FOCUS Enhancements' FireStore FS-4 Wins Editor's and Reader's Choice Awards From EventDV Magazine

EventDV Magazine Readers and Editors Recognize DTE-Enabled FireStore FS-4 as Top Choice in Tapeless DV Storage Category; Honored at NAB LAS VEGAS, NV--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 19, 2005 -- NAB -- FOCUS Enhancements Inc. (NasdaqSC:FCSE - News), a worldwide leader in video production and conversion technology, today announced that editors and readers of EventDV Magazine have voted its FireStore FS-4 portable DTE (Direct To Edit) disk recorder as the leading solution in the Tapeless DV Storage category as part of the magazine's first annual awards issue. FOCUS Enhancements is currently showcasing its full line of video production workflow products at NAB now through April 21st in Booths # SL505 and SL4255E. The winners were announced at NAB and will also be published in the April issue of EventDV. FOCUS' Product Manager, Matt McEwen, was present to receive the award on behalf of FOCUS Enhancements. FS-4 and FS-4Pro is the most complete, tapeless acquisition solution for digital videographers in the broadcast, sports, wedding and event, and education industries. The FS-4/FS-4Pro DTE recorders enable DV streams to be recorded to the unit with or without a MiniDV tape inserted. Footage is recorded as DTE files that can be imported and used immediately by most DV-based NLE systems, saving time, while providing a digital backup. "EventDV is highly regarded among event videographers, and to be recognized by their technology-savvy readers as well as its highly-respected editorial staff is truly an honor and validation of our DTE technology," said Matt McEwen. "FOCUS' powerful DTE technology combined with The FS-4's rugged, palm-sized enclosure make it the most complete tapeless acquisition solution for users of hand-held digital camcorders on the market today." "Products were nominated for the first annual EventDV Reader's Choice awards by our editorial staff based on their presence in the industry and relevance to our readership as noteworthy solutions for event videographers," said Stephen F. Nathans, editor for EventDV Magazine. "FOCUS Enhancements has been consistently recognized as the industry leader in tapeless acquisition technology and its next generation FS-4 continues that tradition. Not only did our readers decide to make the FS-4 a winner, our editorial team gave it the coveted 'Editor's Choice Award' as well." The FS-4 offers a 40GB (3 hour) internal disk drive, while the FS-4Pro features a 40GB or 80GB (6 hour) internal disk drive. Both feature a 6-pin FireWire connector for interface with camcorders, a 6-pin FireWire connector for interfacing with a computer for editing or file transfer, a backlit status LCD display, and a comprehensive set of control buttons including a navigation pad. The FS-4/FS-4Pro also supports DTE Technology file formats including RawDV, AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, Matrox AVI, Canopus AVI, and QuickTime including 24p. The FS-4Pro model adds support for the Avid OMF and Pinnacle AVI file formats, retro record modes so that a shot is never missed, user definable time lapse, loop playback, scene marking and multiple file folder capabilities. FS-4 HD/FS-4Pro HD FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD enable users to switch between standard definition DV25 mode and HD mode. DV25 mode allows recordings in any one of eight or ten DTE technology supported file formats while HD mode allows 480p/576p, 720p or 1080i MPEG2 transport streams to be recorded and used immediately with supporting NLE applications. As the current FireStore models are upgradeable to HD, customers who purchase FS-4 and FS-4Pro on or before April 30, 2005 will be offered a special $99 (normally $299) software upgrade coupon to capitalize upon full HD functionality. EventDV EventDV is read by wedding and event videographers as well as those doing corporate, academic, sports, documentary, legal, and other videography work. Event videographers are rapidly adopting digital video capture and editing tools because their clients demand it. For videographers, EventDV is essential reading in a crowded field of more general video publications. Each issue provides readers with step-by-step practical guidance on working with the lighting and acoustics of specific types of event environments, capturing the action, and putting it all together in post-production. On a commercial level, EventDV helps videographers meet the different expectations that corporations, institutions, families, or other clients bring to each project.