Avid Unveils Broadcast Playout Automation System: Avid iNEWS Command; New Offering Integrates with NRCs and Playout Systems from Avid and Third-Parties; Provides Unparalleled Data Redundancy and Control of On-Air ContentLAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2006--Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today unveiled the Avid^® iNEWS^® Command system - a new offering that integrates with any newsroom computer system (NRCS) and provides broadcasters with precise automation control over playout devices, including video servers, still stores, and character generators. Delivering superior reliability for mission-critical operations, the Avid iNEWS Command system can be configured to eliminate single points of failure, ensuring that if any playout component becomes unavailable during a transmission, a backup system can take over automatically - without the need for manual intervention. In addition, the system can be tightly synchronized with Avid iNEWS and other third-party NRCS solutions, so as operators alter the content or the order of the rundown in the final seconds before a broadcast, the changes are immediately reflected in the iNEWS Command playlist. With comprehensive control over all of the devices, assets, and programming information used to deliver a newscast, the Avid iNEWS Command system delivers an open, cost-effective way for broadcasters to manage playout products and processes, and deliver a greater number of error-free broadcasts.

"Broadcasters face tight deadlines every day, but what viewers actually see on screen is vastly different than what is going on behind the scenes - where video clips, graphics, still photos, teleprompter scripts, and even the order of the rundown - are changing up to the last second," said David Schleifer, vice president of Avid Broadcast and Workgroups. "The Avid iNEWS Command system enables news directors and producers to monitor and control every aspect of a broadcast transmission - and make on-the-fly changes moments before a story hits the airwaves. The system reduces the possibility for errors by integrating seamlessly with a range of products - from Avid and other vendors - and can trigger playout events based on rundowns from the Avid iNEWS NRCS, as well as MOS-enabled newsroom playlists such as ENPS. With iNEWS Command, we're giving broadcasters the flexibility to squeeze every last second of prep time that they have, and making sure their broadcasts won't be compromised even if a playout device goes down as a segment is going live."

The Avid iNEWS Command system can function as an automation device for controlling both Avid playlists and playout servers within an Avid end-to-end news production environment - or within facilities that use a wide range of third-party NRCS systems In addition, the iNEWS Command system offers native control of the Avid Deko^® family of graphics-creation systems and the Avid Thunder^® line of clip- and still-store servers, providing seamless integration within an Avid broadcast workflow environment. Specific features of the system include:

    --  Powerful Playlist Functionality - providing the option to load
        a playlist from the newsroom computer system or to create the
        playlist manually within the Avid iNEWS Command system. Users
        can embed playlists within other playlists, providing seamless
        transitions between shows or segments that are produced by
        separate editorial teams.

    --  Manual and Automated Triggering - allowing operators to play
        back content in a variety of ways - either manually, triggered
        via GPI, linked with other clips to block play, or
        automatically based on the time of day.

    --  Mirrored Playback - using a single play command to initiate
        playback on two channels simultaneously.

    --  Advanced Playback Features - allowing users to automatically
        cue items as needed if and when playlists change, and
        providing simultaneous playback while transferring video
        files.

    --  Flexible Integration - enabling customers to easily configure
        the Avid iNEWS Command system to control any combination of
        Avid Thunder, Avid AirSpeed(R), and Avid Deko systems that are
        operating in an Avid iNEWS, ENPS, or other MOS environment.

    --  Intuitive Interface - providing a range of powerful visual
        tools, including clocks that show time elapsed and time
        remaining, channel assignments for easy identification of
        transmission paths, and color-coded status indicators that
        illustrate the inventory of assets based on availability and
        playability on all devices.

    Pricing and Availability

Pricing for Avid iNEWS Command system with software for a single control workstation, two viewing workstations, and four video and two graphics channels is $35,000 USMSRP. Additional video and graphics channels can be added for $1,000 to $3,000 USMSRP per channel. The system is expected to be available in Q3 2006. For more information please visit www.avid.com/avidinews.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management, and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games, and broadcast professionals to work more efficiently, productively, and creatively. For more information about the company's Oscar^®, Grammy^®, and Emmy^® award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com.

^© 2006 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. All prices are USMSRP for the U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid office or reseller for prices outside of the U.S. and Canada. Avid Airspeed, Film Composer, Digidesign, Pro Tools, Deko, iNews, and Thunder are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Avid received an Oscar statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid Film Composer^® system for motion picture editing. Digidesign, Avid's audio division, received an Oscar statuette representing the 2003 Scientific and Technical Award for the design, development, and implementation of its Pro Tools^® digital audio workstation. Academy Award and Oscar are trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

    CONTACT: Avid Technology, Inc.
             Amy Paladino, 978-640-3051
             amy_paladino@avid.com

    SOURCE: Avid Technology, Inc.