Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2005

Registration No. 333-124475

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

AVID TECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)		   3861
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)		   04-2977748
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

Avid Technology Park
One Park West
Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876
(978) 640-6789
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

David A. Krall
President and Chief Executive Officer
Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid Technology Park
One Park West
Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876
(978) 640-6789
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:
Ethan E. Jacks, Esq.
Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid Technology Park
One Park West
Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876
Telephone: (978) 640-6789
Telecopy: (978) 851-7216		   Patti S. Hart
Melanie A. Sherk, Esq.
Pinnacle Systems, Inc.
280 North Bernardo Avenue
Mountain View, California 94043
Telephone: (650) 526-1600
Telecopy: (650) 930-2424

Mark G. Borden, Esq.
David A. Westenberg, Esq.
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
60 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Telephone: (617) 526-6000
Telecopy: (617) 526-5000
 
Gregory M. Gallo, Esq.
Diane Holt Frankle, Esq.
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP
2000 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, California 94303
Telephone: (650) 833-2000
Telecopy: (650) 833-2001

        Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement and the effective time of the merger of Highest Mountain Corporation, a California corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with and into Pinnacle Systems, Inc., a California corporation, as described in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 20, 2005, attached as Annex A to the joint proxy statement/prospectus forming part of this registration statement.

        If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.    o

        If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o  

        If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o  

        The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Avid may not issue the securities offered by this joint proxy statement/prospectus until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, Dated June 9, 2005

Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus

LOGO   LOGO

Dear Avid Stockholders and Pinnacle Shareholders:

        On behalf of the boards of directors of Avid Technology, Inc. and Pinnacle Systems, Inc., we are pleased to deliver our joint proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed merger of Avid and Pinnacle. Avid and Pinnacle believe the combined company will be a leader in the broadcast video and consumer video marketplaces that will be able to offer a full range of best-of-breed digital media solutions for professionals and consumers. We believe this merger will create a strong combined company that will deliver important benefits to its stockholders.

        If the merger is completed, Pinnacle shareholders will receive for each share of Pinnacle common stock 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash. Based on the number of outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock and options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on March 18, 2005, Avid expects to issue approximately 6.2 million shares of Avid common stock in the merger. Avid stockholders will continue to own their existing shares of Avid common stock. Upon completion of the merger, Avid stockholders will own approximately 85% of the combined company, and Pinnacle's former shareholders and option holders will own approximately 15% of the combined company. The shares of the combined company will be traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "AVID".

        Avid is asking its stockholders to approve an amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Avid common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000, which will provide shares for Avid's future corporate needs and enable the issuance of shares of Avid common stock in the merger. Pinnacle is asking its shareholders to approve the terms of the merger. The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus provides important information regarding Avid, Pinnacle and the merger. In particular, you should carefully consider the discussion in the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 12 of the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus.

        Avid's board of directors unanimously recommends that Avid stockholders vote FOR the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Avid common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000.

        Pinnacle's board of directors unanimously recommends that Pinnacle shareholders vote FOR the approval of the terms of the merger.

        We cannot complete the merger unless Avid stockholders approve the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation and Pinnacle shareholders approve the terms of the merger. Your vote is important.

        Avid stockholders are cordially invited to attend Avid's annual meeting of stockholders that will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the offices of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 12:00 noon, local time. Pinnacle shareholders are cordially invited to attend Pinnacle's special meeting of shareholders that will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel, 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California, at 9:00 a.m., local time.

        At Avid's annual meeting, Avid stockholders will also be asked to elect two Class III Directors, approve Avid's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Avid's independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.

David A. Krall
 President and Chief Executive Officer
Avid Technology, Inc.		   Patti S. Hart
 President and Chief Executive Officer
Pinnacle Systems, Inc.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the merger or the securities of Avid to be issued in the merger, or determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated June [    ], 2005 and is expected to be first mailed to Avid stockholders and Pinnacle shareholders on or about June 16, 2005.

LOGO


NOTICE OF 2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

        The 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Avid Technology, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the offices of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 12:00 noon, local time, to consider and act upon the following matters:

        Avid stockholders of record at the close of business on June 7, 2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at Avid's annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. At the close of business on the record date, Avid had outstanding and entitled to vote 35,236,229 shares of common stock. A copy of Avid's Annual Report to Stockholders for 2004, which contains information of interest to Avid stockholders, is being sent to Avid stockholders with this notice and the joint proxy statement/prospectus. All Avid stockholders are cordially invited to attend Avid's annual meeting.

  By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Ethan E. Jacks
 Secretary

Tewksbury, Massachusetts
June [    ], 2005

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND AVID'S ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IN ORDER TO ENSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES. NO POSTAGE NEED BE AFFIXED IF THE PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

LOGO


NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

        A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel, 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California, at 9:00 a.m., local time, to consider and act upon the following matters:

        Pinnacle shareholders of record at the close of business on June 7, 2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at Pinnacle's special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. At the close of business on the record date, Pinnacle had outstanding and entitled to vote 71,252,985 shares of common stock. Holders of Pinnacle common stock are entitled to dissenters' rights under the California General Corporation Law in connection with the merger if specific conditions are met. All Pinnacle shareholders are cordially invited to attend Pinnacle's special meeting.

  By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Scott E. Martin
 Senior Vice President of Human Resources
and Legal and Corporate Secretary

Mountain View, California
June [    ], 2005

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND PINNACLE'S SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IN ORDER TO ENSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES. NO POSTAGE NEED BE AFFIXED IF THE PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Questions and Answers About the Merger   1
Summary   5
  The Companies   5
  The Merger and Merger Agreement   5
Risk Factors   12
  Risks Relating to the Merger   12
  Risks Relating to Avid's Business   15
  Risks Relating to Pinnacle's Business   23
Avid Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data   34
Pinnacle Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data   35
Selected Combined Company Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data   37
Comparative Historical and Pro Forma Per Share Data   38
Market Price Information and Dividend Policies   39
  Avid Market Price Information   39
  Pinnacle Market Price Information   39
  Recent Closing Prices   40
  Dividend Policies   40
2005 Annual Meeting of Avid Stockholders   41
  Date, Time and Place of Meeting   41
  Purposes of the Annual Meeting   41
  Record Date and Outstanding Shares   41
  Voting and Revocation of Proxies   41
  Votes Required   42
  Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes   42
  Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses   42
Special Meeting of Pinnacle Shareholders   43
  Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting   43
  Purposes of the Special Meeting   43
  Record Date and Outstanding Shares   43
  Voting and Revocation of Proxies   43
  Votes Required   44
  Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes   44
  Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses   44
The Merger   45
  Background of the Merger   45
  Consideration of the Merger by Avid   62
  Consideration of the Merger by Pinnacle   70
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger   80
  Board of Directors and Management of Avid Following the Merger   84
  Ownership of Avid Following the Merger   84
  Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger   85
  Accounting Treatment of the Merger   88
  Regulatory Approvals in Connection with the Merger   88
  Nasdaq Listing of Shares Issued in the Merger   88
  Restrictions on Sales of Shares of Avid Common Stock Received in the Merger   88
  Dissenters' Rights and Appraisal Rights   89
  Delisting and Deregistration of Pinnacle Common Stock Following the Merger   92
The Merger Agreement   93
  General   93
  Merger Consideration   93
  Treatment of Pinnacle Stock Options and ESPP   94
     

  No Fractional Shares   94
  Exchange of Pinnacle Stock Certificates for Avid Stock Certificates and Cash   94
  Unexchanged Pinnacle Stock Certificates   95
  Transfers of Ownership and Lost Certificates   95
  Representations and Warranties   95
  Conduct of Pinnacle's Business Pending the Merger   97
  Alternative Transactions   99
  Shareholder and Stockholder Meetings   100
  Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance   100
  Regulatory Approvals   101
  Closing Conditions   101
  Voting Agreements   103
  Termination; Expenses and Termination Fees   104
  Amendment   106
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information   107
Information Concerning Avid   116
Information Concerning Pinnacle   117
Description of Avid Capital Stock   120
Comparison of Pinnacle Shareholder and Avid Stockholder Rights   125
Proposals for Avid's 2005 Annual Meeting   137
  Proposal 1: Amendment to Avid's Certificate of Incorporation   137
  Proposal 2: Election of Avid Directors   139
  Proposal 3: Approval of Avid's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan   161
  Proposal 4: Ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Avid's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   166
  Proposal 5: Approval of the Adjournment or Postponement of Avid's Annual Meeting   167
Proposals for Pinnacle's Special Meeting   168
  Proposal 1: Approval of the Terms of the Merger   168
  Proposal 2: Approval of the Adjournment or Postponement of Pinnacle's Special Meeting   168
Legal Matters   169
Experts   169
Where You Can Find Additional Information   169
Annex A—Agreement and Plan of Merger   A-1
Annex B—Agreement of Merger   B-1
Annex C—Voting Agreements   C-1
Annex D—Opinion of Piper Jaffray & Co.   D-1
Annex E—Opinion of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC   E-1
Annex F—Sections 1300-1313 of the California General Corporation Law   F-1
Annex G—Proposed Amendment to Avid's Certificate of Incorporation   G-1
Annex H—Avid Audit Committee Charter   H-1
Annex I—Proposed 2005 Stock Incentive Plan of Avid   I-1

ii

Reference to Additional Information

        This joint proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Avid and Pinnacle from other documents that are not included in or delivered with this joint proxy statement/prospectus. These documents are available to you without charge upon your written or oral request. Exhibits to these documents will be provided upon written or oral request and payment of an appropriate processing fee. To obtain documents incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, you can request them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses and telephone numbers:

if you are an Avid stockholder:
Dean Ridlon
Investor Relations Director
Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid Technology Park
One Park West
Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876-1234
Telephone: (978) 640-5309

if you are a Pinnacle shareholder:
Demer IR Counsel, Inc.
1981 North Broadway, Suite 265
Walnut Creek, California 94596-3827
Telephone: (925) 938-2678 extension 224
  
  
    

        If you would like to request documents, please do so by July 20, 2005 in order to receive them before your meeting.

        See "Where You Can Find Additional Information" beginning on page 169.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

        This joint proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management of Avid and Pinnacle. When Avid or Pinnacle uses words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "should," "likely" or similar expressions, Avid and Pinnacle are making forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of Avid or Pinnacle, including those set forth under the sections entitled:

iii

        These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:

        For a discussion of some of these important factors, you should read carefully the section of this joint proxy statement/prospectus entitled "Risk Factors." Avid and Pinnacle disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

iv


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER

Q:
What will Pinnacle shareholders receive in the merger?

A:
If the merger is completed, Pinnacle shareholders will receive for each share of Pinnacle common stock that they own 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash. Pinnacle shareholders will receive a cash payment, without interest, in lieu of any fractional share of Avid common stock that they would otherwise be entitled to receive.

Q:
How will the merger affect outstanding options to purchase Pinnacle common stock?

A:
Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each unvested outstanding option to purchase Pinnacle common stock will be accelerated in full, and each option holder will have the right to exercise his or her option in exchange for Pinnacle common stock. Shares of Pinnacle common stock issued in connection with any such exercise will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration described above. Each option to purchase Pinnacle common stock that is "in-the-money" but not exercised at the effective time of the merger will be automatically converted into the right to receive merger consideration equal in value to the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to such option multiplied by the difference between the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock and the exercise price of such option. Options to purchase Pinnacle common stock that are "out-of-the-money" and not exercised prior to the effective time of the merger will be canceled upon the effective time with no right to receive any merger consideration. For a more complete description of the treatment of options, see the section entitled "The Merger Agreement—Treatment of Pinnacle Stock Options and ESPP" on page 94.

Q:
When do you expect to complete the merger of Avid and Pinnacle?

A:
We expect to complete the merger during the third calendar quarter of 2005, but neither Avid nor Pinnacle can predict the exact timing.

Q:
Do the boards of directors of Avid and Pinnacle recommend approval of the proposals required to complete the merger?

A:
Yes. For a more complete description of the recommendation of Avid's board of directors, see the sections entitled "The Merger—Consideration of the Merger by Avid—Avid's Reasons for the Merger and Board Approval" beginning on page 62 and "Proposals for Avid's 2005 Annual Meeting—Proposal 1: Amendment to Avid's Certificate of Incorporation—Board Recommendation" on page 138. For a more complete description of the recommendation of Pinnacle's board of directors, see the sections entitled "The Merger—Consideration of the Merger by Pinnacle—Pinnacle's Reasons for the Merger and Board Recommendation" beginning on page 70 and "Proposals for Pinnacle's Special Meeting—Proposal 1: Approval of the Terms of the Merger—Board Recommendation" on page 168.

Q:
What vote of Avid stockholders is required in order for Avid to complete the merger?

A:
In order to complete the merger, Avid must increase the number of shares of common stock authorized under its certificate of incorporation. Avid's board of directors voted unanimously to recommend to Avid stockholders that Avid's certificate of incorporation be amended to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000. The purpose of this increase is to provide shares for future corporate needs, such as capital-raising transactions, stock dividends, stock splits, issuances under current or future stock plans and acquisitions, including the proposed merger with Pinnacle. In addition, Avid's board of directors voted unanimously to approve the merger. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Avid common stock is required to approve the amendment to Avid's

1

Q:
What vote of Pinnacle shareholders is required in order for Pinnacle to complete the merger?

A:
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock is required to approve the terms of the merger. Certain executive officers and directors of Pinnacle have agreed to vote the shares of Pinnacle common stock owned by them in favor of the approval of the terms of the merger. As of June 7, 2005, the record date for Pinnacle's special meeting, these officers and directors beneficially owned approximately 231,134 outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock, representing less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock.

Q:
What other proposals will be considered at Avid's annual meeting and Pinnacle's special meeting?

A:
Avid stockholders will consider and act upon the election of two Class III Directors, the approval of Avid's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Avid's independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year and the approval of adjournments or postponements of Avid's annual meeting if there are not sufficient votes to approve the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation. For a more complete description of these proposals, see the section entitled "Proposals for Avid's 2005 Annual Meeting" beginning on page 137.
Q:
What do I need to do now?

A:
Avid and Pinnacle urge you to carefully read this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including its annexes, and to consider how the merger will affect you. You also may want to review the documents referenced under the section entitled "Where You Can Find Additional Information" beginning on page 169. You should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and on the enclosed proxy card for your meeting.

Q:
How do I vote?

A:
If you are an Avid stockholder, you should indicate how you want to vote on your proxy card. You may also attend Avid's annual meeting and vote in person instead of submitting a proxy. If you are an Avid stockholder and fail either to return your proxy card or to vote in person at Avid's annual meeting, or if you mark your proxy "abstain," it will have the same effect as a vote against the approval of the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation. If you sign and mail in your proxy but fail to indicate your vote on your proxy, your proxy will be counted as a vote for the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation, unless your shares are held in street name. If your shares are held in street name, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted.

2

Q:
If my shares are held in a brokerage account, will my broker vote my shares for me?

A:
No, your broker cannot vote your shares on the proposal for Avid stockholders to approve the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation or the proposal for Pinnacle shareholders to approve the terms of the merger without instructions from you on how to vote. Therefore, it is important that you follow the directions provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. If you are an Avid stockholder and fail to follow the instructions provided by your broker, it will have the same effect as a vote against the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation. If you are a Pinnacle shareholder and fail to follow the instructions provided by your broker, it will have the same effect as a vote against the approval of the terms of the merger for all purposes other than perfection of dissenters' rights.

Q:
May I change my vote after I have mailed in my signed proxy card?

A:
Yes, if you are an Avid stockholder, you may change your vote at any time before the vote takes place at Avid's annual meeting. To change your vote, you may either submit a later-dated proxy card or send a written notice to Ethan E. Jacks at Avid Technology, Inc., Avid Technology Park, One Park West, Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876, stating that you would like to revoke your proxy. In addition, you may attend Avid's annual meeting and vote in person. However, if you elect to vote in person at Avid's annual meeting and your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring to Avid's annual meeting a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee authorizing you to vote the shares.
Q:
Should Pinnacle shareholders send in the certificates representing their shares of Pinnacle common stock?

A:
No, not at this time. After Avid and Pinnacle complete the merger, Avid's transfer agent will send instructions to Pinnacle shareholders regarding the exchange of shares of Pinnacle common stock for Avid common stock and cash. Avid stockholders should not submit their stock certificates at any time because their shares will not be converted in the merger.

Q:
What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to Pinnacle shareholders?

A:
The merger is intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the merger so qualifies, a Pinnacle shareholder will recognize gain, but not loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the lesser of (a) the excess of the sum of the cash and the fair market value, as of the effective time of the merger, of the shares of Avid common stock the Pinnacle shareholder receives over the Pinnacle shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares of Pinnacle common stock surrendered in exchange therefor and (b) the amount of cash the Pinnacle shareholder receives (excluding cash the Pinnacle shareholder receives in lieu of

3

Q:
What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to holders of options to purchase Pinnacle common stock?

A:
Each holder of an option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock will have compensation income equal to the sum of the cash and the fair market value, as of the effective time of the merger, of the shares of Avid common stock payable to the option holder in exchange for his or her option. Avid may withhold any taxes required by law to be withheld from any amounts payable to a holder of an option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock pursuant to the merger.

Q:
Are Avid stockholders or Pinnacle shareholders entitled to dissenters' or appraisal rights in connection with the merger?

A:
If you are an Avid stockholder, you have no dissenters' or appraisal rights in connection with the merger. If you are a Pinnacle shareholder, you are entitled to dissenters' rights under the California General Corporation Law in connection with the merger if the specific conditions set forth in the section entitled "The Merger—Dissenters' Rights and Appraisal Rights," which begins on page 89, are met.

Q:
Whom may I contact with any additional questions?

A:
Avid stockholders may call Dean Ridlon, Investor Relations Director, Avid Technology, Inc. at (978) 640-5309 or write to him at Avid Technology Park, One Park West, Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876-1234.

4


SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information from this joint proxy statement/prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the merger fully and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the merger, you should read carefully this entire document and the documents to which we have referred you. See the section entitled "Where You Can Find Additional Information" beginning on page 169.


The Companies

Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid Technology Park
One Park West
Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876
(978) 640-6789

        Avid develops, markets, sells and supports a wide range of software and hardware for digital media production, management and distribution. Digital media are video, audio or graphic elements in which the image, sound or picture is recorded and stored in digital values, as opposed to analog, or tape-based, signals. Avid's diverse range of product and service offerings enables customers to "Make, Manage and Move Media."

Pinnacle Systems, Inc.
280 North Bernardo Avenue
Mountain View, California 94043
(650) 526-1600

        Pinnacle is a supplier of digital video products to a variety of customers, ranging from individuals with little or no video experience to broadcasters with specific and sophisticated requirements. Pinnacle's digital video products allow Pinnacle's customers to capture, edit, store, view and play video, and to burn that programming onto a compact disc or digital versatile disc. For broadcasters, Pinnacle offers products that provide solutions for live-to-air, play-out, editing and news broadcasts. For consumers, Pinnacle offers low-cost, easy-to-use home video editing and viewing solutions that allow consumers to edit their home videos using a personal computer and view television programming on their computers. In addition, Pinnacle provides products that allow consumers to view on their television sets video and other media content stored on their computers.


The Merger and Merger Agreement

Stockholder Approval Required by Avid (Page 41)

        In order to complete the merger, Avid must increase the number of shares of common stock authorized under its certificate of incorporation. On February 16, 2005, Avid's board of directors voted unanimously to recommend to Avid stockholders that Avid's certificate of incorporation be amended to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000. The purpose of this increase is to provide shares for future corporate needs, such as capital-raising transactions, stock dividends, stock splits, issuances under current or future stock plans, including the proposed stock incentive plan, and acquisitions, including the proposed merger with Pinnacle. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Avid common stock is required to approve the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation. Certain executive officers and directors of Avid have agreed to vote the shares of Avid common stock owned by them in favor of the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation. As of June 7, 2005, the record date for Avid's annual meeting, these officers and directors beneficially owned approximately 223,815 outstanding

5


shares of Avid common stock, representing less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Avid common stock.

Shareholder Approval Required by Pinnacle (Page 43)

        The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock is required to approve the terms of the merger. Certain executive officers and directors of Pinnacle have agreed to vote the shares of Pinnacle common stock owned by them in favor of the approval of the terms of the merger. As of June 7, 2005, the record date for Pinnacle's special meeting, these officers and directors beneficially owned approximately 231,134 outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock, representing less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock.

Avid's Board Recommendation to Stockholders (Page 138)

        Avid's board of directors has voted unanimously to approve the merger and to recommend to Avid stockholders that Avid's certificate of incorporation be amended to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000, which will provide shares for Avid's future corporate needs and will enable the issuance of shares of Avid common stock in the merger. Avid's board of directors has determined that the merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, Avid. Avid's board of directors unanimously recommends that Avid stockholders vote FOR the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation.

        Avid's board of directors considered a number of factors in determining to approve the merger agreement and the issuance of Avid common stock in the merger and to recommend the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation. These considerations are described below under the sections entitled "The Merger—Consideration of the Merger by Avid—Avid's Reasons for the Merger and Board Approval" beginning on page 62 and "Proposals for Avid's 2005 Annual Meeting—Proposal 1: Amendment to Avid's Certificate of Incorporation—Board Recommendation" on page 138.

Pinnacle's Board Recommendation to Shareholders (Page 168)

        Pinnacle's board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and the merger. Pinnacle's board of directors has determined that the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Pinnacle shareholders. Pinnacle's board of directors unanimously recommends that Pinnacle shareholders vote FOR the approval of the terms of the merger.

        Pinnacle's board of directors considered a number of factors in determining to approve the merger agreement and the merger. These considerations are described below under the section entitled "The Merger—Consideration of the Merger by Pinnacle—Pinnacle's Reasons For The Merger and Board Recommendation" beginning on page 70.

Structure of the Merger (Page 93)

        If all of the conditions to the merger are satisfied or waived, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid will merge with and into Pinnacle. After the merger, Pinnacle will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid, and Pinnacle shareholders will become Avid stockholders.

6

What Holders of Pinnacle Common Stock Will Receive (Page 93)

        If the merger is consummated, each outstanding share of Pinnacle common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash. Based on the closing price of Avid common stock and the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on March 18, 2005 and assuming that no options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock are exercised prior to the effective time of the merger:

        The 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash that Pinnacle shareholders will receive for each share of Pinnacle common stock are fixed numbers. Regardless of fluctuations in the market prices of Avid or Pinnacle common stock, this number will not change between now and the effective date of the merger, but the value of the shares of Avid common stock to be received by Pinnacle shareholders will fluctuate with the market price of Avid common stock.

        Avid will not issue fractional shares of Avid common stock in connection with the merger. Instead, Avid will pay cash, without interest, for any fractional shares.

Treatment of Pinnacle Stock Options (Page 94)

        Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each unvested outstanding option to purchase Pinnacle common stock will be accelerated in full, and each option holder will have the right to exercise his or her option in exchange for Pinnacle common stock. Shares of Pinnacle common stock issued in connection with any such exercise will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration described above. Each option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock not exercised at or prior to the effective time with an exercise price per share that is less than the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock in the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash plus shares of Avid common stock. The value of the cash plus shares of Avid common stock received by the holder of an option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock will equal the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to such option multiplied by the difference between the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock in the merger and the exercise price of such option. Each option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock not exercised at or prior to the effective time with an exercise price per share that is equal to or greater than the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock will be cancelled without payment of any consideration. For the purposes of calculating the shares of Avid common stock and cash to be received by holders of options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock, the value of a share of Avid common stock will be based on the last reported sales price of Avid common stock on the Nasdaq National Market on the effective date.

7

Conditions to the Merger (Page 101)

        The completion of the merger depends on the satisfaction of a number of conditions, including:

        The party entitled to assert any condition to the merger may waive the condition.


No Solicitation by Pinnacle (Page 99)

        Pinnacle has agreed that until the effective time of the merger or the termination of the merger agreement, whichever occurs first, it will not, and will not authorize or permit any of its directors, officers, employees, affiliates or their representatives to, directly or indirectly:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Pinnacle and its board of directors may furnish non-public information to, and enter into discussions or negotiations with, a person or entity in connection with an acquisition proposal that is reasonably likely to lead to a superior proposal, as defined in the merger agreement, if Pinnacle's board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside counsel and financial advisor, that such action is necessary for it to comply with its fiduciary duties to shareholders.

8

Termination of the Merger Agreement (Page 104)

        Avid and Pinnacle can mutually agree to terminate the merger agreement without completing the merger. In addition, Avid and Pinnacle can each terminate the merger agreement under the circumstances set forth in the merger agreement and described below in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

Termination Fees and Expenses (Page 105)

        Avid and Pinnacle generally will bear their own expenses related to the merger. Avid and Pinnacle are each obligated to pay the other a termination fee of $15,000,000 if the merger agreement is terminated under specified circumstances set forth in the merger agreement and described below in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

Opinion of Avid's Financial Advisor (Page 64)

        In connection with the merger, Piper Jaffray & Co., or Piper Jaffray, Avid's financial advisor, rendered a written opinion, dated March 19, 2005, to Avid's board of directors that, as of March 19, 2005 and based upon and subject to the assumptions, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth in its written opinion, the consideration proposed to be paid by Avid in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to Avid. The full text of the written opinion of Piper Jaffray is included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D. Avid urges its stockholders to read the opinion in its entirety to understand the procedures followed, the assumptions made, the matters considered and the limitations on the review undertaken by Piper Jaffray in providing its opinion. Piper Jaffray's opinion is directed to Avid's board of directors and relates only to the fairness of the consideration to be paid by Avid in the proposed merger from a financial point of view to Avid as of the date of the opinion. The written opinion does not constitute an opinion or recommendation to any Avid stockholder as to how the stockholder should vote with respect to the proposed amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation.

Opinion of Pinnacle's Financial Advisor (Page 73)

        In connection with the merger, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, or Lazard, Pinnacle's financial advisor, rendered a written opinion, dated March 20, 2005, to Pinnacle's board of directors that, as of March 20, 2005 and based upon and subject to the assumptions, factors and qualifications described in its written opinion, the consideration to be paid to Pinnacle shareholders in the merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to Pinnacle shareholders. The full text of the written opinion of Lazard is included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E. Pinnacle encourages its shareholders to read the opinion carefully in its entirety for a description of the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and the qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Lazard in connection with its opinion. Lazard's opinion is directed to Pinnacle's board of directors and only addresses the fairness to Pinnacle shareholders of the consideration to be paid to Pinnacle shareholders in the merger from a financial point of view as of the date of the opinion. The written opinion does not constitute an opinion or recommendation to any Pinnacle shareholder as to any matter relating to the merger.

9


Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger (Page 80)

        In considering the recommendation of Pinnacle's board of directors, Pinnacle shareholders should be aware of the interests that certain Pinnacle executive officers and directors have in the merger. These include:

        In considering the fairness of the merger to Pinnacle shareholders, Pinnacle's board of directors took into account these interests. Some of these interests are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Pinnacle shareholders generally in the merger.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations (Page 85)

        The merger is intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the merger so qualifies, a Pinnacle shareholder will recognize gain, but not loss, for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the lesser of (a) the excess of the sum of the cash and the fair market value, as of the effective time of the merger, of the shares of Avid common stock the Pinnacle shareholder receives over the Pinnacle shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the shares of Pinnacle common stock surrendered in exchange therefor and (b) the amount of cash the Pinnacle shareholder receives (excluding cash the Pinnacle shareholder receives in lieu of a fractional share of Avid common stock). In addition, a Pinnacle shareholder should recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the cash the Pinnacle shareholder receives in lieu of a fractional share of Avid common stock and the tax basis allocable to the fractional share. Pinnacle shareholders are urged to read the information regarding the material United States federal income tax consequences contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully. In certain circumstances, including if the fair market value of Avid common stock at the effective time is below approximately $47 per share, the merger may not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, in which event a Pinnacle shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between (a) the sum of the cash and the fair market value, as of effective time of the merger, of the shares of Avid common stock received by the Pinnacle shareholder in the merger and (b) the Pinnacle shareholder's tax basis in the shares of Pinnacle common stock exchanged therefor.

        Each holder of options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock will have compensation income equal to the sum of the cash and the fair market value, as of the effective time of the merger, of the shares of Avid common stock the option holder receives in exchange for his or her option. Avid may withhold any taxes required by law to be withheld from any amounts payable to a holder of an option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock pursuant to the merger.

        This tax treatment may not apply to certain Pinnacle shareholders, and certain Pinnacle shareholders may be subject to taxes other than United States federal income taxes. Pinnacle shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the merger to them.

