News

Focus Enhancements Announces FS-100 Version 3.0 with HD Native Frame Rate and QuickTime Support (11/9/2006)

Focus Enhancements Inc. (NASDAQ CM: FCSE), a worldwide leader in video production and conversion technology, today announced the version 3.0 firmware upgrade for its popular FS-100 Portable Direct To Edit¨ (DTE) recorder enabling users to record native 720/24p, 25p and 30p in the MXF P2 or QuickTime file formats commonly used in Apple's Final Cut Pro. Version 3.0 is expected to be available in the middle of the fourth quarter, 2006.

Native file format support only records the required frames in a DVCPRO HD stream eliminating the need to remove advanced pulldown or duplicate frames during import to the edit system. The new 3.0 software version also adds QuickTime support for native frame rates as well as other 720p and 1080i DVCPRO HD record modes for DTE workflow within Apple Final Cut Pro, bypassing the normal P2 import process thereby decreasing workflow.

"Focus Enhancements' unique DTE technology is continually evolving to streamline and improve professional video production workflow," said Matt McEwen, senior product manager for Focus Enhancements. "The addition of native frame rate support as well as QuickTime support to FS-100 saves a tremendous amount of time in DVCPRO HD workflow as well as offering extended record time."

Using native frame rate recording, users can more than double the record time on the FS-100 from 100 minutes to over 200 minutes. By recording only the required frames, the bit rate for DVCPRO HD recordings drops to as low as 40Mb/s. While camcorders such as the Panasonic AG-HVX200 P2 camera/recorder do not output a stream via FireWire when set to native frame modes (pN), the FS-100 processor is capable of achieving the same native support by only recording the required frames when set to regular 720/24p, 25p and 30p modes. QuickTime support also includes up to four channels of digital audio.

The FS-100 3.0 upgrade is expected to be available directly from Focus Enhancements for $39 by the middle of the fourth quarter this year.

Focus Enhancements will demonstrate a beta version of the 3.0 software during IBC Expo at the Amsterdam RAI from September 8 - 12 in stand number 9.431. IBC is the leading event for professionals involved in the creation, management and delivery of entertainment content.

www.focusinfo.com

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