MediaStream 1600 Servers to Provide Operational Backbone for Broadcasting Hallmark Entertainment Network Programming Around the World

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA --(March 13, 2000)-- Pinnacle Systems, Inc. has been chosen by Crown Media, Inc. to be the exclusive providers of video storage systems for Crown Media's new international broadcast facility. Crown Media selected Pinnacle Systems' MediaStream 1600 family of on-air video servers for exclusive use in its Denver-based broadcast facility, which will support global distribution of the world-renowned Hallmark Entertainment Network. Later this year, the Crown Media facility will begin broadcasting the Hallmark Entertainment Network, a 24-hour global cable and satellite channel that delivers media including award-winning movies and miniseries throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

After extensive evaluation of the competition, Crown Media selected Pinnacle Systems because of its superior on-air reliability and comprehensive networking options. The MediaStream 1600 video systems used at the broadcast facility include 36 separate channels, more than 600 hours of storage, and is designed for networked broadcasting of 32 separate video networks 7 days per week, 24 hours a day.

"Around the world, growing numbers of prestigious media companies are turning to Pinnacle Systems for their most critical video server needs. When the criteria is top performance and utter reliability, Pinnacle Systems video servers are the first choice of media providers," said Mark Sanders, CEO and president of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. "We're pleased to be working with Crown Media and look forward to being a key contributor to the success of their newest venture."

"In developing a state-of-the-art-facility to reach our international audiences, we knew that we had to find best-of-class equipment that would meet our current needs and prepare for future growth," said Chuck Zabilski, vice president of operations at Crown Media. "We chose Pinnacle Systems' servers based on the company's outstanding reputation for innovation and support, the elegance of the server's architecture, the robustness of the platform, and the ease with which the servers can be expanded."

About MediaStream Server 1600 Pinnacle Systems' MediaStream Server 1600 is based on field-proven computing hardware with a robust realtime operating system and an ultra-reliable architecture, including integrated RAID and hot-swappable hard-disk drives. The servers provide Fibre Channel Networking capability, an open architecture, and support for both 4:2:0 and 4:2:2 industry-standard MPEG-2 video compression.

Monitoring capabilities are provided via an industry-standard SNMP interface, allowing users to easily monitor server system status. Additionally, the server's chassis design allows easy upgrades, service and configuration changes without removal from equipment racks.

About Pinnacle Systems Pinnacle Systems, Inc. offers a wide range of video solutions for broadcast, desktop and consumer users, making it easier and more affordable than ever before to create, store, distribute and view Web-enabled digital video. Pinnacle Systems' professional broadcast products provide realtime digital effects, still image management and storage, and realtime video character generation for high-end, post production and broadcast on-air applications. The company's desktop products are designed to provide high-quality, realtime video manipulation capabilities for computer-based post production systems and have become the industry leader for realtime 3-D special effects in linear and nonlinear editing environments. Consumer products provide hobbyists and individuals with low-cost video editing, capture and playback solutions that can be used on a personal computer, camcorder and VCR. Based in Mountain View, Calif., Pinnacle Systems may be reached at 650-526-1600 or on the World Wide Web at www.pinnaclesys.com.

NOTE: All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification or reference purposes only, with no intent to infringe on copyrights. SOURCE Pinnacle Systems Inc. CO: Pinnacle Systems Inc.; Crown Media Inc.

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