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(TM), 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.
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] including LightWave [8] software for 895 €+VAT/UK RRP: £599+VAT(special offer valid through April 30^th). Registered owners of previous versions may also upgrade to Video Toaster[4] including LightWave [7.5] software for 495 €+VAT/UK RRP: £339+VAT(special offer valid through April 30^th). 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.

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- 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