NewTek Announces VT[4]™ Version 4.5

Software update to offer new features and optimizations as a free download

Las Vegas, NV – NAB 2005, Booth SL1949 – April 20, 2005 -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced the latest software version of its award-winning VT[4]™ Integrated Production Suite, providing a comprehensive toolset for all professional video production needs from network broadcast to web streaming. VT[4] version 4.5 provides real-time layering and effects for live video and graphics in most PC file formats and operates internally in uncompressed D1 component video, with composite, Y/C, component, DV or optional SDI output. NewTek's VT[4] includes integrated timeline and storyboard editing, paint, 3D modeling and animation, titling, keying, live switching and much, much more.

"After seeing the response when NewTek shipped TriCaster™, our portable live presentation system, we knew we had to migrate some of this new technology to the VT[4]," said Philip Nelson, NewTek's Senior Director – Worldwide Video Marketing. "The ability to add a remote PowerPoint to the switcher, and then send the switched output directly to projector is going to expand the capabilities of VT[4] producers."

NewTek is implementing several major new features into VT[4] version 4.5, covering new graphics, titling and output capabilities, as well as significant system improvements:

New Features

• LightWave 3D ® , version 8.3
• A re-designed character generator for live production
• Native XGA projector output
• iVGA adds external computer displays as a switcher input
• Smooth scaling of all sources for pristine output in any format
• An improved video codec that offers 5:1 compression and 4:2:2 color-space, exceeding DV quality

Improvements

• New drivers with increased stability and lower system overhead
• Faster loading of DVEs
• Improved switcher performance when using 3 cameras
• Improved PAL signal quality

VT[4] Version 4.5 also offers built-in integration for a wide range of popular tools for film and television effects, including Digital Fusion®, After Effects®, combustion®, 3ds max®, and more. VT[4] Version 4.5's frame buffer output for these applications provides artists with instant feedback on what their shots, graphics elements, and composites will look like when broadcast. VT[4] Version 4.5 also includes a Project Codec that lets any application with AVI support load VT[4] project files with no conversion or rendering, allowing VT[4] Version 4.5 to integrate into virtually any production pipeline. For complete VT[4] Version 4.5 product information see: http://www.newtek.com/products/vt/

Pricing and Availability
VT[4] Version 4.5 will be a free download for registered VT[4] owners, and retails at $395US.

For more information feel free to contact Matt Drabick at mdrabick@mindspring.com or phone at 919-790-5488. Visit www.digiteksys.com for detailed information about the TriCaster and VT[4].