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Merging Technologies Shows Ramses MSC Integrated Post-production System and Launches VCube v1.3 Software (24/9/2007)

Merging Technologies can be found at Stand 221 in Hall 6 at this year's IBC show, giving new and established customers a chance to see their latest broadcast-orientated products. Centrepiece of the Merging stand is the new Ramses MSC audio and video recording, mixing and post-production system, which seamlessly integrates Merging's software video playback solution VCube and the company's high-quality Sphynx2 audio interfacing with the ergonomic, eye-catching Ramses control surface and the latest generation of Merging's respected digital audio workstation - Pyramix version 6, which will be on display in Amsterdam. This latest upgrade to Pyramix is built around the extremely powerful new low-latency MassCore engine, which is new for this release. Complementing Ramses MSC's neatly integrated hardware and software system and the new version of Pyramix, there's also a significant upgrade (to version 1.3) of the software at the heart of the VCube video player.

Merging's audio and video systems are renowned for their ability to deal with almost any professional file format in use today, and the v1.3 upgrade for VCube allows the video playback system to deal with an even broader range of industry video formats without the need to invest in expensive add-on software tools. VCube now supports the DVCPRO-HD codec, Video For Windows and Apple QuickTime 7.1, the latter including real-time support of Avid's DNxHD codec for playback under QuickTime. There's also a new MXF engine, improved support for the OMF and Merging XML file interchange formats, and optional Apple XML and AAF support for easy integration with Final Cut Pro and other popular video workstations. Compatibility with new hardware has also been added, with support for Merging's own ISIS control surface and AJA's Xena LH analogue and digital SD- and HD-capable video-capture card.

VCube v1.3 handles audio alongside video in a workflow-friendly, integrated fashion, a result of the video capture engine being completely rebuilt for this version of the software. Video capture now includes all embedded audio, and broadcasters with playout systems will be pleased to learn that audio files can now be merged into MXF, AVI and QuickTime video files without the video having to be decoded and recoded as part of the process. (Merging are now also offering a multi-level security option to those broadcasters running server-based systems by incorporating user-log-in-dependent real-time encryption and decryption of video and audio files in this update).

VCube's ability to deal with audio files is as comprehensive as it is for video, thanks to universal format compatibility derived from Merging's respected Pyramix audio workstation, and newly introduced hardware support for Merging's audio-input daughter cards. Other audio-related improvements include waveform display for audio clips and easy-to-use pull-down and pull-up functions for use with NTSC video.

The v1.3 update for VCube is free for registered users to download at the support section of Merging's web site.

www.merging.com

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