Pinnacle Systems Announces New Broadcast Graphics Capabilities for Newsrooms and Live Productions

Pinnacle Systems Announces New Broadcast Graphics Capabilities for Newsrooms and Live Productions

Enhancements-Including Deko 4.0 and DekoMOS 3.0-Help Broadcasters Create and Deliver Distinctively Branded Programming and Promotions

LAS VEGAS, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pinnacle Systems(R), Inc. (NASDAQ:PCLE), a leader in digital video solutions, today announced enhancements to its Pinnacle Deko(R) real-time broadcast graphics product family. These enhancements enable broadcasters to develop and deliver their own distinctive brand across a wide variety of applications including sports, entertainment, news and promotions.

Software additions include version 4.0 of the core Deko software and version 3.0 of the DekoMOS newsroom computer software suite. Pinnacle is also debuting new Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid product models that deliver high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) graphics from a single turnkey system.

"Many of the world's top broadcasters rely on Deko for their mission- critical live graphics and branding needs," said Matt Danilowicz, vice president and general manager of Broadcast at Pinnacle. "These improvements in real-time animation, workflow, interoperability, and HD/SD content management illustrate our commitment to continue to deliver a high level of innovation in Deko."

Deko version 4.0 software anticipated enhancements include:

-- New animation features include effect behaviors which add a more compelling look without requiring complex effect creation and automatically adjust to variable length text, data or images using Deko's content independence technology. Effect behaviors include magnify, repel, attract and neon-style flicker. Additionally, new adjustable 3D depth rotation provides more choices to animate pages, layers, words or characters.

-- New productivity enhancements include a more powerful and visual file browser and the ability to view Deko and Thunder(R) graphics files and Targa(R) images (.tga) as picture icons directly in Windows Explorer.

-- Increased interoperability includes support for additional external clip file formats such as QuickTime movies and sequential Targa files including HD resolutions. A new QuickTime plug-in allows any QuickTime compatible software application to write Deko-compatible MXF files.

-- Broad HD-SD support. New texture manipulation technology ensures the correct display of a single graphic asset in either SD or HD. Unique multi- compose and multi-store technology allows users to create a single file that includes individual HD and SD page layouts to take full advantage of the additional resolution and screen space available in HD, without doubling the production time or number of files to manage. When a multi-store graphic is recalled, Deko automatically selects the correct version of the graphic based on the current video output format.

DekoMOS 3.0 software anticipated enhancements include:

-- Increased operational efficiency. The DekoMOS playback controller, which can control up to nine channels of Deko per show, can now be automatically triggered directly from a production switcher tally or other GPI trigger mechanism.

-- Improved quality control and information display. Additionally, the DekoMOS playback controller now includes previews of individual output channel as well as tally status.

-- Enhanced flexibility for rundown changes. Enhanced functionality makes its easier to manage last-minute modifications in breaking news situations.

-- Automatic spell check highlights errors as they are being typed into the graphic template for easy identification.

Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid:

The new Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid product models create, manipulate and output no-compromise real-time graphics at either NTSC or PAL standard definition resolutions, or full 1080 or 720 high definition resolutions, switching between the two formats with a simple software setting.

Availability

Deko version 4.0 is expected to be available later this year and to be available for all current Deko models (Deko 550, 1000, 1000HD, 1000/Hybrid, 3000, 3000HD, 3000/Hybrid), as well as the previous FXDeko(R) II and Deko 2200 models. Features may vary by model. DekoMOS version 3.0 is expected to be available in May 2005. Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid are expected to be available in June 2005. Enhancements are subject to change prior to release of product.

The complete Pinnacle broadcast product family will be on display during NAB 2005 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Pinnacle's booth #SU6341 from April 18-21.

About Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

Pinnacle Systems provides broadcasters and consumers with cutting-edge digital media creation, storage, and play-back solutions for use at Home, at Work and on the Air. Pinnacle Systems' award winning digital media solutions are in use around the world for broadcast, video editing, DVD and CDR authoring and on the Internet. A recognized industry leader, the company has received nine prestigious Emmy Awards for its technical innovations and carries this commitment throughout all of its product lines. Pinnacle Systems may be reached at 650-526-1600 or at www.pinnaclesys.com.

NOTE: Pinnacle Systems, Deko, Thunder, Targa, and FXDeko are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Source: Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: media, Alissa Vasilevskis, +1-650-237-1733, or avasilevskis@pinnaclesys.com, or investors, ir@pinnaclesys.com, both of Pinnacle Systems, Inc.; or Evan Sirof of MarComm-On-Call, +1-914-993-0805, or evan@marcomm-on-call.com, for Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

Web site: http://www.pinnaclesys.com/

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