MOTU has just launched the V4HD, the next generation of the company’s V3HD FireWire video I/O and converter box for Mac and Windows. The V4HD provides the same features as the V3HD, plus some notable new features, including support for a full-raster ProRes workflow with Final Cut Pro. When used with Final Cut Pro, the V4HD now provides full-raster 1920 x 1080 (or 1280 x 720) HD capture and playback using Apple’s ProRes 422 codec in both standard and HQ modes. Final Cut users can ingest an uncompressed SDI or component HD source and then capture and edit in ProRes while monitoring their ProRes timeline in HD and SD simultaneously via the V4HD’s hardware-accelerated up- and down-conversion. Other new features include support for VITC and D-VITC, support for NTSC closed captioning, and a quieter fan. All previous features from the V3HD have been brought forward. The V4HD shipped in May 2008. $2,995 (the same price as the V3HD). www.motu.com