Pinnacle Systems Announces Thunder HD High Definition Broadcast Video Production Server

Pinnacle Systems Announces Thunder HD High Definition Broadcast
Video Production Server 


LAS VEGAS, April 18  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pinnacle Systems(R), Inc.
(NASDAQ:PCLE), a leader in digital video solutions, today announced Thunder(R)
HD, a new high-definition (HD) model of its Thunder broadcast video production
server family. Thunder HD is built for a wide variety of broadcast
applications, including live sports, entertainment and news production, storing
and delivering full 720p and 1080i resolution video stills, video clips with
audio, and animated graphics.

As part of Pinnacle's complete broadcast solutions, Thunder HD integrates with
other Pinnacle high-definition products including Pinnacle Deko(R) real- time
graphics systems and Pinnacle Liquid(TM) editing systems. Thunder servers
support a wide variety of production workflows, typically providing a video
source into a production switcher under control by automation, operator,
newsroom computer MOS, or GPI. Uses include playback of animated backgrounds,
news packages, over-the-shoulder stills, promo clips, sports and entertainment
graphics, short video clips and branding elements.

"Thunder is one of the true workhorses in the world of live production," said
Matt Danilowicz, vice president and general manager of Broadcast at Pinnacle.
"With Thunder HD, broadcasters can count on the same capabilities on which they
have come to rely for their live productions."

Thunder HD stores native MXF MPEG-2 I-Frame format video on internal hard disk
storage, starting at 750 GB of RAID 5 storage, allowing 17 hours at 100
megabits per second (Mbps). Thunder HD can be configured as a one or two
channel system, each channel delivering both video record and playback
capability, including video key channel, eight audio channels and video proxy.
Thunder HD also provides the same rich feature set that has made Thunder a
leading choice for broadcasters, including built-in sequencer, integrated
database with robust metadata search, integrated network browse and control,
ThunderMOS newsroom computer system integration, and real-time 2D DVE-style
transitions.

Availability

Thunder HD is expected to be available in late 2005.  Enhancements are subject
to change prior to release of product.

Thunder HD and the complete Pinnacle broadcast product family will be on
display during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) industry
convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Pinnacle's booth #SU6341 from
April 18-21, 2005.

About Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

Pinnacle Systems provides broadcasters and consumers with cutting-edge digital
media creation, storage, and play-back solutions for use at Home, at Work and
on the Air. Pinnacle Systems' award winning digital media solutions are in use
around the world for broadcast, video editing, DVD and CDR authoring and on the
Internet. A recognized industry leader, the company has received nine
prestigious Emmy Awards for its technical innovations and carries this
commitment throughout all of its product lines. Pinnacle Systems may be reached
at 650-526-1600 or at http://www.pinnaclesys.com/.

NOTE:  Pinnacle Systems, Deko, Thunder, and Pinnacle Liquid are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the
United States and other countries.  All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. 

DATASOURCE: Pinnacle Systems, Inc.



CONTACT:  media, Alissa Vasilevskis, [phone], or

, or investors, , both of

Pinnacle Systems, Inc.; or Evan Sirof of MarComm-On-Call, [phone], or

, for Pinnacle Systems, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ 

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