NewTek Introduces Calibar, a Revolutionary, Ultra-Miniature NTSC Test Signal Generator
News Date : 07, April, 1997
News Source: Newtek
Keith Goodman (Vice President, Sales and Marketing)
(303) 448-9700
Steve Herrmann (Director, Marketing Communications)
(303) 448-9700
Hollie Wendt (Communications Consultant)
(408) 688-1193
NAB, Las Vegas, NV, NewTek, Inc. today introduced Calibar, (a pen-sized, battery-operated NTSC test pattern and black burst generator aimed at broadcast engineers, television production facilities and video post houses. With its extremely low cost and full-featured operation, Calibar is expected to revolutionize the practice of video signal calibration at both large and small TV production studios, as well as in the field.
"Until now, TV engineers had to drag around rackmount or lunchbox-sized test pattern generation units that cost from many hundreds to thousands of dollars," said Tim Jenison, Chairman and Founder of NewTek. "With Calibar the engineers can do everything they needed these big, clunky units to do - but with a battery-operated tool that is small enough to clip onto a pocket and affordable enough for even the lowest-budget studios. It's no exaggeration to predict that Calibar will revolutionize video signal testing."
Calibar can be used to troubleshoot gear in the studio or in the field. In addition, it can be used to calibrate video monitors for proper brightness and color rendition.
Calibar uses 10-bit 4Fsc precision digital-to-analog conversion to produce high-accuracy test patterns. It works as effectively as the biggest and most expensive units, yet in a groundbreaking small, portable and affordable package. In addition to its battery operation, Calibar can also use AC power with an optional adapter for stationary locations and be used as a black burst generator for house sync. Other adapters enable engineers to use Calibar in hard-to-reach places.
Calibar's full-featured operation produces over twenty-four test signal patterns, including SMPTE color bars with PLUGE, full field bars, convergence, multiburst, 5-step luminance staircase, luminance ramp, 7.5 IRE black burst, 5 MHz line sweep, multi bars, modulated ramp, 100 IRE field and red fields.
Calibar will be available Q2 for $349.00 through NewTek authorized dealers and 25 distributors worldwide and direct from NewTek, Inc.
Headquartered in Topeka, Kan., NewTek, Inc. is the leader in providing full-featured video editing and special effects tools at a price that allows anyone to produce professional video and graphics. The company's products are used worldwide on projects from home video to feature film and have won awards for television shows such as Babylon 5 and Star Trek. NewTek's Sales and Marketing office is located in Boulder, Colo. Contact NewTek at 1200 SW Executive Drive. (913) 228-8000. FAX (913) 228-8099.
Calibar is a trademark of NewTek, Inc.
