At Broadcast Video Expo, Matrox Video Products Group announced Matrox MXO2 Rack, a new version of the Matrox MXO2 I/O device for the Mac. The 2RU-sized Matrox MXO2 Rack is designed for broadcast news operations, OB vans and other environments where equipment must be rackmounted.

	Matrox MXO2 Rack Click for Large Image

It streamlines editing workflow with Apple Final Cut Studio on Mac Pros and MacBook Pros, 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, users are not limited to using a single codec. In HD, for example, Matrox MXO2 Rack supports a variety of codecs including ProRes, ProRes422 HQ, DVCPRO HD and uncompressed 8- and 10-bit.

Priced at $1,995, Matrox MXO2 Rack will be available mid-March 2009.

"The first version of Matrox MXO2 was a big hit at NAB, winning four prestigious awards [including a 2008 Vidy Award], and sales have exploded since it began shipping this summer," says Alberto Cieri, Matrox sales and marketing director. "With Matrox MXO2 Rack, we are building on that success. We listened to our customers and are now delivering Matrox MXO2 Rack to meet the needs of broadcasters and post facilities that require heavy-duty, rackmountable gear with more audio inputs and outputs."

	Matrox MXO2 Rack Click for Large Image

• 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 real-time hardware up/down/cross-conversion
  
• 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

  
  • 4-in, 8-out balanced XLR

    
  • 4-in, 4-out unbalanced AES/EBU

    
  • 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 including Apple ProRes 422 HQ and 10-bit uncompressed
  
• Supports file-based workflows including XDCAM, XDCAM HD, XDCAM EX, P2
  
• Works with Apple Final Cut Pro, Color and all QuickTime applications that support the V-out component
  
• For use with Intel-based MacBook Pros and Mac Pros