Discreet Unveils Next Generation Nonlinear Editing at NAB 2000

Enhancements Include Dynamic Web Streaming, DV/MPEG2 Support, New HD Editor and Infinite Layer Support

Las Vegas, Nevada, NAB 2000 (April 10, 2000) -- Discreet today announced major advancements in its entire range of SGI- and NT-based nonlinear editing systems. Version 4 of fire* and smoke*, the company’s premier SGI-based online nonlinear video editing systems, and version 6 of edit*, Discreet’s NT-based professional nonlinear editing system, will be shown in broadcast and post-production demonstrations at NAB 2000 in the Discreet booth (#S4103) of the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, April 10^th through the 13^th.

Discreet is introducing the next version of edit*, which delivers key features designed for professional post, broadcast and corporate/educational clients. Features include innovative new Web streaming capabilities to integrate efficiently the steps of creation, authoring and publishing of streaming media to the Internet, while ensuring the highest quality and most creative results. fire* and smoke* v4 are designed to meet the next generation needs of broadcasters and post-production facilities by incorporating new HDTV features and industry-first editing functions such as Soft Effects, Discreet’s powerful new visual effects extensions to version 4’s vertical timeline editing, which also includes Containers for faster versioning and effects duplication.

"Our editing solutions now span from state of the art Web streaming capabilities for publishing content to the Internet, to what we believe is the most powerful finishing toolset on the market today," said Godfrey Sullivan, executive vice president and general manager of Discreet. "Discreet revolutionized visual effects with products like flame*; we are now pioneering a radical new era of nonlinear editing with fire*, smoke*, and edit*."

Introducing edit* v6
Discreet will be demonstrating the upcoming version of edit*, the company’s award-winning professional Windows® NT-based nonlinear editing solution: edit* v6. This version of edit* delivers an unparalleled list of powerful new features, such as vertical compositing abilities with Containers, advanced multi-cam and Digital Video (DV) support, and advanced integration with Discreet’s combustion* effects software, that was announced separately today. Additional features include metadata compatibility with Discreet’s smoke* and fire* via Automated Project Transfers for fast project transition between systems, and integrated Web streaming capabilities for the efficient delivery of high quality creative content via the Internet. In addition, Discreet will also be debuting recently acquired technology, Jobnet, which enables multiple edit* stations to share media and metadata in a SAN environment – a key requirement for broadcast news as well as multi-seat post environments.

Hot New Features in fire* and smoke*
Nonlinear editors will discover a completely new workflow with vertical editing and a wide array of new features in fire* and smoke* v4. From complex compositing to subtle color correction, fire* and smoke* v4 have redefined the reference point for fast, creative nonlinear online editing with Discreet’s industry-first implementation of Soft Effects. Central to the version 4 release, Soft Effects expedite the creation and use of effects within the editing process. Now, nonlinear editors can design, composite, and color correct effects without leaving the fire* or smoke* editing timeline. Discreet Soft Effects include Axis, Wipe, Color Correct, Timewarp and Blend, providing unparalleled creative tools and speed for the most demanding video, HDTV, or film projects. Version 4 also includes Video Containers to extend the vertical editing environment, dramatically improving speed of versioning and repeatability of complex effects sequences. Containers are timelines within timelines, allowing editors to create unlimited layers of effects – or multiple versions of an effect – all within a single timeline.

"I really like version 4—it just makes sense. Now I can make changes to my edit and add effects almost as fast as I can think of them," says Mike Weber, fire* operator at Optimus, in Chicago. "The goal of any piece of gear is to not have to think of how to do something, but just do it. And that’s the strength of fire*v4—vertical editing and Soft Effects enable me to devote more brainpower to the creative process, because all of the new tools are more intuitive."

HDTV and Universal Mastering Advancements
A pioneer in the field of HDTV and Universal Mastering, Discreet offers artists the greatest ease and flexibility for manipulating content and creating high quality masters for distribution in any format, including film, HDTV, DTV, 601 video and the Web. fire* and smoke* v4 incorporate second-generation Universal Mastering features including Pan & Scan support for simple and creative conversions between aspect ratios, and advanced audio processing to enable easy conversion to different frame rates while maintaining audio synchronization. fire* is the only nonlinear editing system available today that delivers Universal Mastering at full HDTV or film resolution throughout the creative process, to ensure the highest quality masters – making fire* an unbeatable replacement for aging linear online rooms for both short form and long form series projects in any format.

