FFV's Recon Ultra-Compact DVR Used in Outer-Space Research

IRVINE, Calif. — April 3, 2006 — FFV, a recognized innovator of digital video recorder (DVR) technology for broadcast, surveillance, industrial video, presentation, and military applications, today announced that Kayser-Threde GmbH is using the Recon™ ultra-compact DVR board in a scientific instrument on the International Space Station for outer-space research on physics under weightlessness. The Recon's small size, robustness, and unrivaled image quality made it the best match for Kayser-Threde's Plasma Kristall Experiment 3 Plus device.

"Our biggest design challenge was transferring standard analog video to digital video, and then transferring digital video into a format that can be displayed with commercial viewing software and processed for scientific evaluation," said Dr. Juergen Burfeindt, project lead for development of the PK-3 Plus. "The Recon was one of several DVRs we considered, but we chose FFV not only because the product was compact and reliable, but also because the company has a professional hotline service and technicians who were able to quickly provide modifications to meet our specific requirements."

At only 2.8 in. by 3.9 in. (72 mm by 100 mm) in size and offering a choice of either pre-assigned GPI inputs or an extensive menu of control and configuration options available through RS-232 or RS-422 control, the Recon offers exceptional design flexibility to OEM manufacturers. The professional-quality, board-level DVR accepts a low-level DC input and has the same form factor as notebook IDE/ATA drives, making it well suited for both fixed and portable applications. Based on the same architecture as the award-winning Omega Deck™ DVR, the Recon uses integrated Motion JPEG and provides scalable compression to maximize image quality with outstanding 720-by-486-pixel resolution. Recorded video can be played back locally or transferred to PC in QuickTime® format for easy viewing and editing.

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About Kayser-Threde GmbH
Kayser-Threde GmbH is a leading systems house specializing in developing and implementing data management solutions for technical and scientific environments. The data management solutions complement the extensive offering of Kayser-Threde, which includes system solutions for manned and unmanned space missions, optical systems, telematics, process control technology, and test data acquisition. Kayser-Threde was founded in 1967 and has an international customer base. For more information visit www.kayser-threde.de.

About Fast Forward Video
FFV (Fast Forward Video) designs, manufactures, and markets digital video recorders, board-level solutions, and time code generator/readers for professional broadcast, presentation, industrial, and military applications worldwide. Founded in 1985, the company was the first to incorporate digital computer technology, including random-access disk storage and data-compression capabilities, into professional video products. Today the company provides video technology solutions to a wide range of markets.