Pinnacle PCTV 1080i USB TV Tuners Support ATSC & Digital Cable

Pinnacle have announced their latest two USB TV tuners, the PCTV HD Stick and the PCTV HD Pro Stick. As with their predecessors, both tuners can receive free digital HD and SD TV over-the-air (ATSC) channels; however, they now support unencrypted digital cable (ClearQAM) channels. The tuner/demodulator itself has also been upgraded, and is now more sensitive for improved reception of both analog and digital TV.

Resolutions up to 1080i are supported, and Pinnacle supply their TVCenter Pro software that allows the computer to act as a PVR. TimeShift and recording of SD and HD TV is possible, together with full-screen or windowed viewing, and there's an EPG for scheduling recordings. Interestingly, recordings can take place either to the hard-drive or directly to a DVD. Alternatively, both models are certified for Microsoft's Media Center products.

The HD Pro Stick adds stereo sound for both digital and analog TV, stereo FM radio reception and the ability to capture a video signal from a cable/satellite set-top box or camcorder with the included A/V adapter cable. DivX support is also added, and a trial of MPEG-4 encoding software for making clips compatible with iPods or the PSP.

On sale now, the Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick is priced at $69.99 and the PCTV HD Pro Stick at $99.99.

Press Release:

New Pinnacle PCTV HD Sticks Deliver HDTV on a PC

Sleek, Ultra-mobile USB Sticks Add Support for Digital Cable TV

MANHATTAN, NY, June 25, 2008 – Pinnacle Systems, Inc., the consumer division of Avid Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) , highlighted today the next generation of its Pinnacle PCTV™ HD Stick, and Pinnacle PCTV™ HD Pro Stick—the number one selling TV tuner for PCs in the U.S. retail market in 2007, according to NPD. In addition to delivering free digital HD and SD TV over-the-air (ATSC), these new Pinnacle PCTV HD and HD Pro Sticks now support unencrypted digital cable (ClearQAM) channels and include a next-generation tuner/demodulator with more sensitive reception of both analog and digital TV signals and, in the case of the PCTV HD Pro Stick, even FM radio.

About the size of a flash drive, the new Pinnacle PCTV HD Sticks provide consumers with the brilliant sharpness of digital HDTV with resolutions up to 1080i, by simply plugging the device into a USB port on their PC. The addition of ClearQAM support allows cable TV subscribers to enjoy their favorite over-the-air (OTA) digital channels with optimal quality by connecting the digital cable directly to their PC.

The affordable, easy-to-use Pinnacle PCTV HD and HD Pro Sticks are for laptop users, travelers and students, who want to experience HD-quality TV at home or on-the-go without having to pay expensive service fees. They are also compelling solutions for Windows Vista™ and Windows®XP MCE owners who did not purchase a PC TV tuner with their systems.

"With the February 17th, 2009 shut down of analog television approaching, users are considering cost-effective alternatives to paying for cable and satellite TV or buying a new HD TV," said Tanguy Leborgne, Pinnacle Systems Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. "At just $99 U.S., the new PCTV HD Pro Stick can provide consumers with savings of up to $1,000 on their subscription fees and it even works as a Personal Video Recorder (PVR). All you need is your laptop or desktop computer."

The Pinnacle TVCenter Pro software bundled with the new tuners delivers fully functional PVR capabilities that make it easy to watch, TimeShift and record SD and HD TV. For added convenience, users have the option of viewing programs in full-screen mode or in a scalable window while using other applications. An integrated Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) is included to locate programs and schedule recordings. Shows can be recorded to the user's hard drive or direct to DVD for playback on a DVD player.

The new Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick offers all of these features plus a broad range of additional capabilities ranging from stereo sound for both digital and analog TV, stereo FM radio reception and the ability to capture a video signal from a cable/satellite set-top box or camcorder with the A/V adapter cable provided. It also supports the DivX® format and includes a trial version for MPEG-4 support which enables output to a PSP™ or iPod®.

Pricing, Availability

The Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick and the Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick are available through leading retailers and online resellers with U.S. pricing at $69.99 and $99.99 respectively. Both devices are fully certified for Windows Vista™ and Windows® Media Center.

For tips, tricks and techniques on all Pinnacle solutions go to Pinnacle Life.

About Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

Pinnacle Systems, Inc., a part of Avid Technology, Inc., is an industry leader in providing a complete set of home video editing and TV viewing tools for the consumer market. The company's product lines including Pinnacle PCTV™, Dazzle®, Pinnacle ShowCenter®, and its flagship Pinnacle Studio™ line, cover the needs and requirements of any level of video storytellers or consumers who simply want to enjoy TV from their computer. 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 Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Softimage and Sundance Digital. 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® statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company's Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com.