C-Cube Introduces First IMX-Compatible MPEG Video Codec
New Video Codec Expands Interoperability by Gaining Wide Vendor Support
MILPITAS, Calif., April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- C-Cube Microsystems (Nasdaq: CUBE), the market leader in digital video processors, today announced the availability of the industry's first single-chip codec that is compatible with Sony Corporation's professional MPEG IMX Video Tape Recorder (VTR) products.
"The C-Cube DVxpress(TM)-MXT50 codec is targeted for the professional broadcast market and benefits the server and non-linear editing equipment vendors by enabling seamless interoperability between the range of Sony professional equipment in its IMX family," said John Scarcella, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company.
The DVxpress-MXT50 codec deploys innovative video compression and transcoding technology resulting in truly superb multi-generation video quality. The codec implements 50 Mb/s encoding and decoding of video at 4:2:2P@ML, while preserving all the features of the DVxpress-MX product line, including multiple-stream editing and real-time special effects.
"As a result of this collaborative effort with Sony, we are bringing a new level of completeness to professional video production," said Bob Saffari, director of marketing for Advanced Video Products at C-Cube. "This announcement demonstrates C-Cube's continuing efforts to promote multi-format, open standards that will help drive innovation throughout the entire industry. With DVxpress-MXT50, C-Cube reaffirms its technology leadership in the professional broadcast market, and its commitment to our video production partners."
"A highly respected silicon provider like C-Cube can deliver products that promote interoperability between our MPEG-based equipment and other OEM's non-linear editing and video server solutions," added Scarcella.
Further commenting on the C-Cube/Sony collaboration, Shigeru Morikawa, senior vice president, B&P Company from Sony said, "Our joint collaboration with C-Cube in the development of the IMX product stemmed from C-Cube's long standing position as the number-one solution provider in the professional market for multi-format customers."
Strong Industry-Wide Support
"We've been working closely with C-Cube on both DV and MPEG implementations of their chips for non-linear editing, and are pleased to see the level of compatibility requested by our customers delivered in this chip set," said David Schleifer, director of Broadcast and Enterprise Product Marketing, Avid broadcast group.
Grass Valley Group vice president of Marketing, Michael Cronk, whose newest line of high-end video servers will feature IMX bit-stream compatibility, welcomes the news from C-Cube and Sony, calling it a "very positive development" for his customers, who will have better VTR format interoperability with Grass Valley Group products.
President of Pinnacle Systems' Professional Media Division, Ajay Chopra says, "Pinnacle Systems has always been in the forefront of offering interoperable solutions. We are already offering the new C-Cube DVxpress-MXT50 format as an option to our TARGA 3000 OEMs, enabling a new generation of products that will natively support MPEG IMX. We also look forward to integrating MPEG IMX using C-Cube technology into broadcast products such as VortexNews in the future."
Availability
The DVxpress-MXT50 is now available in volume quantities. Sony will demonstrate the new chip at the NAB 2001 Show (The National Association of Broadcasters), April 23-26, Las Vegas, at their booth, L11600, S-Hall, as well as in their Pro-MPEG suites, N219/N220, N-Hall, both in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The C-Cube booth will be located at S3313 in the Sands Expo Center, Exhibit Hall D.
About C-Cube
The company is a worldwide leader in digital media processing and is leading the way with new communication processors and networked consumer products. With a focus on DVD, set-top boxes and codec-enabled products, C-Cube is driving the technology for the "networked digital home."
C-Cube is headquartered in Milpitas, Calif., and has offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.c-cube.com.
NOTE: C-Cube and the C-Cube logo are registered trademarks of C-Cube Microsystems Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE C-Cube Microsystems |
