver it seamlessly within the same presentation. Our research indicated that Accom's recorder was the most stable and versatile HD platform on the market, and we've all been highly impressed with the performance it's delivered."

About the WSD/HDX

Accom's new WSD/HDX is a plug-and-play multi-definition recording system complete with an integrated disk array. WSD/HDX introduces new features designed to extend the unit's versatility in demanding post and live operations, while retaining the connectivity advantages of WSD/HD's industry-standard architectures and networking capabilities.

WSD/HDX's storage is based on high performance Ultra 160 SCSI drives and comes configured for a standard record capacity of 22 minutes of uncompressed 1080 60i high-definition video, equivalent to 88 minutes of standard definition video. Optionally, storage can be configured to 44 or 88 minutes of uncompressed HD. Standard definition and high-definition content can be stored together in the same compact two rack-unit chassis.

To satisfy demand from users working with WSD/HD in critical live applications, WSD/HDX now features a physical control panel for an immediate, tactile operational response. The panel connects via the unit's USB port and features transport controls, a jog/shuttle wheel, and record controls to allow many major operations to be driven without using a mouse.

WSD/HDX now provides an option for simultaneous record or play of video, key and audio in a single operation under a unified clip identity. VKA capability dramatically streamlines many production and post applications and simplifies clips management. An additional option allows users to record LTC timecode with material and choose whether to preserve timecode discontinuities or replace them with internally-generated timecode.

This new disk storage array for WSD/HDX includes robust operating features such as dual hot-swap power supplies, redundant hot-swap fan assembly, and swappable disks, all accessible from the exterior of the chassis. The status of WSD/HDX's disk arrays and other components is continuously reported by a software monitoring application, giving the operator instant appraisal of maintenance issues. Supplied as standard with 100 BaseT Ethernet, WSD/HDX supports easy integration into facility networks via standard third party fibre channel and gigabit Ethernet networking products.

WSD/HDX incorporates all of the features of the original WSD/HD including platform-independent, browser-based control from any networked workstation through the NetPanel(TM) interface, industry-standard QuickTime(TM) compliant file format allowing easy interchange of material between WSD/HDX and workstation-based compositing, roto or color-correction applications, and optional AES/EBU digital audio.

WSD/HDX's feature-rich environment includes functions for many post and live applications including vertical interpolation for slow-motion, variable play modes, 3:2 pull down for 24p to 60i conversion, and 24p to 25p over speed real-time conversion.

About Accom

Accom is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Accom designs, manufactures, sells, and supports a complete line of digital video production, disk recording, and editing tools for use in the worldwide professional television marketplace -- encompassing the production, post production, broadcasting, and computer video markets.

For more information, visit the Accom web site at www.accom.com.

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