Pinnacle unveils PC-based TV-viewing experience for consumers

Two dual-tuner products (one DVB-T, the other DVB-S) and two Hybrid DVB-T/analogue (one with FM radio, too)

Tewksbury, Mass., March 1, 2006 – Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that its consumer division, Pinnacle Systems, has introduced a new family of PCTV products that make it easier than ever for consumers throughout Europe and Asia Pacific to enjoy television content on their desktop or notebook PCs.

The new products include the Pinnacle PCTV Dual DVB-T Pro PCI and PCTV Dual Sat Pro PCI, which represent the latest innovation in computer-based television technology, enabling consumers to turn their desktop PCs into dual tuner digital TV personal video recorders (PVRs). Pinnacle also announced two new mobile PCTV solutions for these international markets – the PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick and the PCTV Hybrid Pro Card – both of which allow consumers to receive DVB-T and analogue television signals on their PCs.

“A paradigm shift is taking place in Europe and Asia Pacific, with consumers increasingly using their computers to watch television,” said Jeff Hastings, Pinnacle Systems general manager and Avid vice president. “The products we’re announcing today are a giant step toward making the PC-based TV-viewing experience virtually identical to what people are accustomed to with television sets in the home.”

Both the Pinnacle PCTV Dual DVB-T Pro PCI and PCTV Dual Sat Pro PCI products feature dual-tuner capabilities, providing the ability to process two signals simultaneously to deliver popular PVR functions such as picture-in-picture and the ability to record one program while watching another. The PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick (a USB solution) and the PCTV Hybrid Pro Card (a card for PCMCIA slots on laptops) both come complete with a passive rod antenna and a mini remote control for convenient, easy use.

Pinnacle’s new PCTV products also include Pinnacle MediaCenter software which helps to transform a PC into a PVR by allowing consumers to watch digital TV live or in timeshift mode, pause TV or radio programs, or record TV shows in MPEG-1/-2 and DivX video formats. Pinnacle MediaCenter also features customizable channel lists and a free Electronic Program Guide (EPG).

PCTV Product Family Overview

The new family of Pinnacle PCTV products includes:

* PCTV Dual DVB-T Pro PCI – a PCI-based hardware/software solution that offers dual-tuner capabilities for DVB-T.

* PCTV Dual Sat Pro PCI – a PCI-based hardware/software solution that offers dual-tuner capabilities for digital satellite (DVB-S).

* PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick – a USB 2.0 solution equipped to receive DVB-T and analogue TV signals.

* PCTV Hybrid Pro Card – a PCMCIA-based solution equipped to receive DVB-T, analogue TV and FM radio signals.

Pricing and availability
Pinnacle’s new PCTV dual tuner products are expected to be available by the beginning of May, with the PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick and Card expected to be available at the end of March 2006 in European and Asian markets where DVB-T and DVB-S technologies are accessible.

Pinnacle’s PCTV Dual DVB-T Pro PCI and PCTV Dual Sat Pro PCI will sell for manufacturer’s suggested retail prices of £69.99 and £89.99 respectively.

The PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick and PCTV Hybrid Pro Card will each be available for £69.99.

About Pinnacle Systems, Inc.
Pinnacle Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., is an industry leader in providing a complete set of home video editing tools for the consumer market. The company’s product lines, including Pinnacle PCTV, Dazzle, Pinnacle ShowCenter, Pinnacle Studio MediaSuite, and its flagship Pinnacle Studio line, cover the needs and requirements of everyone from entry-level to intermediate and advanced video storytellers. Pinnacle Systems has received nine prestigious Emmy Awards for its technical innovations and carries the commitment to help consumers enhance, preserve and share their memories with ease. For more information, visit http://www.pinnaclesys.com.

© 2006 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. All prices are subject to change without notice. Contact your local office or reseller for current or local prices. Avid is either a registered trademark or trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Pinnacle Systems, the Pinnacle Pinwheel logo, Pinnacle PCTV, Dazzle, Pinnacle ShowCenter, Pinnacle MediaSuite, and Pinnacle Studio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.