Ross Video Launches New Series of Video Servers

Iroquois, ON Canada – February 20, 2009 – Ross Video announced today the launch of the new SoftMetal 3000 and 4000 Series Video Servers. The next generations in the SoftMetal family are integrated media servers that come with I/O and storage all contained in a compact 3RU package.

The 3000 Series is a Server Class Platform available in either Standard or Multi-Definition versions. The 3000 Series supports up to 8 simultaneous Record/Play channels in SD and up to 4 simultaneous Record/Play channels in HD. It uses SATA drives and offers up to 14 TB of Media Storage.

The 4000 Series is a Premium Server Class Platform built with the highest internal bandwidths and processing power. The 4000 Series is a Multi-Definition Server which supports up to 8 simultaneous Record/Play channels in HD. It uses high performance SAS drives with a total capacity of up to 6.3 TB. The 4000 Series is designed to support 1080p50 and 1080p60 3Gb/s operation.

“The SoftMetal 3000 and 4000 Series are the next step in the evolution of our SoftMetal Server family utilizing the latest in microprocessor and storage technology,” said Jeff Moore, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing. “We are excited to both announce and ship these new models prior to NAB.”

Shipments of both the SoftMetal 3000 and 4000 Series Servers start in March 2009.

About SoftMetal
SoftMetal Servers are designed to work in both live production and master control applications, offering flexible file based workflow solutions. File wrapper support includes MXF, QuickTime and AVI. A wide range of codec support includes DV25, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO HD, D-10 (IMX) 30, 40, 50 XDCAM HD 25 & 50, MPEG2 I-Frame and Long GOP, HDV, QuickTime Animation, Targa stills and animation sequences and more. Automatic ganging of Video and Alpha channels provides a solution for master control branding and production graphics player. .

SoftMetal servers come equipped with a suite of software and client applications including Record, Play, Media Manager, Transcode Manager, Configuration Client and Watched Folder support. SoftMetal clients are Java based and designed to run remotely from the server chassis and can run on Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX or Linux.

About Ross Video
Ross Video designs, manufactures and supports a wide range of innovative products for use in live production applications. Ross’ award winning product line includes Vision, Vision Octane and CrossOver Video Production Switchers; openGear®, RossGear and GearLite Signal Processing; BlackStorm Video Servers; OverDrive Production Control Systems and XPression Character Generators. Ross products are installed in over 100 countries around the world, where they are used daily by top broadcasters, production companies, sports stadiums, government agencies and houses of worship.

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For further information, please contact:
Sara Bell
Media Relations Specialist
t. (613) 652-3020
f. (613) 652-4425
e. sbell@rossvideo.com