VertigoXmedia expands HD capabilities with industry-first integrated cross converter

VertigoXmedia, a leading provider of broadcast graphics software and hardware, has announced a field upgrade for its VertigoXG character generator, creating the industry's first broadcast graphics engine with built-in standards conversion.
Adding to the company's existing HD-capable product family, the new VxScaler module provides high-quality upconversion and downconversion, allowing for simultaneous HD/SD output from a single box.
"The VxScaler module is a boon to existing Vertigo customers who are preparing to make the transition from SD to HD because it is a cost-effective, easily integrated solution that doesn't require the purchase and maintenance of additional external conversion equipment," said VertigoXmedia President and CEO David Wilkins. "It is also an excellent solution for new customers who can now purchase a single solution for character generation with simultaneous HD/SD output. Like much of the industry, we've seen increasing demand for our HD-capable systems, and we're proud to answer the call as the first to introduce this unique feature set to the market."
The VertigoXG is VertigoXmedia's full-featured graphics system that provides unsurpassed graphics rendering and playback performance in HD in a single- or dual-channel configuration, with or without HD clip playback. Authoring is performed in Xstudio, an intuitive tool for creating data-driven, templated broadcast graphics in HD and SD by simply dragging and dropping from a customizable library of common broadcast elements such as lower thirds and OTS.
The new VxScaler module uses a three-step process that includes motion estimation, de-interlacing, and scaling - all performed at 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 to produce the highest-quality conversion. With VxScaler installed, the VertigoXG can downconvert an HD source to SD, upconvert SD to HD, capture an SD source as an HD clip for inclusion in an HD project, and capture an HD source as a clip in SD or a different standard.
VxScaler will be showcased at IBC2005 and will be available from September 15.
(GB)