News

Fairlight Unveils High Definition Roadmap at NAB (11/5/2005)

Leading innovator in digital audio recording and editing debuts affordable HD up-grade for all DREAM series platforms.

In an introduction that provides the U.S. broadcast, feature film and commercial audio post communities with a highly evolved yet cost-efficient migration path to HD, Fairlight today unveiled its HD Sync system providing new customers and existing DREAM installations with a seamless transition to HD capable audio production.

According to Stuart DeMarais, Fairlight Director of Sales & Marketing, the new HD sync separator card, available for all QDC platforms, provides audio professionals with the tools and technology required to properly integrate HD into their production workflow. "HD doesn't have to be a goldmine for manufacturers and a bottomless pit for audio professionals," DeMarais explained. "Instead, the HD business model needs to make financial sense for facilities by providing them with an upgrade strategy that leverages their current investments and enables them to participate in the growing HD market place. We believe that in taking this approach our customers are assured success and that they will continue to look to Fairlight to provide their technology solutions."

The new HD Sync card provides Tri-level sync capability to the QDC host audio engine. This enables systems to operate at 24 and 23.98 frame rates whilst referenced to a Hi definition Tri-level video sync. When connected to a Pyxis HD non linear video system (also launched at NAB 2005), all video mixing, automation, recording and editing functions are now supported in a true native HD format.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2005, Fairlight was an original pioneer of digital audio in 1975 and since then has led the world in some of the most exciting and significant developments of audio and video technology. These advances changed the landscape of music, film and television: first the Fairlight CMI powered popular music in the early to mid-eighties which was followed by the emergence of digital sound-effects for film that used Fairlight's digital sampling and MFX platforms. Today Fairlight recorders, editors and mixers are used extensively for commercials, TV, feature films and music productions worldwide. In both 2000 and 2003 Fairlight was awarded The Academy Plaque for Scientific and Technical achievement in recognition of its contribution to film. Fairlight has also won numerous design and industry awards including Australian Government grants for its innovative technology.

www.fairlightau.com