Of major importance to broadcast and post-production editors looking to replace traditional linear suites or for those researching flexible entry into HD project work, Discreet has now expanded HD I/O support to smoke*, making it the most comprehensive and affordable online HD editor with full Universal Mastering capabilities. At NAB 2000, Discreet is demonstrating HD-enabled smoke* with new support for the SONY HDCAM codec. Through its unique licensing agreement with Sony, Discreet now offers customers a wide variety of flexible and affordable HD options for smoke*, fire* and Discreet effects systems.

New workflow and integration capabilities are included in smoke* and fire* v4. Discreet’s new Automated Project Transfers streamline the offline and online process between NT-based edit*, fire* and smoke*. Now, editors can offline using edit* and export editing decisions and project metadata via the Automated Project Transfer for online finishing with fire* and smoke*. The offline and online process further benefit from integration with Discreet backdraft*, which delivers advanced background I/O capabilities. With backdraft*, smoke* and fire*, artists offload traditional digitizing, archiving, and media management functions using automated and intuitive background processing capabilities. With expanded HD support, revolutionary new nonlinear editing tools, extensive integration and workflow improvements, smoke* and fire* v4 offer post-production and broadcast editors an exciting new editing environment for next generation projects.

Product Availability
smoke* and fire* v4 will be available for shipment in the Summer 2000, edit* v6 is anticipated for shipment in Fall 2000. Customers and interested parties can contact their regional Discreet Sales Office (www.discreet.com), call 800-869-3504 or 514-393-1616, or email product_info@discreet.com for more information.

About Discreet
Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in digital content creation, management, and distribution tools. Discreet develops systems and software for visual effects, 3D animation, editing, and production used in the creation of digital moving pictures for feature films, video, HDTV, broadcast graphics, interactive games, and the Web. Discreet products are used extensively in film and video post-production, games and multimedia, broadcast graphics, programming, and on-air event coverage. For more information, contact any Authorized Discreet Reseller, call Discreet at 800-869-3504, or visit www.discreet.com. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol ADSK.

