FOCUS Enhancements Announces Native QuickTime HDV Support for FireStore FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 Portable HD DTE recorders
- New DTE Technology file format allows HDV camcorder owners to import clips directly into Apple Final Cut Pro 5 using Direct To Edit Technology -
Campbell, Calif. – January 11, 2006 - FOCUS Enhancements, Inc. (NASDAQ CM: FCSE), a worldwide leader in video production and conversion technology, today announced that it will add native QuickTime HDV support to its industry leading Direct To EditŪ (DTE) Technology. Clips recorded in the QuickTime HDV format using FireStore FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 can be used immediately in Apple Final Cut Pro 5 without having to first capture or convert footage. The file format is expected to be available in April 2006 on new FireStore FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 models or as an upgrade to existing FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 owners.
“Final Cut Pro editors have always comprised a large portion of our FireStore DV and HD user base,” said Matt McEwen, senior product manager for Focus Enhancements. “Our DTE Technology was the first to bring QuickTime DV25 file format support to portable direct to disk recorders and we are now pleased to offer the first portable recorder that supports native QuickTime HDV.”
The latest DTE Technology file format allows Sony, Canon and JVC camcorder owners to record via FireWire to FireStore FS-4Pro HD or DR-HD100 to disk in the QuickTime file format. FireStore extracts and decodes the audio from the incoming HDV stream, combines it with the video stream and wraps audio and video as a QuickTime file. The file can be imported directly into Final Cut Pro 5 and used immediately in the timeline. Previously, clips had to be either captured or converted prior to use in Final Cut Pro 5.
The FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 line delivers HD and DV acquisition solutions from the field to the editing room, enabling videographers to record HDV or DV streams directly to disk via FireWire from leading HDV-based camcorders and decks from Sony, JVC and Canon. FireStore then connects directly to Mac or Windows-based editing systems, allowing video professionals to edit content directly from the FS-4/DR-HD100. Users can choose from the most popular DV25 NLE file formats including standard definition Avid OMF, QuickTime, Canopus AVI, Matrox AVI and more, as well as high definition 720p or 1080i MPEG2 transport streams in either the .m2t or shortly, QuickTime HDV format.
The FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 offer a 40GB (3 hour) or 80GB (6 hour) internal disk drive. Both versions feature separate 6-pin FireWire connectors for interfacing with camcorders and with computers for editing or file transfer, a backlit status LCD display, and a comprehensive set of control buttons including a navigation pad. DR-HD100 has been designed specifically for JVC GY-HD100 camcorder owners.
QuickTime HDV is expected to be available on all new FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 models or as a $39 upgrade to existing HD model owners through Focus Enhancements in April 2006. The FS-4Pro HD 40GB model has a US MSRP of $1,395 while the 80GB model is $1,795. The 40GB and 80GB DR-HD100 models are available exclusively through JVC Professional for a US MSRP of $1,495 and $1,895 respectively. QuickTime HDV support will be demonstrated at the Final Cut Pro User Group event in support of Mac World San Francisco at Club Mezzanine January 11, 2006.
About FOCUS Enhancements, Inc.
FOCUS Enhancements Inc. (NASDAQ: FCSE) is a leading designer of world-class solutions in advanced, proprietary video technology. Headquartered in Campbell, CA, FOCUS Enhancements designs, develops, and markets video solutions in two distinct markets: semiconductor products targeting several video applications and affordable, high quality, digital-video conversion and video production equipment. Semiconductor IC products include video convergence chips designed for PCs, game cards, Internet, set-top boxes, Internet appliances, and interactive TV applications and Ultra Wideband wireless integrated circuits (ICs) which are based on the WiMedia UWB standard and are designed to be compatible with Wireless USB (Certified by the USB-IF) and are used in PC, CE and mobiles electronics applications. Semiconductor products are sold directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). FOCUS Enhancements' complete line of video presentation and video production devices are sold globally through resellers and distributors to the broadcast, education, cable, business, industrial, presentation, Internet, gaming, home video production and home theater markets. More information on FOCUS Enhancements may be obtained from the company's SEC filings, or by visiting the FOCUS Enhancements home page at http://www.FOCUSinfo.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this press release which are not historical including statements regarding management’s intentions, hopes, expectations, representations, plans or predictions about the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include statements regarding management’s plans to complete QuickTime HDV Support for FireStore FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include unforeseen increased costs in research and development, the ability of the company to introduce its QuickTime HDV Support for FireStore FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100 in a timely manner, the performance and acceptance of its QuickTime HDV Support for FireStore FS-4Pro HD and DR-HD100, and the risk factors specified in the company's Form 10-K/Afor the year ended December 31, 2004, Forms 10-Q, 10-Q/A and 10-Q for the periods ending March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005, as well as other filings with the SEC. These statements are based on information as of January 11, 2006 and the company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
