any ideas what this is ??????????

That's the breakout box for the DVRex-M1 board.

The breakout box was required, as the DVRex-M1 board did not have any video connections on the board itself. It did have a DV connection though.

The DVRex-M1 was the predecessor of the DVStorm, and by itself was not a real-time solution.

The DVRex-RT board was required for real-time functionality.

If you intend to use this with EDIUS (which would make this thread on-topic, at least... though in the wrong section, heh), then you would need:
1) DVRex breakout box (what's pictured)
2) DVRex-M1 board
3) DVRex-RT board
4) Associated cables and such (two cables go between the DVRex-M1 and DVRex-RT boards)

Note that this hardware is about 8+ years old now, as I started at Canopus just as the DVRex-RT was being launched.

Announcement

any ideas what this is ??????????