Pinnacle Systems Expands Automated Edge Graphics Solutions

Pinnacle Systems Expands Automated Edge Graphics Solutions

New Capabilities Include Easy-to-Use Composition Tool and High-Definition Output

LAS VEGAS, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pinnacle Systems(R), Inc. (NASDAQ:PCLE), a leader in digital video solutions, today announced a new suite of capabilities for its Pinnacle DekoCast(TM) automated broadcast graphics product family. The enhancements extend broadcasters' ability to deliver sophisticated graphics and brands in a wide range of on-air edge applications, including in-program promotions and advertising, channel identification, sophisticated credit sequences, and weather and other data- driven alerts.

"Automated edge graphics are an increasingly significant ingredient in broadcasters' branding, promotions and advertising mix," said Matt Danilowicz, vice president and general manager of Broadcast at Pinnacle. "DekoCast addresses the bottom line by streamlining and automating graphics processes and even creating new avenues for revenue generation. DekoCast continues to define and lead this market space. These new innovations further empower broadcasters by expanding their ability to deliver efficiently a growing variety of sophisticated edge visuals."

Easier to Create, Faster to Air

Among the anticipated enhancements are a new What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) scene creation tool, a set of professional designed content packs, a new HD/SD-switchable DekoCast Hybrid model, a new version 4.0 of the DekoCast software, and improved integration with Pinnacle MediaStream(TM) play-to-air servers. Details include:

The DekoCast scene creation tool is an easy-to-use software application for edge graphics composition, layout and data-binding. It is designed to allow non-technical staff, such as marketing departments, to create ready-for- air edge graphics. These scenes can include animated graphics, video clips, audio clips and dynamically generated graphics and text. An optional collection of professionally designed broadcast content packs provides a wide range of news, sports, entertainment, channel branding and promotional graphic elements that can be easily combined and customized to create scenes that meet a broad variety of production needs.

The new DekoCast Hybrid can generate and output either native HD or native SD real-time graphics, switching between the two with a simple software setting. DekoCast Hybrid creates, manipulates and outputs no-compromise real- time graphics at either NTSC or PAL standard definition resolutions or full 1080 or 720 high definition resolutions.

DekoCast version 4.0 is a software update for existing DekoCast systems that includes numerous improvements such as native MXF support for MPEG2 and DV clip formats, clip capture during authoring, a data-binding plug-in framework, scripting for power users, Dolby-E audio pass through and cel animations in crawl objects.

Expanded integration between DekoCast and Pinnacle MediaStream play-to-air servers simplifies the edge graphics delivery process, removing the potential for mistakes and saving time. With this integration, pre-designed DekoCast graphics scenes can be automatically populated from metadata included in MediaStream video clips. This streamlines the edge workflow by, for instance, allowing for automatic, rules-based creation of promotional "coming up next" graphics.

Availability

The DekoCast scene creator tool is expected to be available summer 2005. DekoCast Hybrid is expected to be available fall 2005. The DekoCast software version 4.0 update is expected to be available for current DekoCast SD owners summer 2005. The expanded DekoCast-MediaStream integration is expected to be available by the end of 2005. Enhancements are subject to change prior to release of product.

The complete Pinnacle broadcast product family will be on display during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) industry convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Pinnacle's booth #SU6341 from April 18-21, 2005.

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, and Pinnacle DekoCast, 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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