Editing and Effects 3.6 and 6.6 Releases Include 1080p/24 Support

MONTREAL, February 15, 2000 -- Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc., announced the availability of a new 1080p/24 Universal Mastering solution as part of version 3.6 of fire* and smoke* nonlinear editing systems, and versions 3.6 and 6.6, respectively, of inferno* and flame* visual effects creation systems. With these latest Discreet releases, postproduction and broadcast professionals can create television series, music videos, and commercials for worldwide distribution without the need to reconform projects for various delivery formats or compromise image quality through standards conversion. Discreet is the first supplier to deliver advanced, high-quality nonlinear editing and effects systems with 1080p/24 Universal Mastering capability.

"As broadcast standards and formats multiply around the world, it's critical that TV production and postproduction professionals have solutions that give them the flexibility to master for existing and emerging formats," said Godfrey Sullivan, executive vice president of Discreet. "By pioneering truly advanced Universal Mastering solutions, Discreet continues to lead the market in this exciting space, just as it pioneered solutions for high-definition content creation."

Universal Mastering Across the Line

Discreet's version 3.6 of fire*, smoke*, and inferno*, and version 6.6 of flame* include the ability to master at varying frame rates and resolutions. All products include 24p support for interlaced or progressive formats; 24fps EDL import, export, and auto-conform; and conversion capabilities to support the wide array of delivery formats including film, NTSC, PAL, 1080I, 720p, 480p, and web broadcast. fire* is the only nonlinear editing system to date to support the 1080p format, offering editors the broadest range of delivery options for program distribution.

Optional HDCAM Support

With the 3.6 and 6.6 releases, Discreet's nonlinear editing system fire* and its visual effects systems flame* and inferno* now have an optional software codec feature to support Sony's HDCAM solution. The software codec enables customers to gain access to a complete range of HD finishing solutions while taking advantage of the industry's most affordable HD I/O entry cost. Through a direct link between fire*, flame*, or inferno* and Sony's HDCAM, production facilities can capture, edit, composite, and play back full-resolution HDTV images using existing 601 video equipment.

Availability

Reinforcing its commitment to technology, Discreet provides the 3.6 and 6.6 releases with the Universal Mastering solution at no charge to registered 3.0 and 6.0 customers, which are available immediately.

About Discreet

Discreet, a division of Autodesk, Inc., 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 postproduction, games and multimedia, broadcast graphics, programming and on-air event coverage, as well as by designers and architects for 3D visualization and conceptualization. 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.

NOTE: Autodesk, fire*, smoke*, inferno*, and flame* are registered trademarks, and Discreet is a trademark, of Autodesk, Inc., in the United States and/or certain other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks are used solely for the purpose of identification and belong to their respective holders.

SOURCE Discreet

CO: Discreet; Autodesk, Inc.