Discreet Logic's edit* Used for Hi-Tech 'Newsroom of the Future'

Discreet's Windows NT Nonlinear Editor Forms Core of Journalists' Convention Reporting

MONTREAL, - Discreet Logic's edit*, the Company's nonlinear Windows NT editor, produced video coverage for 1,310 journalists attending the Society of Professional Journalists' National Convention in Universal City, California, Oct. 21-24.

Discreet Logic joined other technology companies including Intergraph, Microsoft, Kodak Professional, Netscape, RealNetworks, Imagion and Associated Press to equip a state-of-the-art "Newsroom of the Future" that allowed journalists from across the country to test-drive the latest high-tech software and hardware. The real working newsroom was used by journalists to collect and report convention news using the latest digital tools that will soon be standard in broadcasting. The newsroom produced daily print, broadcast and online convention coverage. The edit* system has been provided by Discreet Logic's West Coast reseller Metro Video.

Dan Bolton, commented, "Discreet Logic's edit* was an essential part of a fully integrated newsroom. The system was easy to use and conventional enough to share the resources of an NT network, sharing digital assets with web, print and streamed products."

"During the convention edit* allowed an editor to utilize digital images and digital sound gathered by reporters with sophisticated devices to create a broadcast. In the Newsroom of the Future, edit* processed information from a pool of digital assets (graphics, photos, logos, charts, sound files) which news editors used to create several different presentations each day. These were transmitted via web, broadcast and audiocast," said Bolton.

Mahmoud Al-Daccak, vice president of products at Discreet Logic, commented, "edit* delivers the "turn-on-a-dime" capability that broadcasters need to get information on the air - fast. edit* is easily one of the most powerful, cost-effective systems to meet the demanding requirements of today's editors with an extensive and very fast editing toolset, including value broadcast features such as voice-over and direct capture to timeline, and no-compromise real-time performance and reliability."

The "Newsroom of the Future" operated continuously from Oct. 22 providing daily coverage in conjunction with INFOMART 98 in the main ballroom of the Sheraton Universal Hotel. The convention offered more than 50 panels and workshops, with sessions at both the Sheraton Universal and the adjoining Universal Hilton.

About Discreet
Discreet, recently named as Canada's third fastest growing company by PROFIT Magazine, develops advanced systems and new media software used in the creation of digital imagery and serve three key markets: visual effects, editing and production. Discreet products are used to develop imagery for video, broadcast, HDTV, the web, new media and feature films, including 1998 Summer blockbuster "ARMAGEDDON", and the 1998 Visual Effects Academy Award winners "Titanic" and "Independence Day."

For further information, visit Discreet Website at http://www.discreet.com.

SOURCE Society of Professional Journalists
Web Site: http://www.spj.org