Sorenson Media Collaborates with Avid to Launch the First Integrated Editing Software that Encodes Video for QuickTime, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Flash, RealMedia, and Windows Media Formats

Business Wire, April 10, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2003

Avid Xpress Pro Enhances Interoperability by Introducing

High-Quality Video Encoding into the Video Editing Workflow with

Customized Version of the Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite

Sorenson Media(TM) announced today that Avid Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) will integrate a customized version of Sorenson Media's award-winning Sorenson Squeeze(TM) 3 Compression Suite encoding software into the new Avid Xpress Pro nonlinear editing software. The customized version of Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite for Mac(R) OS X enables Avid Xpress Pro editors to easily deliver encoded video for Apple(R) QuickTime(R), Macromedia(R) Flash(TM) and MPEG-4 (including Visual Simple Profile and Visual Advanced Simple Profile). Additionally, the Windows(R) version includes support for MPEG-1, MPEG-2, RealNetworks(R) RealMedia(TM) 9, and Microsoft(R) Windows Media(TM) 7, 8 and 9 formats.

Through the Avid Xpress Pro interface, Avid video editors are able to send their video files directly to Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite without having to export intermediate files. As a result, editors can quickly compress and produce high-quality video into a wide variety of popular formats for streaming, progressive download, and portable media including DVD, VCD and SVCD delivery.

The customized version of Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite supports One-Pass and Two-Pass Variable Bit Rate (VBR) encoding and offers advanced features that professional multimedia producers demand. Intelligent presets automatically adjust the bit rate, frame rate, filter controls and many other settings without requiring a video editor to master the intricacies of video encoding. By editing the presets, video producers have complete access to fully adjustable advanced settings. Video editors are also able to save their own settings and batch process video files through the use of Watch Folders.

Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite won Best of Show at Macworld 2003, was named a 2003 Finalist by Network Computing for Well-Connected Award and was nominated 2003 Best Performing Video Application by the readers of Streaming Magazine. Furthermore, in an evaluation article in the April 2003 issue of DV Magazine by video compression methodology and codecs expert, Ben Waggoner, Sorenson Squeeze 3 for MPEG-4 was selected as the best encoder among competing MPEG-4 tools including Apple, Envivio(TM), Dicas(TM) and Discreet(R).

"Every box of Avid Xpress Pro software comes with a complete set of integrated tools that make it easier for professionals to work on a range of projects, including independent films, corporate videos and multimedia content for the Web," said Steve Chazin, senior manager of product marketing for Avid. "By offering the Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite with Avid Xpress Pro, professionals have immediate access to powerful software that enables them to encode their video projects in the format that best meets their needs."

"We believe that our collaboration with Avid will revolutionize the video production process. Video encoding is a natural extension of the editing process. This announcement marks the beginning of a significant improvement in the workflow for video producers," said James L. Sorenson Jr., CEO of Sorenson Media. "This joint, integrated solution gives users the flexibility to edit, compress and deliver their video in all popular formats, sizes, and bit rates from one location."

Pricing and Availability

Avid will bundle the customized Sorenson Squeeze 3 Compression Suite in the upcoming version of Avid Xpress Pro software currently planned for shipment in Q2 2003. Pricing for the Avid Xpress Pro software is $1,695 USMSRP, with Windows XP and Macintosh OS X versions included in one box.

About Avid Technology Inc.

Avid Technology Inc. delivers the solutions that Make, Manage and Move Media(TM). As a recognized digital standard for professionals who Make the world's media -- from video, audio and film to animation, special effects and streaming media -- Avid's products are used to make more television and news shows, commercials, music videos and CDs, corporate/industrial productions, and major motion pictures combined than any other nonlinear editing manufacturer in the world. Building on its award-winning heritage, which includes several Emmy(R) awards as well as an Oscar(R) 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, Avid is extending its reach by redefining how digital media is shared, stored and distributed. To Manage today's increasingly rich collection of dynamic media, Avid provides powerful servers, networks and media tools to help customers search files, share media and collaborate on new productions, both locally and globally. Avid's solutions also empower users to easily Move media, whether on air, over cable or satellite, or through the Internet. Like no other media company today, Avid's end-to-end solutions span the continuum of media creation, management and distribution. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Tewksbury, Mass. More information about the company is available at www.avid.com.