One of the biggest changes that Microsoft introduced with Windows Vista was making Windows Media Center available to a wider audience. As a consequence to that, many expect Windows Media Center market pentration to be greater than ever before. To capitalize on this possible growth, Pinnacle Systems has announced a new lineup of PCTV Tuner Kits certified for Windows Vista. The new lineup consists of three products – two portable USB 2.0 digital and analog TV tuner kits (HD ATSC/NTSC or DVB-T/PAL/SECAM) and one analog PAL/SECAM PCI kit. All three new TV tuner products include an original full size remote control which works with Windows Media Center.

If you’re here in the US, then you’ll probably be concerned about the first product which is the PCTV HD Tuner Kit. Exact specifications are not available at this time but from what I can tell from the box, here are the main features:

  • USB 2.0 analog and digital TV tuner and remote kit
  • ATSC support
  • Watch, pause, record live TV and schedule recordings
  • Control all set top boxes with included infrared IR blaster
  • Control Windows Media Center with original remote
  • Plug and play solution

The tuner is designed for Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate Editions (since those two come with Windows Media Center). It will also work with Windows XP Media Center Edition.

The PCTV HD Tuner Kit will be available in March for an MSRP of $129.

 

Here’s the press release:

ADDING MULTIMEDIA New Pinnacle PCTV Tuner Kits A Must-Have For Complete Media Center Experience on Windows Vista

New analog and digital TV tuner kits enable PCs to function as full-featured televisions and digital video recorders

TEWKSBURY, Mass. –(Business Wire)– Jan. 31, 2007 Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID), today announced that its consumer division, Pinnacle Systems, Inc., has expanded its Pinnacle PCTV(TM) product family to include the Pinnacle PCTV Tuner Kits for Windows Vista. The new line includes three products: two portable USB2 digital and analog TV tuner kits (HD ATSC/NTSC or DVB-T/PAL/SECAM) and one analog PAL/SECAM PCI Kit. All three products include an original full-size remote control that enables consumers to access the entire range of popular TV, PVR and multimedia features of Windows Media Center.

Bringing Television to PCs Running Windows Vista

“About 60 percent of PCs sold in the U.S. in the last quarter of 2006 have been Windows Media Center PCs. With the introduction of Windows Vista, an even larger percentage will include the latest Windows Media Center feature set. But, only a small portion of those actually include a TV tuner,” said Jeff Hastings, Avid vice president and Pinnacle Systems general manager. “This is a great opportunity for Pinnacle to bridge the gap for consumers who want to get the most out of the great benefits that Media Center PCs offer.”

“We are thrilled to see an important industry partner such as Pinnacle announce its full support for Windows Vista,” said Liron Shaked, director of the Worldwide Consumer ISV Group at Microsoft Corp. “Combining the cutting-edge Pinnacle PCTV product family with the expanded capabilities of Windows Vista will enhance and enrich the television viewing experience for our mutual customers.”

With the Pinnacle PCTV Tuner Kits, consumers can watch, pause, and record live television and schedule future recordings using the Windows Media Center TV Guide. Additionally, the products include an infrared blaster, which allows users to connect to and easily control set-top boxes or satellite television systems.

The PCTV Tuner Kits for Windows Vista are fully certified and optimized for Windows Media Center included in Windows Vista (Home Premium and Ultimate Editions) and Windows XP Media Center Edition.

Pinnacle and Windows Vista

NOTE: This announcement of fully certified products represents a key component of Pinnacle’s strategy to begin offering Windows Vista-compatible systems at no additional cost in early 2007. As updates for other systems become available, Pinnacle will post complimentary patches or updated drivers on its website at http://www.pinnaclesys.com/vista.

Pricing and Availability

In North America, consumers can purchase Pinnacle PCTV HD Tuner Kit for Windows Vista starting in March through the Pinnacle Systems website (http://www.pinnaclesys.com), at major retailers, such as Best Buy and Fry’s Electronics, and also at e-tailers such as Amazon.com, Buy.com and TigerDirect.com. USMSRP is $129.

About Pinnacle Systems

Pinnacle Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., is an industry leader in video editing solutions, TV tuners for the PC, and digital media adapters for the consumer market. The company’s product lines include Pinnacle PCTV(TM), Dazzle(R), Pinnacle ShowCenter(TM), Pinnacle Mobile Media(TM) and its flagship Pinnacle Studio(TM) line. For more information, visit http://www.pinnaclesys.com.

About Avid

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. For more information about the company’s Oscar(R), Grammy(R), and Emmy(R) award-winning products and services, please visit: http://www.avid.com.

(C) 2007 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 USMSRP for the U.S. only and subject to change without notice. Contact your local office or reseller for current or local prices. Avid received an Oscar Statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design and engineering of the Avid(R) Film Composer(R) 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(R) digital audio work station. Avid, Film Composer, Pro Tools, and Digidesign are either a registered trademark or trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. 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. Pinnacle Systems, the Pinnacle Pinwheel logo, Pinnacle PCTV, Dazzle, Pinnacle ShowCenter, Pinnacle MediaSuite, Pinnacle Mobile Media, Pinnacle Studio and Pinnacle Studio MovieBox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. and its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. 

Porter Novelli on behalf of Pinnacle Systems
Mirka Janus, 408-369-4641
mirka.janus@porternovelli.com

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