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Avid Unveils AirSpeed 2.0 and Delivers Unprecedented HD Workflow for Broadcasters (8/3/2006)

Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced the immediate availability of the Avid(R) AirSpeed(R) 2.0 system, the award-winning, multi-purpose video ingest and playout server that offers unmatched workflow capabilities and format compatibility, as well as flexible connectivity and control. The AirSpeed 2.0 system now supports two new formats - uncompressed SD, and the Avid DNxHD(TM) format to facilitate HD production from capture to playout. The new system is also available in two versions - one that includes front-panel video control and monitoring; and another that is optimized for HD workflows and remote operation, offering four times the storage capacity in place of the front-panel controls and monitor. For sports, news, live events, and other productions requiring fast, efficient turnaround, the AirSpeed 2.0 system enables production of high-quality SD and HD segments with unprecedented speed and reliability.

"The expanded recording and playout capabilities of AirSpeed 2.0 significantly increase the power of an Avid Unity(TM) workgroup," said David Schleifer, vice president of Avid Broadcast and Workgroups. "AirSpeed now offers support for high-quality HD and uncompressed SD formats, expanding its application to encompass more types of video production. What makes AirSpeed especially attractive is that it's more affordable than similar products on the market. It's versatile, flexible, easy to use, and enables facilities to significantly increase the efficiency of producing SD and HD material."

The AirSpeed 2.0 system is designed to deliver video ingest and playback server functionality within a streamlined digital nonlinear production workflow. The system features VTR-like functionality with full remote programmability and control, and offers complete interoperability with the Avid Unity family of shared-storage solutions - including the new Avid Unity ISIS(TM) system - as well as with Avid's industry-standard nonlinear editing systems.

In conjunction with the Avid DNxchange(TM) system, which automatically encodes HD content from cameras, switches, routers, and decks into the Avid DNxHD format, the AirSpeed 2.0 system supports a range of HD resolutions and frame rates, including 1080i/59.95, 1080i/50, and 720p/59.94 converted to Avid DNxHD data rates of 145 Mbps (megabits per second) or 120Mbps. The AirSpeed 2.0 system also supports standard definition formats such as uncompressed SD, DV25, DV50, IMX30 and IMX 50. Other features of the system include:

-- Embedded 24-bit audio for HD -- Embedded 24-bit audio or 16-bit AES/EBU for uncompressed SD -- Closed-caption support for Avid DNxHD -- Available version with higher storage capacity and without front panel controls or LCD screen -- Support for Avid extensions with Sony BVW protocol -- Selectable freeze frame mode between frame or field -- Support for unrestricted VDCP or Sony and network control mode -- Support for ingesting to selectable workspaces through VDCP

Pricing & Availability

Avid AirSpeed 2.0 is now available in a standard configuration for $18,000 USMSRP, or a version with four times greater storage capacity and without a front-panel controls and monitor for $20,000 USMSRP. Current AirSpeed customers under the Avid Assurance program can upgrade to AirSpeed 2.0 for free on the Avid Download Center.

www.avid.com

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