10

Accounting Treatment (Page 88)

        Avid will account for the merger as a purchase of a business, which means that the assets and liabilities of Pinnacle, including intangible assets, will be recorded at their fair value and the results of operations of Pinnacle will be included in Avid's results from the effective date of the merger.

Dissenters' Rights (Page 89)

        Under applicable law:


How the Rights of Pinnacle Shareholders Will Differ as Avid Stockholders (Page 125)

        The rights of Pinnacle shareholders as Avid stockholders after the merger will be governed by Avid's certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the laws of the State of Delaware. Those rights differ from the rights of Pinnacle shareholders under Pinnacle's articles of incorporation and bylaws and the laws of the State of California.

Avid Price Information (Page 39)

        Shares of Avid common stock are listed on the Nasdaq National Market. On March 18, 2005, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the proposed merger, Avid common stock closed at $62.95 per share. On June 7, 2005, Avid common stock closed at $57.12 per share.

Pinnacle Price Information (Page 39)

        Shares of Pinnacle common stock are listed on the Nasdaq National Market. On March 18, 2005, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the proposed merger, Pinnacle common stock closed at $4.97 per share. On June 7, 2005, Pinnacle common stock closed at $5.77 per share.

11


RISK FACTORS

Risks Relating to the Merger

Because Pinnacle shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash for each share of Pinnacle common stock that they own at the closing of the merger, if Avid's stock price decreases for any reason, Pinnacle shareholders will receive less value for their Pinnacle common stock.

        At the closing of the merger, each share of Pinnacle common stock will be converted in accordance with a fixed exchange ratio into the right to receive 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash. Accordingly, while the cash portion of the exchange ratio will not fluctuate, the then-current dollar value of Avid common stock that Pinnacle shareholders will receive upon the completion of the merger will depend entirely upon the market value of Avid common stock at the time the merger is completed, which may be lower than the closing price of Avid common stock on the last full trading day preceding the public announcement of the merger, the last full trading day prior to the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus or the date of Avid's annual meeting and Pinnacle's special meeting. Moreover, the completion of the merger may occur some time after approvals from Avid stockholders and Pinnacle shareholders have been obtained. The market price of Avid common stock has experienced volatility in the past, with a trading high of $68.35 and low of $40.90 on the Nasdaq National Market between January 1, 2004 and the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and neither Avid nor Pinnacle can predict or give any assurances as to the market price of Avid common stock at any time before or after the completion of the merger. Neither Avid nor Pinnacle may unilaterally terminate or renegotiate the merger agreement solely because of changes in the market price of Avid common stock or Pinnacle common stock. Any reduction in the price of Avid common stock will result in Pinnacle shareholders receiving less value in the merger at closing.

Avid may face challenges in integrating Avid and Pinnacle and, as a result, may not realize the expected benefits of the proposed merger.

        The successful integration of Avid and Pinnacle will require, among other things, integration of Pinnacle's operations, policies and personnel into Avid. Avid may not achieve successful integration in a timely manner, or at all, and Avid may not realize the benefits and synergies of the merger to the extent, or in the timeframe, anticipated. The diversion of the attention of Avid's management and any difficulties encountered in the process of combining the companies could cause disruption of the activities of the combined company's business. The inability to integrate the operations, policies and personnel of Avid and Pinnacle successfully, or any significant delay in achieving integration, could have a material adverse effect on the combined company after the merger and, as a result, on the market price of Avid common stock.

Customer, supplier, distributor and partner uncertainty about the merger or diversion of the attention of management of Avid or Pinnacle could harm the combined company, or the respective businesses of Avid and Pinnacle, whether or not the merger is completed.

        Existing or potential customers of Avid or Pinnacle may, in response to the announcement or consummation of the merger, delay or defer their purchasing decisions. In addition, customers and prospective customers could choose not to purchase their respective products or to reduce or eliminate current products because of perceived or actual conflicts of interest or doubts about the combined company's ability to provide products in a satisfactory manner. Furthermore, Avid and Pinnacle's respective suppliers, distributors and partners may experience uncertainty about their future relationship with the combined company and may limit their involvement with either company until or after the merger is completed. As a result, revenues that may have ordinarily been received by Avid or Pinnacle may be delayed or not earned at all. Additionally, the diversion of the attention of

12


management of Avid or Pinnacle due to the merger could cause disruption in Avid's business, Pinnacle's business or the combined company's business, whether or not the merger is completed.

The merger could cause Pinnacle to lose key personnel, which could adversely affect Pinnacle's business.

        As a result of Pinnacle's change in ownership, current and prospective Pinnacle employees could experience uncertainty about their future roles within Avid. This uncertainty may adversely affect Pinnacle's ability to attract and retain key management, sales, marketing and technical personnel. Any failure to attract or retain key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the business of Pinnacle or the combined company.

Obtaining required approvals and satisfying closing conditions may delay or prevent completion of the merger.

        Completion of the merger is conditioned upon Avid and Pinnacle obtaining required approvals and satisfying closing conditions, including:

        The requirement for certain governmental approvals could delay the completion of the merger for a significant period of time after Avid stockholders have approved the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation at Avid's annual meeting and Pinnacle shareholders have approved the terms of the merger at Pinnacle's special meeting. See "The Merger Agreement—Closing Conditions" beginning on page 101 for a discussion of the conditions to the completion of the merger and "The Merger—Regulatory Approvals in Connection with the Merger" on page 88 for a description of the regulatory approvals necessary in connection with the merger. No assurance can be given that these approvals will be obtained or that the required conditions to closing will be satisfied. Even if all such approvals are obtained and the conditions are satisfied, no assurance can be given as to the terms, conditions and timing of the approvals. Any significant delay in obtaining required approvals and satisfying closing conditions relating to the merger may result in continued uncertainty about Avid's business and Pinnacle's business among customers, suppliers, distributors and partners of each company, could cause continued distraction to management of Avid or Pinnacle or could otherwise increase the risk of the merger not occurring.

If the fair market value of Avid common stock at the effective time is below approximately $47 per share, the merger will not qualify as a reorganization and the holders of Pinnacle common stock will recognize taxable gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes on the entire portion of merger consideration received.

        Avid and Pinnacle intend that the merger qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, one of the requirements for a reorganization will not be satisfied, and the merger will not qualify as a reorganization, if the fair market value of Avid common stock at the effective time is below approximately $47 per share, assuming that the number of outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock at the effective time of the merger is the same as the number of outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock on June 7, 2005 and that none of Pinnacle's shareholders exercises dissenters' rights. If Pinnacle shareholders exercise dissenters' rights, even if the fair market value of Avid common stock is above approximately $47 per share, the merger

13


may not qualify as a reorganization. If the merger does not qualify as a reorganization, the holders of Pinnacle common stock will recognize taxable gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes on the entire portion of merger consideration received. See "The Merger—Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" beginning on page 85.

As a result of the merger, Avid will be a substantially larger and broader organization, and if Avid's senior executive team is unable to manage the combined company, its operating results will suffer.

        As a result of the merger, Avid will face challenges inherent in efficiently managing an increased number of employees over large geographic distances, including the need to develop appropriate systems, policies, benefits and compliance programs. The inability to manage the organization of the combined company effectively could have a material adverse effect on the combined company after the merger and, as a result, on the market price of Avid common stock.

Failure to complete the merger may result in Avid or Pinnacle paying a termination fee to the other. Such a failure could also result in a decrease in the market price of Avid common stock or Pinnacle common stock and cause each company to incur legal and accounting fees.

        If the merger is not completed, Avid and Pinnacle may be subject to a number of material risks, including:

        If the merger agreement is terminated and Pinnacle's board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, Pinnacle shareholders cannot be certain that Pinnacle will be able to find a party willing to pay a price equivalent to or more attractive than the price Avid has agreed to pay in the merger.

Avid may face challenges associated with sales of home video editing and viewing products to consumers.

        A significant portion of Pinnacle's revenues are derived from sales of its home video editing and viewing products to consumers. The market for these products is highly competitive, and Avid expects to face price-based competition from competitors selling products similar to Pinnacle's consumer products. Personnel from Avid's M-Audio business have experience in the consumer channel, but Avid's experience in consumer video is limited. In addition, sales of consumer electronics and software increase in the second half of the year, reaching their peak during the year-end holiday season. As a result, to the extent that following the merger a larger percentage of Avid's revenues are from the consumer channel, Avid expects to experience greater seasonality in its revenues.

If Pinnacle's former shareholders and option holders sell the Avid common stock received in the merger immediately, they could cause a decline in the market price of Avid common stock.

        Avid's issuance of common stock in the merger will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, those shares will be immediately available for resale in the public market, except that shares issued to Pinnacle's former shareholders and option holders who are affiliates of Pinnacle before the merger or who become affiliates of Avid after the merger will be subject to transfer restrictions under the federal securities laws. The number of shares of Avid common stock to be issued

14


to Pinnacle's former shareholders and option holders in connection with the merger and immediately available for resale will equal approximately 15% of the number of outstanding shares of Avid common stock currently in the public market. Pinnacle shareholders and optionholders may sell the stock they receive immediately after the merger. If this occurs, or if other holders of Avid common stock sell significant amounts of Avid common stock immediately after the merger is completed, the market price of Avid common stock may decline.

Some of the executive officers and directors of Pinnacle have interests that may have influenced them to support or approve the merger.

        Some of Pinnacle's executive officers and directors may have been influenced to approve the merger because of arrangements that provide them with interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Pinnacle shareholders generally in the merger. For example, as a result of the merger or other triggering events, Pinnacle or the combined company could be obligated to make cash severance and restricted stock unit payments to certain executive officers that, without giving effect to tax gross-up payments, could total a maximum of approximately $5.1 million assuming certain restricted stock units are valued at $5.77 per share, the closing price of Pinnacle's common stock on June 7, 2005. These arrangements are described under the section entitled "The Merger—Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger" beginning on page 80. Pinnacle's board of directors was aware of and took into account these arrangements when it approved the merger.


Risks Relating to Avid's Business

Poor global economic conditions could adversely affect demand for Avid's products and the financial condition of Avid's suppliers, distributors and resellers.

        The revenue growth and profitability of Avid's business depends primarily on the overall demand for Avid's products. If global economic conditions worsen, demand for Avid's products may weaken, as could the financial health of Avid's suppliers, distributors and resellers, which could adversely affect Avid's revenues and business.

Avid's performance will depend in part on continued customer acceptance of Avid's digital nonlinear editing products.

        Avid continues to introduce new digital non-linear products based on its Digital Nonlinear Accelerator architecture, including upgrades and enhancements to its Media Composer Adrenaline and NewsCutter Adrenaline systems, as well as Avid Xpress Pro with Avid Mojo and Avid DS Nitris hardware. Avid will need to continue to focus marketing and sales efforts on educating potential customers and Avid's resellers about the uses and benefits of these products. The future success of certain of these products that enable high-definition production, such as Avid DS Nitris, will also depend on demand for high definition content and appliances, such as television sets and monitors, that utilize the high definition standard. In addition, the introduction of new products involves other risks, including the possibility of defects or errors, failure to meet customer expectations, delays in shipping new products and the introduction of similar products by Avid's competitors. The introduction and transition to new products could also have a negative impact on Avid's existing products, which could adversely affect Avid's revenues and business.

The digital media business is large, widely dispersed and highly competitive, and Avid may not be successful in growing Avid's customer base or predicting customer demand in this business.

        Avid is continuing to enhance its status in the digital broadcast business and has augmented its NewsCutter product offering with the Avid Unity for News products, and other server, newsroom, and browser products. In this business, in addition to or in lieu of discrete point products, customers often seek complex solutions involving highly integrated components, including the configuration of unique

15


workflows, from a single or multiple vendors. Success in this business requires, among other things, creating and implementing compelling solutions and developing a strong, loyal customer base.

        In addition, large, complex broadcast orders often require Avid to devote significant sales, engineering, manufacturing, installation, and support resources to ensure their successful and timely fulfillment. As the broadcast business converts from analog to digital, Avid's strategy has been to build Avid's broadcast solutions team in response to customer demand. To the extent that customer demand for Avid's broadcast solutions exceeds Avid's expectations, Avid may encounter difficulties in the short term meeting its customers' needs. Meanwhile, Avid's competitors may devote greater resources to the broadcast business than Avid does, or may be able to leverage their presence more effectively. If Avid is unsuccessful in expanding within the digital broadcast business or in predicting and satisfying customer demand, Avid's business and revenues could be adversely affected.

A portion of Avid's revenue is dependent on sales of large, complex solutions.

        Avid expects sales of large, complex solutions to continue to constitute a material portion of its net revenues, particularly as news stations convert from analog, or tape-based, processes to digital formats. Avid's quarterly and annual revenues could fluctuate if:

When Avid acquires other companies or businesses, Avid becomes subject to potential events or circumstances that could hurt its business.

        Avid periodically acquires other companies or businesses. For example, in January 2004, Avid acquired NXN Software GmbH, a company that manufactures asset and production management systems specifically targeted for the entertainment and computer graphics industries, and, in August 2004, Avid acquired Midiman, Inc. (d/b/a M-Audio), a provider of digital audio and MIDI solutions for electronic musicians and audio professionals. The risks associated with such acquisitions include, among others:

16

        Such acquisitions often involve significant transaction-related costs and could cause disruption to normal operations. In the future, Avid may also make debt or equity investments. If so, Avid may fail to realize anticipated returns on such investments. If Avid is unable to overcome or mitigate these risks, they could adversely affect Avid's business and revenues.

Avid competes with many other enterprises, and Avid expects competition to intensify in the future.

        The digital video and audio businesses are highly competitive, with limited barriers to entry, and are characterized by pressure to reduce prices, incorporate new features and accelerate the release of new products. Some of Avid's current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, distribution, support and marketing resources than Avid does. Such competitors may use these resources to lower their product costs, allowing them to reduce prices to levels at which Avid could not operate profitably. Delays or difficulties in product development and introduction may also harm Avid's business. In addition to price, Avid's products must also compete favorably with Avid's competitors' products in terms of reliability, performance, ease of use, range of features, product enhancements, reputation and training. If Avid is unable to compete for its target customers effectively, its business and results of operations could suffer.

        New product announcements by Avid's competitors and by Avid also could have the effect of reducing customer demand for Avid's existing products. New product introductions require Avid to devote time and resources to training Avid's sales channels in product features and target customers, with the temporary result that the sales channels may have less time to devote to selling Avid's products. In addition, Avid's introduction of new products and expansion of existing product offerings can put Avid into competition with companies with whom Avid formerly collaborated. To the extent such companies discontinue their alliances with Avid, it could have a negative impact on Avid's business.

Avid's products are complex, and may contain errors or defects resulting from such complexity.

        As Avid continues to enhance and expand its product offerings, Avid's products have grown increasingly complex and, despite extensive testing and quality control, may contain errors or defects. Such errors or defects could cause Avid to issue corrective releases and could result in loss of revenues, delay of revenue recognition, increased product returns, lack of market acceptance and damage to Avid's reputation.

Avid has a significant presence in the audio business, and therefore the growth of its audio business will depend in part on its ability to successfully introduce new products.

        Avid's Digidesign division has a significant presence in the audio business, due in large part to a series of successful product introductions. Avid's future success will depend in part upon Avid's ability to offer, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new audio products and enhancements of Avid's existing audio products. This can be a complex and uncertain process, and Avid could experience design, manufacturing, marketing, or other difficulties that delay or prevent the introduction of new or enhanced products, or the integration of acquired products, which, in turn, could harm Avid's business.

        A component of M-Audio's business strategy is to expand into the highly competitive consumer channel, a sales channel in which Avid has limited experience. Historically, a significant portion of Avid's audio revenues has been derived from sales to professional musicians and studios. M-Audio is currently expanding its sales channel to include sales through the broader consumer channel. Members

17


of M-Audio's senior staff have experience in this channel, but Avid's overall experience addressing the consumer channel is limited, and the process of developing a channel for non-specialty stores and establishing Avid's products in these stores will be difficult. While Avid is not anticipating that a material portion of its revenues will come through the consumer audio channel in the near term, there are costs related to pursuing the consumer channel that are, to a large extent, fixed. As a result, Avid may be unable to adjust its spending in a timely manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall, which would harm Avid's operating results. Also, to the extent Avid increases sales of its audio products through the consumer channel, Avid expects to experience greater seasonality in sales of such products. Typically, sales of consumer electronics and software increase in the second half of the year, reaching their peak during the year-end holiday season.

Avid's use of independent firms and contractors to perform some of Avid's product development and manufacturing activities could expose Avid to risks that could adversely impact Avid's revenues.

        Independent firms and contractors, some of whom are located in other countries, perform some of Avid's product development and manufacturing activities. Avid generally owns the software developed by these contractors. The use of independent firms and contractors, especially those located abroad, could expose Avid to risks related to governmental regulation, foreign taxation, intellectual property ownership and rights, exchange rate fluctuation, political instability and unrest, natural disasters and other risks, which could adversely impact Avid's revenues.

An interruption of Avid's supply of certain products or key components from Avid's sole source suppliers, or a price increase in such products or components, could hurt Avid's business.

        Avid is dependent on a number of specific suppliers for certain products and key components of Avid's products. Avid purchases these sole source products and components pursuant to purchase orders placed from time to time. Avid generally does not carry significant inventories of these sole source products and components and has no guaranteed supply arrangements. If any of Avid's sole source vendors should fail to produce such products or to supply or enhance such components, such failure could imperil Avid's supply and Avid's ability to continue selling and servicing products that use these components. Similarly, if any of Avid's sole source vendors should encounter technical, operating or financial difficulties, such difficulties could threaten Avid's supply of these products or components. While Avid believes that alternative sources for these products and components could be developed, or Avid's products could be redesigned to permit the use of alternative components, an interruption of Avid's supply could damage Avid's business and negatively affect Avid's operating results.

        Avid's gross profit margin varies from product to product depending primarily on the proportion and cost of third-party hardware included in each product. From time to time, Avid adds functionality and features to its products. If Avid effects such additions through the use of more, or more costly, third-party hardware, and is not able to increase the prices of such products to offset these increased costs, Avid's gross profit margin on these products could decrease and Avid's operating results could be adversely affected.

Avid relies on third-party software for some of its products and if Avid is unable to use or integrate such software, its product and service development may be delayed.

        Avid relies on certain software that Avid licenses from third parties, including software that is bundled with its products and sold to end users and software that is integrated with internally developed software and used in Avid's products to perform key functions. These third-party software licenses may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms, and the software may not be appropriately supported, maintained or enhanced by the licensors. The loss of licenses to, or inability to support, maintain and enhance, any such software, could result in increased costs, or in delays or reductions in product shipments until equivalent software could be developed, identified, licensed and integrated, which would likely harm Avid's business.

18


Qualifying and supporting Avid's products on multiple computer platforms is time consuming and expensive.

        Avid's software engineers devote significant time and effort to qualify and support Avid's products on various computer platforms, including Microsoft and Apple platforms. Computer platform modifications and upgrades require additional time to be spent to ensure that Avid's products function properly. To the extent that the current configurations of qualified and supported platforms change or Avid needs to qualify and support new platforms, Avid could be required to expend valuable engineering resources, which could adversely affect Avid's operating results.

Avid's operating results are dependent on several unpredictable factors.

        The revenue and gross profit from Avid's products depend on many factors, including:

        Changes in any of these factors could adversely affect Avid's operating results.

Avid's international operations expose Avid to significant exchange fluctuations and regulatory, intellectual property and other risks that could harm Avid's operating results.

        Avid generally derives approximately half of its revenues from customers outside of the United States. This business is, for the most part, transacted through international subsidiaries and generally in the currency of the end-user customers. Therefore, Avid is exposed to the risk that changes in foreign currency could adversely impact its revenues, net income (loss) and cash flow. To hedge against the foreign exchange exposure of certain forecasted receivables, payables and cash balances of Avid's foreign subsidiaries, Avid enters into foreign currency forward-exchange contracts. The success of Avid's hedging program depends on forecasts of transaction activity in the various currencies. To the extent that these forecasts are over- or understated during periods of currency volatility, Avid could experience currency gains or losses.

        Other risks inherent in Avid's international operations include changes in regulatory practices, environmental laws, tax laws, trade restrictions and tariffs, longer collection cycles for accounts receivable, and greater difficulty in protecting intellectual property.

Avid's operating costs are tied to projections of future revenues, which may differ from actual results.

        Avid's operating expense levels are based, in part, on Avid's expectations of future revenues. Such future revenues are difficult to predict. A significant portion of Avid's business occurs near the end of each quarter, which can impact Avid's ability to forecast revenues on a quarterly basis with precision.

19


Further, Avid is generally unable to reduce quarterly operating expense levels rapidly in the event that quarterly revenues levels fail to meet internal expectations. Therefore, if quarterly revenue levels fail to meet internal expectations upon which expense levels are based, Avid's results of operations could be adversely affected.

Terrorism, acts of war and other catastrophic events may seriously harm Avid's business.

        Terrorism, acts of war or other catastrophic events may disrupt Avid's business and harm Avid's employees, facilities, suppliers, distributors, resellers or customers, which could significantly impact Avid's revenue and operating results. The increasing presence of these threats has created many economic and political uncertainties that could adversely affect Avid's business and stock price in ways that cannot be predicted. Avid is predominantly uninsured for losses and interruptions caused by terrorism, acts of war and other catastrophic events.

If Avid fails to maintain strong relationships with its resellers, distributors and suppliers, Avid's ability to deploy its products successfully may be harmed.

        Avid sells many of its video products and services, and substantially all of its audio products and services, indirectly through resellers and distributors. In Avid's audio segment, a few distributors account for a significant portion of Avid's revenues in that segment. The loss of one or more key distributors could reduce Avid's revenues. The resellers and distributors of Avid's video segment products typically purchase Avid software and Avid-specific hardware from Avid, and third-party components from various other vendors, in order to produce complete systems for resale. Any disruption to Avid's resellers and distributors, or their third-party suppliers, could reduce Avid's revenues. Increasingly, Avid is distributing its products directly, which could put Avid in competition with its resellers and distributors and could adversely affect Avid's revenues. In addition, Avid's resellers could diversify the manufacturers from whom they purchase products to sell to final end users, which could lead to a weakening of Avid's relationships with its resellers and could adversely affect its revenues.

        Most of the resellers and distributors of Avid's video products are not granted rights to return products after purchase, and actual product returns from such resellers and distributors have been insignificant to date. Avid's revenues from sales of audio products is generally derived, however, from transactions with distributors and authorized resellers that typically allow limited rights of return, inventory stock rotation and price protection. Accordingly, reserves for estimated returns and exchanges, and credits for price protection are recorded as a reduction of revenues upon shipment of the related products to such distributors and resellers, based upon Avid's historical experience. To date, actual returns have not differed materially from management's estimates. However, if returns of Avid's audio segment products were to exceed estimated levels, Avid's revenues and operating results could be adversely impacted.

Changes in accounting rules could adversely affect Avid's future operating results.

        Avid's financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. These principles are subject to interpretation by various governing bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission which promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting regulations. Changes from current accounting regulations, including changes in the rules regarding accounting for stock-based compensation, may have a significant effect on Avid's reported financial results.

Avid's future growth could be harmed if Avid loses the services of certain employees.

        Avid's success depends upon the services of a talented and dedicated workforce, including members of Avid's executive team and employees in technical positions. The loss of the services of one

20


or more key employees could harm Avid's business. Avid's success also depends upon Avid's ability to attract and retain highly skilled new employees. Competition for such employees is intense in the industries and geographic areas in which Avid operates. In the past, Avid has relied on its ability to grant stock options as one mechanism for recruiting and retaining highly skilled talent. If Avid's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan is not approved by Avid stockholders, Avid's ability to provide these incentives will be impaired. Even if Avid's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan is approved, changes in the accounting rules that will require Avid to expense stock options will impair Avid's ability to provide these incentives without incurring compensation costs. If Avid is unable to compete successfully for talented employees, its business could suffer.

If Avid fails to manage its growth effectively, its business could be harmed.

        Avid's success depends on its ability to manage the growth of its operations effectively. As a result of Avid's acquisitions and increasing demand for Avid's products and services, the scope of Avid's operations has grown both domestically and internationally. Avid's management team will face challenges inherent in efficiently managing an increased number of employees over larger geographic distances. These challenges include implementing effective operational systems, procedures and controls, as well as training new personnel. Inability to respond successfully to these challenges could have a material adverse effect on the growth of Avid's business.

Avid's websites could subject Avid to legal claims that could harm Avid's business.

        Some of Avid's websites provide information and services to Avid's customers. To the extent that materials may be posted on or downloaded from these websites and distributed to others, Avid may be subject to claims for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, personal injury, or other theories of liability based on the nature, content, publication or distribution of such materials. In addition, although Avid has attempted to limit its exposure by contract, Avid may also be subject to claims for indemnification by end users in the event that the security of its websites is compromised. As these websites are available on a worldwide basis, they could potentially be subject to a wide variety of international laws.

Avid could incur substantial costs protecting its intellectual property or defending against a claim of infringement.

        Avid's ability to compete successfully and achieve future revenue growth depends, in part, on Avid's ability to protect its proprietary technology and operate without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. Avid relies upon a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, as well as required hardware components and security keys, to protect its proprietary technology. However, Avid's means of protecting its proprietary rights may not be adequate. In addition, the laws of certain countries do not protect Avid's proprietary technology to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. From time to time, unauthorized parties have obtained, copied and used information that Avid considers proprietary. Policing the unauthorized use of Avid's proprietary technology is costly and time-consuming, and Avid is unable to measure the extent to which piracy of its software exists. Avid expects software piracy to be a persistent problem.

21

        Avid occasionally receives communications suggesting that its products may infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Avid's practice is to investigate the factual basis of such communications and negotiate licenses where appropriate. While it may be necessary or desirable in the future to obtain licenses relating to one or more products or relating to current or future technologies, Avid may be unable to do so on commercially reasonable terms. If Avid is unable to protect its proprietary technology or unable to negotiate licenses for the use of others' intellectual property, its business could be impaired.

        Avid also may be liable to some of its customers for damages that they incur in connection with intellectual property claims. Although Avid attempts to limit its exposure to liability arising from infringement of third-party intellectual property rights in its agreements with customers, Avid may not always be successful. If Avid is required to pay damages to its customers, or indemnify its customers for damages they incur, Avid's business could be harmed. Moreover, even if a particular claim falls outside of Avid's indemnity or warranty obligations to its customers, its customers may be entitled to additional contractual remedies against Avid.

Avid's association with industry organizations could subject Avid to litigation.

        Avid is a member of several industry organizations, trade associations and standards consortia. Membership in these and similar groups could subject Avid to litigation as a result of the activities of such groups. For example, in connection with its anti-piracy program, designed to enforce copyright protection of its software, Avid is a member of the Business Software Alliance. From time to time, the BSA undertakes litigation against suspected copyright infringers. These lawsuits could lead to counterclaims alleging improper use of litigation or violation of other local laws. To date, none of these lawsuits or counterclaims has had an adverse effect on Avid's results of operations, but should Avid become involved in material litigation, its cash flows or financial position could be adversely affected.

Compliance with rules and regulations concerning corporate governance has caused Avid's operating expenses to increase and has put additional demands on Avid's management.

        The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq National Market increased the scope, complexity and cost of Avid's corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices. These laws, rules and regulations also may divert management's attention from business operations, increase the cost of obtaining director and officer liability insurance and make it more difficult for Avid to attract and retain qualified executive officers, key personnel and members of Avid's board of directors.

If Avid experiences problems with its third-party leasing program, Avid's revenues could be adversely impacted.

        Avid has an established leasing program with a third party that allows certain of its customers to finance their purchases of Avid products. If this program ended abruptly or unexpectedly, some of Avid's customers might be unable to purchase Avid's products unless or until they were able to arrange for alternative financing, which could adversely impact Avid's revenues.

Avid's stock price may continue to be volatile.

        The market price of Avid common stock has experienced volatility in the past and could continue to fluctuate substantially in the future based upon a number of factors, most of which are beyond Avid's control. These factors include:

22

        Further, the stock market has experienced volatility with respect to the price of equity securities of high technology companies generally, and this volatility has, at times, appeared to be unrelated to or disproportionate to any of the factors above.


Risks Relating to Pinnacle's Business

There are various factors that may cause Pinnacle's future net revenue and operating results to fluctuate. As a result, quarter-to-quarter variations could result in a substantial decrease in the price of Pinnacle common stock and, after the merger, the price of Avid common stock, if Pinnacle's net revenue and operating results are below expectations.

