Avid Technology ships Version 5.2 for Media Composer and Film Composer; New Avid software raises the benchmark for nonlinear video and film editing systems.

TEWKSBURY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1994--Avid Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:AVID) has begun volume shipment of Version 5.2 for its industry-leading Media Composer and Film Composer digital nonlinear video and film editing systems, adding new levels of functionality to its complete Media Composer product line.

New features, which vary by model, include Avid Video Resolution (AVR) 27, Avid's highest-quality two-field image resolution, enhanced real-time 2D digital video effects, real-time chroma and luma keys, software-based multicamera editing, support for third-party Photoshop-compatible plug-ins, support for Avid's Media Reader option and many more.

"Version 5.2 adds significant functionality and performance enhancements to our entire Media Composer line, and further solidifies Avid's reputation for offering the most powerful, feature-rich nonlinear editing systems for all applications -- online, offline and film," said Jim Ricotta, vice president of product management for Avid's Post Production Products Group. "With Version 5.2, we are furthering our commitment to providing our customers with the most comprehensive, compatible and upgradeable disk-based editing systems in the industry."

AVR 27

AVR 27 is Avid's best two-field image resolution which provides incredibly sharp pictures on complex, detailed images. "AVR 27 represents the new benchmark for digitally finished image quality, and we expect it will further increase the number of customers who are finishing broadcast and corporate projects directly from disk," said Ricotta. AVR 27 supports all real-time effects available on Avid's online Media Composer systems, and extends previous frame size capabilities up to 30 percent.

Real-Time 2D-Digital Video Effects

Version 5.2 adds enhanced real-time 2D-DVEs including conceals, L-conceals and squeezes and real-time picture-in-picture effects (with cropping) to Avid's online Media Composer systems, providing added flexibility and creative power during the editing process. Color borders (with soft edges) can be added to all 2D-DVEs. Chroma and luma keys can be resized and positioned in real time. Real-time image effects in Version 5.2 include flips, flops and resizes. This enhanced functionality is in addition to Avid's real-time color effects, dissolves, wipes, superimpositions, titling capabilities and other features delivered in prior versions.

"Other nonlinear systems have real-time effects, but lack the 24 video tracks and extensive layering capabilities of Avid's online Media Composer systems," continued Ricotta. "Our online Media Composer systems are the only systems of their type that let users build and preview complex, multi-layered effects, adjust parameters on any layer, and see the changes instantly."

Software-Based Multicamera Editing

Also new in Version 5.2 is the Avid multicamera user interface, currently being used by top Hollywood editors to edit popular situation comedies including "Home Improvement," "Boy Meets World," "Thunder Alley," "Blossom," "Empty Nest," "The Howard Stern Show," "The Kids in the Hall," "The John Larroquette Show" and "Married with Children."

Avid's multicamera editing interface lets editors move away from multiple recordings on videotape or laserdisc and thus complete projects faster during editing sessions. The Avid multicamera user interface lets editors view and edit with four cameras, change camera angles while viewing a scene, and easily substitute corresponding shots from several different camera sources. Editors can cut material "on the fly" using keystroke entries to cue to any section, replace that section with another camera angle and continue to roll in sync.

"Last year we were cutting linearly and I never got to go home," said Editor Marco Zappia of ABC's "Home Improvement." Then, we began using Avid systems for multicam work on "Dinosaurs" and the last few episodes of "Home Improvement" and the producers loved it! This season you couldn't have paid them to go with anything else."

In addition to editing "Home Improvement," Zappia and Editor Jeff Bass, along with Assistant Keith Gore, are using Avid's multicamera editing technology on both "Boy Meets World" and "Thunder Alley." According to Bass, using Avid systems for multicam editing represents a 40 percent time-savings in making the first cut.

Support for Third-Party Photoshop Plug-Ins

Avid's Media Composer and Film Composer systems now provide integrated support for third-party Photoshop plug-in filters, which lets users pre-visualize and incorporate into their programs virtually any effect created in Photoshop or Photoshop-compatible applications.

Avid Media Reader(tm) Integration

Avid's new 19 inch rack-mountable Media Reader option allows Media Composer and Film Composer systems to read and decode three lines of Vertical Interval Timecode (VITC), or one line of VITC and one line of Longitudinal Time Code (LTC), and provides on-screen timecode or key number burn-in. This saves time during the logging process and eliminates the need to create tapes with burn-in -- the end result being that editors can begin editing faster and overall production time is reduced. Media Reader software support includes automatic sub-clipping based on breaks in any or all lines. Decoded data is automatically filed in appropriate bin columns for EDL or cutlist creation. Media Reader functionality is controlled from within the Media Composer and Film Composer software and Film Composer software, and all configurations can be saved on a per-user or per-project basis.

Other Features

Version 5.2 Media Composer and Film Composer also adds other user-requested features, including larger pictures in source/record mode, locators to mark and label multiple frames in a clip, script view in bins, dupe detection in the timeline, tear-off menus in source/record mode, the ability to lock tracks in the timeline, the ability to load filler black in the source menu, and matchframe enhancements, to name a few. These new features allow Avid editors to be more creative and productive.

Pricing and Availability

Version 5.2 is shipping now. All current Media Composer and Film Composer customers on maintenance will receive Version 5.2 software at no charge. Current Media Composer online system customers will have the option of purchasing system upgrades to enable AVR 27.

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Avid Technology Inc., headquartered in Tewksbury, Mass., is an international developer and supplier of comprehensive solutions for capturing, creating, editing and distributing digital media. Recently ranked #5 by Inc. magazine and #9 by Fortune magazine on their lists of America's 100 fastest-growing companies, Avid is a pioneering developer of nonlinear film, video and audio editing software and hardware technologies for applications ranging from desktop video to broadcast news. Integrated with the company's storage and networking solutions, Avid's products are used in post-production facilities; production companies; network, independent and cable television stations; advertising agencies; educational institutions and corporate film and video departments worldwide. Avid's products are sold through direct sales offices and a network of distributors and resellers around the world.

Avid, Media Composer and Film Composer are registered trademarks and Media Reader is a trademark of Avid Technology Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Avid Technology

              Kara Misenheimer, 508/640-3103
              Marcie Lascher, 508/640-3158