News

Pinnacle Systems Unveils Hybrid HD/SD Real-Time Graphics Products (6/5/2005)

Live and Automated Broadcast Graphics Systems Switch between HD and SD Output

Pinnacle Systems(r), Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLE), a leader in digital video solutions, announced three new real-time graphics products that switch in software between native high-definition (HD) and native standard definition (SD) operating modes. Using these new Deko(r) Hybrid products, broadcasters can support both SD and HD production needs using a single system and user interface, minimizing equipment, installation, retraining and production costs while expanding HD services.

Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid support a wide variety of live sports, entertainment and newsroom environments. DekoCast(tm) Hybrid is designed for on-air edge graphics applications including channel branding, in-program promotions and advertising, sophisticated credit sequences, weather and other data-driven alerts. All three hybrid products generate graphics, process video and deliver output for native NTSC / PAL SD resolutions and native 720 / 1080 HD resolutions.

"Our new hybrid real-time graphics products illustrate our solid commitment to help broadcasters efficiently deliver compelling HD programming, build brands and strengthen audience relationships," said Matt Danilowicz, vice president and general manager of Broadcast at Pinnacle. "These products simplify both the economy and workflow of graphics production during the HD transition."

In an SD/HD world, broadcasters must contend with multiple versions of their graphics assets. Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid dramatically simplify management with tools to simplify the process of working with 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio elements and layouts. In addition, the upcoming Deko software version 4.0 includes a unique multi-compose and multi-store technology that will allow users to create a single file that includes both HD and SD page layouts, further simplifying management while enabling them to take full advantage of the additional resolution and screen space available in HD. At air-time, Deko will automatically select the correct version of the graphic based on the current video output format.

All hybrid models deliver the full functionality of their single format counterparts. For example, Deko 3000/Hybrid delivers the feature set of Deko 3000 when in SD mode and the feature set of Deko 3000 HD when in HD mode.

Availability

Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid are expected to be available in June 2005 and to be available in a single or dual channel configuration. DekoCast Hybrid is expected to be available fall 2005.

www.pinnaclesys.com