        Pinnacle's net revenue and operating results have varied significantly in the past and may continue to fluctuate because of a number of factors, many of which are beyond Pinnacle's control. These factors include:

23

        Pinnacle also experiences significant fluctuations in orders and sales due to seasonal fluctuations, the timing of major trade shows and the sale of consumer products in anticipation of the holiday season. Sales usually slow down during the summer months of July and August, especially in Pinnacle's consumer business in Europe. Also, Pinnacle attends a number of annual trade shows, which can influence the ordering pattern for Pinnacle's products, including CEBIT in March, the NAB convention in April and the IBC convention in September.

        Pinnacle's operating expense levels are based, in part, on Pinnacle's expectations of future revenue. Such future revenue levels are difficult to forecast. Any shortfall in Pinnacle's quarterly net sales would have a disproportionate, negative impact on Pinnacle's quarterly net income. The resulting quarter-to-quarter variations in Pinnacle's revenue and operating results could create uncertainty about the direction or progress of Pinnacle's business, which could cause a decline in the price of Pinnacle common stock or, after the merger, a decline in the price of Avid common stock.

        Due to these factors, Pinnacle's future net revenue and operating results are not predictable with any significant degree of accuracy. As a result, Pinnacle believes that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of its operating results are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indicators of future performance.

If Pinnacle does not compete effectively against other companies for Pinnacle's target customers, Pinnacle's business and operating results will be harmed.

        Pinnacle competes in the broadcast, professional, business and consumer video production business. Each of these businesses is highly competitive and diverse, and the technologies for Pinnacle's products can change rapidly. The competitive nature of these businesses results in pricing pressure and drives the need to incorporate product upgrades and accelerate the release of new products. New products are introduced frequently and existing products are continually enhanced. Pinnacle anticipates increased competition in the broadcast, professional, business and consumer video production businesses, particularly since the industry continues to undergo a period of rapid technological change and consolidation. Competition for Pinnacle's broadcast, professional, business and consumer video products is generally based on:

24


        Certain competitors in the broadcast, professional, business and consumer video businesses have larger financial, technical, marketing, sales and customer support resources, greater name recognition and larger installed customer bases than Pinnacle does. In addition, some competitors have established relationships with Pinnacle's current and potential customers and offer a wide variety of video equipment that can be bundled in certain large system sales.

        Pinnacle's principal competitors for broadcast and professional customers include:

        Pinnacle's principal competitors for business and consumer customers include:

        The preceding lists are not all-inclusive.

        Increased competition in the business for broadcast, professional, business or consumer customers could result in price reductions, reduced margins and loss of market share. If Pinnacle cannot compete effectively for these customers by offering products that are comparable in functionality, ease of use and price to those of Pinnacle's competitors, Pinnacle's revenue will decrease and Pinnacle's operating results will be adversely affected.

25


Pinnacle incurred losses in fiscal year 2004 and the first three quarters of fiscal year 2005 and may generate losses in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005.

        In its fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, Pinnacle recorded a net loss of approximately $54.2 million, which included acquisition-related amortization charges, in-process research and development costs related to the acquisition of certain assets of SCM Microsystems, Inc. and Dazzle Multimedia, Inc., restructuring costs, goodwill and other acquisition-related intangible asset impairment charges, interest expense related to the DES earnout settlement, and a loss from discontinued operations.

        Pinnacle incurred net losses of $9.9 million, $6.9 million and $0.6 million during the first, second and third quarters of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, respectively, and may incur net losses during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2005. In the future, Pinnacle's operating results and the price of its common stock may decline if economic conditions deteriorate, Pinnacle's revenue grows at a slower rate than in the past or declines, its expenses increase without a commensurate increase in Pinnacle's revenue, or Pinnacle takes any additional restructuring charges or charges related to the sale of assets.

The sale of Pinnacle's Steinberg and Sports businesses may not result in the anticipated benefits for Pinnacle's operating results or shareholders.

        On January 21, 2005, Pinnacle completed the sale of its Steinberg audio software business to Yamaha Corporation for $28.5 million in cash. On February 4, 2005, Pinnacle completed the sale of its Sports business for $12.0 million in cash. Pinnacle believes that the sale of these businesses will enable Pinnacle's management to focus on its core businesses where operating initiatives may result in greater growth of Pinnacle's revenue and operating results. However, since many of Pinnacle costs, such as corporate infrastructure costs, are fixed, particularly in the short term, the sale of these businesses will not result in significant cost reductions immediately. Therefore, because the revenue that these businesses generated historically will not be repeated in future periods, Pinnacle's operating results will be adversely affected until Pinnacle's costs are reduced or revenue that Pinnacle derived from its Steinberg and Sports products is replaced by revenue from its remaining businesses.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on Pinnacle's business and stock price.

        Pinnacle is in the process of documenting and testing Pinnacle's internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of Pinnacle's internal control over financial reporting and a report by Pinnacle's independent registered public accounting firm addressing this assessment. During the course of Pinnacle's testing, Pinnacle has in the past identified, and may in the future identify, deficiencies which, despite the devotion of significant resources and management attention, Pinnacle may not be able to remediate in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for compliance with the requirements of Section 404.

        Moreover, the process of documenting and testing Pinnacle's internal control procedures is more costly and challenging and requires additional management resources due to the fact that Pinnacle is relying on outside consultants and has international operations, particularly in Germany. It is also difficult for Pinnacle's management to predict how long it will take to complete the assessment of the effectiveness of Pinnacle's internal control over financial reporting, which heightens the risk of unexpected delays in completing the assessment on a timely basis. Pinnacle faces additional challenges to its ability to satisfy the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner due to its pending merger with Avid, the completion of which is consuming significant resources and management and staff attention, particularly in Pinnacle's finance department. In addition, since the announcement

26


of the merger, Pinnacle has experienced an increase in the number of employee departures, particularly in its finance and accounting department.

        In addition, if Pinnacle fails to maintain the adequacy of Pinnacle's internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, Pinnacle may not be able to ensure that Pinnacle can conclude on an ongoing basis that Pinnacle has effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or Pinnacle's independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to render an unqualified opinion concerning Pinnacle's assessment and the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting. If Pinnacle fails to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment or Pinnacle's independent registered public accounting firm is unable to render an unqualified opinion, it could have a material adverse effect on investor confidence in Pinnacle's reported financial information, business and stock price.

Pinnacle may be unable to attract, retain and motivate key senior management and technical personnel, which could seriously harm Pinnacle's business.

        If certain of Pinnacle's key senior management and technical personnel leave or are no longer able to perform services for Pinnacle, this could materially and adversely affect Pinnacle's business and may result in certain payments to those managers. Pinnacle has entered into change of control severance agreements with certain executive officers that could result in the payment of certain benefits if management changes trigger benefits in accordance with those agreements. In the past Pinnacle has failed to retain key senior management and may do so in the future. Pinnacle believes that the efforts and abilities of Pinnacle's senior management and key technical personnel are very important to Pinnacle's continued success. As a result, Pinnacle's success is dependent upon Pinnacle's ability to attract and retain qualified technical and managerial personnel. Pinnacle may not be able to retain Pinnacle's key technical and managerial employees or attract, assimilate and retain such other highly qualified technical and managerial personnel as are required in the future. Also, employees may leave Pinnacle and subsequently compete against Pinnacle, or contractors may perform services for Pinnacle's competitors.

Pinnacle has recently experienced key personnel changes that could harm Pinnacle's business.

        Pinnacle has recently experienced several key personnel changes, particularly within Pinnacle's finance and accounting department. For example, during fiscal year 2005, Arthur D. Chadwick resigned from his position as Pinnacle's Senior Vice President Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. In addition, an accounting director and Pinnacle's Director of Audit Services resigned during fiscal year 2005. Pinnacle believes that the efforts and abilities of Pinnacle's senior finance personnel are very important to Pinnacle's continued success and Pinnacle's ability to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For example, Mary Dotz was appointed as Pinnacle's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 17, 2005. Ms. Dotz replaced Suzy Seandel, who served as Pinnacle's interim Chief Financial Officer since October 2004. Ms. Seandel continues to serve as Pinnacle's Vice President Finance and Accounting. In addition, key sales personnel in Europe and the United States have recently resigned. Pinnacle's future success is dependent upon Pinnacle's ability to attract new and retain existing qualified finance and sales personnel. Pinnacle may not be able to retain Pinnacle's key finance and sales employees or attract, assimilate and retain such other highly qualified personnel as are required in the future, which could materially and adversely affect Pinnacle's business. If Pinnacle loses the services of either Ms. Dotz or Ms. Seandel or is unable to recruit qualified new personnel to replace recent departures in the finance and accounting department, Pinnacle's business could be adversely affected.

27


In the past, Pinnacle has recognized a substantial portion of Pinnacle's revenue in the last month or weeks of a given quarter and may do so again in future quarters.

        Pinnacle's sales were relatively even throughout the first, second and third quarters of fiscal year 2003 and the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2004. However, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003, the first quarter of fiscal year 2004, and the first, second and third quarters of fiscal year 2005, Pinnacle recognized a substantial portion of its revenue in the last month or weeks of each quarter, and Pinnacle's revenue depended substantially on orders booked during the last month or weeks of such quarter. Pinnacle may recognize a substantial portion of Pinnacle's revenue in the last month or weeks of future quarters. This makes it difficult for Pinnacle to accurately predict total sales for the quarter until late in the quarter. If certain sales cannot be closed during those last weeks, sales may be recognized in subsequent quarters. This may cause Pinnacle's quarterly revenue to fall below analysts' expectations.

Since Pinnacle derives a large portion of its sales from foreign countries, it is subject to the risks of changing economic conditions throughout the world and foreign currency risks.

        During the nine months ended March 31, 2005, sales of Pinnacle's products by geographic region were comprised of the following: approximately 53.1% from Europe, 32.9% from the Americas, 9.9% from Asia Pacific and 4.1% from Japan. Sales of Pinnacle's products outside of North America represented approximately 62.0% of net sales in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004. Because Pinnacle expects that international sales will continue to represent a significant portion of its net sales, Pinnacle is subject to the risks of changing economic conditions in other countries around the world, which may harm Pinnacle's future international sales and, consequently, Pinnacle's business. In addition, Pinnacle makes foreign currency denominated sales in many, primarily European, countries. This exposes Pinnacle to risks associated with currency exchange fluctuations. Pinnacle expects that in fiscal year 2005 and beyond, a majority of Pinnacle's European sales will continue to be denominated in local currencies, primarily the Euro. Pinnacle has developed natural hedges for some of this risk since most of the European operating expenses are also denominated in local currency. As these local currencies, and especially the Euro, fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar, Pinnacle's sales, cost of sales, expenses and income may fluctuate when converted into U.S. dollars. While Pinnacle attempts to minimize these foreign exchange exposures by taking advantage of natural hedge opportunities and by continually assessing the need to use foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset the risk associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures, Pinnacle's operational structure is such that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates can impact and cause fluctuations in Pinnacle's sales, cost of sales, expenses, income and cash balances.

Pinnacle's international presence and significant foreign operations may subject Pinnacle to additional risks and governmental regulation.

        Since Pinnacle conducts business internationally, with sales to foreign jurisdictions representing a significant portion of its operations, Pinnacle may be subject to the following risks:

28

        In addition, Pinnacle has significant operations in Europe, where a large number of engineers for its consumer division reside. Pinnacle's management, which is principally located in the United States, may experience difficulty managing geographically disparate operations, such as in Europe, and may encounter challenges with respect to managing foreign workforces, nationalizing foreign assets, including intellectual property, and developing software in multiple foreign languages.

If Pinnacle's products do not keep pace with the technological developments in the rapidly changing video production industry, Pinnacle's business may be materially adversely affected.

        The video production industry is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions. The introduction of products embodying new technologies or the emergence of new industry standards can render existing products obsolete or unmarketable. For example, the broadcast business is currently undergoing a transition from tape-based systems to information technology-based systems. Demand for Pinnacle's products may decrease if this transition slows or if Pinnacle is unable to adapt to the next generation of industry standards. In addition, Pinnacle's future growth will depend, in part, upon Pinnacle's ability to introduce new features and increased functionality for Pinnacle's existing products, improve the performance of existing products, respond to Pinnacle's competitors' new product offerings and adapt to new industry standards and requirements. Delays in the introduction or shipment of new or enhanced products, Pinnacle's inability to develop and introduce such new products in a timely manner, the failure of such products to gain significant customer acceptance or problems associated with new product transitions could materially harm Pinnacle's business, particularly on a quarterly basis.

        Pinnacle is critically dependent on the successful introduction, customer acceptance, manufacture and sale of new products that offer Pinnacle's customers additional features and enhanced performance at competitive prices. Once a new product is developed, Pinnacle must rapidly commence volume production. This process requires accurate forecasting of customer requirements and attainment of acceptable manufacturing costs. The introduction of new or enhanced products also requires Pinnacle to manage the transition from older, displaced products to minimize disruption in customer ordering patterns, avoid excessive levels of older product inventories and ensure that adequate supplies of new products can be delivered to meet customer demand. In addition, as is typical with any new product introduction, quality and reliability problems may arise. Any such problems could result in reduced bookings, manufacturing rework costs, delays in collecting accounts receivable, additional service warranty costs and limited customer acceptance of the product.

Pinnacle is dependent on contract manufacturers and single or limited source suppliers for Pinnacle's components. If these manufacturers and suppliers do not meet Pinnacle's demand, either in volume or quality, Pinnacle's business and financial condition could be materially harmed.

        Pinnacle relies on subcontractors to manufacture Pinnacle's professional and consumer products and the major subassemblies of Pinnacle's broadcast products. Pinnacle and Pinnacle's manufacturing subcontractors are dependent upon single or limited source suppliers for a number of components and parts used in Pinnacle's products, including certain key integrated circuits. Pinnacle's strategy to rely on subcontractors and single or limited source suppliers involves a number of significant risks, including:

29

        As a result of these risks, the financial stability of, and Pinnacle's continuing relationships with, Pinnacle's subcontractors and single or limited source suppliers are important to Pinnacle's success. If any significant subcontractor or single or limited source supplier becomes unable or unwilling to continue manufacturing these subassemblies or providing critical components in required volumes, Pinnacle will have to identify and qualify acceptable replacements or redesign Pinnacle's products with different components. Additional sources may not be available and product redesign may not be feasible on a timely basis. This could materially harm Pinnacle's business. Any extended interruption in the supply of or increase in the cost of the products, subassemblies or components manufactured by third party subcontractors or suppliers could materially harm Pinnacle's business.

Pinnacle may be adversely affected if it becomes subject to intellectual property disputes or litigation.

        There has been substantial litigation regarding patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights involving technology companies. Companies are more frequently seeking to patent software and business methods because of developments in the law that may extend the ability to obtain such patents, which may result in an increase in the number of patent infringement claims. Pinnacle is also exposed to litigation arising from disputes in the ordinary course of business. This litigation, regardless of its validity, may:

        Any of these results could materially harm Pinnacle's business.

        In the course of business, Pinnacle has received communications asserting that Pinnacle's products infringe patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties. Pinnacle is currently investigating the factual basis of such communications and will respond accordingly. It is likely that, in the course of Pinnacle's business, Pinnacle will receive similar communications in the future. While it may be necessary or desirable in the future to obtain licenses relating to one or more of Pinnacle's products, or relating to current or future technologies, Pinnacle may not be able to do so on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. These disputes may not be settled on commercially reasonable terms and may result in long and costly litigation. In the event there is a successful claim of patent infringement against Pinnacle requiring Pinnacle to pay royalties to a third party and Pinnacle fails to develop or license a substitute technology, Pinnacle's business, operating results or financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In cases where Pinnacle may choose to avoid litigation and agree to certain royalty terms, the payment of those royalties could have a material impact on Pinnacle's financial results. The magnitude of such royalties would be even higher if they pertained to intellectual property contained within Pinnacle's consumer products since the volume and numbers of consumer products sold by Pinnacle have increased significantly during the last few years.

Pinnacle may be adversely affected if Pinnacle initiates intellectual property litigation.

        It may be necessary for Pinnacle to initiate litigation against other companies in order to protect the patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and other intellectual property rights owned by

30


Pinnacle. Such litigation can be costly and there can be no assurance that companies involved in such litigation would be prevented from using Pinnacle's intellectual property. In addition, such actions could:

Pinnacle may be unable to protect its proprietary information and procedures effectively.

        Pinnacle must protect its proprietary technology and operate without infringing the intellectual property rights of others. Pinnacle relies on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws and other intellectual property protection methods to protect Pinnacle's proprietary technology. In addition, Pinnacle generally enters into confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements with its employees and OEM customers and limits access to, and distribution of, Pinnacle's proprietary technology. These steps may not adequately protect Pinnacle's proprietary information or give Pinnacle any competitive advantage. Others may independently develop substantially equivalent intellectual property, otherwise gain access to Pinnacle's trade secrets or intellectual property or disclose such intellectual property or trade secrets. Additionally, policing the unauthorized use of Pinnacle's proprietary technology is costly and time-consuming, and software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem. If Pinnacle is unable to protect Pinnacle's intellectual property, Pinnacle's business could be materially harmed.

Pinnacle relies on independent distributors, dealers, VARs, OEMs and retail chains to market, sell and distribute many of Pinnacle's products. In turn, Pinnacle depends heavily on the success of these resellers. If these resellers are not successful in selling Pinnacle's products or if Pinnacle is not successful in opening up new distribution channels, Pinnacle's financial performance will be negatively affected.

        A significant portion of Pinnacle's sales are sourced, developed and closed through independent distributors, dealers, VARs, OEMs and retail chains. Pinnacle believes that these resellers have a substantial influence on customer purchase decisions, especially purchase decisions by large enterprise customers. These resellers may not effectively promote or market Pinnacle's products or may experience financial difficulties or even close operations. In addition, Pinnacle's dealers and retailers are not contractually obligated to sell Pinnacle's products. Therefore, they may, at any time, refuse to promote or distribute Pinnacle's products. Also, since many of Pinnacle's distribution arrangements are non-exclusive, Pinnacle's resellers may carry Pinnacle's competitors' products and could discontinue Pinnacle's products in favor of Pinnacle's competitors' products. Pinnacle also relies on certain information provided to Pinnacle by several of Pinnacle's distributors and retail chains to recognize revenue on a quarterly basis.

        Also, since these distribution channels exist between Pinnacle and the actual end users, Pinnacle may not be able to gauge current demand for products accurately and anticipate demand for newly introduced products. For example, dealers may place large initial orders for a new product based on their forecasted demand, which may or may not materialize.

        With respect to consumer product offerings, Pinnacle has expanded its distribution network to include several consumer channels, including large distributors of products to computer software and hardware retailers, which in turn sell products to end users. Pinnacle also sells its consumer products

31


directly to certain retailers. Pinnacle's consumer product distribution network exposes Pinnacle to the following risks, some of which are out of Pinnacle's control:

        As a result of these risks, Pinnacle could experience unforeseen variability in its revenue and operating results.

When Pinnacle accounts for employee stock options using the fair value method, Pinnacle's net loss could significantly increase.

        In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment", or SFAS 123R, which replaces SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," or SFAS 123, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." As modified by SEC Press Release 2005-57, SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values beginning with the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. Pinnacle is required to adopt SFAS 123R for fiscal year 2006, beginning July 1, 2005. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS 123 no longer will be an alternative to financial statement recognition. As a result, beginning on July 1, 2005, Pinnacle will be required to record an expense for its stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method as described in SFAS 123R, which could significantly increase Pinnacle's net loss.

Compliance with new rules and regulations concerning corporate governance may be costly and time consuming.

        The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that companies adopt new corporate governance measures and impose comprehensive reporting and disclosure requirements, set stricter independence and financial expertise standards for members of boards of directors and audit committees and imposes increased civil and criminal penalties for companies, their chief executive officers and chief financial officers for securities law violations. In addition, the Nasdaq National Market, on which Pinnacle common stock is traded, has adopted additional comprehensive rules and regulations relating to corporate governance. These laws, rules and regulations will increase the scope, complexity and cost of Pinnacle's corporate governance, reporting and disclosure practices, which could harm Pinnacle's results of operations and divert management's attention from business operations. These new rules and regulations may also make it more difficult and more expensive for Pinnacle to obtain director and officer liability insurance and make it more difficult for Pinnacle to attract and retain qualified members of Pinnacle's board of directors, particularly members willing to serve on Pinnacle's audit committee.

Pinnacle's goodwill and other intangible assets may become impaired, rendering their carrying amounts unrecoverable, and, as a result, Pinnacle may be required to record a substantial impairment charge that would adversely affect Pinnacle's financial position.

        In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 142, "Goodwill and Intangibles," or SFAS No. 142, Pinnacle evaluates, on an annual basis, or whenever significant events or changes occur in Pinnacle's business, whether its goodwill has been impaired. Pinnacle has chosen the

32


first quarter of each fiscal year, which ends on September 30, as the period of the annual impairment test.

        In the quarter ended December 31, 2004, certain events triggered an interim impairment analysis of goodwill as required by SFAS No. 142. As a result, in the quarter ended December 31, 2004, Pinnacle concluded that Pinnacle's goodwill was impaired and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $1.3 million for one of its reporting units during the quarter ended December 31, 2004.

        If Pinnacle determines that its goodwill has been impaired in future quarters, Pinnacle will be required to record impairment charges that may be substantial and would adversely affect its financial position and operating results.

Pinnacle may need additional capital in the future to support Pinnacle's growth, and such additional funds may not be available to Pinnacle.

        Pinnacle intends to expend substantial funds for capital expenditures and working capital related to Pinnacle's future expected net loss, new information technology systems, restructuring, and other working capital and general corporate purposes. Although Pinnacle believes its existing cash, cash equivalents and cash flow anticipated to be generated by future operations will be sufficient to meet Pinnacle's operating requirements for the next 12 months, Pinnacle may be required to seek additional financing within this period.

        If Pinnacle needs additional capital in the future, Pinnacle may seek to raise additional funds through public or private financing, or other arrangements. Any additional equity or debt financing may be dilutive to existing Pinnacle shareholders or have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of existing Pinnacle shareholders. If Pinnacle raises additional capital through borrowings, the terms of such borrowings may impose limitations on how Pinnacle's management may operate the business in the future. Pinnacle's failure to raise capital on acceptable terms when needed could prevent Pinnacle from developing Pinnacle's products and its business.

Pinnacle has made use of a device to limit the possibility that Pinnacle is acquired, which may mean that a transaction that shareholders are in favor of or are benefited by may be prevented.

        Pinnacle's board of directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such shares without any further vote or action by Pinnacle's shareholders. To date, Pinnacle's board of directors has designated 25,000 shares as Series A participating preferred stock in connection with Pinnacle's anti-takeover plan. The issuance of preferred stock under certain circumstances could have the effect of delaying or preventing an acquisition of Pinnacle or otherwise adversely affecting the rights of Pinnacle shareholders. The anti-takeover plan may have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging an acquisition of Pinnacle that is deemed undesirable by Pinnacle's board of directors. The anti-takeover plan may cause substantial dilution to a person or group attempting to acquire Pinnacle on terms or in a manner not approved by Pinnacle's board of directors, except pursuant to an offer conditioned on the negation, purchase or redemption of the rights issued under the anti-takeover plan. While Pinnacle's board of directors has amended its anti-takeover plan to permit the Avid merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement without triggering any distribution or adverse event under the anti-takeover plan, the anti-takeover plan may nonetheless limit the possibility for other transactions that Pinnacle shareholders may favor or by which they may be benefited.

33


AVID SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following tables set forth selected condensed consolidated financial data of Avid Technology, Inc. for the five years ended December 31, 2004, which are derived from Avid's audited consolidated financial statements. The tables also set forth selected condensed consolidated financial data of Avid as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, which are derived from Avid's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ended December 31, 2005. The financial data below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Avid's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and in Avid's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and Avid's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find Additional Information" beginning on page 169.

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

 
   For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
   For the Year Ended December 31,
  
 
   2005
   2004
   2004
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
  
 
   (in thousands, except per share data)

  
Net revenues   $ 166,001   $ 127,374   $ 589,605   $ 471,912   $ 418,719   $ 434,638   $ 476,090  
Cost of revenues     71,248     54,103     255,496     209,373     207,236     213,572     234,424  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Gross profit     94,753     73,271     334,109     262,539     211,483     221,066     241,666  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:                                            
  Research and development     24,679     22,292     94,940     85,552     82,346     86,140     82,900  
  Marketing and selling     39,647     29,854     135,811     109,704     100,761     113,053     119,469  
  General and administrative     8,497     5,886     29,780     23,208     19,819     23,313     27,504  
  Restructuring and other costs, net     —     —     —     3,194     2,923     8,268     —  
  Amortization of intangible assets     1,592     439     3,641     1,316     1,153     31,168     66,872  
  Impairment of intangible assets     —     —     1,187     —     —     —     —  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses     74,415     58,471     265,359     222,974     207,002     261,942     296,745  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)     20,338     14,800     68,750     39,565     4,481     (40,876 )   (55,079 )
Other income, net     837     (560 )   1,339     1,874     218     5,529     3,730  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes     21,175     14,240     70,089     41,439     4,699     (35,347 )   (51,349 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes     1,429     (500 )   (1,612 )   550     1,700     2,800     5,000  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   $ 19,746   $ 14,740   $ 71,701   $ 40,889   $ 2,999   $ (38,147 ) $ (56,349 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per common share—basic   $ 0.56   $ 0.47   $ 2.21   $ 1.40   $ 0.11   $ (1.49 ) $ (2.28 )
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted   $ 0.53   $ 0.44   $ 2.05   $ 1.25   $ 0.11   $ (1.49 ) $ (2.28 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic     34,987     31,202     32,485     29,192     26,306     25,609     24,683  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted     37,263     33,740     35,003     32,653     26,860     25,609     24,683  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

 
    
   As of December 31,
 
   As of March 31,
2005
 
   2004
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
 
   (in thousands)
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities   $ 176,192   $ 155,419   $ 196,309   $ 89,034   $ 72,961   $ 83,206
Working capital     201,771     176,384     196,605     94,130     85,490     96,585
Total assets     594,418     576,234     348,119     235,803     215,806     266,482
Long-term debt and other liabilities     1,569     1,689     607     1,427     13,020     13,449
Total stockholders' equity     449,658     424,621     227,105     123,564     104,758     137,850

34


PINNACLE SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following tables set forth selected condensed consolidated financial data of Pinnacle Systems, Inc. for the five years ended June 30, 2004. The financial data are derived from Pinnacle's audited consolidated financial statements, including the audited revised financial statements set forth in Pinnacle's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 7, 2005, which were revised to reclassify and separately present Pinnacle's Sports and Steinberg businesses as discontinued operations for all applicable historical periods. The tables also set forth selected condensed consolidated financial data of Pinnacle as of and for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, which are derived from Pinnacle's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Pinnacle's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the three months ended March 31, 2005, which are presented on a basis consistent with the financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2004 included in Pinnacle's Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed by Pinnacle on June 7, 2005. Operating results for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ending June 30, 2005. The financial data below should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Pinnacle's Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 7, 2005 and in Pinnacle's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the three months ended March 31, 2005, and the audited and unaudited financial statements and notes thereto, incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find Additional Information" beginning on page 169.

