Pinnacle Systems Announces New Broadcast Graphics Capabilities for Newsrooms and Live Productions

Pinnacle Systems Announces New Broadcast Graphics Capabilities
for Newsrooms and Live Productions
Enhancements-Including Deko 4.0 and DekoMOS 3.0-Help Broadcasters Create and
Deliver Distinctively Branded Programming and Promotions 


LAS VEGAS, April 18  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pinnacle Systems(R), Inc.
(NASDAQ:PCLE), a leader in digital video solutions, today announced
enhancements to its Pinnacle Deko(R) real-time broadcast graphics product
family. These enhancements enable broadcasters to develop and deliver their own
distinctive brand across a wide variety of applications including sports,
entertainment, news and promotions.

Software additions include version 4.0 of the core Deko software and version
3.0 of the DekoMOS newsroom computer software suite. Pinnacle is also debuting
new Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid product models that deliver
high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) graphics from a single
turnkey system.

"Many of the world's top broadcasters rely on Deko for their mission- critical
live graphics and branding needs," said Matt Danilowicz, vice president and
general manager of Broadcast at Pinnacle. "These improvements in real-time
animation, workflow, interoperability, and HD/SD content management illustrate
our commitment to continue to deliver a high level of innovation in Deko."

Deko version 4.0 software anticipated enhancements include:

-- New animation features include effect behaviors which add a more compelling
look without requiring complex effect creation and automatically adjust to
variable length text, data or images using Deko's content independence
technology.  Effect behaviors include magnify, repel, attract and neon-style
flicker.  Additionally, new adjustable 3D depth rotation provides more choices
to animate pages, layers, words or characters.

-- New productivity enhancements include a more powerful and visual file
browser and the ability to view Deko and Thunder(R) graphics files and Targa(R)
images (.tga) as picture icons directly in Windows Explorer.

-- Increased interoperability includes support for additional external clip
file formats such as QuickTime movies and sequential Targa files including HD
resolutions. A new QuickTime plug-in allows any QuickTime compatible software
application to write Deko-compatible MXF files.

-- Broad HD-SD support. New texture manipulation technology ensures the correct
display of a single graphic asset in either SD or HD. Unique multi- compose and
multi-store technology allows users to create a single file that includes
individual HD and SD page layouts to take full advantage of the additional
resolution and screen space available in HD, without doubling the production
time or number of files to manage.  When a multi-store graphic is recalled,
Deko automatically selects the correct version of the graphic based on the
current video output format.

DekoMOS 3.0 software anticipated enhancements include:

-- Increased operational efficiency. The DekoMOS playback controller, which can
control up to nine channels of Deko per show, can now be automatically
triggered directly from a production switcher tally or other GPI trigger
mechanism.

-- Improved quality control and information display.  Additionally, the DekoMOS
playback controller now includes previews of individual output channel as well
as tally status.

-- Enhanced flexibility for rundown changes.  Enhanced functionality makes its
easier to manage last-minute modifications in breaking news situations.

-- Automatic spell check highlights errors as they are being typed into the
graphic template for easy identification.

Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid:

The new Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid product models create, manipulate
and output no-compromise real-time graphics at either NTSC or PAL standard
definition resolutions, or full 1080 or 720 high definition resolutions,
switching between the two formats with a simple software setting.

Availability

Deko version 4.0 is expected to be available later this year and  to be
available for all current Deko models (Deko 550, 1000, 1000HD, 1000/Hybrid,
3000, 3000HD, 3000/Hybrid), as well as the previous FXDeko(R) II and Deko 2200
models. Features may vary by model. DekoMOS version 3.0 is expected to be
available in May 2005. Deko 1000/Hybrid and Deko 3000/Hybrid are expected to be
available in June 2005. Enhancements are subject to change prior to release of
product.

The complete Pinnacle broadcast product family will be on display during NAB
2005 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Pinnacle's booth #SU6341 from April
18-21.

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, Targa, and FXDeko 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/ 

Copyright