Digital Processing Systems Inc. (DPS) was a Canadian manufacturer of professional video processing equipment, headquartered in Markham, Ontario. The company designed and manufactured time base correctors, frame synchronizers, and non-linear editing systems for the broadcast, post-production, and desktop video markets.
History
Digital Processing Systems was founded in the late 1980s. The company's origins trace back to pioneering work in digital video processing—video image processing pioneer John D. Lowry was a principal in Digital Video Systems, Inc., which originated the DPS line of time base correctors in the 1970s.[1]
DPS established itself as a leading manufacturer of broadcast-quality TBCs and frame synchronizers. The company's products were used by major television networks, television stations, cable companies, and telecommunications companies worldwide.[2]
In the early 1990s, DPS expanded into the desktop video market with products designed for the NewTek Video Toaster ecosystem on the Amiga platform. Their Personal TBC series of ISA cards were designed to work with the Video Toaster, cleverly drawing power from the Amiga 2000's unconnected ISA slots while using serial connections for control.[1] In 1993, DPS released the Personal Animation Recorder (PAR), an analog video playback device for Amiga computers.[3]
By the late 1990s, DPS had expanded into non-linear editing systems with products like the dpsVelocity editor and dpsReality Studio Digital Disk Recorder, targeting both professional post-production facilities and the emerging web video streaming and DVD authoring markets.[4]
Acquisition by Leitch
On September 5, 2000, Leitch Technology Corporation announced it would acquire Digital Processing Systems for approximately $86.5 million (CAD $6.50 per share). The acquisition was intended to strengthen Leitch's core video business and expand its video storage and editing portfolio. At the time of the acquisition, Mark E. Burton served as President and CEO of DPS.[2]
The combined company became the world's leading manufacturer of video synchronizers and timing products. DPS continued to operate as a business unit of Leitch following the acquisition.[2]
Leitch Technology was subsequently acquired by Harris Corporation, which absorbed the DPS product lines.
Products
Broadcast Products
- DPS-290 / DPS-290D — Component TBC/frame synchronizer (single and dual-channel)
- DPS-291 — Component TBC without DNR/DOC
- DPS-295 — Component TBC/transcoder
- DPS-475 / DPS-575 — TBC/frame synchronizers (later continued under Leitch/Harris)
Desktop Video Products
- Personal TBC II (VT-2000/VT-3000) — ISA TBC card for Amiga/PC
- Personal TBC IV (VT-2600) — ISA TBC card with S-Video support
- Personal TBC IV Plus — Enhanced version with additional features
- Personal Animation Recorder (PAR) — Digital disk recorder for Amiga
Non-Linear Editing Systems
- dpsVelocity — Real-time non-linear editing system
- dpsReality — Studio digital disk recorder
Location
Digital Processing Systems was headquartered at 70 Valleywood Drive, Markham, Ontario, Canada.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 DPS - Digital Processing Systems, Southwest Museum of Engineering, Communications and Computation
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Leitch Technology to Acquire Digital Processing Systems, Silicon Investor (September 5, 2000)
- ↑ Personal Animation Recorder, Wikipedia
- ↑ Digital Processing Systems Inc. (DPS), ACM SIGGRAPH History Archives
