TEWKSBURY, MA, Mar 02, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that it has addressed customer requests for native support of the Sony XDCAM format, a ground breaking 3D Stereoscopic workflow and the "death of the dongle," with the release of Avid(R) Media Composer(R) (v3.5), Symphony(TM) (v 3.5) and NewsCutter(R) (v 7.5) software. In addition to an innovative new architecture designed to make these Avid solutions more open, the latest version of the software delivers a variety of new features that enable customers to take advantage of:

--  More streamlined and efficient HD audio and video workflows;
--  A number of offline editorial effects enhancements like Keyframeable
    Color Correction and a new Fluid Stabilizer feature;
--  CPU/GPU acceleration of visual effects and;
--  Improved interoperability with Digidesign(R) Pro Tools(R).

What Customers are Saying:

"This new release of Media Composer will greatly improve the speed and efficiency of our workflow here at Discovery," said Mark Miller, Producer/Director at Discovery Channel Canada's West Coast Office. Miller favors the seamless XDCAM HD capabilities and Keyframeable Color Correction in the new release. "By having the ability to natively ingest in the field, my producers, directors, and editors can start working with the media right away, and not waste time traveling back to the office to get a cut completed. Also, the Keyframeable Color Correction features are invaluable. We've been able to save a lot of time and money in the production process by being able to make color changes on the fly in run-and-gun situations where lighting can change and affect color over the course of a single shot. Previously, that could only be fixed in the online color correction."

Editor Michael Tronick and Assistant Editor Aaron Brock have worked on a number of 3D films including the newly released "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience," and are very excited about the possibilities of Avid's Stereoscopic capabilities. "It would be so useful to see how the 2D material I am cutting would translate to 3D and be able to show that to the director on the spot, while making changes on the fly. Avid has created the most innovative 3D workflow I've seen," Tronick said.

Brock estimates that the benefits of using Media Composer 3D capabilities for offline editorial will save thousands of dollars. "If we could use this new feature, it would save the studio an unbelievable amount of money. Instead of having the online system running for five months straight, we could just conform complete reels for full screenings like on a normal feature. It would be much more efficient than doing conforms on a daily basis."

What's New in Avid Media Composer and Symphony Software?

--  Native XDCAM support: Offers complete end-to-end native support for
    the popular Sony XDCAM HD formats, at all bandwidths.  Customers may now
    playback and edit directly from the disc, render, mixdown, export sequences
    and clips with eight audio tracks, and writeback with sequence timecode.

--  Stereoscopic 3D editing: Delivers full support of stereoscopic
    workflows, which enables customers to acquire, edit and display
    stereoscopic (3D) material. Content can be displayed with stereo monitoring
    capabilities in both the composer window and full screen playback --
    eliminating the need for costly conforms previously required to screen 3D
    material.

--  AMA, or Avid Media Access Architecture: Customers can automatically
    link clips from a third-party volume (Panasonic P2 or Sony XDCAM HD/EX)
    devices into an Avid editing bin, without having to transcode or store the
    media on their system.

--  Elimination of Dongle with new Software Activation and Licensing:
    Eliminates the need for a dongle key to activate new purchases and upgrades
    of Avid software.  All new software sales and single seat upgrades will be
    licensed by a system activation key.

--  Keyframeable Color Correction: Provides customers with the ability to
    make most color adjustments using advanced keyframes in the offline
    editorial process -- saving time and money associated with online color
    correction costs when using the Avid Total Conform.

--  Fluid Stabilizer: Equips customers with a new 2D tracking engine
    designed to track and remove camera motion, when used in combination with
    the Avid SteadyGlide(TM) feature.

--  General FX enhancements: Offers improvements such as the ability to
    copy Keyframes at position as well as enhanced 3D Warp, Quality and CPU/GPU
    performance to quickly render and process FX.

--  Improved Pro Tools integration: Integrates Media Composer 3.5 with Pro
    Tools 8 through the Video Satellite feature, which allows control of a
    Media Composer system from Pro Tools for full resolution, synchronized
    video playback for audio.  Now, customers can install both Media Composer
    and Pro Tools software on the same system.

--  Enhanced Audio Capabilities: Delivers a wide range of new audio
    capabilities that provide customers with more control over audio clips and
    sequences.

Availability and Pricing

Avid Media Composer and Symphony (v 3.5) and NewsCutter (v 7.5) software are available now through Avid resellers and will be available on the Avid Web store beginning at 3:00 p.m. EST, today. For a complete list of new features, supported devices and operating systems, visit: Avid film and video solutions.

Avid is also offering a 14-day trial of the new Media Composer software.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, and broadcast professionals -- as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio(R), Pinnacle Systems(R), Sibelius(R) and Sundance Digital(R). The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid's products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar(R) statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid Film Composer(R) system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company's Oscar, Grammy(R) and Emmy(R) award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com, del.icio.us, Flickr, twitter and YouTube; connect with Avid on Facebook or subscribe to Avid Industry Buzz.

Copyright2009 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 the U.S. and Canada. Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Sundance Digital, Film Composer, Media Composer, NewsCutter, Pro Tools, SteadyGlide, and Symphony are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 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:
Amy Peterson
Avid Video
978-640-3448
Email Contact

SOURCE: Avid Technology, Inc.

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