Pinnacle launches new PCTV Pro USB
from an Avid Technology press release
Tewksbury, Mass. May 10, 2006 Avid Technology, Inc. today announced that its consumer division, Pinnacle Systems, has introduced Pinnacle PCTV Pro USB a new addition to its award-winning family of PCTV products that make it easier than ever for consumers to enjoy television content on their desktop PCs, laptops, or mobile devices. The new Pinnacle PCTV Pro USB product is a complete solution for people who want to use their computers to watch live TV, turn their desktop PCs into personal video recorders (PVRs), and enjoy their favorite TV shows whenever they want from virtually anywhere in the world.
According to data from The NPD Group, U.S. retail sales of TV Tuners for PCs increased by 29% in 2005 based on dollar volume. This presents a significant growth opportunity and Pinnacle has the right tools and expertise to capitalize on this trend, said Jeff Hastings, general manager of Pinnacle Systems. The concept of viewing TV on a computer is starting to catch on in the U.S. and our PCTV Pro USB product offers an easy way for people to begin watching television programs on their desktops, laptops and popular portable devices like the Sony PSP and Apple Video iPod. Were looking forward to serving this rapidly expanding market as PC-based TV-viewing becomes a more common practice in the U.S.
PCTV Pro USB is based on a USB 2.0-powered NTSC tuner that provides the reception of live TV as well as video capture from analog devices like camcorders and VCRs. Additionally, the PCTV Pro USB includes Pinnacle MediaCenter software, which allows users to watch, time shift, and record TV shows in MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX, and MPEG-4 formats that are compatible with most mobile devices including.
The PCTV Pro USB also includes a remote control for accessing Direct-to-DVD recording, CD/DVD playback, PC-based media files, Internet radio, and customizable channel lists. In addition, PCTV Pro USB offers an integrated Electronic Program Guide (EPG) for easy programming of TV recordings and Studio QuickStart video editing software for editing and enhancing home movies and recordings.