USC Equips New Cutting Edge Cinema Arts Facility With More Than 260 Avid Audio and Video Solutions

TEWKSBURY, MA, Mar 30 (MARKET WIRE) --
Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that the University
of Southern California (USC) has opened a new 137,000 square foot
state-of-the-art School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) complex, featuring more
than 260 Avid(R) audio and video systems. The new facility is home to one
of the largest Avid workflows in any U.S. film school, with approximately
1,000 students expected to work on the systems in the first year. By
standardizing its digital media curriculum with Avid solutions, such as
Media Composer(R) and Pro Tools(R), USC enables students to learn the
tools they will use in a professional setting, exposing them to
real-world post production workflows.

"We couldn't do what we do here without Avid, as our goal was to create a
modern facility that would appeal to the next generation of talented media
creators, as well as one that would deliver an environment in which theory
and practice are closely integrated," said Meri Weingarten, Director of
Post Production at the School of Cinematic Arts. "Over the years some of
the entertainment industry's most influential members have emerged from
our cutting-edge film programs. A key piece of that success is equipping
our students who are coming on the scene with the skills they need to
function in a professional capacity. We outfitted the new facility with
Avid audio and video solutions knowing that our students must be
well-versed in Avid [products] to be competitive in today's job market."

For recording, editing and mixing sound, the new facility houses 72 Pro
Tools LE(R) and 22 Pro Tools|HD(R) systems, as well as six ICON digital
console systems, that allow students to work with unparalleled hands-on
mixing control and flexibility. For picture editing, there are more than
140 Media Composer systems, including Media Composer software, Mojo DX,
Nitris(R) DX and Symphony(TM) Nitris systems. Approximately 25 additional
Media Composer systems are located in theaters, classrooms and media
conference rooms. All systems throughout the building are connected to an
80 TB Avid Unity(TM) ISIS(R) shared storage network. The Avid Unity ISIS
set-up enables students, faculty and staff to simultaneously access media
and a broad range of third-party applications from any workstation on the
network, creating a truly collaborative environment representative of
today's professional production settings.

In addition, interoperability between Avid's digital audio and video tools
fosters collaboration throughout the post process, mirroring real-world
workflows such as exchanging sound files and picture references. Overall,
SCA's Avid implementation rivals that of larger professional studios,
offering an environment that paves a smooth transition for graduates who
are interested in becoming professionals.

"USC is recognized as one of the world's leading educational institutions
for film, television and interactive media and we are thrilled to be a
part of the process of creating tomorrow's most promising media
professionals," said Kirk Arnold, GM and EVP of Customer Operations at
Avid Technology, Inc. "Avid is committed to serving students, educators
and institutions with competitively priced, world class solutions that
allow them to unleash their creative talents at an early age and then go
on to create some of tomorrow's most watched and loved media in the
world."

The first two buildings in the new School of Cinematic Arts complex opened
for classes this January, with another four slated to go on line in August
2010. Students interested in learning about Avid's video editing software
can download a free trial version of Media Composer v3.5. Avid Media
Composer is available to students for only $295.00 USMSRP. For more
information about Avid's educational offerings and academic pricing
programs, visit Avid Education.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, and broadcast
professionals -- as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid
professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign(R), M-Audio(R),
Pinnacle Systems(R), Sibelius(R) and Sundance Digital(R) 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(R) statuette
representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept,
design, and engineering of the Avid Film Composer(R) system for motion
picture editing. For more information about the company's Oscar,
Grammy(R) and Emmy(R) award-winning products and services, visit
www.avid.com, del.icio.us, Flickr, twitter and YouTube; connect with Avid
on Facebook or subscribe to Avid Industry Buzz.

Copyright 2009 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product
features, specifications, systems requirement and availability are
subject to change without notice. Promotions and discounts are subject to
availability and change without notice. All prices are USMSRP for the
U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact
your local Avid office or reseller for prices outside the U.S. and
Canada. Avid, Digidesign, Film Composer, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems,
Sibelius, Sundance Digital, Avid Unity, Film Composer, ISIS, Media
Composer, Nitris, Pro Tools, Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools|HD and Symphony are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its
subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Emmy is a
registered trademark of ATAS/NATA. Oscar is a trademark and service mark
of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Grammy is a
trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact:
Taryn Unruh
Avid Technology, Inc.
978-640-5167
Email Contact

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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