LAS VEGAS, NAB Booth SU906, April 15, 2007 ? Sony Electronics is introducing the MVS-8000G (MVS G version), as the newest MVS series multi-format production switcher. New features to the MVS-8000G include individual keyer resizers and internal format converters, as well as all the current features of Sony?s MVS-8000A Series.

The MVS-8000G will support 1080p/59.94 in the future, using dual-link input/output and dual M/E link capability.

?The MVS-G version will have new powerful features, and the design of the MVS Series has continually evolved since its inception, while maintaining a common interface across all products in the line,? said Robert Willox, director of marketing for content creation at Sony Electronics. ?The result is a switcher with a range of powerful new features but a very short learning curve, designed for maximum flexibility, expandability, and upgradeability.?

The MVS-8000G series switcher features a video resizer for each keyer. The resizer can modify size, position and aspect ratio of the key source fill, with border, beveled edge and crop effects also available. Resizer information can be saved and recalled via snapshot, keyframe effects and keyer DME wipe transitions.

This resizer will be useful to create ?box? effects without sacrificing external high-end digital effects. The switcher has four keyers per M/E, which means four M/E switcher systems will offer a total of 16 channels of resizers as standard.

To enhance the switcher?s resizer, high-end digital effect units from Sony?s MVE-8000A and MVE-9000 can be integrated into an MVS-G system. These state-of-the-art effects systems can be configured as internal or external units and MVE-8000A and MVE-9000 effects can also be used together in a single switcher system.

The switcher?s internal format converter supports up to 16 input channels and up to four output channels. The internal format converter will support up, down and cross conversion between HD and SD formats. Using the MVS-8000G switcher?s standard ?Side Flags? feature, combining 4:3 and 16:9 material is automatic and virtually seamless to the operator, requiring no keyer resources.

By using a dual-link connection of HD-SDI and dual M/E link capability, the MVS-8000G switcher will be able to support 1080p/59.94 and 1080p/50 production capability through a software upgrade.

For customers currently using standard-definition systems but have plans to air multi-format programming in the future, an SD version of the switcher is also available. The SD-only system can be upgraded to a multi-format system by simply entering a license key code.

The switcher?s System Manager Software (BZPS-8000/8000L/8001) can manage data for Setup, Effect, Snapshot and Frame Memory Images, as well as mode and parameters of the internal format converter. Installing the optional Plug-in Editor software (BZS-8500) and connecting the available accessory Editing Keyboard (MKS-2050/8050) to the MVS system allows users to easily create an efficient linear editing system.

The MVS-8000G version will be released with software version 7, and will support the entire feature set of the current MVS-8000A switcher, including ?Side Flags? and an optional ?Multi-Program II Split M/E.?

The MVS-8000G switcher is planned to be available in July.