FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Further information: Tzastrow@Ikegami.com Teri Zastrow: 201-368-9171 Kitalo@marcommgroup.com Karen Italo: 516-829-0404

BELL EXPRESSVU SELECTS IKEGAMI HDK-720P CAMERAS
FOR BROADCAST FACILITY

Ikegami's Native 720/60p Cameras Are First-Ever HD Studio Cameras in Canada

TORONTO: As the broadcast industry leader in cameras and monitors, being first is nothing new to Ikegami. So it wasn't surprising when the premier DBS provider Bell ExpressVu, selected Ikegami cameras to be the first HD studio cameras sold into the Canadian marketplace. The cameras they chose were two Ikegami HDK-720Ps, which are native 720/60p, and will be key to Bell ExpressVu's expansive rollout and promotion of HD channels.

"Ikegami is well known throughout the industry as the professional choice for broadcast production, and their HDK-720P camera was clearly the way to go," says Robert Peter, Director, Broadcast Technology for Bell ExpressVu. "We really like the picture quality and level of control the HDK-720P gives us, as we expand into HD promo production to support our growing HDTV programming schedule."

With the HDK-720P, Ikegami has opened up powerful new options to producers working in the HDTV 720p format. Employing 2/3-inch one-megapixel FIT (720p) CCD image sensors for direct CCD readout with no converter in 720p progressive mode, the Ikegami HDK-720P unlocks the maximum potential quality of the 720p format with no motion blur. Signal transmission and power feed between the camera head and CCU is communicated via fiber optic composite cables over a distance of up to 3000 meters (or 2000 meters for the studio type), while cutting-edge next generation ASICs ensure low power consumption and processing.

The native 720/60p configuration of the Ikegami HDK-720Ps made them the perfect match for Bell ExpressVu, as the company begins shooting a heavy schedule of promos, interstitials and movie promo interviews to support its expansion of HD channels and for developing live HD sports and entertainment co-productions. "Bell ExpressVu believes in progressive scan and thinks 720p is the highest quality HDTV transmission format for sports, and it's easier on satellite bandwidth," Peter says. "As a premium satellite provider, those are our top priorities."

The Bell ExpressVu purchase was made through Applied Electronics Ltd., Canada's world-class broadcast and audio/visual dealership. "Ikegami's unique place in the market, with emphasis on the true native 720P format, was a perfect match for the needs of Bell ExpressVu," says Paul Stechly, President of Applied Electronics Ltd. "We hold great admiration for the leadership role that Bell Expressvu has taken, and Applied Electronics is proud to partner with Ikegami in being part of their pioneering deployment of HDTV in Canada."

With consumer interest in HDTV growing quickly throughout Canada, Bell ExpressVu feels it has the gear to give subscribers more of what they want. "The rate of HDTV set sales in Canada is phenomenally high, and we are committed to giving our viewers added value for their investment," Robert Peter concludes. "If we're going to spend money on originating HD content, we want to do it with the best HD camera. We're glad to be moving forward with Ikegami."

For more information and the Regional Office nearest you, call Ikegami's Maywood, NJ headquarters at 201-368-9171 or visit www.Ikegami.com. �ENavigating the Way to DTV.

Ikegami Electronics is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high quality professional broadcast equipment. Ikegami offers a broad range of TV cameras for ENG, EFP, Studio, HDTV, CCTV and Medical Imaging. Ikegami products have received various Emmy Awards for Engineering Excellence. The company's universal High Definition TV Cameras have been widely accepted by the broadcast industry as it continues the change over to the High Definition Television Format.