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

 
   Nine Months Ended
March 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
 
   2005
   2004
   2004
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
 
   (in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales   $ 212,568   $ 220,763   $ 295,658   $ 300,996   $ 216,238   $ 228,346   $ 228,704
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:                                          
  Cost of sales     118,206     130,180     158,688     142,399     108,105     131,651     110,032
  Engineering and product development     24,036     27,591     36,916     34,109     28,872     31,743     27,676
  Sales, marketing and service     55,420     61,821     93,387     83,956     67,247     60,855     54,589
  General and administrative     19,984     17,567     22,025     19,019     15,607     13,711     10,537
  Amortization of goodwill     —     —     —     —     12,569     8,897     6,982
  Amortization of other intangible assets     2,544     3,883     4,861     5,579     10,606     9,881     10,147
  Impairment of goodwill     1,310     5,950     12,311     —     —     —     —
  Restructuring costs     5,597     3,640     3,640     —     —     —     —
  Transaction costs     2,752     —     —     —     —     —     —
  In-process research and development     —     2,193     2,193     —     —     —     3,500
  Legal settlement     —     —     —     —     —     —     2,102
  Acquisition settlement     —     —     —     —     —     12,880     —
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Total costs and expenses     229,849     252,825     334,021     285,062     243,006     269,618     225,565
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Operating income (loss)     (17,281 )   (32,062 )   (38,363 )   15,934     (26,768 )   (41,272 )   3,139
Interest and other income (expense), net     1,276     1,515     1,679     2,601     2,208     1,838     3,403
Impairment of equity investments     —     —     —     —     —     (1,658 )   —
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle     (16,005 )   (30,547 )   (36,684 )   18,535     (24,560 )   (41,092 )   6,542
Income tax expense     2,854     2,938     4,721     3,220     5,478     7,616     373
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle     (18,859 )   (33,485 )   (41,405 )   15,315     (30,038 )   (48,708 )   6,169
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

35

Discontinued operations:                                          
  Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes     1,454     (9,641 )   (5,968 )   (17,885 )   (10,045 )   (11,484 )   1,418
  Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes     —     —     (6,820 )   —     —     —     —
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations     1,454     (9,641 )   (12,788 )   (17,885 )   (10,045 )   (11,484 )   1,418
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle     (17,405 )   (43,126 )   (54,193 )   (2,570 )   (40,083 )   (60,192 )   7,587
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle     —     —     —     (19,291 )   —     (356 )   —
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   $ (17,405 ) $ (43,126 ) $ (54,193 ) $ (21,861 ) $ (40,083 ) $ (60,548 ) $ 7,587
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle:                                          
  Basic   $ (0.27 ) $ (0.50 ) $ (0.62 ) $ 0.25   $ (0.53 ) $ (0.94 ) $ 0.13
  Diluted   $ (0.27 ) $ (0.50 ) $ (0.62 ) $ 0.24   $ (0.53 ) $ (0.94 ) $ 0.11
Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations:                                          
  Basic   $ 0.02   $ (0.15 ) $ (0.19 ) $ (0.29 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.22 ) $ 0.03
  Diluted   $ 0.02   $ (0.15 ) $ (0.19 ) $ (0.29 ) $ (0.17 ) $ (0.22 ) $ 0.03
Cumulative effect per share of change in accounting principle:                                          
  Basic and diluted   $ —   $ —   $ —   $ (0.32 ) $ —   $ (0.01 )   —
Net income (loss) per share:                                          
  Basic   $ (0.25 ) $ (0.65 ) $ (0.81 ) $ (0.36 ) $ (0.70 ) $ (1.17 ) $ 0.16
  Diluted   $ (0.25 ) $ (0.65 ) $ (0.81 ) $ (0.36 ) $ (0.70 ) $ (1.17 ) $ 0.14
Shares used to compute income (loss) per share:                                          
  Basic     69,498     66,526     67,069     61,247     56,859     51,729     48,311
  Diluted     69,803     66,526     67,069     64,801     56,859     51,729     55,442

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

 
    
   As of June 30,
 
   As of March 31,
2005
 
   2004
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
 
   (in thousands)
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities   $ 133,429   $ 70,014   $ 78,843   $ 88,429   $ 47,751   $ 82,145
Working capital     132,991     81,327     106,616     115,698     114,422     138,330
Total assets     267,996     301,744     310,876     255,703     266,957     322,799
Long-term liabilities     822     2,078     7,984     700     7,103     10,611
Total shareholders' equity     202,311     210,682     226,157     205,908     220,362     259,620

        In December 2004, Pinnacle entered into a Share Purchase and Transfer Agreement to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH (Steinberg). Pinnacle originally acquired Steinberg in January 2003. In February 2005, Pinnacle sold the assets of its Team Sports operations to XOS Technologies, Inc. Pinnacle originally acquired Team Sports in June 2000. In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Steinberg's and Team Sports' financial positions and results of operations have been reclassified and separately presented for all applicable reporting periods as discontinued operations.

36


SELECTED COMBINED COMPANY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

        The following table sets forth selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data based on the historical consolidated balance sheets and related historical consolidated statements of operations of Avid and Pinnacle using the purchase method of accounting for business combinations. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet has been prepared assuming the acquisition occurred on March 31, 2005. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been prepared assuming the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2004. This information has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and notes thereto included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus beginning on page 107.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations Data:

 
   Pro Forma
Condensed Combined
Twelve Month
Period Ended
December 31, 2004
   Pro Forma
Condensed Combined
Three Month
Period Ended
March 31, 2005
  
 
   (in thousands, except per share data)

  
Net revenues   $ 933,083   $ 231,205  
Cost of revenues     457,693     112,147  
   
 
 
  Gross profit     475,390     119,058  
Total operating expenses     435,922     108,768  
   
 
 
Operating income     39,468     10,290  
Other income, net     1,777     1,087  
Provision for income taxes     (3,324 )   (2,371 )
   
 
 
Income from continuing operations   $ 37,921   $ 9,006  
   
 
 
Income from continuing operations per common share—basic   $ 0.98   $ 0.22  
Income from continuing operations per common share—diluted   $ 0.92   $ 0.21  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic     38,684     41,186  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted     41,202     43,462  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet Data:

 
   Pro Forma
Condensed Combined
as of March 31, 2005
 
   (in thousands)
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities   $ 227,381
Working capital     249,090
Total assets     986,149
Long-term liabilities     2,391
Total stockholders' equity     772,756

37


COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA

        The following tables set forth certain historical per share data of Avid and Pinnacle and combined per share data on an unaudited pro forma and pro forma equivalent basis after giving effect to the merger using the purchase method of accounting and using the exchange ratio of 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash for each outstanding share of Pinnacle common stock. The comparative historical and pro forma per share data should be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and related notes thereto and the separate historical consolidated financial statements of Avid and Pinnacle incorporated by reference or included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined per share data are not necessarily indicative of future operating results or the actual results that would have occurred had the merger been completed at the beginning of the periods presented.

 
   For the Twelve Month
Period Ended
December 31, 2004
   For the Three Month
Period Ended
March 31, 2005
  
 
   (in thousands, except per share data)

  
Avid—Historical:              
Net income per common share—basic   $ 2.21   $ 0.56  
Net income per common share—diluted   $ 2.05   $ 0.53  
Book value per common share   $ 12.19   $ 12.80  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic     32,485     34,987  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted     35,003     37,263  
Common shares outstanding     34,837     35,140  

Pinnacle—Historical:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from continuing operations per common share—basic   $ (0.30 ) $ (0.10 )
Loss from continuing operations per common share—diluted   $ (0.30 ) $ (0.10 )
Book value per common share   $ 2.93   $ 2.89  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic     68,840     69,942  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted     68,840     69,942  
Common shares outstanding     69,818     70,102  

Pro Forma—Combined:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations per common share—basic   $ 0.98   $ 0.22  
Income from continuing operations per common share—diluted   $ 0.92   $ 0.21  
Book value per common share   $ 18.22   $ 18.69  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic     38,684     41,186  
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted     41,202     43,462  
Common shares outstanding     41,036     41,339  

Pro Forma—Equivalent Share Data(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations per common share—basic   $ 0.09   $ 0.02  
Income from continuing operations per common share—diluted   $ 0.08   $ 0.02  
Book value per common share   $ 1.58   $ 1.62  
(1)
Amounts are based on pro forma combined amounts adjusted by the exchange ratio in the merger of 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock for each share of Pinnacle common stock.

38


MARKET PRICE INFORMATION AND DIVIDEND POLICIES

Avid Market Price Information

        Avid common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "AVID". The table below shows the high and low sales prices of Avid common stock for each calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2003.

2003

   High
   Low
First Quarter   $ 24.15   $ 16.76
Second Quarter   $ 38.15   $ 21.86
Third Quarter   $ 57.95   $ 33.96
Fourth Quarter   $ 59.77   $ 44.65

2004
 
 
High
 
 
Low
First Quarter   $ 55.42   $ 38.43
Second Quarter   $ 61.68   $ 44.11
Third Quarter   $ 54.66   $ 40.90
Fourth Quarter   $ 62.57   $ 46.48

2005
 
 
High
 
 
Low
First Quarter   $ 68.35   $ 52.06
Second Quarter (through June 7, 2005)   $ 59.35   $ 47.64

        On June 7, 2005, the last reported sale price for Avid common stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $57.12 per share. The approximate number of holders of record of Avid common stock on June 7, 2005 was 374. This number does not include stockholders for whom shares were held in a "nominee" or "street" name.


Pinnacle Market Price Information

        Pinnacle common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PCLE". The table below shows the high and low sales prices of Pinnacle common stock for each calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2003.

2003

   High
   Low
First Quarter   $ 14.45   $ 8.30
Second Quarter   $ 12.11   $ 8.86
Third Quarter   $ 13.80   $ 7.50
Fourth Quarter   $ 8.95   $ 6.60

2004
 
 
High
 
 
Low
First Quarter   $ 9.42   $ 7.12
Second Quarter   $ 9.91   $ 6.63
Third Quarter   $ 7.00   $ 3.25
Fourth Quarter   $ 6.24   $ 3.65

2005
 
 
High
 
 
Low
First Quarter   $ 6.18   $ 3.81
Second Quarter (through June 7, 2005)   $ 6.00   $ 4.55

        On June 7, 2005, the last reported sale price for Pinnacle common stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $5.77 per share. The approximate number of holders of record of Pinnacle common stock on June 7, 2005 was 246. This number does not include shareholders for whom shares were held in a "nominee" or "street" name.

39



Recent Closing Prices

        The following table sets forth the closing prices per share of Avid common stock and Pinnacle common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on March 18, 2005, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the merger agreement, and June 7, 2005, the last full trading day for which closing prices were available. This table also sets forth the value of the consideration per share of Pinnacle common stock that would be received in cash and Avid common stock by a Pinnacle shareholder as a result of the merger based on the market price of Avid common stock on the dates set forth below. The equivalent price per share is equal to the closing price of a share of Avid common stock on that date multiplied by 0.0869 plus $1.00.

 
   Closing Price
Avid
Common Stock
   Closing Price
Pinnacle
Common Stock
   Consideration per
Share of Pinnacle Common Stock
March 18, 2005   $ 62.95   $ 4.97   $ 6.47
June 7, 2005   $ 57.12   $ 5.77   $ 5.96


Dividend Policies

        Avid has never declared or paid cash dividends on its capital stock and currently intends to retain all available funds for use in the operation of its business. Avid does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

        Pinnacle has never declared or paid cash dividends on its capital stock and currently intends to retain all available funds for use in the operation of its business. Pinnacle does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

40


2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF AVID STOCKHOLDERS

Date, Time and Place of Meeting

        This joint proxy statement/prospectus is furnished to Avid stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by Avid's board of directors for use at Avid's annual meeting of stockholders and at any adjournments or postponements of that meeting. Avid's annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the offices of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts, at 12:00 noon, local time.

        The notice of Avid's annual meeting, this joint proxy statement/prospectus, the accompanying proxy card and Avid's Annual Report to Stockholders for 2004 are being mailed to Avid stockholders on or about June 16, 2005.


Purposes of the Annual Meeting

        At Avid's annual meeting, Avid stockholders will be asked to consider and act upon the following matters:


Record Date and Outstanding Shares

        At the close of business on June 7, 2005, the record date for the determination of Avid stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at Avid's annual meeting, there were outstanding and entitled to vote an aggregate of 35,236,229 shares of Avid common stock, $.01 par value per share. Avid stockholders are entitled to one vote per share of Avid common stock.


Voting and Revocation of Proxies

        All proxies will be voted in accordance with Avid stockholders' instructions, and if no choice is specified, the proxies will be voted in favor of the matters set forth in the accompanying notice of Avid's annual meeting. If you are an Avid stockholder, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at Avid's annual meeting. Any proxy may be revoked at any time before its exercise by delivery of written revocation or a subsequently dated proxy to Ethan E. Jacks at Avid Technology, Inc., Avid Technology Park, One Park West, Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876, or by specifically revoking your

41


proxy and voting in person at Avid's annual meeting. If you elect to vote in person at Avid's annual meeting and your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring to Avid's annual meeting a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee authorizing you to vote the shares.

        If you are an Avid stockholder and your shares are held in street name, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted.


Votes Required

        Shares of Avid common stock represented in person or by proxy, including shares which abstain or do not vote for any reason with respect to one or more of the matters presented for Avid stockholder approval, will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at Avid's annual meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Avid common stock outstanding on the record date is required to approve the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of Avid common stock present or represented and voting at Avid's annual meeting is required for the election of the Class III Directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Avid common stock present or represented and voting at Avid's annual meeting is required to approve Avid's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Avid's independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year and to approve adjournments or postponements of Avid's annual meeting.


Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

        Shares that abstain from voting as to a particular matter and shares held in "street name" by brokers or nominees who indicate on their proxies that they do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular matter, or broker non-votes, will not be counted as votes in favor of such matter and also will not be counted as votes cast or shares voting on such matter. Because shares that abstain from voting as to a particular matter and shares represented by broker non-votes are nonetheless considered outstanding shares, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against the proposed amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Avid common stock outstanding. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the voting on the election of the Class III Directors, the approval of Avid's 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, the ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Avid's independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year or the approval of adjournments or postponements of Avid's annual meeting.


Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses

        Avid and Pinnacle will share the costs, other than fees of accountants and attorneys, of preparing and mailing this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and Avid will bear the other costs relating to the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders. None of Avid's directors intends to oppose any action for which Avid stockholder approval is being solicited. Avid has retained the services of Georgeson Shareholder Communications to assist in obtaining proxies from brokers and nominees of Avid stockholders for Avid's annual meeting. The estimated cost of such services is $15,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, Avid may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Certain of Avid's directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies, personally, by telephone or facsimile, on behalf of Avid's board of directors without additional compensation.

42


SPECIAL MEETING OF PINNACLE SHAREHOLDERS

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

        This joint proxy statement/prospectus is furnished to Pinnacle shareholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by Pinnacle's board of directors for use at Pinnacle's special meeting and at any adjournments or postponements of that meeting. The special meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, at the Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel, 625 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California, at 9:00 a.m., local time.

        The notice of Pinnacle's special meeting, this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying proxy card are being mailed to Pinnacle shareholders on or about June 16, 2005.


Purposes of the Special Meeting

        At Pinnacle's special meeting, Pinnacle shareholders will be asked to consider and act upon the following matters:


Record Date and Outstanding Shares

        At the close of business on June 7, 2005, the record date for the determination of Pinnacle shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at Pinnacle's special meeting, there were outstanding and entitled to vote an aggregate of 71,252,985 shares of Pinnacle common stock, no par value per share. Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share of Pinnacle common stock.


Voting and Revocation of Proxies

        All proxies will be voted in accordance with the Pinnacle shareholders' instructions, and if no choice is specified, the proxies will be voted in favor of the matters set forth in the accompanying notice of Pinnacle's special meeting. If you are a Pinnacle shareholder, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at Pinnacle's special meeting. Any proxy may be revoked by a Pinnacle shareholder at any time before its exercise by delivery of written revocation or a subsequently dated proxy to Pinnacle Systems, Inc., 280 North Bernardo Avenue, Mountain View, California 94303 Attention: Scott E. Martin, Corporate Secretary, or by specifically revoking your proxy and voting in person at Pinnacle's special meeting. If you elect to vote in person at Pinnacle's special meeting and your shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring to Pinnacle's special meeting a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee authorizing you to vote the shares.

        If you are a Pinnacle shareholder and your shares are held in street name, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted.

43



Votes Required

        Shares of Pinnacle common stock represented in person or by proxy (including shares which abstain or do not vote for any reason with respect to one or more of the matters presented for shareholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at Pinnacle's special meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on the record date is required to approve the proposal regarding the terms the merger. The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares represented at Pinnacle's special meeting, either in person or by proxy, is required to approve the proposal regarding adjournments or postponements of Pinnacle's special meeting.


Quorum; Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

        According to Pinnacle's bylaws, as amended, a quorum constitutes the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares.

        Shares that abstain from voting as to a particular matter, and shares held in "street name" by brokers or nominees who indicate on their proxies that they do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular matter, or broker non-votes, will not be counted as votes in favor of such matter, and also will not be counted as votes cast or shares voting on such matter. Because shares that abstain from voting as to a particular matter and shares represented by broker non-votes are nonetheless considered outstanding shares, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against such matter for all purposes other than perfection of dissenters' rights.

        Under the rules that govern brokers who have record ownership of shares that are held in "street name" for their clients, who are the beneficial owners of the shares, brokers have discretion to vote these shares on routine matters but not on non-routine matters. Proposals 1 and 2 are non-routine matters and shareholders' brokers will NOT have discretionary authority to vote shareholders' shares on proposals 1 and 2. Because shares that abstain from voting as to a particular matter and shares represented by broker non-votes are nonetheless considered outstanding shares, abstentions and the broker non-votes described above will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the proposed merger for all purposes other than perfection of dissenters' rights. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the voting on the proposal regarding adjournments or postponements of Pinnacle's special meeting.


Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses

        Avid and Pinnacle will share the costs, other than fees of accountants and attorneys, of preparing and mailing this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and Pinnacle will bear the other costs relating to the solicitation of proxies from its shareholders. None of Pinnacle's directors intends to oppose any action for which Pinnacle shareholder approval is being solicited. Pinnacle has retained the services of MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in obtaining proxies from brokers and nominees of Pinnacle shareholders for Pinnacle's special meeting. The estimated cost of such services is $7,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, Pinnacle may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Certain of Pinnacle's directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies, personally, by telephone or facsimile, on behalf of Pinnacle's board of directors without additional compensation. Pinnacle expects MacKenzie Partners to tabulate the proxies and act as the inspector of elections. MacKenzie Partners can be contacted at the following address and phone number:

44


THE MERGER

Background of the Merger

        Avid and Pinnacle have been familiar with each other for a number of years. In June 2000, Pinnacle acquired Avid Sports, Inc., a provider of sports editing and online sports media management solutions, which was then 30% owned by Avid, for stock and cash valued at approximately $25 million at closing. Avid has also been a customer of Pinnacle, with aggregate purchases of approximately $20.3 million since January 1, 2002. These purchases were primarily for specialized hardware for performing digital video effects. As a result of a greater reliance on software, host graphics processing and Avid-designed hardware for performing digital video effects in Avid's more recent products, Avid's purchases from Pinnacle have declined from $12.2 million in 2002 to $5.6 million in 2003 to $2.4 million in 2004 and to $160,000 in the first quarter of 2005. Avid and Pinnacle have also engaged in informal discussions in the past regarding the potential for a strategic combination of the two companies.

        Avid's board of directors and management regularly review Avid's competitive position in light of market changes, technological advances and other factors, with the objective of identifying strategic opportunities to enhance stockholder value. For example:

        Pinnacle's board of directors has from time to time evaluated the long-term strategy and potential strategic options for Pinnacle and considered various alternatives to enhance shareholder value. Alternatives considered by Pinnacle's board of directors included, for example:


        On March 1, 2004, Pinnacle's board of directors appointed Patti S. Hart to the positions of Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer. As part of this management change, Pinnacle's board of directors authorized a review of Pinnacle's various businesses to determine which were core and non-core to its future. While historically Pinnacle had pursued an acquisition strategy pursuant to which it had purchased 22 companies since its initial public offering in

45

1994, this review led to the implementation of a reorganization plan in April 2004 in which Pinnacle would focus on and invest in those businesses that it had determined were core businesses and consider discontinuing or selling any non-core businesses, with the plan to rationalize its product lines, improve organizational efficiency, make operational improvements and invest in new information technology systems.

        In accordance with this strategy, in April 2004 Pinnacle began to explore the divestiture of Steinberg, its digital audio software company based in Germany, and, after consideration of several financial advisors, Pinnacle's board of directors authorized the engagement of Lazard to serve as Pinnacle's financial advisor with respect to the potential divestiture of the Steinberg business.

        In May 2004, a potential acquiror, referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Company A, inquired of Ms. Hart whether Pinnacle's board of directors would consider the acquisition of Pinnacle by Company A.

        On June 18, 2004, Pinnacle's board of directors held a meeting at Pinnacle's offices in Mountain View, California during which Ms. Hart presented the inquiry from Company A to Pinnacle's board of directors. At the meeting, Pinnacle's board of directors authorized the engagement of Lazard as Pinnacle's financial advisor with respect to discussions concerning a possible acquisition of Pinnacle by Company A, and appointed a transaction committee to assist management in exploring the possible acquisition of Pinnacle by Company A. Pinnacle's board of directors also authorized the sale of its interest in Jungle KK, Pinnacle's consumer software subsidiary based in Japan.

        On June 29, 2004, Pinnacle amended its existing nondisclosure agreement with Company A, previously entered into for the exploration of various strategic opportunities, to provide for due diligence to be conducted for a possible acquisition of Pinnacle by Company A.

        On June 30, 2004, Pinnacle sold its interest in Jungle KK.

        In June and July 2004, Company A engaged in business and legal due diligence regarding its potential acquisition of Pinnacle. During this period, legal advisors to Pinnacle and Company A negotiated terms of a draft merger agreement involving the acquisition of Pinnacle by Company A. On July 16, 2004, Company A withdrew from these discussions, citing other internal commitments that prevented it from proceeding at that time.

        On July 20, 2004, Pinnacle's board of directors held a meeting at Pinnacle's offices during which Lazard and management reported on the termination of discussions with Company A, and management reviewed the status of, and issues relating to, the potential divestiture of the Steinberg business. Pinnacle's board of directors authorized Lazard to begin contacting potential purchasers of the Steinberg business.

        On September 11, 2004, Ms. Hart met with David A. Krall, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Avid, at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Mr. Krall and Ms. Hart discussed the possibility of a business combination between Avid and Pinnacle. Later that day, Ms. Hart met with representatives of Company A and was informed that Company A continued to have potential interest in Pinnacle, but would not be in a position to negotiate actively until late October 2004.

        In October 2004, Pinnacle began to explore alternatives for the potential sale of its Sports business, located in Massachusetts, and engaged Lazard as financial advisor for the potential sale of that division.

        Between September and December 2004, Mr. Krall and Ms. Hart had several telephone discussions concerning their respective businesses and the synergies that could be realized from a possible business combination, but no specific terms of a combination were discussed. Ms. Hart

46


periodically communicated the status and substance of the conversations with Avid and with Company A to the members of Pinnacle's board of directors.

        On December 6, 2004, Ms. Hart; Pinnacle's Chief Operating Officer, Ajay Chopra; Pinnacle's then interim Chief Financial Officer, Suzy Seandel (participating by telephone); and representatives of Lazard met with representatives of Avid, including Mr. Krall; Avid's Chief Financial Officer, Paul J. Milbury; Avid's Chief Operating Officer, Avid Video, Joseph Bentivegna; and Avid's Vice President of Business Development and Chief Legal Officer, Ethan E. Jacks at Avid's executive offices in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. At the meeting, Pinnacle's representatives provided an overview of Pinnacle's business and strategy.

        At a regular meeting of Avid's board of directors held on December 8, 2004, Mr. Krall reported on his recent discussions with Pinnacle about a possible business combination between Avid and Pinnacle. Thereafter, Mr. Krall periodically updated members of Avid's board of directors on the status of discussions with Pinnacle.

        On December 10, 2004, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special telephonic board meeting at which it authorized Pinnacle to enter into an agreement to sell the Steinberg business to Yamaha Corporation. On December 20, 2004, Pinnacle entered into an agreement with Yamaha to sell the Steinberg business.

        In December 2004, Ms. Hart had a series of telephone discussions with representatives of Company A regarding a potential acquisition of Pinnacle by Company A. No specific terms were discussed.

        On January 5, 2005, Avid and Pinnacle entered into a confidentiality agreement relating to the provision of nonpublic information for Avid's use in evaluating a possible transaction with Pinnacle. This agreement was later amended on March 14, 2005 to supplement the confidentiality provisions in order to permit Avid representatives to have limited access to certain portions of Pinnacle's source code as part of Avid's due diligence investigation of Pinnacle.

        On January 6, 2005, Ms. Hart met with a representative of Company A at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, who informed Ms. Hart that Company A no longer was interested in an acquisition of the entire company, but had continued interest in selected portions of Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division. Ms. Hart advised the representative that due to the interdependent structure of the division, such a proposal would likely be considered by Pinnacle's board of directors only if it were for the entire Broadcast & Professional division, including associated contracts and liabilities.

        On January 10 and 11, 2005, Avid representatives conducted business due diligence on Pinnacle, including document review and conversations with Pinnacle's management, at the offices of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, or DLA Piper, counsel for Pinnacle.

        On January 14 and 18, 2005, representatives of Avid, Pinnacle and Lazard participated in conference calls in which Pinnacle and Lazard provided a briefing on Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division and updated the Avid representatives on the performance and strategy of the Broadcast & Professional division. No terms of a possible business combination of Avid and Pinnacle were discussed.

        On January 20, 2005, Lazard spoke with another company, referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Company B, which had contacted Pinnacle indicating an interest in purchasing selected Broadcast & Professional division assets of Pinnacle. Lazard informed Company B that due to the interdependent structure of the division, such a proposal would likely be considered by Pinnacle's board of directors only if it were for the entire division, including associated contracts and liabilities. Lazard offered to arrange for the exchange of confidential information to permit Company B to develop a specific proposal.

47


        On January 21, 2005, Pinnacle sold its Steinberg business to Yamaha Corporation.

        On January 21, 2005, representatives of Pinnacle, Lazard, Company A and the financial advisor to Company A, participated in a conference call in which representatives of Pinnacle and Lazard provided an update on the performance of Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division.

        On January 27, 2005, representatives of Pinnacle presented an overview of the Broadcast & Professional division to representatives of Company B by telephone conference call.

        Throughout January 2005, executives of Avid and Pinnacle and their representatives spoke periodically, and representatives of Pinnacle provided information to Avid relating to a possible business combination.

        On January 30, 2005, a representative of Lazard had a conversation with Mr. Krall, who advised Lazard as to the status of Avid's internal evaluation process, and indicated that Avid might submit an indication of interest to Pinnacle before Pinnacle's board meeting scheduled for February 3, 2005.

        On January 31, 2005, a Lazard representative had another conversation with Mr. Krall, who indicated potential interest in moving forward with a business combination transaction providing Pinnacle shareholders with consideration in the form of Avid common stock, with a current estimated value of $5.00 per share of Pinnacle common stock, but a potential for up to $6.00 per share upon completion of satisfactory due diligence. The Lazard representative indicated that the price would likely need to be higher to gain Pinnacle board approval, and requested a written proposal.

        On the same date, another Lazard representative had a conversation with representatives of the financial advisor to Company B. These representatives indicated Company B had an interest only in Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional assets, and suggested a value of one times revenue or less.

        On February 1, 2005, a Lazard representative had a conversation with Mr. Krall, who communicated a possible valuation range of between $5.00 and $7.00 per share of Pinnacle common stock for the entire company, payable in Avid common stock, although Mr. Krall declined to put an offer in writing at that time.

        On February 2, 2005, Pinnacle received a written expression of interest from Company A for the potential purchase of Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division and all intellectual property relating to Pinnacle's Liquid professional video editing product line, including those elements within Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division, with a license back of the Liquid intellectual property to Pinnacle for use in the Business & Consumer division. The expression of interest indicated a potential purchase price of between $100 million and $120 million in cash.

        On February 3, 2005, at a regularly scheduled meeting of Pinnacle's board of directors, Ms. Hart briefed Pinnacle's board of directors regarding the discussions with Avid with respect to a potential merger and the other two parties who had expressed interest in the Broadcast & Professional division. Ms. Hart reviewed the written expression of interest received from Company A. Lazard, counsel and management reviewed with Pinnacle's board of directors various strategic alternatives as well as the possibility of continuing as an independent, stand alone entity without effecting any transaction. Pinnacle's board of directors discussed the risks and benefits of the various strategic alternatives, including Pinnacle's competitive position and the risks and prospects of its ongoing business. Pinnacle's board of directors also discussed difficulties that would be associated with a sale of Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division relating to the division of intellectual property and engineering personnel and the fact that such a transaction would result in Pinnacle being solely a consumer business relying upon a license back of key intellectual property from Company A and with its workforce principally located in Europe but its management located in the United States. Pinnacle's board of directors authorized management and Lazard to continue to pursue discussions with all of the

48


interested parties for a potential business combination involving the entire company and, as an alternative, the sale of the Broadcast & Professional division.

        At the February 3, 2005 meeting, Pinnacle's board of directors also appointed an M&A committee comprised of three outside directors, Messrs. Krause, Finocchio and Motro, to provide guidance and direction to senior Pinnacle management and Pinnacle's financial and legal advisors regarding the various potential transactions. Ms. Hart conferred periodically with each member of the M&A Committee and each of the other members of Pinnacle's board of directors, and advised them of the status of negotiations in the period following the appointment of the committee through March 20, 2005. From time to time after its appointment, the M&A Committee met, generally with most of the other Pinnacle board members in attendance, to consider and provide guidance and direction regarding the various potential transactions.

