Snell & Wilcox introduces Quasar motion compensated HDTV upconverter

Snell & Wilcox has announced Quasar, the world's finest ever HDTV upconverter and the first to integrate motion compensation technology.
The new Quasar platform utilises motion estimation techniques based on Snell & Wilcox's Emmy Award-winning Ph.C technology to produce dazzlingly clear and sharp high definition outputs from a variety of standard definition inputs.
Developed from the ground up to deliver the ultimate conversion to high definition formats, Quasar combines three industry-leading, Emmy award-winning Snell & Wilcox technologies in a single compact, 1-RU package. These include Ph.C motion estimation, HD conversion, and Prefix compression pre-processing. The resulting images are truly stunning.
"Quasar is the product broadcasters have been looking for to produce eye-catching pictures for HD-savvy viewers while gradually upgrading their SD plant," said Joe Zaller, Vice President of Marketing at Snell & Wilcox. "It is the perfect solution for facilities seeking a competitive edge in image quality while pursuing a cost-effective transition to high definition."
At the heart of Quasar is motion estimation technology based on Snell & Wilcox's Ph.C, which has never before been available in a product in this price range. Unlike traditional upconverters that employ multifield apertures, Quasar's motion compensated conversion delivers the sharpest possible HD outputs, regardless of the complexity of the input. For example, Quasar is equally adept both at preserving high-frequency detail in action-packed images from sporting events and at converting the fine detail in scrolling text and captions, even when signals contain a mixture of film- and video-originated material.
Designed with easy-to-use, intuitive controls, Quasar handles video, film, graphics, and mixed media sources with equal ease, upconverting interlaced SD 525 and 625 material to 720p and 1080i HDTV formats. Captions, graphics, logos, and branding are converted seamlessly, while an integrated clipper and legaliser guarantees correct display and failure-free operation. A versatile, on-board aspect-ratio converter comes with a series of fixed pre-sets for the most common conversions.
Quasar also supports widescreen signaling to allow for easy integration into a transmission playout environment.
(CD/GB)