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NewTek Announces VT[4]™ Version 4.5

Las Vegas, NV – NAB 2005, Booth SL1949 – April 20, 2005

Software update to offer new features and optimizations as a free download

NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced the latest software version of its award-winning VT[4]™ Integrated Production Suite, providing a comprehensive toolset for all professional video production needs from network broadcast to web streaming. VT[4] version 4.5 provides real-time layering and effects for live video and graphics in most PC file formats and operates internally in uncompressed D1 component video, with composite, Y/C, component, DV or optional SDI output. NewTek's VT[4] includes integrated timeline and storyboard editing, paint, 3D modeling and animation, titling, keying, live switching and much, much more.

"After seeing the response when NewTek shipped TriCaster™, our portable live presentation system, we knew we had to migrate some of this new technology to the VT[4]," said Philip Nelson, NewTek's Senior Director – Worldwide Video Marketing. "The ability to add a remote PowerPoint to the switcher, and then send the switched output directly to projector is going to expand the capabilities of VT[4] producers."

NewTek is implementing several major new features into VT[4] version 4.5, covering new graphics, titling and output capabilities, as well as significant system improvements:

New Features

• LightWave 3D®, version 8.3
• A re-designed character generator for live production
• Native XGA projector output
• iVGA adds external computer displays as a switcher input
• Smooth scaling of all sources for pristine output in any format
• An improved video codec that offers 5:1 compression and 4:2:2 color-space, exceeding DV quality

Improvements

• New drivers with increased stability and lower system overhead
• Faster loading of DVEs
• Improved switcher performance when using 3 cameras
• Improved PAL signal quality

VT[4] Version 4.5 also offers built-in integration for a wide range of popular tools for film and television effects, including Digital Fusion®, After Effects®, combustion®, 3ds max®, and more. VT[4] Version 4.5's frame buffer output for these applications provides artists with instant feedback on what their shots, graphics elements, and composites will look like when broadcast. VT[4] Version 4.5 also includes a Project Codec that lets any application with AVI support load VT[4] project files with no conversion or rendering, allowing VT[4] Version 4.5 to integrate into virtually any production pipeline.

Pricing and Availability

VT[4] Version 4.5 will be a free download for registered VT[4] owners, and retails at $6795 (inc GST).

Newtek in Australia and New Zealand

NewTek products proudly distributed in Australia and New Zealand by New Magic Australia.

About New Magic Australia Pty Ltd

About NewTek

With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, live production, presentation and visual effects tools including TriCaster™, VT[4]TM and LightWave 3D®. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary Emmy®-winning Video Toaster®. The company's products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film. Recent projects using NewTek production tools include Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, ManiaTV, Battlestar Galactica, Children of Dune and The Final Cut. Clients using NewTek's video production products include In-N-Out Burger, Cracker Barrel, NBC, MTV, Paramount Pictures, Zoic Studios, FEMA, SBC Center – San Antonio Spurs, U.S Navy Reserves, Yale University Medical School and McDonald's.