Avid AirSPACE version 2.0

Avid AirSPACE version 2.0 is a major update to AirSPACE, and is the first major technology upgrade since the advanced video server system was acquired by Avid from Pluto Technologies International Inc. in September 2000. The release, which adds numerous new capabilities and significant technology upgrades, will help shape the future role of video servers in broadcast production, and further positions the AirSPACE product as a key component within the complete end-to-end Avid Broadcast environment.

Among the many enhancements to the AirSPACE video server system with the release of version 2.0 are support for DV50, a 10x improvement in network transfer speed (Gigabit Ethernet), Sony protocol support, increase in the number of video channels to 8 DV25 or 6 DV50, support for bi-directional transfers and partial clip transfers, greater integration with the Avid NewsCutter® 2.0 and Avid Unity™ for News products, and additions and enhancements to companion software applications.

"We packed a lot of great features into the AirSPACE version 2.0 release. AirSPACE is now a true 'system,' and sets new standards for flexibility, speed, and capability," said Matthew Danilowicz, vice president of Avid Broadcast. "AirSPACE plays a major role in supporting and enabling the Avid Broadcast environment, including Avid NewsCutter, Avid Unity for News, and Avid | iNEWS™ products. And the product's ability to seamlessly interconnect with a station's existing systems and third party products truly sets it apart from any other server solution."

About AirSPACE Version 2.0

Avid AirSPACE video servers provide a high quality, high reliability ingest and play-to-air solution for broadcast news applications. Central to Avid's "Make, Manage, Move Media™" philosophy, the AirSPACE version 2.0 system provides Avid broadcast users with an end-to-end broadcast solution from ingest to editing, storage and playback. The Avid AirSPACE system's flexibility allows it to be used in an Avid NewsCutter with Avid Unity for News environment or as a stand-alone unit with traditional cuts-only editing equipment. It also can fulfill applications such as Spot and Program play to air, Feed Room Ingest, act as a key piece in asset storage and archival solutions, or as a high quality multi-channel media server.

In addition to complete video and audio input and output, the AirSPACE system can now provide Gigabit Ethernet network transfers, which means faster than real time transfers to editing systems, and up to 65 Megabits per second or 15 times faster than real time between AirSPACE servers. New companion software applications include "CountDown™," an economical automation application, "AirSPACE SPACE Shift™" for time-delay applications, "SPACE Bank™" Archive management, which provides an interface to data tape storage, and "Parallel SPACE™" for mirrored server operation.

Avid Technology, One Park West, Avid Technology Park, Tewksbury, MA 01876. Tel: 978-640-3541; Fax: 978-640-0648.