Ikegami Press News

MANHATTAN CENTER PRODUCTIONS AND ATLANTIC VIDEO CHOOSE
IKEGAMI FOR MAJOR FACILITY UPGRADE

First Commercial HD Studio Facility in Manhattan Outfits with HDK-720 and
HDK-720P Cameras, Plus Award-Winning HDL-40 CMOS Cameras

NEW YORK CITY/WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 10, 2003: Manhattan Center Productions (MCP) and Atlantic Video, a premier provider of broadcast production services, has chosen Ikegami cameras and monitors for the upgrade of MCP's facility in New York City. The first commercial HD studio facility in Manhattan will capture all imagery through four HDK-720 HD studio cameras, four HDK-720P portable HD cameras, and 2 HDL-40 CMOS one piece full digital box-type HD cameras.

The upgrade to the advanced HD and SD-capable facility will be complete on August 1st, 2003, and will have full flexibility for ESPN and other series production clients via Ikegami's newest CCU, the CCU-790A, which comes with a multi-format converter that allows for maximum flexibility between HD formats, including 1080i, 720p and 24p. Working with all HDK-model 1080i and 720p native cameras, including the HDK-720 and HDK-720p, the CCU-790A uses Ikegami's new video processing ASIC, and introduces new features to the DTL component, including wide-band and color DTL. Signal transmission between the camera head is communicated via fiber optic composite cables."

The award-winning Ikegami HDL-40 CMOS is a high-performance POV camera featuring three 2.1 million pixel CMOS sensors, Ikegami's new multi-format sensor which works in native 720p or 1080i formats. The HDL-40 achieves superb picture quality with an improved smear level, making it ideal for numerous POV applications. The HDL-40 weighs less than 4 pounds, and fully digital stream through the camera HD-SDI output assures signal integrity, repetitive high picture quality and stable reliability.

In addition, the new studio will be outfitted with 100+ Ikegami monitors. All cameras will be outfitted with Canon lenses, and visitors to the studio will be greeted at the entrance by an impressive array of six 42EJVC plasma screens.

"We considered all of the leading providers of camera equipment, but felt most comfortable with Ikegami due to their superior quality, flexibility and outstanding customer support,Esays Todd Mason, President of Atlantic Video. "The flexibility within the cameras to easily select any output of HD was very important, as well as the fact that Ikegami has embraced fiber connectivity for cameras. We're very excited to be the first HD production facility in Manhattan -- others will follow, but it's great to lead the market in this way.E

Ikegami's rugged construction and commitment to customer service has made Atlantic Video's cameras a very dependable commodity. "We're found that the Ikegami ENG cameras are durable and sturdy " flying in planes, through all sorts of terrain " they're really stood the test of time and climate," Mason reports. "On the rare times we're needed service, Ikegami has been phenomenal. They're really built a solid camera."

As Atlantic Video works on producing more hit shows for ESPN and beyond, they know they're got the camera angle totally covered. "Ikegami gives me the confidence that I'll be able to deliver," Todd Mason concludes. "They have a great personal touch, they'll work with us in unique situations, and the customer service is outstanding. At our company we have dedication to the end goal, and Ikegami shares that philosophy."

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.