Systems’ speed, reliability and performance will help turn HD news segments around quickly
(TEWKSBURY, Massachusetts--September 2, 2008) Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) today announced that CBS News is relying on Avid’s new HD editing and storage solutions for coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions taking place August 25-28 in Denver, and September 1-4 in Minneapolis, respectively.
CBS News has deployed Avid® NewsCutter® Nitris® DX systems connected to Avid VideoRAID® storage systems on site to be able to quickly turnaround and play-to-air high-definition (HD) news segments. CBS is working with the Avid DNxHD® 145 codec, which will enable the production team to work with mastering quality HD material in real-time.
“For an event as demanding as the Presidential conventions, we need the performance and familiarity that Avid provides. The combination of NewsCutter, VideoRAID and [Avid] DNxHD [codec] – along with the portability – creates an effective solution for us, and allows our team to work comfortably with an interface that’s very familiar to everyone,” said Frank Governale, VP of CBS News Operations. “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric is also now broadcasting HD using the Avid DNxHD 145 codec. Being able to edit remotely in the field with [Avid] DNxHD 145 allows us to keep an integrated format.”
Mel Olinsky, director of Bureau Operation at CBS News, said, “Although our HD field crews are shooting 1080i, some continue to shoot in SD, and being part of a five network pool requires some flexibility and possible need to combine multiple HD resolutions. NewsCutter Nitris DX gives us both capabilities. That alone is a big timesaver and will enable us to bring quality HD programming to air more quickly.”
Kirk Arnold, EVP of Customer Operations, Avid Technology, Inc., said, “With extremely time-sensitive production cycles for the National convention broadcasts, it’s imperative that CBS has the full production functionality and service that Avid is able to deliver in such a complex and mission-critical environment. We’re pleased to see our solutions helping customers like CBS get the best final product to air every time.”
About Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign®, M-Audio®, Pinnacle Systems®, Sibelius®, Softimage® and Sundance Digital®. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid’s products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar® statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company’s Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit
www.avid.com
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