News

Major Enhancements to Avid NewsCutter Family Deliver Breakthrough Performance (13/5/2005)

Latest versions deliver broad HD functionality, full MXF compatibility, and support for P2 and XDCAM formats

Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today introduced version 6.0 of its industry-leading news editing solutions, the NewsCutter(r) Adrenaline(tm) and NewsCutter XP systems. Both products now support Panasonic P2 and Sony XDCAM acquisition formats, the MXF media file format, and DVCPRO HD as well as Avid DNxHD(tm) for editing in a wide range of HD resolutions. Version 6.0 of the NewsCutter family also supports the new Frame Chase(tm) editing feature, which allows users to play or edit MXF media as it is captured, speeding the process for creating news stories in time-critical situations.

"With the industry's most robust set of tools for craft editing, desktop production, or mobile deployment, the NewsCutter family of nonlinear news editing systems provides broadcasters with the flexibility and scalability they need to create stories quickly with the diversity of media formats and resolutions that come into the station," said David Schleifer, vice president of Avid Broadcast and Workgroups. "With support for P2 and XDCAM, as well as DVCPRO HD, and many other HD resolutions, both NewsCutter Adrenaline and NewsCutter XP are key solutions that enable broadcasters to operate with greater speed and accuracy."

NewsCutter Adrenaline 6.0

The NewsCutter Adrenaline version 6.0 system offers the power of an entire news production suite in a single application, with robust HD features plus full-blown color correction and 3D effects, including text, objects, and texture mapping environments. The Adrenaline system with Avid DNA(tm) hardware, which provides component, composite, and S-video I/O with SDI support, also includes the option to add the Avid DNxcel(tm) HD board and experience extensive HD functionality, including comprehensive I/O and support for a broad range of formats and resolutions from popular HD decks and cameras. The Avid DNxcel board installs into the open expansion slot on the Avid(r) Adrenaline hardware and also supports eight- and 10-bit full raster Avid DNxHD files, which deliver the image quality of 10-bit uncompressed HD media - but with the bandwidth of SD files. This allows news professionals to work with high-quality HD media in a real-time, collaborative Avid Unity(tm) for News shared-storage environment. NewsCutter Adrenaline version 6.0 also includes Avid's FluidMotion(tm) technology, making it easy for editors to extend shots that are too brief and delivering unprecedented smoothness for fast-paced news and sports footage.

NewsCutter XP 6.0

The NewsCutter XP version 6.0 system, which has been designed for use in both the edit suite and the field, now supports eight-bit, full-raster Avid DNxHD and DVCPRO HD media for editing, adding to the system's existing DV25, DV50, and IMX 30/40/50 support. Similar to the NewsCutter Adrenaline system, NewsCutter XP software also supports MXF media files, and allows users to mix, edit, and play back all media formats and resolutions in the same timeline. The system easily connects to the Avid iNEWS(tm) newsroom computer system as well as third-party systems on the network, and also offers full integration with the industry-leading Avid Unity shared-storage solutions. By adding the Avid Mojo(tm) accelerator with an IEEE-1394 connection, users can further enhance the NewsCutter XP 6.0 system with composite and S-video I/O, and other real-time capabilities.

Pricing & Availability

Pricing for the NewsCutter Adrenaline 6.0 system starts at $29,995 USMSRP. The NewsCutter XP 6.0 software with a CPU is priced at $12,995 USMSRP, and the NewsCutter XP software without a CPU is priced at $6,995 USMSRP. Pricing for the Avid Mojo hardware, which is sold separately, is $1,695 USMSRP. Pricing for the Avid DNxcel board, which is sold separately, is $10,000 USMSRP. The new versions are available now.

www.avid.com