AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 27, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) today introduced NI VideoMASTER 3.0, a new PXI Express-based digital video analyzer for validation and production test of multimedia devices. VideoMASTER simplifies the testing of multimedia devices by using configurable measurement steps within NI TestStand test management software to automate a full suite of video measurements. By taking advantage of the efficient, configurable performance of VideoMASTER 3.0, multimedia test engineers can significantly reduce development costs and decrease overall test time.

"Today's multimedia test engineers face increasingly sophisticated challenges to maintaining quality while increasing throughput and saving money," said Eric Starkloff, vice president of test marketing at National Instruments. "The release of VideoMASTER 3.0 illustrates our company's continuing investment in helping engineers decrease development time, streamline processes and reduce costs for multimedia test."

The new PXI Express digital video analyzer makes it possible for engineers to test multimedia devices with High-Definition Multimedia Interfaces (HDMIs). The new solution supports the analysis of HDMI signals with Full HD resolution up to 1080p/60 Hz, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and deep color with up to 12-bit color depth. The VideoMASTER digital video analyzer solution also includes more than 160 automated video measurements to eliminate the need for manual testing of HDMI devices such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and video recorders. Using VideoMASTER 3.0, engineers can perform more than 100 video measurements in less than four seconds. This high-performance functionality helps engineers achieve higher test throughput without sacrificing test quality.

VideoMASTER 3.0 also features improved support for analog video interfaces including composite, S-video and component video. With support for the latest versions of NI LabVIEW graphical system development software and NI TestStand as well as improved run-time performance, VideoMASTER 3.0 delivers a fast and powerful test solution for automated video test. VideoMASTER solutions are available in a variety of hardware-software bundles to meet diverse test requirements.

To view pricing and specifications and learn more about configuring a multimedia test system with VideoMASTER 3.0, readers can visit www.ni.com/videomaster.

About National Instruments

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is transforming the way engineers and scientists design, prototype and deploy systems for measurement, automation and embedded applications. NI empowers customers with off-the-shelf software such as NI LabVIEW and modular cost-effective hardware, and sells to a broad base of more than 30,000 different companies worldwide, with no one customer representing more than 3 percent of revenue and no one industry representing more than 15 percent of revenue. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 5,000 employees and direct operations in more than 40 countries. For the past 10 years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America. Readers can obtain investment information from the company's investor relations department by calling (512) 683-5090, e-mailing nati@ni.com or visiting www.ni.com/nati.

LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI, ni.com and NI TestStand are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.

    Editor Contact:  Hilary Marchbanks, (512) 683-5937
    Reader Contact:  Ernest Martinez, (800) 258-7022

SOURCE National Instruments