New ultra-portable FS-CV Media Recorder streamlines video production workflow by adding Direct To Edit Technology and breakthrough ability to tag media on the fly to Canon's XL and XH camcorders

Focus Enhancements Inc. (NASDAQ: FCSE), a worldwide leader in media management and ultra wideband (UWB) wireless technology, today announced that it has partnered with Canon U.S.A. to develop the FS-CV Direct To Edit ® (DTE) Recorder for Canon's XL and XH series of professional HDV cameras. The ultra-portable recorder will be demonstrated in both Focus Enhancements' booth (9.D41) and Canon Europe's booth (11.E50) at IBC2008 held at the Amsterdam RAI Centre from September 12-16.
The FS-CV DTE Recorder offers 100 GB of hard drive video storage, enabling videographers to record edit-ready HDV or DV streams directly to disk. The recorder also gives Canon XL and XH users the ground-breaking ability to tag media with custom metadata in the field while shooting – enabling a new real-time metadata-based workflow for broadcast and video professionals that ensures the seamless continuity of metadata through all phases of production and post production for easier identification and management of media.

Video professionals can connect a browser-capable mobile device or laptop to the FS-CV via a wired or wireless network connection (using an optional USB WiFi dongle) and assign custom metadata. During post production, users can simply transfer clips from the FS-CV to their NLE system. All the information assigned during the shoot is transferred with the clip saving users hours, even days, of logging time.

“By partnering with Focus Enhancements, we’re developing an incredibly valuable solution for our users, giving them more capabilities while in the field and streamlining the post production process back in the studio. The ability to log metadata in real time brings a new level of efficiency to the tapeless end-to-end workflow,” said Karel Poortman, European Pro Video Specialist at Canon Europe.

In addition to the ability to tag custom metadata on the fly, the FS-CV Media Recorder offers several key advantages in design and capabilities, including a 25% weight reduction and 60% size reduction compared to the earlier FS-C recorder. The FS-CV features an ultra-rugged, shock-resistant 1.8″ internal disk drive, along with a new fanless design for very quiet operations. Its newly designed user interface and menu system improve usability with an easy to navigate scroll wheel and 320 x 240 color backlit LCD display.

The FS-CV also offers increased Direct To Edit Technology support including QuickTime HDV 1080i50/60/24F/25F and 30F for Final Cut Pro and MXF HDV 720p30 and 1080i 50/60 for Avid NLE systems. New support for UDF disk formatting lets users record up to 1.5 hours in a single DV/HDV file.

“Broadcast and video professionals worldwide are demanding extremely lightweight media recorders that bring new efficiency to the production and post production workflow,” said Mark D’Addio, vice president of Business Development for Focus Enhancements. “We are honored to work closely with Canon in developing the FS-CV for their XL and XH customers.”

Focus Enhancements will begin shipping a 100 GB version of the FS-CV to Canon’s distribution channel in late September. For more information, please visit www.focusinfo.com