        On February 4, 2005, Ms. Hart and representatives from Lazard spoke with representatives of Avid and provided an update as to the Pinnacle board's authorization to continue pursuing discussions. On that same day, Ms. Hart and representatives from Lazard also spoke with representatives of Company A and provided an update as to the Pinnacle board's authorization and, later that same day, Lazard spoke to representatives of the financial advisor to Company B and provided an update as to the Pinnacle board's authorization.

        On February 4, 2005, Pinnacle sold its Sports business to XOS Technologies, Inc.

        In early February 2005, Avid began consulting with outside financial and legal advisors about the possible transaction with Pinnacle. Avid retained Piper Jaffray as its financial advisor and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, or Wilmer Hale, as its outside legal counsel.

        On February 7, 2005, representatives of Avid and Piper Jaffray held a conference call with representatives of Pinnacle's management and Lazard to discuss the diligence process. Commencing on February 11, 2005, Avid was permitted access to due diligence materials through Pinnacle's electronic dataroom at DLA Piper. Avid and its legal, accounting and financial advisors conducted due diligence regarding Pinnacle through March 20, 2005.

        On February 11, 2005, representatives of Company A held a conference call with Pinnacle representatives, including each party's counsel and financial advisors, to discuss key business and legal issues raised by a potential purchase of the Broadcast & Professional division, including the ownership or licensing of intellectual property.

        On February 15, 2005, representatives of Pinnacle's management and Lazard held a conference call with representatives of Avid's management and Piper Jaffray to discuss process with respect to Avid's due diligence review.

        On February 16, 2005, Ms. Hart had a telephone call with Company A to discuss the status of Company A's expression of interest to purchase the Broadcast & Professional division.

        On that same date, Company B advised Lazard that although it continued to have an interest in the potential purchase of the assets of Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division, it was not in a position to pursue a due diligence review in the near term due to internal commitments.

        At a regular meeting of Avid's board of directors held on February 15 and 16, 2005, Avid's management provided an update on the status of discussions with Pinnacle. At the conclusion of the meeting, Avid's board of directors authorized management to proceed with discussions with Pinnacle regarding a possible transaction.

        On February 17, 2005, Pinnacle and Avid representatives, including their respective counsel and financial advisors, held due diligence calls.

49


        On February 18, 2005, representatives of Company A held a meeting at DLA Piper's offices with Pinnacle representatives concerning certain business and legal issues relating to the potential sale of the Broadcast & Professional division.

        On February 23, 2005, DLA Piper delivered an initial draft of a proposed asset purchase agreement and license agreement to counsel for Company A, and Company A was permitted access to due diligence materials through Pinnacle's electronic dataroom at DLA Piper.

        In order to better understand Pinnacle's business and the potential of a business combination, Avid's representatives and financial advisors met with representatives of Pinnacle on February 23 and 24, 2005 at DLA Piper's offices. Discussions involved business, finance, human resources and legal representatives of both companies and focused in greater detail on due diligence matters and the potential benefits of a business combination between the two companies.

        On February 24, 2005, Pinnacle's M&A Committee, along with Ms. Hart and Mr. Chopra, held a meeting at which Pinnacle's management, Lazard and DLA Piper reviewed the status of discussions with each of Avid and Company A. Ms. Hart reviewed the potential benefits and risks of each transaction, including risks relating to the ownership of intellectual property significant to Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division under Company A's proposal. DLA Piper reviewed legal considerations relating to the potential transactions, including the possibility of antitrust regulatory review and shareholder approval requirements. The M&A Committee authorized Pinnacle's management and advisors to proceed with discussions with both Avid and Company A.

        On February 28, 2005, representatives of Company A met with Mr. Chopra in Munich, Germany to review certain intellectual property diligence matters.

        On February 28, 2005, Avid's counsel, Wilmer Hale, delivered an initial draft merger agreement and related agreements to Pinnacle's counsel, DLA Piper, in order to begin negotiating some of the terms of a possible transaction.

        On March 2 and 3, 2005, representatives of Avid visited Pinnacle's operations in Braunschweig, Germany to conduct due diligence.

        On March 3, 2005, Ms. Hart and a Lazard representative met with representatives of Company A and its financial advisor to discuss Company A's potential acquisition of Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division.

        On March 4, 2005, Messrs. Krall, Milbury and Jacks and Ms. Hart, together with representatives of Lazard and Piper Jaffray, met in New York, New York to discuss a potential business combination between the two companies. The parties discussed the business strategy and prospects of their respective companies and the strategic rationale for a potential transaction. Mr. Krall indicated orally a willingness to pursue a stock-for-stock business combination with a valuation of approximately $6.25 to $6.50 per share of Pinnacle common stock. Lazard representatives requested that Avid submit a proposal in writing.

        On March 6, 2005, after consultation with its financial and legal advisors, Avid delivered to Pinnacle a written, non-binding expression of interest for a stock-for-stock business combination with a fixed exchange ratio to be based on the 20-day trading average of Avid common stock prior to signing and with an expected value of $6.50 per Pinnacle share, subject to Avid's satisfactory completion of due diligence and other conditions. Avid also requested that Pinnacle enter into an exclusivity arrangement with Avid.

        On March 7, 2005, Avid's board of directors had an update conference call regarding the possible transaction with Pinnacle. During the call, Avid's management and financial and legal advisors summarized the status of due diligence and discussions with Pinnacle, including the principal open issues, and the process and estimated timing if the transaction proceeded.

50


        On March 7, 2005, Pinnacle's M&A Committee held a telephonic meeting in which Ms. Hart, Mr. Chopra and an additional member of Pinnacle's board of directors participated. Ms. Hart reviewed the status of discussions with each of the interested parties, including the terms of the written non-binding expression of interest from Avid, and reviewed strategic alternatives available to Pinnacle. Ms. Hart reviewed negotiations to date with Avid regarding the proposed exchange ratio and advised Pinnacle's M&A Committee that Avid had refused to consider a collar. Lazard reviewed a financial presentation regarding the potential business combination with Avid and the potential sale of the Broadcast & Professional division and discussed the potential transactions and other alternatives. DLA Piper provided legal advice to the M&A Committee regarding the potential transactions with Avid and Company A, including a discussion of the fiduciary duties of the directors considering the transactions, the potential terms of the transactions and legal considerations, including antitrust review, the potential structures, and process and timing considerations. Ms. Hart and the Lazard representatives noted that Mr. Krall had indicated a desire to travel to California to meet with the M&A Committee to discuss the potential business combination. The M&A Committee, along with an additional member of Pinnacle's board of directors, met in an executive session with DLA Piper and reviewed the alternatives available to Pinnacle. At the conclusion of this executive session, the M&A Committee expressed support for continuing discussions with all interested parties, and directed that no exclusivity arrangement be finalized. The M&A Committee directed management and Lazard to attempt to increase the consideration set forth in Avid's expression of interest.

        During the evening of March 7, 2005, Ms. Hart contacted Mr. Krall and sought an increase in the price included in Avid's expression of interest. Mr. Krall declined to consider increasing the consideration payable to Pinnacle shareholders and advised that he would cancel his proposed visit to California to meet with the M&A Committee and the proposed diligence meetings scheduled for the following week if the M&A Committee insisted on such an increase as a condition to further discussions.

        On March 8, 2005, the M&A Committee held a telephonic meeting in which Ms. Hart, Mr. Chopra and an additional member of Pinnacle's board of directors participated. Ms. Hart reported on her conversation with Mr. Krall. The M&A Committee authorized Ms. Hart to request a meeting with Mr. Krall at which Mr. Krall would provide further information regarding the potential strategic and other benefits of the proposed business combination with Avid. The M&A Committee authorized DLA Piper to deliver comments to Wilmer Hale on the draft acquisition agreements. In a conversation Ms. Hart held with Mr. Krall later that evening, Mr. Krall indicated that he would meet with the M&A Committee to provide further information regarding the potential business combination, but due to inclement weather, such meeting could not take place until Saturday, March 12.

        On March 9, 2005, the M&A Committee held a telephonic meeting in which Ms. Hart, Mr. Chopra and an additional member of Pinnacle's board of directors participated. Ms. Hart and representatives of Lazard and DLA Piper provided a briefing regarding the status of negotiations with Avid.

        On March 9, 2005, DLA Piper delivered proposed revisions to the draft merger and related agreements to Wilmer Hale. From March 10, 2005 through March 20, 2005, representatives and legal advisors of Avid and Pinnacle engaged in negotiations regarding the merger agreement and related agreements. During this period, representatives of Avid and Pinnacle also continued to conduct due diligence and engaged in discussions relating to the potential financial terms of the transaction.

        On March 11, 2005, Avid's board of directors held a special meeting to discuss the potential transaction with Pinnacle. At the meeting, Avid's management reviewed the status of the negotiations, indicating that the parties had not reached agreement on significant issues, and discussed with the board the strategic rationale for the possible transaction, the major due diligence findings to date, and challenges involved in integrating Pinnacle's business with Avid should a transaction be consummated.

51


Avid's board of directors then received a presentation on financial considerations relating to the potential transaction from representatives of Piper Jaffray. Following Piper Jaffray's presentation, Avid's legal advisors summarized legal issues arising out of the potential merger, including the need for antitrust regulatory clearance in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. At the conclusion of the meeting, Avid's board of directors authorized management to continue discussions with Pinnacle regarding a possible transaction.

        On March 12, 2005, the M&A Committee held a meeting at the offices of DLA Piper, in which Ms. Hart and Mr. Chopra also participated, and received a briefing from management and Lazard on the status of the negotiations with Avid and Company A, the operating, strategic and financial considerations of the two potential transactions, and financial information concerning Avid and Pinnacle. Additional members of Pinnacle's board of directors attended all or a portion of the meeting. Lazard reviewed a presentation regarding the financial implications of the two potential transactions and possible alternative transactions, as well as information regarding Avid and Pinnacle. DLA Piper reviewed the fiduciary duties of Pinnacle's board of directors and reviewed the status of negotiations on the merger agreement and related agreements. Mr. Krall and Mr. Milbury attended a portion of the meeting of the M&A Committee and provided an overview of Avid's business, financial results and prospects, and Avid's strategic rationale for the potential business combination.

        Following the presentation by Messrs. Krall and Milbury, the M&A Committee met in an executive session with DLA Piper and discussed the alternatives available to Pinnacle. The M&A Committee and the outside directors then met with management, Lazard and DLA Piper and authorized continuing negotiations with Avid for a potential strategic business combination. The M&A Committee noted that the expression of interest by Avid provided for an exchange ratio, to be based on the average trading price of Avid common stock over the 20 trading days prior to signing, which then had a value of $6.50. The M&A Committee noted that the Avid common stock price had been declining. The M&A Committee directed Ms. Hart and Lazard to communicate the M&A Committee's view that the consideration payable to Pinnacle shareholders to be embodied in the final exchange ratio should not be adversely impacted by the decline in recent trading prices for Avid common stock, although the Committee recognized that the value of the transaction would fluctuate following the announcement of the transaction. At this meeting, the M&A Committee also directed Ms. Hart to communicate in writing to Company A the need to address each of Pinnacle's specific concerns regarding the potential sale of the Business & Professional division, including issues relating to intellectual property and the noncompete provisions, by the close of business on March 14, 2005, including a response in writing to the draft agreements that Pinnacle had previously provided to Company A.

        On March 13, 2005, Ms. Hart delivered a letter to Company A making these requests and, in a telephone call that same day, Ms. Hart and a Lazard representative discussed with a senior representative of Company A Pinnacle's request for a specific response on the various issues outlined by Pinnacle. On March 13, 2005, representatives of Company A and its financial advisor had a conference call with representatives of Pinnacle and Lazard on diligence matters.

        On March 14, 2005, Company A provided a written response to Pinnacle on the issues raised by Pinnacle in its March 13, 2005 correspondence and proposed revisions to the draft agreements presented by DLA Piper, which included an affirmation of a proposed purchase price of $120 million for the acquisition of Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division and certain assets and all business activities of Pinnacle's Liquid professional video editing product line. The response indicated that the assets that Company A sought to purchase could include intellectual property significant to Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division.

        On March 14 and 15, 2005, Avid continued its due diligence review of Pinnacle at the offices of DLA Piper.

52


        On March 15, 2005, representatives of Pinnacle and its financial advisors visited Avid's headquarters to conduct a due diligence review of Avid. Pinnacle's representatives met with various members of Avid's management, and received presentations and asked questions regarding Avid's business, product strategy, operations, finances and legal matters. Later that day, Ms. Hart and Mr. Chopra held a telephonic conference call with representatives of Avid and Piper Jaffray, in which Mary Dotz, Pinnacle's Chief Financial Officer, and a representative of Lazard also participated, to discuss Pinnacle's expected financial performance and to provide updated Pinnacle forecasts for future periods.

        On the evening of March 15, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a telephonic meeting during which Ms. Hart and the legal and financial advisors to Pinnacle reviewed with Pinnacle's board of directors the status of negotiations with Company A, including the response by Company A to the issues raised by Pinnacle, the open business issues with Company A, and Pinnacle's negotiating posture and negotiating strategy regarding the transaction. Ms. Hart and the legal and financial advisors to Pinnacle also reviewed the status of negotiations with Avid and the status of due diligence. Lazard discussed financial considerations relating to the proposed merger with Avid. DLA Piper provided a briefing on the fiduciary duties of Pinnacle's board of directors, reviewing with Pinnacle's board of directors the fact that the sale to Avid as proposed was a strategic business combination in which the shareholders could participate in the possible appreciation of the combined entity, and summarized the principal terms of the Avid merger agreement and the remaining open issues between the parties. Pinnacle's board of directors discussed the strategic rationale for the potential merger with Avid and the risks and benefits of the transaction, including the conditions to the consummation of the transaction. Pinnacle's board of directors discussed the benefits and risks of Company A's proposal, including the conditions to the transaction, the risk of protracted negotiations relating to the division of intellectual property rights and engineering personnel with no assurances of terms acceptable to Pinnacle and the potential benefits and risks to Pinnacle of Pinnacle continuing as an independent, stand-alone entity following such proposed transaction that would result in Pinnacle becoming solely a consumer business with its workforce principally located in Europe but its management located in the United States. Pinnacle's board of directors also discussed the benefits and risks of not effecting any transaction, and continuing as an independent, stand-alone entity.

        On March 16, 2005, a series of telephonic conference calls were held by Ms. Hart, Mr. Krall, Mr. Milbury and the respective financial and legal advisors for Avid and Pinnacle to discuss the outstanding issues between the parties, including the proposed exchange ratio and the terms of the merger agreement. Lazard and Ms. Hart communicated the view of the M&A Committee that the value of the transaction consideration payable to Pinnacle shareholders should not be negatively impacted by any decline in the trading price of Avid common stock through signing, so that the recent decline in the trading price of Avid common stock would result in the need for a higher exchange ratio than that proposed by Avid. Following these calls, Avid's representatives convened a telephone conference call for senior management of Avid and Pinnacle and the parties' respective financial and legal advisors, and communicated a package of terms, including a proposed fixed exchange ratio for a stock-for-stock, tax-free reorganization, and responses to Pinnacle's remaining issues on the merger agreement, accommodating most of the issues raised by Pinnacle. The proposed fixed exchange ratio represented an implied value of $6.53 per share of Pinnacle common stock based on the prior trading day's closing prices for Avid common stock, $6.71 per share based on the average of the prior 20 trading days' closing prices of Avid common stock, and $6.34 per share based on the closing trading price of Avid common stock that day. As proposed, the exchange ratio would not be affected by subsequent trading prices for Avid common stock.

        On March 16, 2005, the M&A Committee, along with Ms. Hart, Mr. Chopra and additional members of Pinnacle's board of directors, held a telephonic meeting at which Ms. Hart, Lazard and DLA Piper reported on the status of negotiations with Avid and reviewed the proposal from Avid,

53


including the proposed exchange ratio and Avid's responses to outstanding issues on the merger agreement. Lazard reviewed financial considerations relating to the proposed transaction with Avid, and DLA Piper provided legal advice regarding the potential terms. The M&A Committee authorized management, Lazard and DLA Piper to continue negotiations with Avid to document the transaction as proposed.

        On March 17, 2005, Ms. Hart and a representative of Lazard held a telephone conference call with representatives of Company A to discuss the terms of Company A's proposal.

        On March 17, 2005, Mr. Krall advised Ms. Hart that Avid had an interest in modifying the form of consideration so that Pinnacle shareholders would receive $1.00 in cash and the remainder of the consideration in Avid common stock, based on a revised exchange ratio designed to give equivalent value, taking into account the cash component, to the previously proposed fixed exchange ratio. The parties and their financial advisors negotiated regarding the proposed exchange ratio, and Avid proposed a revised exchange ratio as a result of these negotiations.

        On the morning of March 18, 2005, the M&A Committee, along with Ms. Hart, Mr. Chopra and additional members of Pinnacle's board of directors, held a telephonic conference call in which Ms. Hart and Lazard reviewed the proposed change in the consideration and the revised exchange ratio. Lazard provided a presentation on financial considerations for the revision and DLA Piper reviewed legal considerations relating to the potential transaction, including the fact that the potential transaction would not necessarily result in a tax-free reorganization and the final tax treatment would depend on the trading price of Avid common stock at the time of closing. The M&A Committee considered the benefits and risks of the change and directed that negotiations should proceed with the change in the proposed merger consideration.

        Later on March 18, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special meeting at the offices of DLA Piper to discuss the potential merger of Pinnacle and Avid and the potential transaction with Company A. At that meeting, senior management of Pinnacle and representatives of Lazard and DLA Piper reviewed with Pinnacle's board of directors various matters relating to the potential business combination with Avid and the other potential transaction with Company A, including the results of their business and financial due diligence review of Avid, the respective progress and status of negotiations with Avid and Company A, and the risks and benefits of the respective potential transactions. Pinnacle's board of directors discussed the risks and uncertainties relating to the potential transaction with Company A, including the difficulties relating to the division of intellectual property and engineering personnel and the fact that such a transaction would result in Pinnacle being solely a consumer business with its workforce principally located in Europe but its management located in the United States. Management and representatives of Lazard and DLA Piper reviewed the structure of the potential business combination with Avid, including the proposed consideration and the tax treatment of the transaction, and representatives of Lazard reviewed the financial terms of the potential transaction. Pinnacle's board of directors discussed the merger consideration and the structure of the transaction, including the cash component and the fixed exchange ratio, noting that Avid had been unwilling to consider a collar. DLA Piper discussed the fiduciary duties of Pinnacle's board of directors and further reviewed with the board certain legal considerations relating to each of the potential transactions, including antitrust regulatory review and the respective risks, benefits and conditions to each transaction. DLA Piper also reviewed the principal terms of the Avid merger agreement and voting agreements. Pinnacle's board of directors directed management and its advisors to continue discussions with both parties. Ms. Hart reviewed proposals relating to retention benefits for certain Pinnacle employees and reviewed the interests certain persons might have in the merger. The compensation committee of Pinnacle's board of directors then met to review the effect of the transaction with regard to Ms. Hart's existing employment and change of control agreements with Pinnacle and the employee retention plan for other employees then being proposed by management. After discussion, the compensation committee approved a modified version of the employee retention plan.

        On March 19, 2005, a representative of Lazard held a telephonic conference call with representatives of the financial advisor to Company A regarding the status of Pinnacle's internal evaluation of Company A's proposal.

54

        Avid's board of directors held a special meeting on March 19, 2005 to consider the proposed transaction with Pinnacle. At the meeting, Avid's senior management updated Avid's board of directors on the final results of Avid's due diligence review. Representatives of Piper Jaffray made a financial presentation to Avid's board of directors and delivered Piper Jaffray's oral opinion that, as of that date, and based upon and subject to the considerations described in its subsequently delivered written opinion, the merger consideration to be paid by Avid pursuant to the merger agreement was fair to Avid from a financial point of view. Avid's legal representatives provided a summary of the principal terms of the merger agreement and voting agreements, and reviewed the process and timing for the proposed transaction, including with respect to regulatory approvals. Following the presentations and discussion, Avid's board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement, the proposed merger and the issuance of shares and payment of cash pursuant to the merger.

        On March 20, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special meeting at which the proposed merger with Avid was discussed and considered by Pinnacle's board of directors. At this meeting, Pinnacle's senior management reviewed the strategic and business considerations relating to the Avid transaction, and the risks and benefits of the transaction. Representatives of DLA Piper reviewed the final terms of the Avid merger agreement and voting agreements. Lazard reviewed the financial terms of the proposed merger with Avid, summarized a financial presentation regarding the merger consideration, and delivered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, to Pinnacle's board of directors that, as of March 20, 2005, based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in its opinion, the merger consideration as set forth in the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Pinnacle common stock. Following the presentations and discussion, Pinnacle's board of directors voted unanimously to approve the merger agreement and resolved to recommend that Pinnacle shareholders vote to approve the terms of the merger.

        On March 20, 2005, Avid and Pinnacle executed the merger agreement and the voting agreements, and Ms. Hart communicated to a representative of Company A that Pinnacle would not be continuing discussions with Company A because of the non-solicitation provisions of the merger agreement. On March 21, 2005, Avid and Pinnacle issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the merger agreement.

        On March 28, 2005, a private equity firm, referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Company C, submitted a written proposal to Pinnacle to acquire Pinnacle for $6.25 per share in a cash transaction that Company C represented would not involve any material regulatory approvals or shareholder vote. The proposal indicated that Company C contemplated a combination of Pinnacle with a portfolio software company, which is a business partner of Pinnacle, owned by Company C. The proposal indicated that Company C was prepared to enter into a confidentiality agreement immediately, undertake confirmatory due diligence and negotiate a definitive agreement containing substantially similar (and in some cases less restrictive) terms and conditions as the merger agreement with Avid, except that Company C contemplated a cash tender offer followed by a second step merger. As required by the merger agreement between Avid and Pinnacle, Pinnacle informed Avid of the receipt of, and provided Avid with a copy of, the March 28, 2005 letter from Company C.

        On March 31, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special telephonic meeting to consider the potential transaction with Company C, with representatives from Lazard and DLA Piper in attendance. DLA Piper advised Pinnacle's board of directors regarding its fiduciary duties and Pinnacle's obligations under the Avid merger agreement. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed and discussed with its advisors the terms of Company C's proposal in comparison to the Avid transaction, including:

55

        Pinnacle's board of directors noted the historical and recent post-announcement trading prices of Avid common stock and considered the possible fluctuation in the trading price of Avid common stock during the pendency of the Avid transaction. Pinnacle's board of directors also considered the potential risks and benefits of the business combination with Avid, including the strategic rationale and the possible appreciation in value of the combined company if the benefits of the combination were realized. Pinnacle's board of directors noted that the Avid transaction permitted Pinnacle shareholders who continued to hold Avid stock following the transaction to participate in the possible appreciation of the combined business if the strategic benefits of the combination were realized, while the Company C proposal was a cash transaction and Pinnacle shareholders would not have the ability to participate in any appreciation in the value of the combined business after the transaction. In addition, Pinnacle's board of directors considered:

        After a review and discussion of the possible benefits and risks of Company C's proposal compared with the Avid transaction, Pinnacle's board of directors determined in good faith, after consultation with Lazard and DLA Piper, that Company C's proposal was not reasonably likely to lead to a "superior proposal," as defined in the Avid merger agreement. On April 1, 2005, Pinnacle informed Company C of this determination.

        On April 1, 2005, Company C submitted a letter to Pinnacle reiterating its continued interest in a possible acquisition of Pinnacle for $6.25 per share in a cash transaction, providing information as to the potential interest of a co-investor in participating in Company C's financing of the proposed acquisition and limited additional information concerning Company C's financial resources, and reiterating the proposed terms, conditions and process set forth in its prior letter. As required by the merger agreement between Avid and Pinnacle, Pinnacle informed Avid of the receipt of, and provided Avid with a copy of, the April 1, 2005 letter from Company C.

56


        On April 4, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special telephonic meeting to consider the communication from Company C, with representatives from Lazard and DLA Piper in attendance. DLA Piper advised Pinnacle's board of directors regarding its fiduciary duties and Pinnacle's obligations under the merger agreement. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed the historical and recent post-announcement trading prices of Avid common stock and noted the possible fluctuation in the trading price of Avid common stock during the pendency of the Avid transaction. Pinnacle's board of directors also reviewed the conditions to the Avid transaction, including the respective stockholder and shareholder vote requirements for Avid and Pinnacle. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed the additional information provided by Company C in its April 1, 2005 letter, including the representation by Company C of an indication of interest of a co-participant in the financing for the proposed acquisition, although the third party had made no commitment. Pinnacle's board of directors considered the possible impact of a co-participant in the diligence process if one were commenced. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed an analysis prepared by Lazard regarding the potential tax implications of the Company C transaction and an analysis of the historical trading prices of Avid common stock. Pinnacle's board of directors noted that Company C had not increased its price per share, nor had it provided any specificity regarding the particular issues requiring due diligence or the time required for due diligence, and it had also not provided any specific plan for financing, definitive information regarding its financial resources, or any commitment by third parties for such financing.

        Pinnacle's board of directors also reviewed the considerations relating to both the Company C proposal and the Avid transaction previously reviewed at its meeting held on March 31, 2005, including the difference in the amount, form and structure of consideration offered by Company C and Avid and the risks and benefits of the respective transactions. Pinnacle's board of directors also discussed the risks of a due diligence process with Company C, the possibility that due diligence would disrupt Pinnacle's business and the possibility that a transaction might not be proposed by Company C on similar terms following a due diligence process.

        Pinnacle's board of directors concluded that the information provided by Company C in its April 1, 2005 letter did not change the prior conclusion of Pinnacle's board of directors regarding the Company C proposal. After a review and discussion of the possible benefits and risks of Company C's proposal compared to the Avid transaction, Pinnacle's board of directors determined in good faith, after consultation with Lazard and DLA Piper, that Company C's proposal was not reasonably likely to lead to a "superior proposal," as defined in the Avid merger agreement. On April 4, 2005, Pinnacle informed Company C of this determination.

        On April 7, 2005, a representative of Company C sent an electronic mail correspondence to Mr. Chopra in response to Mr. Chopra's cancellation of a routine business meeting that had been previously scheduled with the portfolio software company owned by Company C. The correspondence repeated Company C's interest in acquiring Pinnacle and its desire to engage in discussions with Pinnacle's board of directors regarding the proposed acquisition, stating Company C's belief that its proposed cash offer was superior to Avid's offer along multiple dimensions and requesting that this communication and interest be disseminated to Pinnacle's board of directors. The electronic mail correspondence was provided by Ms. Hart to all Pinnacle directors and provided to Avid.

        On April 13, 2005, Pinnacle made a public announcement regarding its preliminary expectations of net sales for its third quarter of fiscal 2005, indicating that it anticipated third-quarter net sales of approximately $64 million to $66 million, lower than its previous expectations of $70 million to $73 million (as adjusted for the sale of Pinnacle's Sports business in Pinnacle's third fiscal quarter). Pinnacle noted in the announcement that initial uncertainty regarding the potential impact of the Avid transaction contributed to its revised sales outlook, as orders had slowed from Pinnacle's distribution channels, principally in Europe, in the last 10 days of the quarter.

57


        On April 13, 2005, Company C submitted a letter to Pinnacle reaffirming its continued interest in a possible acquisition of Pinnacle, indicating a proposed purchase price range of $6.25 to $7.00 per share in a cash transaction, with the final value to be determined following expedited, confirmatory diligence, and acknowledging Pinnacle's announcement of its revised expectations for its third fiscal quarter results. The letter also indicated that Company C had engaged in discussions with a large strategic partner very familiar with Pinnacle that had expressed an interest in an immediate purchase of a portion of Pinnacle's business, but advised that Company C would be prepared to complete a transaction for all of Pinnacle with or without participation of this strategic partner. The letter reiterated the proposed conditions set forth in its prior letter to Pinnacle dated March 28, 2005. As required by the merger agreement between Avid and Pinnacle, Pinnacle informed Avid of the receipt of, and provided Avid with a copy of, the April 13, 2005 letter from Company C.