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Discreet Unveils Next Generation Nonlinear Editing at NAB 2000
	Enhancements Include Dynamic Web Streaming, DV/MPEG2 Support, New HD Editor and Infinite Layer Support Las Vegas, Nevada, NAB 2000 (April 10, 2000) -- Discreet today announced major advancements in its entire range of SGI- and NT-based nonlinear editing systems. Version 4 of fire* and smoke, the company’s premier SGI-based online nonlinear video editing systems, and version 6 of edit, Discreet’s NT-based professional nonlinear editing system, will be shown in broadcast and post-production demonstrations at NAB 2000 in the Discreet booth (#S4103) of the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, April 10^th through the 13^th. Discreet is introducing the next version of edit, which delivers key features designed for professional post, broadcast and corporate/educational clients. Features include innovative new Web streaming capabilities to integrate efficiently the steps of creation, authoring and publishing of streaming media to the Internet, while ensuring the highest quality and most creative results. fire and smoke* v4 are designed to meet the next generation needs of broadcasters and post-production facilities by incorporating new HDTV features and industry-first editing functions such as Soft Effects, Discreet’s powerful new visual effects extensions to version 4’s vertical timeline editing, which also includes Containers for faster versioning and effects duplication. "Our editing solutions now span from state of the art Web streaming capabilities for publishing content to the Internet, to what we believe is the most powerful finishing toolset on the market today," said Godfrey Sullivan, executive vice president and general manager of Discreet. "Discreet revolutionized visual effects with products like flame; we are now pioneering a radical new era of nonlinear editing with fire, smoke, and edit." *Introducing edit v6** Discreet will be demonstrating the upcoming version of edit, the company’s award-winning professional Windows® NT-based nonlinear editing solution: edit v6. This version of edit* delivers an unparalleled list of powerful new features, such as vertical compositing abilities with Containers, advanced multi-cam and Digital Video (DV) support, and advanced integration with Discreet’s combustion* effects software, that was announced separately today. Additional features include metadata compatibility with Discreet’s smoke* and fire* via Automated Project Transfers for fast project transition between systems, and integrated Web streaming capabilities for the efficient delivery of high quality creative content via the Internet. In addition, Discreet will also be debuting recently acquired technology, Jobnet, which enables multiple edit* stations to share media and metadata in a SAN environment – a key requirement for broadcast news as well as multi-seat post environments. Hot New Features in fire* and smoke* Nonlinear editors will discover a completely new workflow with vertical editing and a wide array of new features in fire* and smoke* v4. From complex compositing to subtle color correction, fire* and smoke* v4 have redefined the reference point for fast, creative nonlinear online editing with Discreet’s industry-first implementation of Soft Effects. Central to the version 4 release, Soft Effects expedite the creation and use of effects within the editing process. Now, nonlinear editors can design, composite, and color correct effects without leaving the fire* or smoke* editing timeline. Discreet Soft Effects include Axis, Wipe, Color Correct, Timewarp and Blend, providing unparalleled creative tools and speed for the most demanding video, HDTV, or film projects. Version 4 also includes Video Containers to extend the vertical editing environment, dramatically improving speed of versioning and repeatability of complex effects sequences. Containers are timelines within timelines, allowing editors to create unlimited layers of effects – or multiple versions of an effect – all within a single timeline. "I really like version 4—it just makes sense. Now I can make changes to my edit and add effects almost as fast as I can think of them," says Mike Weber, fire* operator at Optimus, in Chicago. "The goal of any piece of gear is to not have to think of how to do something, but just do it. And that’s the strength of firev4—vertical editing and Soft Effects enable me to devote more brainpower to the creative process, because all of the new tools are more intuitive." HDTV and Universal Mastering Advancements* A pioneer in the field of HDTV and Universal Mastering, Discreet offers artists the greatest ease and flexibility for manipulating content and creating high quality masters for distribution in any format, including film, HDTV, DTV, 601 video and the Web. fire* and smoke* v4 incorporate second-generation Universal Mastering features including Pan & Scan support for simple and creative conversions between aspect ratios, and advanced audio processing to enable easy conversion to different frame rates while maintaining audio synchronization. fire* is the only nonlinear editing system available today that delivers Universal Mastering at full HDTV or film resolution throughout the creative process, to ensure the highest quality masters – making fire* an unbeatable replacement for aging linear online rooms for both short form and long form series projects in any format. Of major importance to broadcast and post-production editors looking to replace traditional linear suites or for those researching flexible entry into HD project work, Discreet has now expanded HD I/O support to smoke, making it the most comprehensive and affordable online HD editor with full Universal Mastering capabilities. At NAB 2000, Discreet is demonstrating HD-enabled smoke with new support for the SONY HDCAM codec. Through its unique licensing agreement with Sony, Discreet now offers customers a wide variety of flexible and affordable HD options for smoke, fire and Discreet effects systems. New workflow and integration capabilities are included in smoke* and fire* v4. Discreet’s new Automated Project Transfers streamline the offline and online process between NT-based edit, fire and smoke. Now, editors can offline using edit and export editing decisions and project metadata via the Automated Project Transfer for online finishing with fire* and smoke. The offline and online process further benefit from integration with Discreet backdraft, which delivers advanced background I/O capabilities. With backdraft, smoke and fire, artists offload traditional digitizing, archiving, and media management functions using automated and intuitive background processing capabilities. With expanded HD support, revolutionary new nonlinear editing tools, extensive integration and workflow improvements, smoke and fire* v4 offer post-production and broadcast editors an exciting new editing environment for next generation projects. Product Availability smoke* and fire* v4 will be available for shipment in the Summer 2000, edit* v6 is anticipated for shipment in Fall 2000. Customers and interested parties can contact their regional Discreet Sales Office (www.discreet.com), call 800-869-3504 or 514-393-1616, or email product_info@discreet.com for more information. About Discreet Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in digital content creation, management, and distribution tools. Discreet develops systems and software for visual effects, 3D animation, editing, and production used in the creation of digital moving pictures for feature films, video, HDTV, broadcast graphics, interactive games, and the Web. Discreet products are used extensively in film and video post-production, games and multimedia, broadcast graphics, programming, and on-air event coverage. For more information, contact any Authorized Discreet Reseller, call Discreet at 800-869-3504, or visit www.discreet.com. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol ADSK. Have a comment about this article? Join in the discussion at the DigitalVideoEditing Forum!