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09.07.08New AVT FirePackage64: Power software with 64-bit technology

Allied Vision Technologies introduces a sophisticated Software Development Kit (SDK) for extra high-performance image processing applications.

For developers of image processing applications, AVT FirePackage64 from Allied Vision Technologies offers an effortless entry into 64-bit technology for Windows with a signed 64-bit driver for AVT FireWire cameras and the easy-to-use C-program interface UniAPI. This technology offers considerable advantages, particularly for applications that are memory or processing intensive, such as video-compression or scientific-technical calculations in object recognition or edge detection.

Up to 42 times more RAM, full bandwidth functionality
The key advantage of full 64-bit programs is the availability of up to 168 GB of working memory (Vista Ultimate), instead of the maximum 4 GB in existing 32-bit systems. That means one can process large amounts of data, without needing page files, thereby decreasing  the number of hard disk accesses, which are a thousand times slower than RAM access. Large image files and streaming-video files can then be opened and processed substantially faster.

In addition to the increased processing capacity, the AVT FirePackage64 allows faster data transfers on the FireWire bus. In contrast to standard camera drivers with IEEE 1394b interface from Microsoft, the IEEE 1394 bus driver contained in the software package is not limited to 400 MBit/s, but supports the maximum data rate of 800 MBit/s.

Simple Migration from 32 to 64-bits
In addition, the AVT FirePackage64 facilitates the simple migration from existing 32-Bit-applications to 64-bit technology. Thus, the 64-Bit-developer environment is nearly identical to that of the 32-Bit Windows version APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) from Allied Vision Technologies and Microsoft. The APIs are identical, as far as possible, to those of 32-Bit systems, in that many functions are fully mapped to the higher bit-rate of the new platform.

The use of the 32-Bit compatibility mode is an additional feature that eases the transfer to 64-bit technology. For example, in this mode, an application developed in the 32-bit version of the AVT FirePackage can be used on a 64-bit system.

The AVT FirePackage64 is immediately available free of charge from Allied Vision Technologies with the purchase of every AVT digital camera. The capabilities match that of the 32-Bit AVT FirePackage.

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