GRASS VALLEY, CA – February 19, 2008 – Sierra Video, a leading provider of high-quality video and audio equipment for the government, broadcast, and professional video marketplaces, today announced the release of the 1602HD Monitoring Switcher series. The 1602HD Monitoring Switcher is designed for broadcast and post-production facilities, live-to-air applications, remote trucks or duplication houses needing to monitor or maintain multiple HD/SDI or SDI video sources. 16x2 HD/SDI-SDI signal routing with optional AES/EBU digital audio or analog stereo audio is housed in a compact 1RU frame.

The 1602HD Monitoring Switcher is a multi-format digital video routing switcher capable of passing standard serial digital video signals including SMPTE 310M, SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 344M and DVB-ASI up to 540 Mbps along with HD serial digital video signals conforming to SMPTE 292M. The series features input equalization and automatic output re-clocking that can be bypassed under user control. The 1602HD Monitoring Switcher can be ordered as an HD/SDI-SDI video-only unit, or with one of three audio options: single-stream (unbalanced) AES/EBU digital audio, two-stream (balanced) AES/EBU digital audio or analog stereo audio. Each of these options is available in a 1RU frame.

The 1602HD Monitoring Switcher series offers front panel push-button control and is outfitted with RJ-45 connectors for IP communication over Ethernet as well as RS-232/422 control capability. The full suite of Sierra Video control products is available for the 1602HD Monitoring Switcher, including Sierra’s SCP Series programmable control panels, XY and single bus remote control panels, and Sierra Video’s free G.R.I.P.™ Router Setup Software and TyLinx™ Router Control Software featuring extensive customization options.

The 1602HD Monitoring Switcher series is currently available from the Sierra Video Systems and Kramer Electronics worldwide reseller networks. Additional product information is available at www.sierravideo.com.