Pinnacle Studio Receives 22 Awards in First 4 Months

September 11, 2007 – Pinnacle Systems, Inc., the consumer division of Avid Technology, Inc., today announced that Pinnacle Studio™ Plus version 11 and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate version 11, the latest versions to be added to the Pinnacle Studio product line, have received 22 awards since their release in May of this year. Built on the features that have made Pinnacle Studio the industry’s number one choice in consumer video editing software, the new versions offer new trend-setting features such as the ability to import, edit and export full, high-definition (HD) video, including high-density video (HDV) and Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD) video.

A listing of the prestigious consumer and retail awards Pinnacle Studio Plus and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate have received from around the globe is posted at www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Awards.htm.

Reviewers and consumers who have tested Pinnacle AVCHD video editing solutions cite Pinnacle’s ability to combine native AVCHD editing, HD DVD disc burning and one-click publishing to the Web while preserving the unparalleled ease of use and creative flexibility that have made Studio so popular.

With support for the AVCHD format, the Plus and Ultimate versions of Pinnacle Studio enable users to capture video from the new AVCHD camcorders and edit their content directly--without requiring time-consuming format conversions. Offering substantially higher compression efficiency than the MPEG-2 format, AVCHD delivers 1080i high-definition video but only requires about half the storage capacity.

Videos that have been edited in the HDV or AVCHD format can be authored as HD DVD or AVCHD format discs using standard DVD media that will play on the latest HD DVD and Blu-ray players. They can even be enjoyed on a Sony™ PSP®, Apple® iPod® and other portable devices. Users can also mix SDV, HDV and photos to create a project that will be “up-sampled” to HD resolution.

Designed for Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows Vista™ systems, Pinnacle Studio AVCHD products include the automated and time-saving Smart Movie that has made Pinnacle Studio a compelling solution for consumers who have never edited before and advanced users who want to quickly create entertaining movies in just a few easy steps. The complete product line includes a scalable user interface that not only lets users keep the tools at their fingertips while they get in close to their work-in-progress; it integrates easily with today’s widescreen monitors. Also included is Scorefitter™, a music generation tool that will create a soundtrack to match the exact length and mood of a video almost instantly.

Pinnacle Studio Plus version 11
Pinnacle Studio Plus includes all of the intuitive features of Pinnacle Studio, and adds a host of advanced editing, effects and authoring options. The extensive range of features includes a complete HD workflow, with native HDV and AVCHD editing and disc burning. Users can burn discs on a standard DVD burner using standard DVD discs, and depending on the format, can play them on the latest HD DVD and Blu-ray players.

Pinnacle Studio Ultimate version 11
Pinnacle Studio Ultimate combines Pinnacle Studio Plus with a selection of highly-acclaimed, fully integrated professional audio and video tools. Designed for the most serious video enthusiasts who demand more control over the quality and look of their video creations, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate includes BIAS Inc.’s SoundSoap™ audio cleaning tools, dramatic lighting and ‘film look’ effects from ProDAD VitaScene, precision Panning and Zooming with StageTools™ MovingPicture, and a Chroma Key green screen backdrop for easy-to-achieve professional results.

Pricing, Availability
Available at e-tail and retail stores, Pinnacle Studio Plus version 11 and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate version 11 with AVCHD support have MSRPs of $99.99 and $129.99 respectively. Upgrades from the Pinnacle Studio version 10 family to version 11 are also available from the Pinnacle Systems website, www.pinnaclesys.com, for a fee. The standard Pinnacle Studio version 11, without AVCHD support, is available with an MSRP of $49.99.

SOURCE Pinnacle Systems, Inc.