        On April 14, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special telephonic meeting during which Pinnacle's board of directors considered the latest correspondence from Company C, with representatives from Lazard and DLA Piper in attendance. DLA Piper advised Pinnacle's board of directors regarding its fiduciary duties and Pinnacle's obligations under the Avid merger agreement. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed the historical and recent post announcement trading prices of Avid common stock and noted the possible fluctuation in the trading price of Avid common stock during the pendency of the Avid transaction. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed the additional information provided by Company C in its April 13, 2005 letter, including the acknowledgement of Pinnacle's announcement of revised revenue expectations, Company C's indication of a willingness to proceed with a transaction with a range of possible values from $6.25 to $7.00 subject to due diligence, and the reference to a strategic partner interested in a portion of Pinnacle's business. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed considerations relating to both the Company C proposal and the Avid transaction, including:

58

        After a review and discussion of the possible benefits and risks of Company C's proposal compared to the Avid transaction, Pinnacle's board of directors determined in good faith, after consultation with Lazard and DLA Piper, that Company C's proposal was not reasonably likely to lead to a "superior proposal," as defined in the Avid merger agreement. On April 15, 2005, Pinnacle informed Company C of this determination.

        On April 27, 2005, Pinnacle made a public announcement regarding its operating results for its third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, including net sales of $65.2 million compared to net sales of $82.1 million for the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2004. In the analyst conference call following the earnings announcement, Pinnacle stated that, based upon then-available information, it anticipated its net sales in the fourth fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2005 will be below its net sales for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005.

        On April 21 and 28, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held special telephonic meetings during which Pinnacle's management and representatives of Lazard and DLA Piper provided Pinnacle's board of directors with updates on the status of the Avid merger.

        On May 5, 2005, at a regularly scheduled meeting of Pinnacle's board of directors, Pinnacle's management and representatives of Lazard and DLA Piper provided Pinnacle's board of directors with an update on the status of the Avid merger.

        On May 6, 2005, Company C submitted a letter to Pinnacle reaffirming its continued interest in a possible acquisition of Pinnacle, indicating a proposed purchase price of $7.00 per share in a cash transaction, with existing Pinnacle options to be cancelled for a cash payment equal to the difference between the applicable strike price and $7.00. In the letter, Company C proposed a streamlined two-phase due diligence approach with phase one consisting of confirmatory business and financial due diligence, to be completed within five business days after Pinnacle's provision of the relevant information and access to Pinnacle's management, and phase two consisting of finalization of a merger agreement and follow-up due diligence, which the letter stated was not anticipated to take longer than ten days. Company C attached a list of specific business and financial due diligence issues to the letter. The letter also indicated that Company C did not require any shareholder vote or similar process to proceed, and that Company C would consider structuring the transaction as a tender offer, which would not require a vote of the Pinnacle shareholders. The letter further clarified the availability of financing to fund the proposed transaction, noting that a large strategic partner very familiar with Pinnacle (not further identified in the letter, but subsequently disclosed by Company C to Pinnacle to be Company A) had expressed interest in an immediate purchase of a portion of Pinnacle's business. In addition, the letter stated that Company C was partnering with an established technology buyout fund, referred to in this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Company D, and Company D co-signed the letter to Pinnacle. In the letter, Company C further stated that Company C and Company D were prepared to fully finance the transaction with equity irrespective of the availability of a concurrent sale of a portion of Pinnacle's business to the large strategic partner and irrespective of the availability of debt financing. The letter stated that Company C was flexible with respect to acquiring Pinnacle or solely the portion of the business not sought by the large strategic partner, noting that should Pinnacle and its advisors revisit the current strategic approach or should Pinnacle and/or Avid desire to explore a restructuring of the proposed Avid merger, Company C would also be willing to pursue a purchase of the portion of the business not sought by the large strategic partner on "terms that would provide more value to Pinnacle shareholders as compared to [its] current strategy." The letter noted that the proposal therein remained subject to the other points in Company C's prior letter to Pinnacle dated March 28,

59


2005. As required by the merger agreement between Avid and Pinnacle, Pinnacle informed Avid of the receipt of, and provided Avid with a copy of, the May 6, 2005 letter from Company C.

        On May 7, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special telephonic meeting during which Pinnacle's board of directors considered the latest correspondence from Company C, with representatives from Lazard and DLA Piper in attendance. DLA Piper advised Pinnacle's board of directors regarding its fiduciary duties and Pinnacle's obligations under the Avid merger agreement. A representative of Lazard reviewed with Pinnacle's board of directors the proposal contained in the May 6, 2005 letter. Pinnacle's board of directors reviewed considerations relating to both Company C's latest proposal and the Avid transaction, including:


After a review and discussion of the possible benefits and risks of Company C's proposal compared to the Avid transaction, Pinnacle's board of directors determined in good faith, (i) after consultation with Lazard and DLA Piper, that the proposal of Company C contained in the May 6, 2005 letter was reasonably likely to lead to a "superior proposal," as defined in the Avid merger agreement, and (ii) after consultation with DLA Piper, that Pinnacle's board of directors was required by its fiduciary obligations in response to such letter to participate in discussions or negotiations with Company C and furnish Pinnacle information to Company C and its representatives.

        Later on May 7, 2005, Pinnacle informed Avid of its determination and sent a letter to Company C, a copy of which was also provided to Avid, notifying Company C that Pinnacle was willing

60


to provide confidential information to Company C and engage in discussions and negotiations in furtherance of a transaction with substantially the terms set forth in the May 6, 2005 letter, subject to:

Pinnacle included with its letter to Company C a proposed nondisclosure agreement to be executed regarding the confidential information to be provided by Pinnacle. On May 8, 2005, Company C executed a nondisclosure agreement regarding the confidential information to be provided by Pinnacle on terms no less restrictive than the confidentiality agreement between Avid and Pinnacle, and Pinnacle provided a copy of the signed nondisclosure agreement to Avid.

        During the week of May 9, 2005 and on May 16, 2005, representatives of Company C and Company D conducted business and financial due diligence on Pinnacle at the offices of DLA Piper, which included presentations by Pinnacle's management, and representatives of Company C and Company D were provided access to Pinnacle's electronic data room. Throughout May 2005, Company C and Company D continued to conduct a due diligence review of Pinnacle. As required by the merger agreement between Avid and Pinnacle, Pinnacle provided to Avid any materials provided to Company C and Company D not previously provided to Avid.

        On May 20, 2005, Company C's counsel delivered an initial draft merger agreement to Pinnacle's counsel, DLA Piper, in order to begin negotiating some of the terms of a possible transaction. As required by the merger agreement between Avid and Pinnacle, Pinnacle informed Avid of the receipt of, and provided Avid with a copy of, the initial draft merger agreement from Company C. Thereafter representatives of DLA Piper and Company C's counsel negotiated terms of the proposed merger agreement between Pinnacle and Company C.

        On May 23, 2005, Ms. Hart and representatives from Lazard and DLA Piper provided an update by telephone conference call to Pinnacle's board of directors regarding the progress on the due diligence review by Company C and Company D as well as the status of discussions regarding structure, financing, terms and timing of a possible transaction with Company C and Company D. Ms. Hart also updated Pinnacle's board of directors on the status of the merger with Avid. Ms. Hart and representatives from Lazard and DLA Piper noted that Avid's chief executive officer had reaffirmed Avid's consumer strategy at a recent investor conference, including the strategic value of the combination with Pinnacle. Pinnacle's board of directors determined in good faith, after consultation with Lazard and DLA Piper, that based on the information currently available, the transaction proposed by Company C was still reasonably likely to lead to a "superior proposal," as defined in the Avid merger agreement.

        On May 31, 2005, a representative of Company C informed a representative of Lazard that Company C would not be able to proceed with a transaction with a purchase price at $7.00. The representative of Company C stated that after completing its financial analysis of Pinnacle, and in light of the increase in the recent trading price of Avid common stock, Company C believed that due to the status of the debt markets it would be unable to obtain the necessary financing on acceptable terms to support an offer to Pinnacle that would constitute a "superior proposal," as defined in the Avid merger agreement.

61


        On May 31, 2005, Pinnacle's board of directors held a special telephonic meeting during which Pinnacle's board of directors considered the information from Company C, with representatives of Lazard and DLA Piper in attendance. A representative of Lazard summarized the conversation with the representative of Company C. DLA Piper advised Pinnacle's board of directors regarding its fiduciary duties and Pinnacle's obligations under the Avid merger agreement. After a review and discussion of the recent information regarding Company C's proposal compared to the Avid transaction, Pinnacle's board of directors determined in good faith, after consultation with Lazard and DLA Piper, that the discussions with Company C did not continue to appear reasonably likely to lead to a "superior proposal," as defined in the Avid merger agreement. On June 1, 2005, Pinnacle informed Avid and Company C of this determination and terminated discussions with Company C and Company D.


Consideration of the Merger by Avid

        Avid believes that its acquisition of Pinnacle presents a compelling strategic opportunity for Avid to expand its product offerings and customer base significantly. Following the completion of the merger, Avid will offer a full range of digital media solutions for professionals and consumers, ranging from home video and audio editing applications to the most advanced content creation products for enterprise customers in the film, video, television, broadcast, audio and computer graphics industries.

        Avid also expects that as a result of the acquisition it will derive synergies from a number of sources, including the development of new products, leveraging of the existing channels and sales forces of both companies to reach more customers, operational efficiencies from combining functions where appropriate, the consolidation of redundant facilities and infrastructure, and the reduction of public company expenses.

        The decision of Avid's board of directors to approve the merger and the issuance of Avid common stock in the merger was based on various potential benefits of the merger. In reaching its decision to approve the merger, Avid's board of directors considered a number of factors, including the following:

        Avid's board of directors also considered a number of factors relating to each of Pinnacle's two operating segments.

        In the broadcast segment, Avid's board of directors considered the following factors, among others:

62

        In the consumer segment, Avid's board of directors took into account a number of factors, including the following:

        During the course of its deliberations concerning the merger, Avid's board of directors also identified and considered a variety of risks relating to the merger, including the following:

63

        This discussion of information and factors considered by Avid's board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but is intended to summarize all material factors considered by Avid's board of directors. In view of the wide variety of factors considered by Avid's board of directors, Avid's board of directors did not find it practicable to quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered. However, after taking into account all of the factors set forth above, Avid's board of directors unanimously agreed that the merger agreement and the merger were fair to, and in the best interests of, Avid and that Avid should enter into the merger agreement.

        Avid retained Piper Jaffray to render to Avid's board of directors an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid by Avid in the merger.

        Piper Jaffray delivered to Avid's board of directors on March 19, 2005, its opinion, as of that date and based upon and subject to the assumptions, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth in the written opinion and described below, that the consideration proposed to be paid by Avid in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to Avid. A copy of Piper Jaffray's written opinion is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex D and is incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference.

        While Piper Jaffray rendered its opinion and provided certain analyses to Avid's board of directors, Piper Jaffray was not requested to and did not make any recommendation to Avid's board of directors as to the specific form or amount of the consideration to be paid by Avid in the proposed merger, which was determined through negotiations between Pinnacle and Avid. Piper Jaffray's written opinion, which was directed to Avid's board of directors, addresses only the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the proposed consideration to be paid by Avid in the proposed merger, does not address Avid's underlying business decision to participate in the merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any Avid stockholder as to how any stockholder should vote with respect to the proposed amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation to increase the number of Avid's authorized shares of common stock which will enable the issuance of shares of Avid common stock in the merger.

        In arriving at its opinion, Piper Jaffray's review included:

64

        In addition, Piper Jaffray conducted discussions with members of senior management of Avid and Pinnacle with respect to the business and prospects of Avid and Pinnacle on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis following the merger.

        In delivering its opinion to Avid's board of directors, Piper Jaffray prepared and delivered to Avid's board of directors written materials containing various analyses and other information material to the opinion. Here is a summary of the analyses contained in the materials:

        Giving effect to the 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock consideration and $1.00 cash consideration, the implied value of the consideration offered to Pinnacle in the merger was determined to be $6.47 per share of Pinnacle common stock (based on the closing price for Avid common stock on March 18, 2005). Based on the number of outstanding Pinnacle common shares and common share equivalents, Piper Jaffray calculated the aggregated implied equity value of the consideration payable in the merger to be approximately $461.5 million. Piper Jaffray also calculated the implied enterprise value (which is equity value plus debt and less cash) of Pinnacle to be approximately $333.1 million.

        Piper Jaffray reviewed the price performance, trading volume and stock trading history of Pinnacle and Avid common stock over selected periods during the previous 12 months. Piper Jaffray presented the stock trading information contained in the following table:

 
   Pinnacle
   Avid
Closing price on March 18, 2005   $ 4.97   $ 62.95
Closing price 1 week prior     4.24     64.86
Closing price 4 weeks prior     4.28     65.43
6 month closing average     4.75     57.61
1 year closing average     5.55     52.74
52 week high trade     9.91     68.35
52 week low trade     3.25     40.90

        Piper Jaffray also presented selected price and volume distribution data of Pinnacle and Avid.

        Piper Jaffray compared financial information and valuation ratios relating to Pinnacle to corresponding data and ratios from ten publicly traded companies Piper Jaffray deemed comparable to Pinnacle. This group was Adobe Systems Incorporated, Avid, AutoDesk, Inc., InterVideo, Inc., Leitch Technology Corporation, Macromedia, Inc., Macrovision Corporation, SeaChange International, Inc., Sonic Solutions and Thomson S.A. Piper Jaffray selected this group by applying the following criteria:

65

        Piper Jaffray used publicly available Wall Street research estimates for Avid and the comparable company group, except for Pinnacle for which Piper Jaffray used Pinnacle's management's estimates. This analysis produced multiples of selected valuation data which Piper Jaffray compared to multiples for Pinnacle derived from the implied value payable in the merger.

 
    
   Comparable Companies
  
 
   Pinnacle
  
 
   Low
   Mean
   Median
   High
  
Enterprise value to latest twelve months revenue   1.1 x 0.8 x 4.1 x 4.3 x 10.0 x
Enterprise value to estimated calendar 2005 revenue   1.1   0.8   3.4   3.0   8.9  
Enterprise value to estimated calendar 2006 revenue   1.0   0.8   3.2   2.8   8.1  
Latest twelve months price to earnings ratio   NM (1) 16.3   29.3   29.4   41.8  
Price to earnings ratio for calendar 2005   59.5   13.3   24.8   22.8   39.0  
Price to earnings ratio for calendar 2006   30.3   9.3   20.0   19.4   34.1  
(1)
Data not meaningful because Pinnacle did not have positive earnings in the twelve months ended December 31, 2004.

        Piper Jaffray reviewed five merger and acquisition transactions that it deemed comparable to the merger. It selected these transactions by searching SEC filings, public company disclosures, press releases, industry and popular press reports, databases and other sources and by applying the following criteria:

        Piper Jaffray compared the resulting multiples of selected valuation data to multiples for Pinnacle derived from the implied value payable in the merger.

 
    
   Comparable Transactions
  
 
   Pinnacle
  
 
   Low
   Mean
   Median
   High
  
Enterprise value to latest twelve months revenue   1.1 x 0.9 x 1.7 x 1.7 x 2.9 x
Enterprise value to next twelve months revenue   1.1   0.8   1.5   1.7   2.3  
Equity value to latest twelve months net income   NM (1) 24.4   36.8   36.8   49.3  
Equity value to next twelve months net income   59.5   9.8   38.1   12.9   91.6  
(1)
Data not meaningful because Pinnacle did not have positive earnings in the twelve months ended December 31, 2004.

        Piper Jaffray reviewed 35 completed merger and acquisition transactions that it deemed comparable to the merger to determine the implied premiums payable in the transactions over recent trading prices. It selected these transactions by searching SEC filings, public company disclosures, press

66

releases, industry and popular press reports, databases and other sources and by applying the following criteria:

        The table below shows a comparison of those premiums to the premium payable to Pinnacle shareholders based on the implied value payable in the merger. The premium calculations for Pinnacle common stock are based upon an assumed announcement date of March 19, 2005:

 
    
   Comparable Transactions
  
 
   Pinnacle
  
 
   Low
   Mean
   Median
   High
  
One day before announcement   30.2 % (0.5 )% 34.5 % 23.3 % 260.0 %
One week before announcement   52.6   (3.9 ) 34.9   27.5   239.6  
Four weeks before announcement   51.2   (2.7 ) 46.2   40.0   267.4  

        Piper Jaffray performed a discounted cash flow analysis for Pinnacle in which it calculated the present value of the projected future cash flows of Pinnacle using Pinnacle's management's projections. Piper Jaffray estimated a range of theoretical values for Pinnacle based on the net present value of its implied annual cash flows and a terminal value for Pinnacle in 2009 calculated based upon a multiple of revenue. Piper Jaffray applied a range of discount rates of 15% to 20% and a range of terminal value multiples of 1.0x to 1.5x of projected 2009 revenue:

Equity Value of Pinnacle
(in millions)		      
Low   $ 407.9
Mid     489.9
High     586.6

Per Share Equity Value of Pinnacle
 
 
 
Low   $ 5.82
Mid     6.99
High     8.37

67

        Piper Jaffray analyzed pro forma effects resulting from the impact of the merger on the projected earnings per share of the combined company for the calendar years 2005 and 2006. Piper Jaffray performed this analysis using Wall Street research estimates for Avid and Pinnacle's management's estimates for Pinnacle, including adjustments to revenue and cost savings, such as headcount reductions, facility closures, public company costs and manufacturing efficiencies, that Avid's management estimates the combined company may realize following consummation of the merger. Piper Jaffray determined that the merger could be accretive for calendar year 2006 to the projected stand-alone earnings per share of Avid when taking into account Avid's management's revenue and cost savings adjustments.

        Piper Jaffray reviewed general background information concerning Avid, including recent financial and operating results and outlook.

        Piper Jaffray compared selected financial information and valuation ratios for Avid to the corresponding data and ratios from twelve publicly traded companies deemed comparable to Avid. This group was Adobe Systems Incorporated, Apple Computer, Inc., AutoDesk, Inc., Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Digital Theater Systems, Inc., Harman International Industries, Incorporated, Leitch Technology Corporation, Macromedia, Inc., Macrovision Corporation, Pinnacle, SeaChange International, Inc. and Thomson S.A. Piper Jaffray selected this group by applying the following criteria:

        The stock price used in the calculations was Avid's closing price of $62.95 on March 18, 2005. Piper Jaffray used publicly available Wall Street research estimates for Avid and the comparable company group, except for Pinnacle for which Piper Jaffray used Pinnacle's management's estimates. This analysis produced multiples of selected valuation data as follows:

 
    
   Comparable Companies
  
 
   Avid
  
 
   Low
   Mean
   Median
   High
  
Enterprise value to latest twelve months revenue   3.7 x 0.7 x 3.9 x 3.5 x 10.0 x
Enterprise value to estimated calendar 2005 revenue   3.1   0.7   3.4   2.6   8.9  
Enterprise value to estimated calendar 2006 revenue   2.8   0.6   3.2   2.3   8.1  
Latest twelve months price to earnings ratio   29.4   16.4   37.6   36.0   67.1  
Price to earnings ratio for calendar 2005   23.8   13.4   31.1   30.9   45.7  
Price to earnings ratio for calendar 2006   20.4   9.3   24.2   23.3   35.5  

        In reaching its conclusion as to the fairness of the merger consideration and in its presentation to Avid's board of directors, Piper Jaffray did not rely on any single analysis or factor described above, assign relative weights to the analyses or factors considered by it, or make any conclusion as to how the results of any given analysis, taken alone, supported its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Piper Jaffray believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selection of portions of its

68

analyses and of the factors considered by it, without considering all of the analyses and factors, would create a misleading view of the processes underlying the opinion.

        The analyses of Piper Jaffray are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by the analyses. Analyses relating to the value of companies do not purport to be appraisals or valuations or necessarily reflect the price at which companies may actually be sold. No company or transaction used in any analysis for purposes of comparison is identical to Pinnacle, Avid or the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of the comparisons is not mathematical; rather, it involves complex considerations and judgments about differences in the companies to which Pinnacle and Avid were compared and other factors that could affect the public trading value of the companies.

        For purposes of its opinion, Piper Jaffray relied upon and assumed the accuracy, completeness and fairness of the financial statements and other information provided to it by Pinnacle and Avid or otherwise made available to it and did not assume responsibility for the independent verification of that information. Information prepared for financial planning purposes was not prepared with the expectation of public disclosure. Piper Jaffray relied upon the assurances of the management of Pinnacle and Avid that the information provided to it by Pinnacle and Avid was prepared on a reasonable basis in accordance with industry practice, and, with respect to financial planning and pro forma data, reflects the best currently available estimates and judgment of Avid and Pinnacle's respective management and that they are not aware of any information or facts that would make the information provided to Piper Jaffray incomplete or misleading. Piper Jaffray expressed no opinion as to such financial planning and pro forma data or the assumptions on which it was based. Piper Jaffray relied on assumptions of Avid's management regarding cost savings and other pro forma effects anticipated to result from the merger.

        For purposes of its opinion, Piper Jaffray assumed that neither Avid nor Pinnacle is party to any material pending transaction, including any external financing, recapitalization, acquisition or merger, other than the proposed merger between Avid and Pinnacle. For purposes of its opinion, Piper Jaffray assumed that all necessary regulatory approvals and consents required for the merger will be obtained in a manner that will not adversely affect Avid or Pinnacle or alter the terms of the merger.

        In arriving at its opinion, Piper Jaffray did not perform any appraisals or valuations of any specific assets or liabilities of Pinnacle or Avid, and was not furnished with any such appraisals or valuations. Piper Jaffray expressed no opinion as to the liquidation value of any entity. Piper Jaffray expressed no opinion as to the price at which shares of Pinnacle or Avid common stock have traded or at which the shares of Pinnacle, Avid or the combined company may trade at any future time. The opinion is based on information available to Piper Jaffray and the facts and circumstances as they existed and were subject to evaluation on the date of the opinion. Events occurring after that date could materially affect the assumptions used in preparing the opinion. Piper Jaffray has not undertaken to and is not obligated to affirm or revise its opinion or otherwise comment on any events occurring after the date it was given.

        Piper Jaffray assumed that the merger would qualify as a reorganization under the United States Internal Revenue Code and did not independently verify that such tax treatment will be available in respect of the merger. Piper Jaffray expressed no view with respect to the tax treatment that will be required to be applied to the merger. Piper Jaffray relied on advice of outside counsel of Avid and Pinnacle and the independent accountants to Avid, and on the assumptions of Avid's management, as to all legal, tax and financial reporting matters with respect to Avid, Pinnacle and the merger agreement.

        Piper Jaffray was not requested to opine as to, and the opinion does not address, the basic business decision to proceed with or effect the merger. Piper Jaffray expressed no opinion as to whether any alternative transaction might produce superior benefits to Avid or its stockholders. Piper

69


Jaffray's opinion relates solely to the aggregate consideration payable to the equity and option holders of Pinnacle as a whole. Piper Jaffray did not analyze any class separately and did not express any opinion regarding the consideration allocated or paid to any specific class of securities.

        Piper Jaffray, as a customary part of its investment banking business, evaluates businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, underwritings and secondary distributions of securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. Piper Jaffray provides research coverage on and maintains a market in the common stock of Avid and Pinnacle and has written research reports on Avid and Pinnacle during the last 12 months. Piper Jaffray previously acted as Avid's financial advisor in connection with an acquisition transaction by Avid for which it received a customary fee. In the ordinary course of its business, Piper Jaffray and its affiliates (including its employees) may actively trade securities of Avid and Pinnacle for their own accounts or the accounts of their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in those securities.

        Under the terms of Piper Jaffray's engagement letter with Avid, Avid:

        Avid has agreed to reimburse Piper Jaffray for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performance of its services, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its legal counsel up to a maximum expense reimbursement of $50,000. In addition, Avid agreed to indemnify Piper Jaffray against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws relating to or arising out of Piper Jaffray's engagement.


Consideration of the Merger by Pinnacle

        In reaching its decision to approve the terms and conditions of the merger and recommend that the holders of shares of Pinnacle common stock vote for the approval of the terms of the merger, Pinnacle's board of directors considered a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

70

Pinnacle's board of directors also considered the potential risks of the merger, including the following:

71


        The foregoing discussion of the factors and risks considered by Pinnacle's board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive but summarizes the material factors and risks considered by Pinnacle's board of directors in making its recommendation. In view of the wide variety of factors and risks considered in connection with its evaluation of the merger and the complexity of these matters, Pinnacle's board of directors did not find it useful, and did not attempt, to quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to these factors and risks. In considering the factors and risks described above, individual members of Pinnacle's board of directors may have given different weight to different factors and risks.

72

Pinnacle's board of directors conducted an overall analysis of the factors and risks described above, including thorough discussions with, and questioning of, Pinnacle's management and Pinnacle's legal and financial advisors. Pinnacle's board of directors concluded that certain of the risks could be managed or mitigated and that, on balance, the potential benefits of the merger outweighed the risks of the merger. Based on the totality of the information presented, Pinnacle's board of directors determined that Pinnacle should proceed with the merger agreement and the merger and determined that the merger and the transactions contemplated thereby are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of Pinnacle and its shareholders, and recommends that holders of Pinnacle common stock approve the terms of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.

        Under an agreement dated June 21, 2004, as amended on February 3, 2005, Pinnacle retained Lazard to act as its sole investment banker in connection with the merger. As part of this engagement, Pinnacle requested that Lazard evaluate the fairness, from a financial point of view, to Pinnacle shareholders of the consideration to be paid to such holders in the merger. Lazard has delivered to Pinnacle's board of directors a written opinion, dated March 20, 2005, that, as of that date, based upon and subject to certain assumptions, factors and qualifications set forth therein, the consideration to be paid in the merger to the holders of Pinnacle common stock is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

        The full text of the Lazard opinion is included as Annex E to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated into this joint proxy statement/prospectus by reference. The description of the Lazard opinion set forth in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Lazard opinion set forth in Annex E. You are urged to read the Lazard opinion in its entirety for a description of the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Lazard in connection with the opinion. Lazard's written opinion is directed to Pinnacle's board of directors and only addresses the fairness to the holders of Pinnacle common stock of the consideration to be paid to such holders in the merger from a financial point of view as of the date of the opinion. Lazard's written opinion does not address the merits of the underlying decision by Pinnacle to engage in the merger or the relative merits of the merger as compared to other business strategies or transactions that might have been available to Pinnacle and does not constitute an opinion or recommendation to any shareholder as to how the shareholder should vote on any matter relating to the merger. Lazard's opinion is necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Lazard as of, the date of the Lazard opinion. Lazard assumes no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after the date of the opinion. The following is only a summary of the Lazard opinion. You are urged to read the entire opinion.

        In the course of performing its review and analyses in rendering its opinion, Lazard:

73

        Lazard relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the information provided to it, and did not assume any responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Pinnacle or Avid, or concerning the solvency or fair value of Pinnacle or Avid. With respect to financial forecasts and prospects, Lazard assumed that they had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of management of Pinnacle and Avid as to the future financial performance of Pinnacle and Avid, respectively. Lazard assumed no responsibility for and expressed no view as to any such forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based.

        In rendering its opinion, Lazard assumed that the merger would be consummated on the terms described in the merger agreement, including among other things, that the merger will be treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and that the merger will be consummated without any waiver of any material terms or conditions. In addition, Lazard assumed that obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the merger will not have an adverse effect on the combined company.

        Lazard did not express any opinion as to the price at which shares of Pinnacle common stock or Avid common stock might trade subsequent to the announcement of the merger or as to the price at which shares of Avid common stock might trade subsequent to the merger.

        Lazard has in the past provided investment banking services to Pinnacle for which Lazard has received customary fees. In addition, in the ordinary course of Lazard's business, Lazard may actively trade shares of the common stock and other securities of Pinnacle and Avid for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.

        The following is a brief summary of the material financial and comparative analyses which Lazard deemed to be appropriate for this type of transaction and that were performed by Lazard in connection with rendering its opinion. The summary of Lazard's analyses described below is not a complete description of the analyses underlying Lazard's opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex analytical process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analyses and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances, and, therefore, is not readily susceptible to summary description. In arriving at its opinion, Lazard considered the results of all the analyses and did not attribute any particular weight to any factor or analysis considered by it; rather, Lazard made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all of the analyses. The financial analyses summarized below include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand Lazard's financial analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering the data in the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Lazard's financial analyses.

74


        Lazard performed a contribution analysis based on the relative contribution of each of Pinnacle and Avid to the combined pro forma entity, based on the projections of the managements of Pinnacle and Avid and public information. Lazard calculated the relative contribution by both Pinnacle and Avid to the combined entity with respect to projected financial data including revenues and EBITA without projected cost savings.

