Avid on a Laptop; Agreement with Canopus Cements Software-Only Versions of Avid Xpress DV and NewsCutter XP.

Business/High Tech Editors

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2000

At the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVID) is unveiling software-only versions of Avid Xpress(R) DV and NewsCutter(TM) XP for both laptops and desktops.

As a result of an agreement reached yesterday with Canopus Corporation, a leading provider of DV technology, these full-featured, low-cost solutions will empower a range of customers to leverage the professional quality and flexibility of Avid's tools-- in the office, on the road or in the air. Avid(R) has been demonstrating a prototype of this technology under non-disclosure during IBC and is now, for the first time, publicly showcasing the solution on its stand (No. 5.230).

"We are responding to what customers have been craving-- low-cost, portable versions of Avid's professional editing products," said Rob Kobrin, Avid's vice president of worldwide product management. "Frankly, customers have said they haven't seen anything yet measure up to the professional quality they have become accustomed to with Avid products. We will deliver a low-cost, full-featured solution that retains the professional caliber of Avid's industry-leading editing tools."

Through the licensing of Canopus software DV CODEC technology, Avid will offer software-only versions of Avid Xpress(R) DV and NewsCutter XP. Avid Xpress DV is an affordable solution for editing and delivering video content for Web streaming, CD, DVD and other media. Avid NewsCutter XP is a low-cost version of Avid's industry-leading NewsCutter family of digital editing products for broadcast news production, designed to deliver content both to air and to the Web. Planned for availability on compatible computers running Windows 2000, these software-only versions will offer OHCI compatibility, enabling capture and playback of DV25 through OHCI-compliant IEEE-1394 cards, as well as control for many popular DV cameras and decks.

Availability and Pricing

The software-only versions of Avid Xpress DV and NewsCutter XP are scheduled for availability in Q1 2001. Pricing for Avid Xpress DV is expected to be less than $1,700 USMSRP. NewsCutter XP will be competitively priced; exact pricing will be announced at a later date.

About Avid Xpress DV

Avid Xpress DV offers industry-proven Avid digital video editing software with easy Web streaming and DVD delivery capabilities. Based on the award-winning Avid interface, the Avid Xpress DV software includes a powerful set of professional DV editing, effects, audio, titling, graphics, compositing and interoperability features. One-Step Technology allows users to save time by accomplishing the most common editing tasks in the fewest possible steps, often with a single mouse click. Supported multimedia formats include RealNetworks G2, Microsoft Windows Media (ASF), AVI and Apple QuickTime. The system also includes Ligos GoMotion for MPEG1 and MPEG2 encoding, as well as Sonic Solutions DVDit! LE for preparing rich DVD content.

About NewsCutter XP

Avid NewsCutter XP is an affordable nonlinear news editing product that will offer a host of powerful editing features, distribution capabilities and interoperability tools. With Avid Unity MediaNet support, Avid NewsCutter XP customers can store large amounts of data and create collaborative solutions that incorporate newsroom nonlinear editing systems and video server systems. Avid NewsCutter XP will also enable customers to create high-quality media and save it in popular Web-streaming formats, including MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, RealNetworks G2, Microsoft Windows Media (ASF), AVI and Apple(R) QuickTime(R) 4.0.

About Canopus Corporation

Based in San Jose, Calif., Canopus Corporation manufactures award-winning, non-linear video editing products for videographers. Canopus' DV editing, MPEG-2 encoding and 3D DVE products combine innovative hardware and software designs to set new standards. Canopus Corporation's parent company, Canopus Co., LTD, with headquarters in Kobe, is Japan's largest maker of video editing and graphics products. For more information contact Canopus at 408/954-4500 or visit their Web site at www.justedit.com.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid Technology, Inc. is an industry-leading provider of digital media creation and distribution solutions. From its industry revolutionizing nonlinear editing and finishing solutions, to its standard-setting audio and animation tools, and high performance technology for delivering TV-quality video over the Internet, Avid gives customers the power to communicate to multiple audiences with creativity and ease. Avid solutions, which span a wide range of markets and price points, are used for Web, special effects, video, audio, film, television, broadcast news, music, the Internet and games. Projects using Avid products have been honored with Oscar(R), Emmy(R) and Grammy(R) awards, as well as a host of other global awards. Avid markets and sells its products globally, and maintains corporate headquarters in Tewksbury, MA. For more information, visit Avid's web site at www.avid.com.

(c)2000 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Avid and Avid Xpress are registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. Microsoft, Windows Media and Windows NT are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Apple is a registered trademark and QuickTime is a trademark used under license from Apple Computer, Inc. RealNetworks is a registered trademark of RealNetworks, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Canopus is a trademark of Canopus Corporation. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.