Discover how to create video cards:

There’s a new way of sending greetings cards and 'round robins' this year – Video Christmas Cards - that can be made and completed in just three easy steps. Pinnacle Systems, #1 in the consumer video editing market in the U.S. and in major European countries, has ensured with its just released Pinnacle Studio™ Winter Edition software that no technical knowledge is needed and those long-winded letters will be a thing of the past.

With Pinnacle’s Studio Winter Edition still pictures and short videos taken from your digital camera, camcorder or mobile phone can all be incorporated in your Video Card. These could include images of your children starting to walk, riding a bike or in a school theatre play. Footage of the family on holiday, changes to you or your home or any other family landmarks, could all be included and will say far more than a written card or letter.

Apart from sending a unique message to those very special to you at this important and sharing time of year, you will be also able to beat postal costs and deadlines by sending your message via email or an online link. Pinnacle’s Studio Winter Edition will ensure that those receiving your video card will have a really cherished personal message from you and your family and not one that will be recycled by the New Year.

Pinnacle Systems knows that many people want a simple click and go with their video editing – which is exactly what you get with its Studio Winter Edition pack.

The three simple steps to follow are:

1. Easy Capture: You import your pictures and video footage which can be from a digital video camera, camcorder, mobile phone, a USB stick, a DVD, a CD - almost any storage device. You then open your Studio Winter Edition software and press the import button to select the pictures and videos that you’d like to make your Video Christmas Cards with.

2. Creative Editing: Once this has been done you simply drag and drop which pictures or footage you want into a timeline. The timeline is a simple bar at the bottom of the screen. You could start with images at the start of this year with the family celebrating the New Year, and have children or family members even calling out Happy Christmas or other personal greeting messages.

Then to complement your Christmas Video Card you can choose between different Montage templates such as `Christmas’, `New Year’ or `Presents’. The Montage templates feature seasonal images such as snowflakes and Christmas decorations which will ensure those receiving the Video Card are receiving a really special message this Christmas.

If you want your message card to be super simple you can let your PC do it automatically. The SmartMovie function included in the Pinnacle Studio Winter Edition does it all for you! After selecting your footage and images, choose a music style that you feel best fits your movie and then the software does the rest – no tricks, just Pinnacle magic – it really is as simple as it sounds.

3. Fun Sharing: Christmas is a very important time for sharing and being in touch with loved ones and friends. Once your video is ready you can share it with friends and family and wish them a Merry Christmas in a way that they’ll treasure forever.

You can send your Video Card in whatever way you want:

1. You can upload it on to You Tube – in a private or public mode – it’s up to you to chose; or to Yahoo Video.

2. If you’re sending it to Grandparents or those who do not have access to the Internet, then simply burn your video card onto a DVD and send it to them so they can watch your video card like a Hollywood movie in the comfort of their home TV.

3. For friends who have all the latest gadgets you can send them the video in a format that can be easily uploaded onto an iPod or Sony PSP – it can even be uploaded onto a mobile phone.

So for Christmas 2008 bring a smile to those you are sending your family greetings to. The Video Card will be a complete change and will delight your loved ones at this very special time of year.

Visit www.pinnaclesys.com to find out more on creating a really special Video Card that will also be able to be treasured for many years to come. For tips, tricks and techniques on all Pinnacle solutions, visit 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 Technology, Inc. is the world leader in digital nonlinear media creation, management and distribution solutions, enabling film, video, audio, animation, games and broadcast professionals 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. Digidesign, Avid's audio division, received an Oscar Statuette representing the 2003 Scientific and Technical Award for the design, development and implementation of its Pro Tools® digital audio work station. For more information about the company's Oscar®, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, please visit: www.avid.com.

© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. and its affiliates. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. All prices are US MSRP for the US only and subject to change without notice. Contact your local office or reseller for current or local prices. Avid, Film Composer, Pro Tools and Digidesign are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Pinnacle Systems, Pinnacle, the Pinnacle Pinwheel logo, Pinnacle PCTV, Dazzle, Pinnacle ShowCenter, Pinnacle Mobile Media and Pinnacle Studio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. and its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Apple and iPod, are registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple, Inc. . Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.