Avid Brings New Features and Its Next-Generation Meridien Video Subsystem to Avid Xpress for the Macintosh

Business Wire, July 21, 1999

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 1999--

-- Company Offers the Latest In Affordable, Real-time, High-quality

Professional Video Editing

To the Apple Macintosh Community --

At MACWORLD Expo (Booth 841), Avid(R) Technology, Inc (NASDAQ:AVID) announced today that it is introducing a new generation of its popular Avid Xpress(TM) product for the Macintosh platform, the affordable, real-time, professional video editing solution for business, education and government users. Scheduled for availability in September 1999, Version 2.5 of Avid's low-cost digital non-linear editing solution will incorporate the company's new Meridien(TM) video subsystem, providing Apple Macintosh-based video and multimedia professionals with the highest quality video and audio. The new release will also offer a host of software enhancements that deliver productivity benefits unmatched at this price point and extend interoperability with other Avid products and third-party solutions. Avid also unveiled its release roadmap for Avid Xpress for the Macintosh which includes plans for a Version 3.0 later in 1999 with new software features and an optional uncompressed video capability, plus a major release with new platform and feature support, code named the Millennium Edition, due by mid-2000.

"Today's sophisticated consumers and competitive media markets require the absolute best quality and shortest turn-around time from post-production video and multimedia professionals. With the release of Version 2.5, we are continuing our commitment to bring enhanced quality, performance, and features to users of the Macintosh platform," said Paul Henderson, vice president and general manager of Avid's Macintosh Products Group. "The Meridien subsystem offers great new features, and with our recent price reductions, Avid Xpress remains the fastest, most powerful digital nonlinear editing solution available in its class. Version 3.0, planned for later in the year, and a Millennium Edition for 2000 will keep our Macintosh users equipped with top capabilities and the same familiar interface and upward compatible platforms as their current installations."

Avid Xpress Version 2.5 Highlights

Avid Xpress 2.5 for Macintosh is based on the advanced Avid Meridien video subsystem, which offers the highest, broadcast-quality video and audio in its class. The Meridien video subsystem consists of an Avid-designed video/audio boardset accessed via multiple I/O connectors for major professional video formats, including analog component, composite, s-video, and optional SDI plus 2 channels of audio, housed in an external I/O box for superior signal isolation. The Meridien hardware supports dual-stream video playback, real-time 3D digital video effects, and PAL and NTSC formats for worldwide use.

Version 2.5 maintains the key attributes of the Avid Xpress product family, including Avid's One-Step technology, which enables users to accomplish the most common editing and creative tasks in the fewest possible steps - often through a single mouse click. The new version also includes significant enhancement to graphics and titling, audio, effects, and overall editing. The Meridien hardware brings additional advantages over other Macintosh-based systems including: Analog component, composite, and s-video I/O; two channels of analog and digital audio; dual stream video playback; ability to drive multiple monitors simultaneously.

Enhanced Features

--Variety of Configurations. Avid Xpress for the Macintosh is packaged in three convenient bundles. Plus includes a full set of built-in editing, effects, titling, graphics, audio, compositing and interoperability features; Deluxe boosts performance with real-time and broadcast-quality images; Elite enhances productivity with real-time 3D effects.

--16 X 9. Allows 16:9 wide-screen capture, editing and DTV support.

--Support for flying faders with JL Cooper external mixer. Audio rubberbanding is more useful because the faders on the external box show relative volume levels when using on the fly.

--Batch re-import of graphics. Brings the benefit of batch digitizing/draft mode editing to graphics in addition to video. Users can edit with low resolution or proxy graphics; when the final graphic is complete, Avid Xpress will automatically find it by name and replace it in the composition.

--Drag & drop import/export. Import and export will occur by dragging graphics or animation files and dropping them in a bin or on the desktop, saving time on the import/export process.

--Soft drop shadows on titles. Provides higher quality, more refined looking titles.

--Real-time dissolve & wipes, uncompressed titles, and audio tracks. Many common effects, uncompressed titles and graphics now available in real-time on all Avid Xpress configurations, including the Plus Bundle. Additional four real-time audio tracks decrease the time it takes to create more complex audio mixes.

--FilmScribe(TM) option. This new advanced option is for working with film projects on Avid Xpress.