Avid Technology announced that its Consumer division, Pinnacle Systems, Inc., is launching the next-generation Pinnacle Studio™ line of video editing software. Slated to reach store shelves in May 2007, the Pinnacle Studio 11 family is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of video enthusiasts with three products – Studio, Studio Plus and Studio Ultimate. The product family offers powerful video creation and sharing capabilities that address the latest consumer video trends, including support for new HD media types like AVCHD, the new operating system Microsoft Windows Vista™, and Web publishing for online video sharing.

Pinnacle Studio™ version 11
Designed to simplify video editing for entry level users or those who want to move beyond the capabilities of free solutions, Pinnacle Studio contains several automated and time-saving features that let customers archive their video memories or create entertaining movies in a few easy steps. The new one-click Web publishing feature enables users to quickly publish their videos to Yahoo! Video for public viewing, or they can upload to the Pinnacle Systems’ StudioOnline.com website private viewing service and invite an audience to watch their videos at the same time.

Pinnacle Studio™ Plus version 11
Pinnacle Studio Plus includes all of the intuitive features of Pinnacle Studio, and adds a host of advanced editing, effects and authoring options. The extensive range of features includes a complete HD workflow, with native HDV and AVCHD editing, and HD DVD disc burning. Users can burn discs on a standard DVD burner using standard DVD discs, and depending on the format, can play them on the latest HD DVD players.

Pinnacle Studio™ Ultimate version 11
New to the Pinnacle Studio family, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate combines Pinnacle Studio™ Plus with a selection of highly-acclaimed, fully integrated professional audio and video tools. Designed for the most serious video enthusiasts who demand more control over the quality and look of their video creations, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate includes BIAS Inc.’s SoundSoap™ audio cleaning tools, dramatic lighting and ‘film look’ effects from ProDAD VitaScene, precision Panning and Zooming with StageTools™ MovingPicture, and a Chroma Key green screen backdrop for easy-to-achieve professional results.

The Pinnacle Studio, Pinnacle Studio Plus and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate will be priced at MRSPs of $49.99 (about €36), $99.99 (about €73) and $129.99 (about €95) respectively and should begin reaching e-tail and retail store shelves in May, 2007. Upgrades from the Pinnacle Studio version 10 family to version 11 are also available for a fee.

The original press release can be found here.