Sony Unveils Powerful New Versions of Vegas and DVD Architect Software at NAB 2004

Sony announced today the availability of its new Vegas+DVD Production Suite of software tools, which includes Vegas 5®, DVD Architect 2 and a Dolby® Digital AC-3 Encoder software.

Sony Vegas® 5 software, the latest version of the award-winning non-linear professional video and audio editing application, now offers increased functionality, more specialized features and the most extensive audio upgrade to date. With advanced, real-time scalable production for SD, HD, HDV and other formats across unlimited tracks, Vegas software is the ideal application for professional DV, DVCAM™ and audio editing and encoding, and an overwhelming favorite among digital video and audio professionals who are looking for a single-platform solution for A/V editing and finishing.

"This program rocks," said writer/director/producer Steve Oedekerk (Bruce Almighty, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Nutty Professor, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls). "I've been using Sony Vegas software as my personal editing platform for years. With the new professional features, such as control surface automation, 3D planar compositing and network rendering, we're now experiencing the true convergence of simplicity meeting high-end production power."

The Vegas+DVD Production Suite is part of a full line of A/V software assets developed by Sony Pictures Digital Networks, a business unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Production Systems division manages the U.S. sales and distribution for the software products in the professional A/V, music industry, and government channels.

"Vegas software has evolved into one of the most comprehensive video and audio editing products in the industry and with the addition of the expansive new feature set for both audio and video production, the product's efficiency is now unrivaled," said Steve Banfield, senior vice president, technology for Sony Pictures Digital Networks. "Adding in the product's ability to more efficiently integrate with Sony's existing hardware and workflow solutions, Vegas 5 software is truly a force to be reckoned with in the professional media production market."

For the professional end-user, the integration of this feature-rich software with Sony's pro A/V equipment provides a nearly unlimited array of production options.

"Customers are looking for ways to streamline their workflows," said Bob Ott, vice president of Sony's Professional Audio and Video Group. "Their ability to now go to one source and have at their fingertips both software and hardware that takes them from content creation and editing through display accomplishes that goal."

New features in the Vegas 5 software include 3D track motion and compositing, keyframable Bezier masks, network rendering, transition progress envelopes, subtitle/text export to DVD Architect® software, Flash™ .swf import, ACID® software loop properties support, keyboard event pitch shifting, 5.1 audio plug-in support at the master bus level, film-style 5.1 surround panning, downmix monitoring, external control surface support, envelope automation recording, customizable UI's and keyboard mapping, media subclips, realtime A/V event reverse, support for external Sony hardware devices such as the DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000 video disk recorders and J-H3 HDCAM® player, and more.

New features for the DVD Architect 2 software include programmable end actions, subtitle creation and multiple audio track support, enhanced disk optimization tools, real-time external monitor playback via i.LINK® connector/IEEE-1394, Flash™ .swf import, support for 24P DVD encoding, elementary stream import, and much more.

As an added bonus, the Vegas+DVD Production Suite and Vegas 5 software will include a stand-alone version of Boris Graffiti® 3.0 LTD for enhanced 2D and 3D titling, along with Red Giant Software's Magic Bullet Movie Looks™ plug-in effect for Vegas 5 software that provides simulated film looks for digital video projects.

Availability and Pricing

The Sony Vegas+DVD Production Suite and Vegas 5 software will be available April 19. MSRP Vegas+DVD Production Suite: US $999.95; MSRP Vegas 5 software: US $699.95. More information can be found at www.sony.com/mediasoftware, including a complete list of the new features and a Vegas 5 software New Features Series publication available for download.

About Sony Pictures Digital Networks

Sony Pictures Digital Networks -- a division of Sony Pictures Digital -- is responsible for broadband video delivery and personal media software and services.

The Media Software and Services division manages the following media creation software titles: Sound Forge® software, Vegas® software, CD Architect™ software, DVD Architect™ software, ACID® PRO software, Loops for ACID™ music libraries, Sony Pictures Sound Effects™ Series, Noise Reduction™ Plug-In, Sony® Screenblast® Movie Studio software, Sony Screenblast ACID 4.0 software and Sony Screenblast Sound Forge software. The team also runs ACIDplanet® (www.ACIDplanet.com), a worldwide community for progressive musicians. For additional product information, please visit www.sony.com/mediasoftware.

Sony Pictures Digital Networks is committed to making information and entertainment available anywhere, anytime, on any enabled device. Sony Pictures Digital is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment. For more information please visit www.sonypictures.com.

About Sony Electronics

Sony Electronics is the largest component of Sony Corporation of America, the U.S. holding company for Sony's U.S.-based electronics and entertainment businesses. For more detailed product information, visit www.sony.com/professional. To find the nearest Sony authorized dealer or service location, readers can call 1-800-686-SONY. For additional press information and digital images, please visit Sony Electronics' news and information web site at www.sony.com/news.

SOURCE: Sony Pictures Digital Networks

CONTACT: Tom Di Nome of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-201-930-6357,
tom.dinome@am.sony.com; or Jonalyn Morris of Bender/Helper Impact,
+1-323-376-3632, Jonalyn_morris@bhimpact.com, for Sony Pictures Digital
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