Artel Video Systems Announces the Enhanced UTAH 1500 Video Router and Mini Master Control to Offer an Easy, Cost-Effective HDTV Conversion Solution.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--

Enhanced HDTV router and master control panel hit video broadcast

and post-production facilities market

Artel Video Systems today announced an enhanced version of the UTAH 1500 HDTV router to be used in conjunction with its HDTV Mini Master Control, providing broadcasters and post-production houses an easy migration path from analog to digital broadcasting at one-third the cost of competing routers.

The UTAH 1500 is a fully scalable 32x32 video routing switcher that allows users to start with a 4X4 routing system and add ports as required. That eliminates the need to invest in unnecessary hardware, providing a lower initial investment. The HDTV Mini Master Control is a compact master control panel that allows the UTAH 1500 to be used simultaneously as an HDTV house router, as well as for master control for on-air broadcast.

Artel's UTAH 1500 will help launch HDTV in the U.S. this November when 10 of the nation's largest television markets will begin transmitting HDTV signals to millions of households across the country. Deployed at broadcasting facilities, the UTAH 1500 will serve as the main router to distribute HDTV programming.

The UTAH 1500 is housed in a compact fourrack unit (RU) package, making it the most space-efficient router available. At only four RU, the UTAH 1500 is smaller than competing routers and meets the needs of today's broadcast and post production facilities by offering the functionality of Artel's high-performance, high-end router family in a smaller, more efficient size. The UTAH 1500 is completely compliant with SMPTE 292M and currently operates with coaxial input/output. Fiber optic interfaces will be available in 1999.

Artel has also increased the number of outputs on the UTAH 1500 while reducing its overall size. The router now features dual outputs, enabling broadcasters to control, for example, a transmitter and a monitor at the same time without having to buy an amplifier to split the outputs. Optional fiber optic input modules and dual fiber optic output modules configured in increments of four will be available later this year.

HDTV Mini Master Control offers simplicity and growth

The UTAH 1500 can be configured with an external controller to operate as part of a central routing system. The UTAH 1500 can also operate as a standalone router. With a high-performance internal controller that can direct up to eight router levels, the UTAH 1500 controls companion video or audio levels. Using a control panel, the UTAH 1500 can switch analog or digital video and levels directly from the front of the unit.

The UTAH 1500 is a component of Artel's Control Centric Routing (CCR) system architecture and is controlled by the Artel SC-3 Control System. This lets users have a common control system to manage their existing routers alongside their new compact and HDTV routers. In addition to the SC-3 Control System, the UTAH 1500 is available with the SC-200 internal controller and front panel for a more compact and cost effective solution. Key features of the UTAH 1500 router include:

-- Internal re-clocking: Optimizes signal integrity which is critical

in high speed transmission; -- Redundant power: Delivers fail safe operation; -- Input cable equalization to 100 meters: Supports large facility

island configurations without requiring external equalizing

amplifiers; and -- Increased flexibility with optional fiber input/output modules:

Planned modules can be easily added to increase the reach of the

system from meters to kilometers.

Pricing

System list pricing for the UTAH 1500 HDTV router begins at $20,000.

About Artel Video Systems, Inc.

Artel Video Systems Inc. manufactures broadcast quality video distribution and fiber optic transmission equipment. Artel's products offer solutions to a wide range of applications where totally transparent transmission of video, audio and data over fiber is required. The company's distribution product line specializes in leading-edge routing and control solutions for the broadcast and post-production markets. Current customers include major U.S. television broadcasters, international television broadcasters, cable television systems operators, satellite up-link facilities, post-production houses, telecommunications service providers, educational and medical institutions, and U.S. government facilities.

Artel is headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., and operates worldwide through a direct sales force and distributor network. Further information about the company is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.artel.com.