Avid Xpress Version 2.0 Digital Video System Now Shipping

Business Wire, Feb 27, 1998

TEWKSBURY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 1998

-New Macintosh(R)-Based System Offers Greater Speed,

Productivity for Corporate/Industrial Users-

Avid(R) Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVID), announced today that it is now shipping its Avid Xpress. Version 2.0 digital video system for the Macintosh(R) platform. The Avid Xpress system, formerly MCXpress(TM)for Macintosh, is designed for independent video and multimedia producers as well as business and education users who communicate with video. The new release includes significant enhancements to graphics and titling, audio, effects, overall editing and interoperation with third-party products. Avid Xpress Version 2.0 is available in four new configurations with prices beginning at $9,995.

Avid Xpress Version 2.0: New Feature Highlights

Avid Xpress 2.0 features new real-time uncompressed titles and graphics capability, real-time 2D keyframed titles and graphics, rolling and crawling titles and real-time mix and monitor of up to eight audio tracks. The newest release also includes support for the Digidesign(R) Audio Suite(TM) plug-in format, support for 48kHz audio and the JL Cooper Fademaster external mixer. A new plug-in format, AVX(TM) (Avid Visual eXtension) allows third-party software developers to write effects for the Avid Xpress system while support for Avid's Image Independence(R) file exchange enables users to import and export more than 20 standard graphics formats.

Kurt Krinke, president of Communications Systems Group, a leading Avid reseller, said, "Customers get excited about any new Avid release because they know that Avid always raises the bar of excellence. With Avid Xpress, Avid has taken digital video to a new level of price/performance." He added, "We're seeing new markets for video taking off. Corporations can't produce video fast enough to meet demand and universities are using video as a powerful teaching tool. Avid is helping us open up vast new markets with a solution that's just right for these new users - Avid Xpress is fast, affordable and gives creative professionals more productivity features than any other system in its price range. New Version 2.0 features like real-time uncompressed titles and graphics and the AVX plug-in standard really appeal to customers who need to create high-quality video and turn it around quickly."

Apple Computer's Manager of Worldwide Design and Publishing Solutions Marketing, Keith Hatounian, said, "Avid Xpress Version 2.0 couples Apple's leadership in providing solutions to the creative community with Avid's years of experience and R&D in digital video. Because it's so easy to learn and use, Avid Xpress will bring even more users to Macintosh-based digital video creation."

Pricing and Availability

In addition to providing a host of new features, Avid Xpress Version 2.0 includes, on particular configurations, standard features that were formerly available only at additional cost. This change effectively lowers the cost of the system while increasing the value to customers.

Avid Xpress Version 2.0 is currently shipping and can be ordered through Avid's worldwide reseller network. There are four new configurations. MSRP is as follows: Avid Xpress is $9,995; Avid Xpress with the Plus Bundle (adds built-in compositing, numerous fast-rendered effects, fast-rendered titling, real-time audio level adjustments) is $14,995; Avid Xpress with the Deluxe Bundle (adds 8-track real-time audio mixing, numerous real-time effects, uncompressed motion graphics and titling, real-time transitions and color effects) is $22,495 and Avid Xpress with the Elite Bundle (adds real-time picture-in-picture, real-time 3D DVEs and unlimited keyframes) is $34,995. -0-

Avid Technology is an international, industry-leading provider of digital audio and video tools for creating content for information and entertainment applications. Avid's products are used by customers ranging from communications professionals to film, television and interactive content producers to broadcast news organizations. For more information, visit Avid's World Wide Web site at www.avid.com.

Avid is a registered trademark and Avid Xpress, MCXpress and AVX are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. Digidesign is a registered trademark and Audio Suite is a trademark of Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. Image Independence is a registered trademark of Elastic Reality, Inc., a division of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

(c) 1998 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product specifications subject to change.

CONTACT: Avid Technology, Inc.

Julia Miller, 978/640-5454

Julia_Miller@avid.com