FireStore Is the Industry's Most Innovative Tapeless Acquisition Solution, Enabling Videographers to Record Digital Video for Instant Editing
(CAMPBELL, CALIF. - April 8, 2005) FOCUS Enhancements Inc. (NASDAQ SC: FCSE), a worldwide leader in video production and conversion technology, today announced the availability of its groundbreaking FireStore FS-4Pro Portable Direct To Edit™ (DTE) Recorders. The palm-sized FS-4Pro joins the recently announced FS-4, which is already streamlining the video acquisition and distribution process, as the world's first portable DTE recorder for hand-held digital camcorders. The FireStore family will be on display at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas from April 18th to 21st (Booth SL505, SL4255E).
The FS-4Pro lets video professionals go from shooting to editing in seconds. It features a 40GB (3 hour) or 80GB (6 hour) internal disk drive, FOCUS Enhancements' powerful DTE technology, and a field-ready, rugged enclosure making it the most complete, tapeless acquisition solution for digital videographers in the broadcast, sports, wedding and event, and education industries. As compared to FOCUS Enhancements' FS-4 model, the FS-4Pro increases editing compatibility by adding Avid OMF and Pinnacle AVI support in addition to standard DTE Technology file formats. FS-4Pro also adds multiple retro-record modes so videographers will never miss a shot, reels that allow clips to be categorized into pre-named folders on disk while shooting, and user definable time lapse and loop playback modes.
In March 2005, FOCUS Enhancements announced plans to support the High Definition (HD) standard with its new FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD models. The company is offering a special to customers purchasing the new FS-4 and FS-4Pro models by April 30, 2005, enabling them to upgrade to full HD functionality for only $99 (normally $299).
"The highly portable FS-4 is quickly becoming the standard for disk based acquisition in the field and with the introduction of FS-4Pro, we now have a portable DTE solution for the wide-ranging community of Avid and Pinnacle users," said Matt McEwen, product manager for FOCUS Enhancements. "The powerful combination of Avid and Pinnacle support, new technical features, and a migration path for the HD standard gives customers the most versatile Direct To Edit solution on the market - maintaining a pure digital format throughout the entire production process from acquisition and editing to distribution."
The FireStore FS-4Pro portable DTE recorders are lightweight, weighing less than one pound including the battery, and are only 1.5-inches thick. The low profile design allows videographers to mount the FS-4Pro to their camcorder using the optional hot-shoe clip-on adapter or attach it directly to their belt.
FS-4Pro features a 6-pin FireWire connector for interface with camcorders, a 6-pin FireWire connector for interfacing with a computer for editing or file transfer, a backlit status LCD display and a comprehensive set of control buttons including a navigation pad. It supports RawDV, AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, Matrox AVI, Canopus AVI, QuickTime, 24p QuickTime and 24p AVI Type 2. The FS-4Pro also includes up to ten seconds of retro-cache, retro disk, loop record, user definable folders for scene marking, and support for additional DV25 DTE technology file formats including Avid DV-OMF and Pinnacle AVI.
Where to Buy
FireStore FS-4Pro 40GB and 80GB are available through the worldwide FOCUS Enhancements and Canon USA dealer and distributor networks for a US MSRP of $1,195 and $1,595, respectively. FireStore HD upgrades, FS-4 HD, and FS-4Pro HD are expected to be available in the Summer of 2005 through the worldwide FOCUS Enhancements dealer and distributor network.
For more information on FOCUS Enhancements and its products, please visit
http://www.focusinfo.com.
About FOCUS Enhancements, Inc.
FOCUS Enhancements Inc. (NASDAQ SC: FCSE - News) is a leading designer of world-class solutions in advanced, proprietary video technology. Headquartered in Campbell, CA, FOCUS Enhancements designs, develops, and markets video solutions in two distinct markets: advanced proprietary video conversion integrated circuits (ICs) and affordable, high quality, digital-video conversion and video production equipment. Semiconductor IC products include designs for PCs, game cards, Internet, set-top boxes, Internet appliances, and interactive TV applications, and they are sold directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). FOCUS Enhancements' complete line of video presentation and video production devices are sold globally through resellers and distributors to the broadcast, education, cable, business, industrial, presentation, Internet, gaming, home video production and home theater markets. More information on FOCUS Enhancements may be obtained from the company's SEC filings, or by visiting the FOCUS Enhancements home page at http://www.FOCUSinfo.com.
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