NewTek Releases RS-8™ Hardware Switcher Control Module

Add-on Enhances VT[2]'s Live Switching Capability

San Antonio, Texas -- January 16, 2003 -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced the release of the RS-8™ Hardware Switcher Control Module, an 8-input hardware control surface that works in tandem with NewTek's SX-8™ Switcher Expansion Unit for VT[2]. RS-8 is a USB 1.1- and 2.0-compatible hardware option for Technical Directors who prefer to switch by touch, providing the ability to focus on the production rather than the computer interface.

“With our VT[2] suite of tools, we are dedicated to bringing production professionals the flexibility and ease they need,” said Andrew Cross, Senior Vice President of Engineering at NewTek, Inc. “RS-8 provides a fast, flexible and familiar control solution that may be used in place of the mouse or computer keyboard for switching in live applications or editing.”

"There is nothing like the feel of a hardware switcher when it comes to switching a live event or editing in post,” said Rob Berry, Video Producer, Vintage Video Productions. “It also frees up our CG person to create on the computer keyboard while we use the RS-8 during a switch. Even in the most demanding live-switching situations, RS-8 with VT[2]'s suite of integrated tools provide the creative flexibility we need at an incredibly affordable price for these capabilities.”

The RS-8 desktop switcher control has 8 program and 8 preview buttons. These are equipped with high-quality, magnetic-reed switches, as you'd find on any high-end switcher. A physical T-Bar does fades, providing 256 steps for smooth control of all transitions. When used with NewTek's SX-8 Switcher Expansion Module, RS-8 offers great switching flexibility between component, Y/C or composite inputs and outputs.

RS-8 has three convenient dial controls on the upper right of the panel: “A” adjusts the speed of the Auto button, “B” cycles through DVE's in a bin, and “C” cycles through clips in the selected Digital Disk Recorder (DDR) - for example, if you have 20 clips, you can go to a specific clip. On the left, below the program and preview bus buttons, there are Auto and Take buttons for the transitions. To the lower right are Fade and Take buttons for the selected Downstream Key device, a DDR button to hot-select between available DDR's loaded with CG pages, and a modifier button.

“The RS-8 makes live mixing very easy, and graphic downstream keys simple to bring up when you need them,” said John Pause, Director of City TV for the City of Connersville, IN. “No more fishing with the mouse to activate a graphic!”

Pricing and Availability
The RS-8 Hardware Switcher Control Module is available now at authorized NewTek resellers, for a suggested retail price of $995US. VT[2] is available at a suggested retail price of $2995US; SX-8 Switcher Expansion Module is available for a suggested retail price of $1995US. To locate the nearest authorized NewTek reseller or distributor, see the Reseller Locater at http://www.newtek.com, or call 1-800-TOASTER (international callers: +1-210-370-8000).

About NewTek
With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools including VT®, LightWave 3D® and Aura Video Paint™. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary VT®. The company’s products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film. Recent television and film projects using NewTek software include Firefly, Taken, Smallville, Birds of Prey, Star Trek: Enterprise, We Were Soldiers, Panic Room, Hart’s War, Driven, A.I., Oscar®-nominated Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Final Fantasy, Blackhawk Down, The Time Machine, Behind Enemy Lines and Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Director’s Edition DVD. Recent game titles include Doom III, Unreal Tournament, Serious Sam for XBox, Age of Mythology, Civilization III, Dead to Rights, Baldur’s Gate II, EverQuest and Escape From Monkey Island. Website: http://www.newtek.com

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•VT®, LightWave® and LightWave 3D® are registered trademarks of NewTek.
•VT-Edit, Aura Video Paint, LightWave® Express, VT-CG, VT-Vision VT-Scope, VT-DRR, SX-8 and RS-8 are trademarks of NewTek, Inc.
•All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.