New software package, Digital Image Suite PLUS, addresses rising consumer trend in editing, organizing and sharing digital photos and videos.

REDMOND, Wash., and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Nov. 1, 2005 - Microsoft Corp. and Pinnacle Systems Inc. today introduced Microsoft® Digital Image Suite PLUS, a complete set of intuitive digital photo- and video-organization and editing tools that combines Digital Image Suite 2006 with Pinnacle Studio™ version 10 in a single, affordable package. With comprehensive and easy-to-use tools, Digital Image Suite PLUS offers consumers at any skill level everything they need to enhance, preserve, organize and share their growing libraries of digital photos and video clips for years to come. The new software package is available today in most retail outlets where Microsoft and Pinnacle products are sold.

"Digital camera and camcorder sales are on the rise all over the world, growing at a double-digit pace the past two years," said Christopher Chute, senior analyst with IDC. "Consumers are looking to do more with their photos and home movies. They want editing solutions to create DVDs, professional-looking photos and movies without the technical jargon or complex interfaces of professional-level software."

Digital Image Suite 2006 includes the Microsoft Digital Image Library with Keyword, Flags and Star Rating features for easily locating and organizing photos and videos. Other features include Black & White Effects for creating a polished, professional-looking finished product, and Project Templates to guide consumers who want to create personalized projects such as photo calendars or greeting cards. With Photo Story 3.1, consumers can easily combine photos with voice narration, customizable pans and zooms, and music to create a photo show that can be played on the computer, sent in e-mail or burned to CD. Photo enthusiasts will also appreciate RAW support for Canon and Nikon cameras, a PC file format that preserves all photo data in its original digital format and has become the standard for many advanced photographers.

The Digital Image Suite PLUS package also includes Pinnacle Studio v.10, one of the most powerful, easy-to-use software video editors in its class. Pinnacle Studio offers an intuitive three-step movie creation process and the power to quickly and reliably capture precious photos, videos and audio from all popular consumer electronic devices. With a healthy set of intuitive tools and tutorials, Pinnacle Studio easily guides users through all of its powerful features, such as Pan and Zoom, music and titles, and enables users to create home movies that have the look and feel of the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

"We've conducted extensive research with home video editors and found that the vast majority not only want to preserve precious moments - from video footage of baby's first steps to still shots of Grandpa carving the Thanksgiving turkey - they want to share the best images and video clips with family and friends," said Jeff Hastings, general manager of Pinnacle Systems. "Pinnacle Studio v.10 is a powerful product on its own, but when it is paired with Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006, home users have access to an extremely robust photo- and video-editing solution."

"Microsoft recognizes the growing demand for easy-to-use digital photo- and video-editing software that helps consumers achieve professional-looking results," said AnnMarie Thomas, marketing manager for the Home and Retail Division at Microsoft. "We are thrilled to team up with Pinnacle to provide customers with a great value that will grow with them as their digital photo and video imaging skills become more advanced."

Availability
Microsoft Digital Image PLUS is available Nov. 1 through most major electronics and software retailers for an estimated retail price of $129.95 (U.S.) with a $30 mail-in rebate*. It can also be acquired directly through Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging/order.aspx or Pinnacle Systems at http://www.pinnaclesys.com. More information about Microsoft's other digital imaging products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/products/imaging.

About Pinnacle Systems Inc.
Pinnacle Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., is an industry leader in providing a complete set of home video editing tools for the consumer market. The company's product lines, including PCTV™, Dazzle®, Pinnacle ShowCenter™, Pinnacle Studio MediaSuite™, and its flagship Pinnacle Studio™ line, cover the needs and requirements of everyone from entry-level to intermediate and advanced video storytellers. Pinnacle Systems has received nine prestigious Emmy® Awards for its technical innovations and carries the commitment to help consumers enhance, preserve and share their memories with ease. For more information, visit www.pinnaclesys.com.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.