News

Autodesk Announces Discreet Flint and Discreet Smoke High-Definition Systems on PC (5/5/2005)

Also Announces New Visual Effects and Editing Suites

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced new versions of its Discreet(r) Flint(r) and Discreet(r) Smoke(r) systems. Running on a personal computer, the Flint 9.2 visual effects system and Smoke 6.7 editing system are high-definition (HD) capable, enabling customers to realize their ideas in both HD and standard-definition (SD). Establishing new standards for both visual effects and editing, Autodesk is also introducing two suites: Autodesk TV and Autodesk Digital Intermediate (DI).

The Autodesk TV and Autodesk DI suites are dual license bundles that provide turnkey solutions, combining Discreet systems' legendary creative tools for high-value visual effects creation with powerful editing and finishing tools for both SD and HDTV projects. The Autodesk TV Suite features the Flint and Smoke systems on an IBM IntelliStation A Pro 6224 with 8-bit HD I/O. The Autodesk DI Suite features the Flame and Smoke DI systems on an IRIX-based SGI Tezro visual workstation with 10-bit HD I/O and 2K HSDL.

"With the new Autodesk TV and DI suites, we're delivering the most comprehensive feature set in the industry, enabling our customers to take on almost any project, from long-form editorial to online creative finishing and the most challenging visual effects," said Martin Vann, vice president of Sales, Marketing and Support at Autodesk's Media and Entertainment Division.

Marc Petit, vice president of Product Development and Operations at Autodesk's Media and Entertainment Division, added, "Bringing HD to the PC underscores our commitment to extracting maximum value from leading computing platforms in order to benefit our customers. Our flexible software architecture allows the AutodeskDI suite to deliver-high performance 2K and 4K workflows on today's hardware."

Flint 9.2 and Smoke 6.7 Systems Key Features

Running 8-bit HD I/O on the IBM 6224 Linux platform, the Flint 9.2 and Smoke 6.7 systems feature:

¥ Apple Final Cut Pro XML format support: Editorial decisions made in Final Cut Pro are transferable to Discreet systems, thereby simplifying the post-production process (Announced separately) ¥ Autodesk WiretapTM 1.5 support: Increases third party application access to media from Inferno, Flame, Flint, Fire and Smoke systems' media via Autodesk(r) Stone(r) ¥ Dual Link HSDL Support for IRIX only: 2K data sent 4:2:2 on one link and 0:2:2 on second link; 2K data via video I/O subsystem

In addition, Autodesk has announced new versions of the following visual effects and editing systems: Discreet(r) Inferno(r) 6.2, Discreet(r) Flame(r) 9.2, and Discreet(r) Fire(r)6.7.

Availability and Pricing

The Inferno 6.2, Flame 9.2, Flint 9.2, Fire 6.7 and Smoke 6.7 systems, Autodesk TV Suite and Autodesk DI Suite begin shipping in April 2005.

www.discreet.com/product