Focus Enhancements and Sony Agree to XDCAM EXTM Development Alliance

"The Focus ProxSys MAM solution impressed us because of its considerable traction in the business and industrial markets," said Bob Ott, vice president of professional and optical products for Sony Electronics. "Focus Enhancements is the first solutions company to demonstrate this level of XDCAM EX format and metadata support, and its PX-100 Media Server for XDCAM EX will help to bring added value as our customers transition from a tape-based to file-based workflow."

"We believe Sony's choice validates ProxSys' leading role in managing file-based workflow," said Michael Conway, senior vice president of business development for Focus Enhancements. "Full interoperability with Sony's growing XDCAM family, including the new Sony PMW-EX1 HD Camcorder, offers a significant workflow improvement to our common vertical markets." Broadcast, corporate, government, industrial, healthcare, entertainment, and sports production markets typically have deep online storage requirements. Metadata continuity is essential for an operable geographically-dispersed workflow between videographers, editors, and producers. Working with Sony, Focus Enhancements has modified the ProxSys Universal Metadata Engine™ to ingest media and metadata via Sony's SxS PROTM memory cards to offer native XDCAM EX proxy preview support and automated transcode and delivery capability.

Pricing and availability will be announced in Summer 2008. Additionally, Focus Enhancements is surveying PMW-EX1 owners, particularly multiple-camera owners with fast-paced productions, and is accepting pre-registrations for its product beta test program and potential membership in the new PX-100 Media Server for XDCAM EX Experts group. Focus Enhancements has formed the interest group in order to address metadata workflow and media organization needs, and to accelerate the benefits of the new Sony-Focus Enhancements alliance. Membership in the group also includes discounted pricing and other special benefits. For more information on these special programs, visit www.focusinfo.com