Improvements for Integrated Production Suite now available as Free Download

San Antonio, Texas — December 29, 2004 -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today began offering VT[4](TM) Service Pack 1, an integrated production suite that provides a comprehensive toolset for all professional video production needs from network broadcast to web streaming. VT[4] 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.

"We are excited to release the first Service Pack for VT[4] so soon after the product launch. SP1 optimizes our product and adds new features at no additional cost to our customers," said Philip Nelson, NewTek’s Senior Director — Worldwide Video Marketing. "The new Color Match feature allows VT[4] editors to select color, contrast and other values from one clip and apply them to any or all clips in the project. This feature alone can rescue projects suffering from multiple camera shadings."

VT[4] is the prime technology used by ManiaTV!, which offers non-stop live cyber jockeys anchoring music videos, chat and online interaction. Mania TV! CEO Drew Massey says affordability was important, as was dependability.

"VT[4] has been flawless, it’s been bulletproof for us, with a system that’s very cost-effective." Massey is thrilled with the tight integration

of post and live production tools offered in this integrated production suite. "We’re 24/7. We’re leading the revolution, and the reason we are able to lead that revolution is specifically because of the technology provided to us by NewTek’s VT[4]."

VT[4] SP1 improves on the already extensive set of features for live and post production.

Some key additions and improvements in Service Pack 1 include:

New Features

• New Color Match Feature
• Audio clips can now be played back before conforming has completed.
• Separate audio files can be written from VT-Edit(TM) for each audio channel.
• Italics support for image layers in VT-Edit, and separate shadow layer.
• PRX (WindowsMedia profile) support in VT-Stream(TM).
• .DVD format supported (raw DV data files.)

Improvements

• DV camera includes VT[4] in the list of available applications that can use it.
• Selection of DV camera, launches VT[4] with the capture panel open.
• General improved performance across the board.
• Native reading of compressed DV audio from files is now optimized.
• Improved performance when displaying icons on large numbers of stills.
• VGA Screen capture updates alpha channel in real-time, allowing for improved DSK use.
• There is a "hard key" mode in addition to the default "soft-key" behavior.
• DDR, VT-Edit and File Bin scroll when you use the cursor keys to keep selection in view.
• Better error checking for DV.
• Improved legacy SX-8(TM) support, including support for version 7.2 breakout boxes.
• Many new TScript(TM) commands, including separate DDR controls
• Improved PAL composite Proc-amp settings.
• Major improvements to DV camera detection when plugged/unplugged.

VT[4] also offers built-in integration for a wide range of popular tools for film and television visual effects, including Digital Fusion®, After Effects®, combustion®, 3ds max®, and more. VT[4]'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. In addition, VT[4] includes a new VT Project Codec that lets any application that supports AVI files use VT project files with no conversion or rendering, allowing VT[4] to integrate into virtually any production pipeline.

For complete VT[4] product information see:
http://www.newtek.com/products/vt/index.php

Pricing and Availability

Video Toaster[4] LIVE! which includes the VT-[4] Pro I/O Card, SX-84 and the RS-8 is available now in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Africa at 5995 €+VAT/UK RRP: £3,999+VAT. VT[4] POST! which includes VT-[4] Pro I/O Card and softwares plus the SDI option is priced at 3995 €+VAT/UK RRP: £2,750+VAT. VT-[4] Pro I/O Card with softwares, with no LightWave 3D and no SDI option is also available for 3295 €+VAT/UK RRP: £2,299+VAT. Registered owners of previous versions may purchase an upgrade to Video Toaster[4] software for 995 €+VAT/UK RRP: £690+VAT. For information on your nearest NewTek Europe authorized reseller, see http://www.newtek-europe.com/uk/purchase/resellers.html

About NewTek and NewTek Europe.

Newtek Europe is based near Bordeaux, in South West France and deals with Newtek product distribution, communication and technical maintenance for all customers around Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East.

With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek, Inc. is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools including Video Toaster™ and LightWave 3D^®, winner of the 2003 Primetime Emmy^® Engineering Award.

NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary Video Toaster™. The company's products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film.

Recent television and film projects using LightWave 3D^® include "I, Robot", Spiderman 2, The Manchurian Candidate, Exorcist: The Beginning, Garfield, Hellboy, Van Helsing, Triplets of Belleville, The Last Samurai, Torque, Children of Dune, Battlestar: Galactica, Firefly, Taken, Smallville, Star Trek: Enterprise, Matrix Reloaded, Collateral Damage, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Agent Cody Banks, Daredevil, Spy Kids II, Oscar^®-nominated Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Final Fantasy, Blackhawk Down.

Recent game titles include Doom III, Burnout 3, Unreal Tournament, Serious Sam for XBox, Age of Mythology, Civilization III, Dead to Rights, Baldur's Gate II, EverQuest and Escape From Monkey Island.

Information about LightWave 3D^®:
http://www.newtek-europe.com/uk/products/lightwave/index.html

LightWave 3D^® artists interviews:
http://www.newtek-europe.com/uk/community/lightwave/index.html

LightWave 3D^® Projects List:
http://www.newtek-europe.com/uk/products/lightwave/projects.html

--End--

- LightWave and LightWave 3D are registered trademarks of NewTek.
- VT[4], VT[4] Live, VT[4] Post, VT[3], VT[3] Live, VT[3] Post, VT[2], VT-Edit, Aura Video Paint, LightWave Express, VT-CG, VT-Vision VT-Scope, VT-DDR, Tool Shed, Tool Chest, SX-84, SX-8, RS-8, LScript, Digital Confusion, HyperVoxels, Endomorphs, Intelligentities, Motion Mixer, Morph Mixer, HardFX, SoftFX, ClothFX, MultiMeshes, Particle FX, P.A.V.L.O.V., Skelegons, SkyTracer, and Vmaps are trademarks of NewTek, Inc.
- All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Press contact:

Audrey-Jane Belin
Marketing & Communication Department
mail to: aj@newtek-europe.com

Newtek Europe
Europarc
17 avenue Léonard de Vinci
F-33600 PESSAC
Tel:+33 (0)5 57 262 262
Fax:+33 (0)5 57 262 261
www.newtek-europe.com