Matrox Video Products Group today announced that Matrox MXO2 Rack, a new version of the award-winning Matrox MXO2 I/O device for the Mac, is now shipping. The 2RU-sized Matrox MXO2 Rack is designed for broadcast news operations, OB vans, and other environments where equipment must be rackmounted. It streamlines editing workflow with Apple Final Cut Studio on Mac Pros, MacBook Pros, and Apple Xserve systems, providing broadcast-quality input/output, monitoring, and up/down/cross conversion. Users can benefit from file-based workflows with support for XDCAM, XDCAM HD, XDCAM EX, and P2 without transcoding. In addition, they are not limited to using a single codec as with some other I/O devices on the market. In HD for example, Matrox MXO2 Rack supports a variety of codecs including ProRes, ProRes422 HQ, DVCPRO HD, and uncompressed 8- and 10-bit.
“With Matrox MXO2 Rack we are building on the success of the original MXO2 product which has replaced I/O cards in many studios,” said Alberto Cieri, Matrox senior sales and marketing director. “We listened to our customers and are now delivering Matrox MXO2 Rack to meet the needs of broadcasters and post facilities who require highly- reliable, rackmountable gear with more audio inputs and outputs.”

Matrox MXO2 Rack will be demonstrated at NAB 2009 in booth SL3814.

Key features of Matrox MXO2 Rack
• Works with Intel-based MacBook Pros, Mac Pros, and Apple Xserve systems
• Rugged 2RU form factor
• HD/SD SDI, HD/SD analog component, Y/C, and composite inputs and outputs
• Genlock with loop through ‘ SD analog black burst (bi-level) or HD tri-level sync
• HDMI input, output, and monitoring with calibration controls including blue-only
• 10-bit realtime hardware up/down/cross conversion on capture and output
• Up to five user selectable simultaneous video outputs ‘ HD and/or SD on HDMI, SDI, and analog
• Professional audio inputs and outputs with up to 7.1 surround sound monitoring
o 4-in, 8-out balanced XLR
o 4-in, 4-out unbalanced AES/EBU
o 8-in, 8-out SDI and HDMI embedded
• RS-422 machine control for frame-accurate capture and print-to-tape
• Captures to a variety of codecs ‘ Apple ProRes 422 HQ, 10-bit uncompressed HD and many more
• Supports file-based workflows ‘ XDCAM, XDCAM HD, XDCAM EX, P2
• Works with Final Cut Pro, Apple Color, and all QuickTime applications that support the V-out component

Price and availability
Priced at $1,995 US (₤1,495, €1,695) not including local taxes, Matrox MXO2 Rack is now available through a worldwide network of authorized dealers.