Avid Delivers Industry's First Integrated News and Graphics Production Package for Small-Market Broadcasters.

LAS VEGAS -- Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today introduced Thunder(R) Station, the industry's first integrated news video and graphics production package for broadcasters operating in small and mid-sized markets. The Thunder Station system combines Avid's best-of-breed craft editing, graphics creation and management, and multi-function playout systems to deliver an efficient server-based workflow - at a price that is comparable to what broadcasters typically pay for less-capable systems from multiple vendors. With the Thunder Station system, smaller-market broadcasters can use Avid's industry-standard NewsCutter(R) and Deko(R) tools with the proven Thunder production server to create and play-to-air news, promotions, and sports segments - all with supporting graphics - more cost-effectively and efficiently than with any other combination of broadcast production systems on the market.

"Broadcasters in small markets are striving to implement all-digital workflows, but budget constraints often lead these smaller stations to compromise and cobble together a workflow with an array of products that don't provide the efficiencies or capabilities they need. With Thunder Station, Avid is changing the playing field," said David Schleifer, vice president of Avid Broadcast and Workgroups. "For the same cost of implementing a low-budget video workflow with competitive products, Thunder Station gives smaller-market broadcasters access to a set of solutions for both news and graphics production, but in a single, integrated package. Our goal is to take the guesswork out of implementing a smooth, efficient workflow for these customers, and Thunder Station does just that - with best-of-breed systems that get the job done and deliver the greatest ROI."

The Thunder Station system empowers smaller market broadcasters to increase productivity and enhance their stations' on-air look, while reigning in costs and the technical complexities of news production workflows. Using a central database and connected workstation infrastructure, Thunder Station provides a flexible ingest-to-playout workflow by integrating Avid NewsCutter XP editing tools, Deko graphics production software, and Thunder live production servers into a single, cohesive system. The compact system is ideal for stations, broadcast trucks/vehicles, and bureaus or remote field locations. The system also integrates with Avid(R) iNEWS(R) and other newsroom computer systems (NRCS) so users can easily stay synchronized with the show rundown.

Specific highlights of the Thunder Station system include:

--  Broad ingest capacity. Thunder Station provides small-market
        news production teams with the ability to ingest:

        --  Four simultaneous DV25* or MPEG-2 I-Frame (IMX) streams
            via NewsCutter XP with the new Avid Mojo(R) SDI Digital
            Nonlinear Accelerator, as well as up to three DV25 or
            MPEG-2 I-Frame streams through Thunder;

        --  Any file-based acquisition format, including DV25 via SDI
            or FireWire, Sony XDCAM, Panasonic P2 files.

    --  Powerful and flexible toolsets for craft news editing. With
        the award-winning NewsCutter XP system, users can:

        --  Maintain superior DV25 and MPEG-2 I-Frame video through
            ingest, production, and playout without time-consuming and
            quality-compromising transcoding steps;

        --  Work with a broad range of file-based acquisition formats;

        --  Use more than 20 news-specific features for accelerating
            the creation and repurposing of news packages;

        --  Import finished segments directly to the Thunder database
            or simply drag to the Thunder ImportWatcher folder.

    --  Complete, professional graphics creation, and fulfillment
        workflow. With a full range of powerful graphics production
        tools at their fingertips, news teams can now:

        --  Develop sophisticated full-motion, layered Deko graphics
            and titles;

        --  Create graphics or text with keyboard entries, as well as
            add Deko titles to any still image using PostDeko;

        --  Work remotely to browse for files, preview stills and
            clips, trim clips, delete and copy files, and create
            sequences;

        --  Record and playback content remotely on a single Thunder
            server used in multiple control rooms;

        --  Initiate playback of still images in full-frame or auto
            fit-to-fill views.

    --  Advanced playout and control capabilities. By replacing legacy
        devices for video and audio playback, such as VTRs and "still
        stores" for cataloguing static video images, the Thunder
        Station system offers:

        --  Extremely fast recall and play-to-air of clips and stills,
            via a downstream key on each channel, as well as remote
            playout control from an integrated database with metadata,
            keyword, and content search capabilities;

        --  Built-in, real-time 2D DVE transitions from one video clip
            to a separate video clip (both with key) using a single
            channel;

        --  Streamlined playout efficiency via simultaneous capture on
            one channel during playback on another channel;

        --  A wealth of control options, including six RS-422 ports,
            support for VDCP, Odetics, MOS, PbusII, ThunderNet, and
            BVW-75 protocols, plus eight GPI inputs and outputs.

Pricing and Availability

Avid Thunder Station is expected to ship in Q2 of 2006. Prices start at $110,000 USMSRP. For a complete list of Thunder Station features and capabilities, visit www.avid.com/thunderstation.

* In order to comply with the RoHS Directive in Europe, Thunder Station systems sold in Europe will not offer DV25 support.

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(R), Grammy(R), and Emmy(R) award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com.

(C) 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 the U.S. and Canada. Avid, Avid Mojo, Digidesign, Deko, iNEWS, NewsCutter, Thunder, Pro Tools, and Film Composer 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(R) 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(R) digital audio workstation. Oscar is a trademark and service mark 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.