Extron Premieres New Annotation Graphics Processor

Anaheim, California (3 February 2009) - Extron Electronics is pleased to introduce the "Annotator", a new high performance, hardware-based annotation processor for video and computer-video sources. The Annotator features an intuitive graphical user interface that allows the presenter to draw, point, or add text to electronic presentation materials using a touch screen and/or a keyboard and mouse. An integrated, seven input multi-format presentation switcher supports all common analog and digital AV signal types. Three standard outputs are provided, including RGB, VGA, and Extron MTP - Mini Twisted Pair, with high performance scaling up to 2048x1080 and HDTV 1080p. For ease of integration, a configurable fourth output is provided for use with optional DVI, HD-SDI, or scan converter output boards. The Annotator is ideal for use in any AV presentation application that requires the overlay of graphic and text elements for emphasis.

"Traditional video annotation systems have been very complex, with switchers, outboard scalers, and other products required to support the annotation function in a typical presentation environment," says Lee Dodson, Vice President of Marketing for Extron. "The Extron Annotator simplifies system design and significantly reduces overall system cost by integrating the switcher, scaling, annotation, and image capture functions in a single, 1U enclosure."

The Annotator can be used with popular touch screen displays. Two USB ports are provided to support multiple touch screens simultaneously via USB hubs. The Annotator features a user friendly on-screen display that provides quick access to essential annotation tools for drawing freehand or lines, adding rectangular or elliptical shapes, typing in text, pointing to objects, and highlighting any area of the presentation. Additional annotation functions include the capability to zoom and pan within the image, freeze a live image, and save an image with annotation to a file.

The Annotator employs hardware-based graphics and video processing that delivers the performance and operational reliability demanded in mission-critical applications. For enhanced integration flexibility, the outputs of the Annotator can be configured as Preview and Program outputs, so that the presenter has full access to the annotation GUI on a local preview monitor, while at the same time the audience sees just the annotated presentation.