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Avid Debuts Enhanced Deko Graphics and MediaStream Playout Servers at IBC 2005 (20/9/2005)

New hybrid products simplify HD rollout for broadcasters with built-in support for HD and SD operations -

Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced enhancements to several on-air graphics and server products it recently acquired from Pinnacle Systems. These industry-leading solutions include Deko(tm) real-time broadcast graphics product family, DekoCast(tm) automated edge graphics, Thunder(tm) production servers, and MediaStream(tm) 8000 play-to-air servers. In addition to new features and functionality, many of the products offer capabilities to support both high-definition and standard-definition broadcast operations within a single device, simplifying purchase and deployment decisions for broadcasters in transition.

"Avid is clearly committed to developing and enhancing the Deko, DekoCast, and MediaStream product lines," said David Schleifer, vice president of Avid Broadcast and Workgroups. "Broadcasters are undergoing a significant evolutionary process, and the newly expanded Avid product family is better able than ever to anticipate and respond to the broad range of needs brought about by those changes. These enhancements in Deko and MediaStream are the beginnings of a long-term commitment to product lines that we are very excited to take on."

New Deko Broadcast Graphics Features and Systems

A preview of new version 4.0 software for the entire Deko family will showcase expanded creative flexibility with new real-time motion behaviours including attract, repel, bounce and brighten capabilities. A unique multi-compose and multi-store technology will allow users to create a single file that includes both HD and SD page layouts, simplifying management while enabling them to take full advantage of the additional resolution and screen space available in HD. At air-time, Deko will automatically select the correct version of the graphic based on the current video output format.

Also on display are two new Deko Hybrid models, both software-switchable between native SD (PAL/NTSC) operation and native HD (1080i/720p) operation. The Deko 1000/Hybrid provides sophisticated real-time, multi-layer text and graphics animation capabilities, while the Deko 3000/Hybrid expands this functionality with real-time 3D DVE effects and animations. All Deko family products are now available in single- and dual-channel configurations.

Automated Graphics for Branding

Avid is also offering two new automated edge graphics applications, the new DekoCast HD native HD solution and the new DekoCast Hybrid, which is switchable between native SD and HD. DekoCast systems provide graphics, video clips, audio clips and DVE effects for uses including on-screen SMS interactivity, channel branding, in-programme promotions and advertising, sophisticated credit sequences, weather and other data-driven alerts. The new SceneCreator tool makes designing DekoCast events simple enough that non-technical staff such as brand-savvy marketing departments can directly add branding elements to playout.

Thunder HD Server for Production and Graphics

The new Thunder HD production server provides live production environments with the ability to play and record video clips or graphics, with key, on multiple independent channels of HD. The server also offers an intuitive interface that provides quick operator control. Thunder HD is available in a still store model and single- and dual-channel configurations.

MediaStream

New capabilities for the MediaStream 8000 HD/SD play-to-air server will include the addition of up to 32 audio channels per video clip and support for new AFAP (As Fast As Possible) bandwidth throttling technology that enables lossless editing directly in MPEG-2 IBP formats using Pinnacle Liquid(tm) Broadcast version 6.1 editing stations.

Pricing & Availability

Deko HD, Deko Hybrid, DekoMOS 3.0 and DekoCast HD systems are available now. MediaStream MMG 2.5 software with support for MPEG-2 IBP editing is also available now. MMG 3.0 with initial enhancements to audio support is expected to be available in October 2005. Deko 4.0, DekoCast Hybrid, SceneCreator for DekoCast and Thunder HD systems are expected to be available by the end of 2005.

www.avid.com

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