        The following table illustrates the relative contribution to revenues and EBITA of both Pinnacle and Avid to the combined company:

 
   Contribution of Pinnacle
   Contribution of Avid
  
2004 Revenues   34.1 % 65.9 %
2004 EBITA   1.5   98.5  
2005E Revenues   30.3   69.7  
2005E EBITA   6.7   93.3  
2006E Revenues   29.6   70.4  
2006E EBITA   11.8   88.2  

        "EBITA" is a company's income before interest, taxes and amortization. "2005E" and "2006E" mean projections for 2005 and 2006, respectively.

        Under the merger agreement, Pinnacle shareholders are expected to receive approximately 14.2% of the fully-diluted equity of the combined company, plus $71.3 million in cash, based on:


        Lazard performed a precedent transaction premiums paid analysis based upon the premiums paid in selected transactions. In conducting its analysis, Lazard analyzed the premiums paid in the following subsets of precedent transactions:

        The analysis was based on the one-day, one-week and one-month implied premiums for the transactions indicated. The implied premiums in this analysis were calculated comparing the implied per share transaction price at announcement of the transaction to the stock price of the company being acquired and enterprise value one-day, one-week and one-month prior to the announcement of the transaction. The results of these calculations are as follows:

 
   No. of
Transactions
   1-Day
   1-Week
   1-Month
  
All transactions   357   27.9 % 30.5 % 34.6 %
Technology transactions   108   32.1   34.1   45.3  
Pinnacle/Avid transaction   —   30.2   52.6   51.2  

75

 
   No. of
Transactions
   1-Day
   1-Week
   1-Month
  
All transactions   357   23.0 % 26.7 % 32.6 %
Technology transactions   108   38.4   43.2   57.5  
Pinnacle/Avid transaction   —   50.0   96.7   93.5  

        Lazard performed an adjusted historical exchange ratio analysis based upon the ratio of closing prices of Pinnacle common stock minus $1.00 divided by the closing prices of Avid common stock over the six months ended March 18, 2005. Lazard then compared the Avid common stock exchange ratio portion of the merger consideration to these adjusted historical exchange ratios. Over the six months ended March 18, 2005, the analysis indicated adjusted historical exchange ratios ranging from 0.0479x on March 8, 2005 to 0.0934x on November 12, 2004 compared to the exchange ratio of 0.0869x in the merger. On March 18, 2005, the adjusted historical exchange ratio was 0.0631x.

        Lazard also calculated the implied per share value of the merger consideration based on the historical trading values of Avid common stock over the six months ended March 18, 2005. Lazard then calculated the premium implied by dividing the implied per share value of the merger consideration by the then-current trading value of Pinnacle common stock. Over the six months ended March 18, 2005, the analysis indicated implied premiums and discounts to the then-current Pinnacle trading prices ranging from a 5.8% discount on November 12, 2004 to a 62.3% premium on March 8, 2005. As of March 18, 2005, the implied per share merger consideration represented a 30.2% premium.

        Lazard performed a sum of the parts valuation by performing the following analyses on Pinnacle's two primary reporting divisions individually and then aggregating the results together because the two divisions have significantly different economics and peer groups. Based on the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding as of March 18, 2005, these analyses resulted in a range of implied values per share for Pinnacle of $5.35 to $6.92. This compares to the implied value of the Avid offer as of March 18, 2005 of $6.47 per share.

 
   Low
   High
 
   (in millions except per share amount)
Cash   $ 128   $ 128
Broadcast & Professional (range suggested by analyses)     70     120
Business & Consumer (range suggested by analyses)     175     235
   
 
Equity Value     373     483

Implied Value per Share
 
$
5.35
 
$
6.92

76

        Lazard compared the projected financial performance and the resulting multiples as of March 18, 2005 of Pinnacle to the following publicly traded companies having businesses or other characteristics that Lazard deemed reasonably comparable to the businesses conducted by Pinnacle's two divisions:

Broadcast & Professional:   Business & Consumer:

Profitable Companies:
 
Sonic Solutions
Thomson S.A.   CyberLink Corporation
Avid   InterVideo, Inc.
Tandberg Television   Ulead Systems, Inc.
Harmonic Inc.   Logitech International S.A.
SeaChange International, Inc.   palmOne, Inc.
    Creative Technology Ltd.
Unprofitable Companies:   D-Link Corporation
Leitch Technology Corporation   Iomega Corporation
Concurrent Computer Corporation   Hauppauge Digital, Inc.

        The forecasted financial information used by Lazard for Pinnacle in the course of this analysis was based on Pinnacle's management's projections, and the forecasted financial information used by Lazard for the comparable companies in the course of this analysis was based on research estimates and estimates published by Institutional Brokers Estimate System. The historical financial information used by Lazard in the course of this analysis was based on publicly available historical information. Calculations were made based on the closing price per share of each company's common stock as of March 18, 2005. Based on this information, Lazard calculated the following median multiples for the comparable companies listed above. For Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division, which was not profitable throughout the forecast period after allocation of corporate general and administrative expenses, Lazard performed this analysis on the unprofitable comparable companies only.

 
   2004
   2005E
  
Enterprise Value as a multiple of:          
  Revenues   1.11 x 0.98 x
  EBITA   N/A   8.4  
  P/E   N/A   14.7  
 
   2004
   2005E
  
Enterprise Value as a multiple of:          
  Revenues   0.96 x 0.83 x
  EBITA   10.9   7.3  
  P/E   17.1   13.0  

        "Enterprise Value" is the market value of a company's common equity based on a diluted number of shares outstanding plus total debt less cash and equivalents and net present value of net operating loss tax benefits. "P/E" is equal to a company's stock price divided by its projected net income per share. "2005E" mean projections for 2005.

        Applying the derived revenue and EBITA multiples to the appropriate revenue and EBITA data for the relevant Pinnacle division, Lazard determined a range of implied enterprise values for

77


Pinnacle's two divisions. Based on this analysis, Lazard calculated a range of implied enterprise values for Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division of $74 million to $128 million based on 2005 estimated revenues, a range of implied enterprise values for Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division of $186 million to $269 million based on 2005 estimated revenues and a range of implied enterprise values for Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division of $114 million to $179 million based on 2005 estimated EBITA.

        Lazard reviewed selected publicly available financial information for merger and acquisition transactions in each of the broadcast & professional industry and the business & consumer industry. The following transactions were selected as comparable for purposes of the precedent transactions analysis because they involved acquisitions since November 2000 of companies whose principal line of business is similar to that of Pinnacle's divisions in the same industry. The financial information used by Lazard in the course of this analysis was based on historical information.

Date Announced
   Acquiror
   Target
   Transaction Value
as a Multiple of
LTM Revenue
  
April 2004   Accel-KKR   Alias Systems Corp.   0.80 x
August 2003   Eastman Kodak Company   LaserPacific Media Corporation   0.96  
December 2001   Thomson S.A.   Grass Valley Group   0.86  
January 2001   Thomson S.A.   Phillips Professional Broadcast   0.65  
Date Announced
   Acquiror
   Target
   Transaction Value
as a Multiple of
LTM Revenue
  
May 2005   InterVideo, Inc.   Ulead Systems, Inc.   1.14 x
December 2004   Yamaha Corporation   Steinberg Audio Software Business   1.22  
August 2004   Avid   Midiman, Inc. d/b/a/
M-Audio		   3.46  
August 2004   Sonic Solutions   Roxio—Software Division   0.93  
April 2004   Accel-KKR   Alias Systems Group   0.87  
December 2003   Vision Technologies Kinetics, Inc.   Miltope Group, Inc.   0.80  
June 2003   Pinnacle   Dazzle Multimedia, Inc.   1.00  
May 2003   Adobe Systems, Inc.   Syntrillium Software   1.74  
May 2003   Sony Pictures Digital   Sonic Foundry assets   1.20  
December 2002   Pinnacle   Steinberg Media Technologies AG   1.20  
July 2001   Apple Computer, Inc.   Emagic   NA  
February 2001   Logitech
International S.A.		   Labtec Inc.   1.26  
November 2000   Avocent Corporation   Equinox Systems, Inc.   1.85  

78

        "Transaction Value" is equal to the sum of the purchase price of common equity on a fully diluted basis and the value of the net debt, any minority interests and preferred stock. "LTM Revenue" is a company's revenue for the last twelve months.

        Applying the derived revenue multiples to the appropriate revenue data for the relevant Pinnacle division, Lazard determined a range of implied enterprise values for Pinnacle's two divisions. Based on this analysis, Lazard calculated a range of implied enterprise values for Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division of $66 million to $98 million and a range of implied enterprise values for Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division of $167 million to $669 million.

        Lazard also segregated the precedent transactions comparable to Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division into consumer software and consumer hardware transaction universes. Using the median revenue multiples for each of the consumer software and consumer hardware transactions, Lazard derived implied enterprise values for Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division of $232 million and $244 million.

        Using projections provided by the management of Pinnacle, Lazard performed a discounted cash flow analysis valuing Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division based on the present value of projected unlevered free cash flow for 2005 to 2007 and the present value of the terminal value in 2007. The analysis assumed a range of terminal year exit multiples of EBITA of 9.0x to 12.0x and a range of discount rates of 13% to 15%, based on estimates relating to the weighted average cost of capital. Using this analysis, Lazard derived a range of implied enterprise value for Pinnacle's Business & Consumer division of $143 million to $261 million.

        Lazard did not perform a discounted cash flow analysis valuing Pinnacle's Broadcast & Professional division because this division was not profitable throughout the forecast period after allocation of corporate general and administrative expenses.

        Lazard reviewed selected historical financial information as well as current Wall Street research analyst ratings and projections for Avid. Lazard analyzed the potential pro forma effect of the merger on Avid's estimated earnings per share for the third and fourth quarters of calendar year 2005 and for calendar year 2006, using projections provided by the management of Pinnacle for Pinnacle's income before interest and taxes, less estimated interest income at a rate of 1.5% and taxes of 28%, and Wall Street estimates for Avid, and applying the exchange ratio of 0.0869x in the merger.

        Assuming a range of annualized synergies resulting from the merger, this analysis indicated the following accretion/(dilution) to Avid's estimated earnings per share:

Assumed Annualized After-Tax Synergies
   Q3 2005
   Q4 2005
   2006
  
$  0.0 million     (8.4 %)   (4.9 %)   (4.4 %)
    3.3 million     (5.7 )   (2.7 )   (2.2 )
    6.5 million     (3.1 )   (0.4 )   (0.0 )
    9.8 million     (0.5 )   1.9     2.2  
  13.0 million     2.2     4.1     4.4  
  16.3 million     4.8     6.4     6.6  

After-tax Synergies Required for
No Accretion or Dilution (in millions)
 
$
2.8
 
$
1.9
 
$
7.1
 

        Lazard's opinion and financial analyses were not the only factors considered by Pinnacle's board of directors in their evaluation of the merger and should not be viewed as determinative of the views of

79

Pinnacle's board of directors or Pinnacle's management. Lazard has consented to the inclusion of and references to its opinion in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

        Under the terms of Lazard's engagement, as amended, Pinnacle paid $1,000,000 to Lazard when Lazard provided Pinnacle's board of directors with its opinion with respect to the fairness of the consideration to be paid pursuant to the merger agreement, and Pinnacle will pay a fee (against which the $1,000,000 described above will be credited) upon the closing of the merger that is based upon the trading price of Avid common stock on the closing date of the merger. Based on Avid's trading price of $57.12 on June 7, 2005, the fee would be approximately $3,960,000.

        Pinnacle has agreed to reimburse Lazard for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing its services, including the fees and expenses of its legal counsel. In addition, Pinnacle agreed to indemnify Lazard against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws relating to or arising out of Lazard's engagement.

        Lazard is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and is continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, leveraged buyouts, and valuations for real estate, corporate and other purposes. Lazard was selected to act as investment banker to Pinnacle because of its expertise and its reputation in investment banking and mergers and acquisitions and its independence with respect to the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.


Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger

        In considering the recommendation of Pinnacle's board of directors regarding the merger agreement, Pinnacle shareholders should be aware that some of Pinnacle's directors and executive officers may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, their interests as Pinnacle shareholders. These interests may create an appearance of a conflict of interest. Pinnacle's board of directors was aware of these potential conflicts of interest during its deliberations on the merits of the merger and in making its decision to recommend to the Pinnacle shareholders that they vote to approve the terms of the merger.

        Patti S. Hart Offer Letter and Employment Agreement.    Pursuant to the offer letter and employment agreement, dated March 1, 2004, between Pinnacle and Patti S. Hart, if Ms. Hart's employment is terminated without "cause" (as defined below) or by voluntary resignation for "good reason" (as defined below) either prior to the merger or more than 12 months after the merger, she will continue to receive her then-current rate of compensation for a period of 15 months following termination and will receive 125% of her target performance bonus for the year of termination. Based upon her current compensation and bonus target levels, if terminated under this scenario, Ms. Hart would be entitled to receive approximately $1,062,500 under these conditions. Alternatively, if Ms. Hart's employment is terminated without cause or by voluntary resignation for good reason within 12 months after the merger, she will receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of 24 months of compensation at the rate of compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination and 200% of her target performance bonus for the year of termination. Based upon her current compensation and bonus target levels, if terminated under this scenario, Ms. Hart would be entitled to receive approximately $1,700,000 under these conditions.

        Additionally, pursuant to a stock unit agreement between Pinnacle and Ms. Hart, dated February 18, 2005, the vesting of all 250,000 stock units issued to and held by Ms. Hart under that agreement will be accelerated in full upon the merger so that the stock units would be immediately payable and vested in their entirety upon termination of Ms. Hart's employment by Pinnacle without

80


"cause" (as defined below) or if Ms. Hart resigns for "good reason" (as defined below) within 12 months of the merger. Based on the closing price of Pinnacle common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on June 7, 2005, Ms. Hart's stock units will be worth $1,422,500.

        "Cause" is defined as:

        "Good Reason" means, without Ms. Hart's written consent:


provided, however, that in the event Ms. Hart believes that she has grounds to claim good reason for a voluntary termination, then she agrees to provide written notice specifying the purported grounds for her belief and Pinnacle shall have 30 days after receipt of such written notice to cure such purported grounds.

        If Ms. Hart's employment with Pinnacle terminates voluntarily by her or for cause by Pinnacle, then she will be eligible only for severance benefits in accordance with Pinnacle's established policies as then in effect.

        The above compensation arrangements payable to Ms. Hart may be treated as "excess parachute payments" under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code and be subject to an excise tax as a result of the merger. Ms. Hart's offer letter provides that upon an excise tax imposed, Pinnacle will pay Ms. Hart, within 30 days of the date she is subject to the excise tax, a gross up payment so that the net amount she receives from the compensation under the offer letter and gross up payment after deduction of any federal, state and local income, employment tax and excise tax on the gross up payment will be equal to the compensation arrangements noted in the offer letter and stock unit agreement. The gross up payment shall not exceed $2,500,000.

        Ajay Chopra Change of Control Severance Agreement.    In January 2003, Pinnacle entered into an amended and restated change of control severance agreement with Ajay Chopra. This agreement was amended in September 2004 and provides that if Mr. Chopra's employment is involuntarily terminated or terminated by Pinnacle other than for cause, in each case as defined in the agreement or if he is involuntarily terminated within three months prior to or within 12 months after the merger, he will receive, within 30 days of such termination, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of 12 months of compensation at the rate of compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination and 100% of his target performance bonus for the fiscal year of termination. For 12 months after such termination,

81


Pinnacle, at its cost, will also continue to make available to Mr. Chopra and his dependents any health, life or other similar insurance coverage that he participated in on the date of his termination; provided, however, that he constitutes a "qualified beneficiary" as defined in Section 4980B(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and he elects continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA within the required time periods. Based upon his current compensation and bonus target levels, if terminated under any of the above scenarios, Mr. Chopra would be entitled to receive approximately $440,000 plus the cost of health or life insurance coverage for Mr. Chopra and his dependents for 12 months after the termination.

        David Barnby Change of Control Severance Agreement.    In December 2004, Pinnacle entered into a change of control severance agreement with David Barnby. This is agreement provides that if Mr. Barnby's employment is involuntarily terminated, as defined in the agreement, within three months prior to or within 12 months after the merger, he will receive, within 30 days of the involuntary termination, a lump sum payment equal to the sum of 18 months of compensation at the rate of compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination. If Mr. Barnby's employment terminates due to his death or disability following his involuntary termination within three months prior to or within 12 months after the merger, his personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successor, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of 18 months of compensation at the rate of compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination. Based upon his current compensation and bonus target levels, if terminated under the above scenario, Mr. Barnby would be entitled to receive approximately $439,850.

        Other Officers' Change of Control Severance Agreements.    Pinnacle has also entered into change of control severance agreements with Leslie Adams, Warren Allgyer, Jay Anderson, Marina Bogard, Mary Dotz and Scott Martin. These agreements provide that if the employment of any of these individuals is terminated by Pinnacle other than for cause, as defined in their respective agreements, or if the employment of any of these individuals is involuntarily terminated within three months prior to or within 12 months after the merger, such individual will receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of six months of compensation at the rate of such individual's compensation in effect immediately prior to such termination and 50% of his or her target performance bonus for the fiscal year of termination. For six months after such termination, Pinnacle will also continue to make available to these individuals and their respective dependents any health, life or other similar insurance coverage that they participated in on the date of their termination; provided, however, that they each constitute a "qualified beneficiary" as defined in Section 4980B(g)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and they elect continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA within the required time periods. Based upon their current compensation and bonus target levels, if terminated under any of the above scenarios, each of these Pinnacle executive officers would be entitled to receive between approximately $153,000 and $196,000.

        To assist Avid with the integration of the Pinnacle business after the closing of the merger, Avid may enter into short-term consulting agreements with one or more of the executive officers of Pinnacle.

82

        Under the terms of the merger agreement, vesting on all unvested outstanding options to purchase Pinnacle common stock accelerates in full at the closing such that all outstanding options become fully vested and exercisable.

        As of June 1, 2005, Pinnacle's current executive officers and members of Pinnacle's board of directors held the following options:

Executive Officers
   Total
Options
Held
   Vested &
Exercisable
Options
   Unvested
Options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price of all
Outstanding Options
Patti S. Hart   775,000   242,187   532,813   $ 7.56
Ajay Chopra   731,000   513,416   217,584   $ 7.74
Leslie Adams   65,000   16,250   48,750   $ 7.21
Warren Allgyer   104,000   35,270   68,730   $ 8.84
Jay Anderson   221,959   146,229   75,730   $ 9.28
David Barnby   200,000   0   200,000   $ 5.74
Marina Bogard   235,000   58,750   176,250   $ 7.00
Mary Dotz   200,000   0   200,000   $ 4.78
Scott E. Martin   230,000   57,500   172,500   $ 7.30

Outside Directors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

L. Gregory Ballard
 
91,000
 
76,000
 
15,000
 
$
8.28
Terri A. Dial   40,000   0   40,000   $ 4.92
Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.   60,000   15,000   45,000   $ 6.67
L. William Krause   130,000   115,000   15,000   $ 8.76
John C. Lewis   125,000   110,000   15,000   $ 7.35
Harry Motro   80,000   35,000   45,000   $ 6.89

        Pinnacle's board of directors has approved an employee retention plan under which certain employees and consultants at Pinnacle will receive a one-time cash bonus payment in most cases equal to 25% of their base salary if the employee is employed by Pinnacle on the earlier of the closing of the merger and the termination of the merger agreement. In some cases the retention bonus is lower and in other cases higher than 25% of the individual's base salary. The cash bonus is due 30 days after the event triggering the payment of the one-time cash bonus. Pinnacle's board of directors has allocated approximately $2.0 million under the employee retention plan.

        Pursuant to the employee retention plan, Scott E. Martin entered into a retention bonus agreement with Pinnacle. Under the terms of the retention agreement, Mr. Martin will receive a one-time cash bonus payment of $100,000 within 30 days of the earliest to occur of:

        Under the terms of the merger agreement, Avid has agreed that it will, and will cause the company surviving the merger to, honor all of the indemnification obligations of Pinnacle to its directors and officers that exist on the date of the merger agreement to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law.

83

        In addition, Avid has agreed in the merger agreement that it will, and will cause the company surviving the merger to, indemnify each person who served as a director or officer of Pinnacle or its subsidiaries prior to the completion of the merger to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, in connection with claims related to facts or events that occurred on or before the completion of the merger. Furthermore, Avid has agreed that it will, and will cause the company surviving the merger to, advance expenses incurred by any person who served as a director or officer of Pinnacle prior to the completion of the merger in defending, serving as a witness or otherwise participating in any claim related to facts or events that occurred on or before the completion of the merger, including any expenses incurred by such person in enforcing their rights with respect to indemnification or advancement. As used in the merger agreement, the term "claim" means any threatened, asserted, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, or any inquiry or investigation, which, in the good faith belief of a person who served as a director or officer of Pinnacle prior to the completion of the merger, might lead to an action, suit or proceeding, resulting from such person's service as a director, officer, trustee, employee, agent or fiduciary of Pinnacle. As used in the merger agreement, "expenses" means attorneys' fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness or otherwise participating in a claim.

        For six years after the completion of the merger, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the company surviving the merger will contain provisions regarding elimination of liability of directors, indemnification of directors, officers and employees, and advancement of expenses that are no less advantageous to the directors, officers and employees who were indemnified by Pinnacle immediately prior to completion of the merger as the exculpation, indemnification and advancement provisions that were contained in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Pinnacle in effect at the time the merger agreement was executed. The certificate of incorporation or articles of incorporation, as applicable, and bylaws of each of Avid and Pinnacle generally eliminate personal liability of the directors and officers of the respective companies and provide indemnification to such directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

        The merger agreement also provides that Avid will maintain, for a period of six years after completion of the merger, the directors' and officers' fiduciary liability insurance policies maintained by Pinnacle, or policies of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to the insured, with respect to claims arising from facts or events that occurred on or before the completion of the merger, although Avid will not be required to make annual premium payments in excess of 150% of the annual premiums currently paid by Pinnacle and its subsidiaries for directors' and officers' liability insurance.

        The interests described above may influence Pinnacle's directors and executive officers in making their recommendation that Pinnacle shareholders approve the terms of the merger. Pinnacle shareholders should be aware of these interests when they consider the recommendation by Pinnacle's board of directors that they vote in favor of the approval of the terms of the merger.


Board of Directors and Management of Avid Following the Merger

        Following the merger, the directors and officers of Avid will be the directors and officers of the combined company.


Ownership of Avid Following the Merger

        Based on the closing price of Avid common stock and the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on March 18, 2005 and assuming that no options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock are exercised prior to the effective time of the merger:

84


Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

        The following summary discusses the material United States federal income tax consequences of the merger to Pinnacle shareholders. The following discussion is based on existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, existing Treasury Regulations, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change and to differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion assumes that Pinnacle shareholders hold their shares of Pinnacle common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code (generally, property held as an investment).

        We do not discuss all United States federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of such shareholder's particular circumstances, or to shareholders subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws, including:


        In addition, we do not discuss the tax consequences of the merger under foreign, state or local tax law.

        Accordingly, we urge each Pinnacle shareholder to consult his, her or its own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences to such Pinnacle shareholder of the merger, including any applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences.

        The completion of the merger is conditioned upon the delivery of an opinion by each of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, counsel to Avid, and DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, counsel to Pinnacle, that the merger will constitute a reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, provided that the control test described in the following paragraph is satisfied. This condition shall be of no force or effect if neither Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP nor DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP is able to render an opinion that the control test is satisfied.

        For purposes of the merger agreement, the control test will be satisfied if the aggregate amount of cash to be received by Pinnacle shareholders pursuant to the merger does not exceed 20% of the sum of the aggregate amount of cash and the aggregate fair market value of the shares of Avid common stock received by Pinnacle shareholders pursuant to the merger. For purposes of the control test, the fair market value of a share of Avid common stock at the effective time will equal the last reported sales price of Avid common stock at 4:00 p.m., eastern time, end of regular trading hours on The Nasdaq National Market on the effective date and cash includes cash paid to Pinnacle shareholders perfecting dissenters' rights and cash in lieu of fractional shares.

85


        Neither Avid nor Pinnacle will request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the tax consequences of the merger. The tax opinions, if delivered, will not bind the Internal Revenue Service and do not prevent the Internal Revenue Service from successfully asserting a contrary position. In addition, if any of the representations or assumptions upon which the opinions are based is inconsistent with the actual facts, such opinions by their terms will no longer apply, and the tax consequences of the merger could be adversely affected.

        The parties intend that the merger qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, the control test will not be satisfied, and the merger will not qualify as a reorganization, if the fair market value of Avid common stock at the effective time is below approximately $47 per share, assuming that the number of outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock at the effective time of the merger is the same as the number of outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock on June 7, 2005 and that no Pinnacle shareholders exercise dissenters' rights. If Pinnacle shareholders exercise dissenters' rights, even if the fair market value of Avid common stock is above approximately $47 per share, the merger may not qualify as a reorganization.

        Provided that the merger qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368, the following material U.S. federal income tax consequences will result from such qualification:

86

        If the merger does not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a Pinnacle shareholder will recognize capital gain or loss with respect to the shareholder's shares of Pinnacle common stock exchanged in the merger equal to the difference between (a) the sum of the cash and the fair market value, as of the effective time of the merger, of the shares of Avid common stock received by the shareholder in the exchange and (b) such shareholder's tax basis in the shares of Pinnacle common stock. In such event, the shareholder's aggregate tax basis in the shares of Avid common stock so received would equal their fair market value as of the effective time of the merger, and the Pinnacle shareholder's holding period for such shares would begin the day after the merger.

        The above discussion does not apply to Pinnacle shareholders who properly perfect dissenters' rights. A Pinnacle shareholder who perfects dissenters' rights with respect to such shareholder's shares of Pinnacle common stock will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between such shareholder's tax basis in such shares and the amount of cash received in exchange for such shares. For information relating to dissenters' rights, please see "The Merger—Dissenters' Rights and Appraisal Rights" beginning on page 89.

        Each holder of options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock will have compensation income equal to the sum of the cash and the fair market value, as of the effective time of the merger, of the shares of Avid common stock payable to the option holder in exchange for his or her options. Avid may withhold any taxes required by law to be withheld from any amounts payable to a holder of an option to purchase Pinnacle common stock pursuant to the merger.

        Certain noncorporate shareholders of shares of Pinnacle common stock may be subject to backup withholding, at a current rate of 28%, on cash received pursuant to the merger. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a Pinnacle shareholder who (1) furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that the Pinnacle shareholder is not subject to backup withholding on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or a substantially similar form, (2) provides a certification of foreign status on an appropriate Form W-8 or successor form or (3) is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. If a Pinnacle shareholder does not provide a correct taxpayer identification number on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or a substantially similar form, the Pinnacle shareholder may be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Amounts withheld, if any, are generally not an additional tax and may be refunded or credited against the Pinnacle shareholder's federal income tax liability, provided that the Pinnacle shareholder furnishes the required information to the Internal Revenue Service.

87


Accounting Treatment of the Merger

        Avid will account for the merger as a purchase of a business, which means that the assets and liabilities of Pinnacle, including intangible assets, will be recorded at their fair value and the results of operations of Pinnacle will be included in Avid's results from the effective date of the merger.


Regulatory Approvals in Connection with the Merger

        The obligations of both Avid and Pinnacle to effect the merger are subject to the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act having expired or been terminated, and all other necessary approvals under applicable antitrust laws being obtained, except with respect to jurisdictions in which neither Avid nor Pinnacle derives significant sales.

        On April 15, 2005, Avid and Pinnacle each filed a pre-merger notification and report form with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. On May 12, 2005, Avid and Pinnacle each submitted additional documents in connection with the filing.

        On May 12, 2005, Avid filed a Form RS with the European Commission to commence the process of seeking antitrust approval from the European Commission in lieu of individual antitrust approvals from the authorities in European Economic Area member states under their respective national laws. On June 9, 2005, the European Commission informed Avid that the deadline for any member state to veto the Form RS filing had passed, and Avid is now in the process of preparing and filing a Form CO with the European Commission to continue the process of seeking antitrust approval for the merger.


Nasdaq Listing of Shares Issued in the Merger

        All shares of Avid common stock to be issued in the merger shall be listed on the Nasdaq National Market as of the effective time of the merger.


Restrictions on Sales of Shares of Avid Common Stock Received in the Merger

        The shares of Avid common stock to be issued in connection with the merger will be registered under the Securities Act and will be freely transferable, except for shares issued to any person who is deemed to be an "affiliate" of Pinnacle prior to the merger. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Pinnacle prior to the merger include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by or are under common control of Pinnacle, and may include officers and directors, as well as principal shareholders of Pinnacle prior to the merger. Affiliates of Pinnacle will be notified separately of their affiliate status.

        Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Pinnacle prior to the merger may not sell any of the shares of Avid common stock received by them in connection with the merger except pursuant to:

        Avid's registration statement on Form S-4, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part, does not cover the resale of shares of Avid common stock to be received in connection with the merger by persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Pinnacle prior to the merger.

88



Dissenters' Rights and Appraisal Rights

        Avid stockholders are not entitled to exercise dissenters' rights or appraisal rights or to demand payment for their shares of Avid common stock under applicable law as a result of the merger.

        The following summarizes Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law, which sets forth the procedures for Pinnacle shareholders to dissent from the merger and to demand statutory dissenters' rights under the California General Corporation Law. This summary does not purport to be a complete statement of the provisions of California law relating to the rights of dissenting Pinnacle shareholders and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Sections 1300 through 1313 of the California General Corporation Law, the full text of which is attached as Annex F to this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Failure to follow the following procedures exactly could result in the loss of dissenters' rights.

        If Pinnacle shareholders approve the terms of the merger by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon and the merger agreement is not abandoned or terminated, Pinnacle shareholders who vote against the terms of the merger may, by complying with Sections 1300 through 1313 of the California General Corporation Law, be entitled to dissenters' rights as described therein. To exercise dissenters' rights, a Pinnacle shareholder must comply with all of the procedures required by California law. The record holders of Pinnacle common stock who do exercise their dissenters' rights with respect to the approval of the terms of the merger are referred to herein as "Dissenting Shareholders," and the shares of stock with respect to which they exercise dissenters' rights are referred to herein as "Dissenting Shares." If a Pinnacle shareholder has a beneficial interest in Pinnacle common stock that is held of record in the name of another person, such as a trustee or nominee, and such shareholder desires to perfect any dissenters' rights he, she or it may have, such beneficial shareholder must act promptly to cause the holder of record to follow the steps summarized below timely and properly.

        Dissenters' rights cannot be validly exercised by persons other than Pinnacle shareholders of record, regardless of the beneficial ownership of the shares.

        Any Pinnacle shareholder who holds his, her or its shares in a brokerage account or other nominee form and who wishes to exercise dissenters' rights is urged to consult with his, her or its broker to determine appropriate procedures for exercising dissenters' rights by such nominee.

        Any Pinnacle shareholder who wishes to exercise dissenters' rights or who wishes to preserve his, her or its right to do so should review this section and Annex F (sections 1300 through 1313 of the California General Corporation Law) carefully and should consult his, her or its legal advisor, since failure to timely comply with the procedures set forth therein will result in the loss of such rights.

        In order for any Pinnacle shareholder who holds freely transferable shares (i.e., shares with respect to which there exists no restrictions on transfer imposed by Pinnacle or by any law or regulation) to receive dissenters' rights, at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock must satisfy each of the following requirements to qualify as Dissenting Shares under the California General Corporation Law:

89

        The above requirements having been met, the holder of such Pinnacle common stock must submit certificates for endorsement upon notice of approval of the merger agreement (as described below).

        In order for any Pinnacle shareholder who holds shares with respect to which there exists any restriction on transfer imposed by Pinnacle or by any law or regulation, such shareholder must meet the bullet point requirements listed above to receive dissenters' rights with respect to such transfer-restricted shares, but no minimum number of outstanding shares are required to perfect dissenters' rights.

        Pursuant to Sections 1300 through 1313 of the California General Corporation Law, holders of Dissenting Shares may require Pinnacle to repurchase their Dissenting Shares at a price equal to the fair market value of such shares determined as of the day before the first announcement of the terms of the merger, excluding any appreciation or depreciation as a consequence of the proposed merger, but adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split or stock dividend that becomes effective thereafter.

        A vote against the merger does not in and of itself constitute a demand for appraisal under the California General Corporation Law.

        No later than the date of Pinnacle's special meeting, a Dissenting Shareholder must demand that Pinnacle repurchase such shareholder's Dissenting Shares in a statement setting forth the number and class of Dissenting Shares held of record by such Dissenting Shareholder that the Dissenting Shareholder demands that Pinnacle repurchase such Dissenting Shares and a statement of what the Dissenting Shareholder claims to be the fair market value of the Dissenting Shares as of the day before the announcement of the proposed merger. The statement of fair market value in such demand by the Dissenting Shareholder constitutes an offer by the Dissenting Shareholder to sell the Dissenting Shares at such price. A Pinnacle shareholder who elects to exercise dissenters' rights pursuant to Chapter 13 should mail or deliver the written demand to:

        If the shares are owned of record by a person in a fiduciary capacity, such as a trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be executed in that capacity. If the shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf of all owners. An authorized agent, including an agent for two or more joint owners, may execute a demand that Pinnacle repurchase such shares on behalf of a Pinnacle shareholder; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, the agent is acting as an agent for such owner or owners. A record holder, such as a broker who holds shares as nominee for several beneficial owners, may exercise dissenters' rights with respect to the shares held for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising these rights with respect to the shares held for one or more other beneficial owners. In this case, the written demand should set forth the number of shares as to which appraisal is sought, and, where no number of shares is expressly mentioned, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of the record owner.

90

        Next, the Dissenting Shareholder must affirmatively vote his, her or its shares against the approval of the terms of the merger at Pinnacle's special meeting. If a Dissenting Shareholder fails to vote at all, abstains from voting on the proposal regarding the terms of the merger or votes "FOR" that proposal at Pinnacle's special meeting, he, she or it will lose the right to payments as a Dissenting Shareholder and such shareholder will be paid the merger consideration described in the merger agreement.

        After Pinnacle's special meeting, if Pinnacle shareholders have approved the terms of the merger and, in the case of freely transferable shares, at least 5% of the Pinnacle shareholders have properly delivered demands for payment to Pinnacle and voted against the approval of the terms of the merger, Pinnacle is required, within ten days, to mail to each appropriately Dissenting Shareholder notice of approval of the terms of the merger, a statement of the price determined by Pinnacle to represent the fair market value of Dissenting Shares (which will constitute an offer by Pinnacle to purchase such Dissenting Shares at such stated price), and a description of the procedures such holders should follow in order to exercise their rights as Dissenting Shareholders.

        Within 30 days after the notice of approval of the terms of the merger is mailed to shareholders, the shareholder must also submit to Pinnacle, for endorsement as Dissenting Shares, the stock certificates representing the Pinnacle shares as to which the Dissenting Shareholder is exercising dissenters' rights.

        If upon the Dissenting Shareholder's surrender of the certificates representing the Dissenting Shares, Pinnacle and a Dissenting Shareholder agree upon the price to be paid for the Dissenting Shares and agree that such shares are Dissenting Shares, then the agreed price is required by law to be paid to the Dissenting Shareholder with interest thereon at the legal rate on judgments from the date of the agreement within the later of 30 days after the date of such agreement or 30 days after any statutory or contractual conditions to the consummation of the merger are satisfied or waived.

        If Pinnacle denies that shares are Dissenting Shares or the Pinnacle shareholder fails to agree with Pinnacle as to the fair market value of the shares, then, within the time period provided by Section 1304(a) of the California General Corporation Law, any Pinnacle shareholder who has made a valid written demand and has not voted in favor of approval of the terms and conditions of the merger may file a complaint in the superior court in the proper California county requesting a determination as to whether the shares are Dissenting Shares or as to the fair market value of the holder's shares, or both, or may intervene in any pending action brought by any other Pinnacle shareholder.

        On the trial of the action, the court determines the issues. If the status of the shares as Dissenting Shares is in issue, the court first resolves that issue. If the fair market value of the Dissenting Shares is in issue, the court determines, or appoints one or more impartial appraisers to determine, the fair market value of the shares.

        If the court appoints an appraiser or appraisers, they proceed to determine the fair market value per share. Within the time fixed by the court, the appraisers, or a majority of the appraisers, make and file a report in the office of the clerk of the court. Thereafter, on the motion of any party, the report is submitted to the court and considered on such evidence as the court considers relevant. If the court finds the report reasonable, the court may confirm it.

        If the single appraiser or a majority of the appraisers fails to make and file a report within 10 days after the date of their appointment or within such further time as the court allows, or if the court does not confirm the report, the court determines the fair market value of the Dissenting Shares. Subject to Section 1306 of the California General Corporation Law, judgment is rendered against the corporation for payment of an amount equal to the fair market value of each Dissenting Share multiplied by the

91


number of Dissenting Shares that any dissenting shareholder who is a party, or who has intervened, is entitled to require the corporation to purchase, with interest at the legal rate from the date on which the judgment is entered.

        The costs of the action, including reasonable compensation to the appraisers to be fixed by the court, is assessed or apportioned as the court considers equitable. However, if the price determined by the court is more than 125% of the price offered by the corporation, the corporation pays the costs (including, in the discretion of the court, attorneys' fees, fees of expert witnesses and interest at the legal rate on judgments from the date the shareholder made the demand and submitted shares for endorsement).

        Except as expressly limited by Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law, holders of Dissenting Shares continue to have all the rights and privileges incident to their shares until the fair market value of their shares is agreed upon or determined.

        For federal income tax purposes, Pinnacle shareholders who receive cash for their shares of Pinnacle common stock after exercising dissenters' rights will recognize taxable gain or loss.

        If a Pinnacle shareholder fails to perfect his, her or its dissenting rights or effectively withdraws or loses such rights, such holder's Pinnacle common stock will thereupon be deemed to have been canceled and converted as set forth in the merger agreement.

        Failure to follow the steps required by Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law for perfecting dissenters' rights may result in the loss of dissenters' rights, in which event you will be entitled to receive the consideration with respect to your Dissenting Shares in accordance with the merger agreement. In view of the complexity of the provisions of Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law, if you are a Pinnacle shareholder and are considering exercising your dissenters' rights under the California General Corporation Law, you should consult your own legal advisor.


Delisting and Deregistration of Pinnacle Common Stock Following the Merger

        When the merger is complete, Pinnacle common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq National Market and will be deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

92


THE MERGER AGREEMENT

        The following is a brief summary of the material provisions of the merger agreement, a copy of which is included as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference into this summary. While we believe that this summary covers the material terms of the merger agreement, this summary may not contain all of the information that is important to Avid stockholders and Pinnacle shareholders. Avid and Pinnacle encourage all Avid stockholders and Pinnacle shareholders to read the merger agreement in its entirety for a more complete description of the terms and conditions of the merger and related matters.


General

        Following the approval of the terms of the merger by Pinnacle shareholders, the approval by Avid stockholders of the amendment to increase the number of authorized shares of Avid common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 and the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the merger, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid named Highest Mountain Corporation will be merged into Pinnacle. Pinnacle will be the surviving entity of the merger and will then be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avid. If all conditions to the merger are satisfied or waived, the merger will become effective at the time of the filing of an agreement of merger, included as Annex B to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, with supporting Officers' Certificates with the Secretary of State of the State of California.

        The merger agreement has been included as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus to provide you with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide you with any other factual information about Avid or Pinnacle. Such information can be found elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and in other public filings each of Avid and Pinnacle makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available without charge at www.sec.gov or as more fully described in the section titled "Where You Can Find Additional Information" beginning on page 169.


Merger Consideration

        If the merger is consummated, each outstanding share of Pinnacle common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash. Based on the closing price of Avid common stock and the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on March 18, 2005, and assuming that no options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common are exercised prior to the effective time of the merger:

        The 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 that Pinnacle shareholders will receive for each share of Pinnacle common stock are fixed numbers. Regardless of fluctuations in the market prices of Avid or Pinnacle common stock, this number will not change between now and the effective date of the merger, but the value of the shares of Avid common stock to be received by Pinnacle shareholders will fluctuate with the market price of Avid common stock.

        Avid will not issue fractional shares of Avid common stock in connection with the merger. Instead, Avid will pay cash, without interest, for any fractional shares.

93



Treatment of Pinnacle Stock Options and ESPP

        Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each unvested outstanding option to purchase Pinnacle common stock will be accelerated in full, and each option holder will have the right to exercise his or her option in exchange for Pinnacle common stock. Shares of Pinnacle common stock issued in connection with any such exercise will be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration as described above. Each option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock not exercised at or prior to the effective time with an exercise price per share that is less than the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash plus shares of Avid common stock. The value of the cash plus shares of Avid common stock received by the holder of an option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock will equal the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to such option multiplied by the difference between the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock and the exercise price of such option. Each option to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock not exercised at or prior to the effective time with an exercise price per share that is equal to or greater than the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock will be cancelled without payment of any consideration. For the purposes of calculating the shares of common stock and cash to be received by holders of options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock, the value of a share of Avid common stock will be based on the last reported sales price of Avid common stock on the Nasdaq National Market on the effective date.

        Pinnacle's 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan will be terminated in accordance with its terms as of or prior to the effective time of the merger.


No Fractional Shares

        Avid will not issue any fractional shares of Avid common stock in the merger. Instead, each holder of shares of Pinnacle common stock converted in connection with the merger who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Avid common stock will receive cash, without interest, in an amount equal to the product of the fractional share multiplied by the last reported sales price of Avid common stock on The Nasdaq National Market on the effective date. As of the effective date of the merger, in addition to the cash issuable upon conversion of Pinnacle outstanding common stock and in connection with the canceling of options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock, Avid shall deposit with the exchange agent cash in an amount sufficient to cover any payment in lieu of fractional shares or any dividends or distributions.


Exchange of Pinnacle Stock Certificates for Avid Stock Certificates and Cash

        As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time of the merger, Avid's exchange agent will mail to each record holder of Pinnacle common stock a letter of transmittal and instructions for surrendering his, her or its certificates. Only those holders who properly surrender their certificates in accordance with the instructions will receive the cash and certificates representing shares of Avid common stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Avid common stock and any dividends or distributions to which they are entitled. The surrendered certificates representing shares of Pinnacle common stock will be canceled.

        Pinnacle shareholders should not send in their certificates until they receive a letter of transmittal from the exchange agent.

94



Unexchanged Pinnacle Stock Certificates

        After the effective time of the merger, under the merger agreement, each certificate representing shares of Pinnacle common stock that has not been surrendered will only represent the right to receive:

        Following the effective time of the merger, Pinnacle will not register any transfers of shares of Pinnacle common stock on its stock transfer books.

        No dividends or other distributions declared or made on or after the effective time of the merger with respect to shares of Avid common stock will be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Pinnacle certificate with respect to the shares of Avid common stock that the holder is entitled to receive. Upon surrender of the certificate, Avid will pay to the record holder of the certificate, without interest, any dividends or distributions with respect to the shares of Avid common stock that have a record date on or after the effective time of the merger and have become payable between the effective time of the merger and the time of surrender.


Transfers of Ownership and Lost Certificates

        If any certificate representing shares of Pinnacle common stock is lost, stolen or destroyed, a Pinnacle shareholder must provide an appropriate affidavit of that fact to Avid. Avid may also require the Pinnacle shareholder to deliver a bond as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Avid or Pinnacle with respect to any certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed. Only upon receipt of the affidavit and bond, if requested, will Avid's exchange agent issue the shares of Avid common stock; any cash payable upon exchange of the shares of Pinnacle common stock, including the cash payable for fractional shares of Avid common stock; and any dividends or distributions that have become payable between the effective time of the merger and the time of surrender.


Representations and Warranties

        The merger agreement contains representations and warranties of each of Avid and Pinnacle relating to:

95

        Pinnacle also provided representations and warranties to Avid relating to:

        The assertions embodied in the above representations and warranties are qualified by information in a confidential disclosure schedule that Pinnacle provided to Avid in connection with the signing of the merger agreement. While Pinnacle does not believe that the confidential disclosure schedule contains material information that Pinnacle is required to disclose publicly other than information that has already been so disclosed by Pinnacle, the disclosure schedule does contain information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in the merger agreement, including certain nonpublic information. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts, since they are modified in part by the underlying disclosure schedule. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may have changed since the date of the merger agreement and the representations and warranties will not reflect any such subsequent changes in facts.

        Avid also provided representations to Pinnacle relating to:

96

        The representations and warranties of the parties to the merger agreement will not survive the consummation of the merger.


Conduct of Pinnacle's Business Pending the Merger

        Except as contemplated by the merger agreement or consented to in writing by Avid, Pinnacle has agreed that it will carry on its business in the ordinary course and use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with past practices, to maintain its business organization, keep available the services of its present officers and employees, and preserve its advantageous relationships with customers, strategic partners, suppliers, distributors and others having business dealings with it to the end that its goodwill and ongoing business shall be materially unimpaired at the effective time. Pinnacle has agreed that, with specified exceptions, neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will, without the prior written consent of Avid:

97

98


Alternative Transactions

        Pinnacle has agreed that until the effective time of the merger or the termination of the merger agreement, whichever occurs first, it will not, and will not authorize or permit any of its directors, officers, employees, affiliates or their representatives to, directly or indirectly:

        Pinnacle further agreed to cease all discussions, negotiations and other activities prohibited by the foregoing that existed on the date the merger agreement was signed and to notify Avid within 24 hours of the receipt of any acquisition proposal or request for nonpublic information in connection with any acquisition proposal. Pinnacle also agreed to keep Avid informed of any material change in the terms of an acquisition proposal, to provide copies of all written material provided to Pinnacle in connection with any acquisition proposal and consider in good faith the terms of any counterproposal made by Avid.

        An "acquisition proposal" is any inquiry, proposal or offer for a merger, consolidation, dissolution, tender offer, recapitalization, share exchange or other business combination involving Pinnacle; any proposal for the issuance by Pinnacle of over 20% of its equity securities, other than as set forth in the merger agreement; or any proposal or offer to acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, over 20% of the equity securities or assets that constitute or account for over 20% of the consolidated net revenues, net income or assets of Pinnacle, in each case other than the merger described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, Pinnacle may, prior to Pinnacle shareholder approval of the merger, furnish information with respect to Pinnacle to any person making an acquisition proposal and engage in discussions or negotiations with such person, provided that:

99

        A "superior proposal" is any written proposal made by a third party, other than one made in response to any solicitation by Pinnacle or its representatives that is in violation of or inconsistent with the terms of the merger agreement, to acquire substantially all the equity securities or assets of Pinnacle pursuant to a tender or exchange offer, a merger, a consolidation or a sale of Pinnacle's assets:


Shareholder and Stockholder Meetings

        Each of Avid and Pinnacle has agreed to hold a meeting of its stockholders or shareholders, respectively, as promptly as practicable after the registration statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part is declared effective, and in any event within 45 days after effectiveness.

        Except as set forth below, Pinnacle's board of directors is obligated to recommend to Pinnacle shareholders approval of the terms of the merger. Pinnacle's board or directors may, in response to a superior proposal, withdraw or modify its recommendation to approve the terms of the merger if Pinnacle's board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that its fiduciary obligations require it to do so, but only at a time that is prior to Pinnacle's shareholder meeting and is after the third business day following Avid's receipt of notice advising Avid that Pinnacle's board of directors desires to withdraw or modify the recommendation due to the existence of a superior proposal. The withdrawal or modification of the recommendation of Pinnacle's board of directors to approve the terms of the merger will not affect Pinnacle's obligation to hold the special meeting of Pinnacle shareholders unless the merger agreement is terminated.

        Subject to the determination by Avid's board of directors after consultation with its outside legal counsel that it is required to withdraw or modify its recommendation to comply with its fiduciary duties, Avid's board of directors is obligated to recommend approval of the amendment to its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000.


Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance

        Avid has agreed that, for a period of six years following the effective time of the merger, it will cause Pinnacle to honor all of Pinnacle's obligations to indemnify the present and former directors and officers of Pinnacle against losses arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger. Avid has also agreed to cause Pinnacle, for six years after the merger, to maintain in effect, with specified exceptions, a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy covering those persons who were covered by the directors' and officers' liability insurance policy of Pinnacle on March 20, 2005, with coverage in amount and scope at least as favorable to such persons as the current coverage provided by Pinnacle, provided that Avid will not be required to expend in excess of 150% of the annual premium currently paid by Pinnacle for such coverage.

100



Regulatory Approvals

        Avid and Pinnacle have also agreed to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions to complete the merger, including:


Closing Conditions

        The obligations of both Avid and Pinnacle to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

        In addition, the obligations of Avid to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

101

        A material adverse effect on Pinnacle is any material adverse change, event, circumstance, development or effect on:

        However, the following items are not taken into account in determining whether there has been a material adverse effect on Pinnacle:


        In addition, the obligations of Pinnacle to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:

102

        A material adverse effect on Avid is any material adverse change, event, circumstance, development or effect on:

        However, the following items are not taken into account in determining whether there has been a material adverse effect on Avid:


Voting Agreements

        As an inducement to Avid to enter into the merger agreement, on March 20, 2005, Patti S. Hart, Ajay Chopra, Mary Dotz, Scott E. Martin, L. Gregory Ballard, Robert J. Finocchio, Jr., L. William Krause, John C. Lewis and Harry Motro, each of whom is a director or executive officer of Pinnacle, entered into a voting agreement with Avid and Pinnacle. Pursuant to this agreement, these Pinnacle directors and executive officers agreed to vote their shares of Pinnacle common stock in favor of the approval of the principal terms of the merger and against any other acquisition proposal. As of June 7, 2005, these shareholders beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 231,134 outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock. These shares represented less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock on June 7, 2005, the record date for the special meeting of Pinnacle shareholders. Each person also irrevocably appointed Avid as his or her proxy to vote his or her shares accordingly. The voting agreement is included in Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

        As an inducement to Pinnacle to enter into the merger agreement, on March 20, 2005, Patricia A. Baker, Joseph Bentivegna, Ethan E. Jacks, David A. Krall, David M. Lebolt, Paul J. Milbury, Michael J. Rockwell, Charles L. Smith and William J. Warner, each of whom is a director or executive officer of Avid, entered into a voting agreement with Avid and Pinnacle. Pursuant to this agreement, these Avid directors and executive officers agreed to vote their shares of Avid common stock in favor of the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000. As of June 7, 2005, these stockholders beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 223,815 outstanding shares of Avid common stock. These shares represented less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Avid common stock on June 7, 2005, the record date for the annual meeting of Avid stockholders. Each person also irrevocably appointed Pinnacle as his or her proxy to vote his or her shares accordingly. The voting agreement is included in Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

103



Termination; Expenses and Termination Fees

        The merger agreement may be terminated and the merger abandoned at any time prior to the effective time of the merger by mutual written consent of Avid and Pinnacle. In addition, either Avid or Pinnacle may terminate the merger agreement upon written notice at any time prior to the effective time of the merger under the following circumstances:

        In addition, Avid can terminate the merger agreement upon written notice if:

        In addition, Pinnacle can terminate the merger agreement upon written notice if:

104

        If either Avid or Pinnacle terminates the merger agreement because of any of the reasons above, all obligations of the parties under the merger agreement will terminate, except specified provisions, including those relating to the obligation to pay fees and expenses described below. However, no termination shall relieve Avid or Pinnacle from liability or damages resulting from any breach by that party of the merger agreement.

        Generally, Avid and Pinnacle will bear their own expenses incurred in connection with the merger. However, Avid and Pinnacle will share equally the filing fee of Avid's pre-merger notification report under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, fees and expenses incurred in connection with seeking approvals under all other applicable antitrust laws, and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with preparing, filing and mailing this joint proxy statement/prospectus, other than accountants' and attorneys' fees.

        Pinnacle must pay Avid a termination fee of $15,000,000 upon termination of the merger agreement:

105

        A "tail transaction" is a merger or combination of Pinnacle, the issuance by Pinnacle of over 20% of its equity securities, or the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of more than 20% of the equity securities of Pinnacle or assets that constitute or account for over 20% of the consolidated net revenues, net income or assets of Pinnacle.

        Avid must pay Pinnacle a termination fee of $15,000,000 upon termination of the merger agreement:


Amendment

        Generally, the board of directors of each of Avid and Pinnacle may agree to amend the merger agreement at any time before or after the approval of the matters presented in connection with the merger by Avid stockholders or Pinnacle shareholders, provided that after such approvals are obtained, the merger agreement may not be amended in a way which by law requires further approval by Avid stockholders or Pinnacle shareholders unless such further approval is obtained. Amendments must be in writing and signed by all parties.

106


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been prepared to give effect to the proposed acquisition by Avid of Pinnacle. These unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of Avid, which are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and the historical consolidated financial statements of Pinnacle, which are incorporated by reference in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the financial statements that were set forth in Pinnacle's Current Report on Form 8-K that was filed by Pinnacle on June 7, 2005. These historical financial statements have been adjusted as described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 also gives effect to the acquisition by Avid of M-Audio completed in August 2004 as though Avid had acquired M-Audio on January 1, 2004.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet has been prepared assuming the acquisition of Pinnacle occurred on March 31, 2005. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been prepared assuming the acquisitions of Pinnacle and M-Audio occurred on January 1, 2004. In all cases, the purchase method of accounting has been applied, which requires an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, at fair value.

        The purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Pinnacle reflected in the unaudited condensed combined financial statements is preliminary and is subject to revision. The final purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Pinnacle will be completed after the transaction closes, and will be based on formal third-party valuations of identifiable intangible assets, and an in-depth analysis of the value of other assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The final purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Pinnacle may differ materially from the preliminary estimate due to the final purchase price and the different valuations and differences in useful lives and amortization methods applied to the tangible and intangible assets. Therefore, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are for informational purposes only and are not intended to represent or be indicative of the consolidated results of operations or financial position that would have been reported had the acquisition of Pinnacle been completed as of the dates presented. No effect has been given in these pro forma financial statements for synergistic benefits that may be realized through the combination of the two companies or costs that may be incurred in integrating their operations. Additionally, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements should not be considered representative of future consolidated results of operations or financial position.

107


 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

(in thousands, except share data)

 
   Avid
Historical
   Pinnacle
Historical
   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   Avid Pro
Forma
  
Net revenues   $ 166,001   $ 65,237   $ (33 )(2) $ 231,205  
Cost of revenues     71,248     35,802     (33)
2,505
2,625		   (2)
  (3)
  (4)		   112,147  
   
 
 
 
 
  Gross profit     94,753     29,435     (5,130 )   119,058  
Operating expenses:                          
  Research and development     24,679     7,376     548   (3)   32,603  
  Marketing and selling     39,647     18,508     (539 )(3)   57,616  
  General and administrative     8,497     6,705     (2,272 )(3)   12,930  
  Restructuring and other costs, net     —     (175 )   —     (175 )
  Amortization of intangible assets     1,592     848     1,450
(848		   (4)
)(5)		   3,042  
  Transaction costs     —     2,752     —     2,752  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses     74,415     36,014     (1,661 )   108,768  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)     20,338     (6,579 )   (3,469 )   10,290  
Other income, net     837     368     242
(360		   (3)
)(6)		   1,087  
   
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     21,175     (6,211 )   (3,587 )   11,377  
Provision for income taxes     1,429     942     —     2,371  
   
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $ 19,746   $ (7,153 ) $ (3,587 ) $ 9,006  
   
 
 
 
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share—basic
 
$
0.56
 
$
(0.10
)
 
 
 
$
0.22
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share—diluted   $ 0.53   $ (0.10 )       $ 0.21  

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
 
 
34,987
 
 
69,942
 
 
6,199
(69,942
  (15)
)(15)
 
41,186
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted     37,263     69,942     6,199
(69,942		   (15)
)(15)		   43,462  

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

108


 Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2004

(in thousands, except share data)

 
   Avid
Historical
   M-Audio
Historical
through
August 2004(1)
   Pinnacle
Historical
   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   Avid Pro
Forma
Net revenues   $ 589,605   $ 41,814   $ 304,323   $ (2,659 )(2) $ 933,083
Cost of revenues     255,496     23,541     160,564     (2,033
8,468
10,500
709
729
(281		 )(2)
  (3)
  (4)
  (7)
  (8)
)(9)		   457,693
   
 
 
 
 
  Gross profit     334,109     18,273     143,759     (20,751 )   475,390
Operating expenses:                              
  Research and development     94,940     3,369     35,625     1,833
104		   (3)
  (11)		   135,871
  Marketing and selling     135,811     7,804     84,201     (3,184
(921)
435		 )(3)
(8)
  (11)		   224,146
  General and administrative     29,780     10,777     24,400     (7,595
(337)
1,121
(496)
(812)		 )(3)
(9)
  (11)
(12)
(13)		   56,838
  Restructuring and other costs, net     —     —     6,093     —     6,093
  Amortization of intangible assets     3,641     —     3,539     5,800
(3,539
2,346		   (4)
)(5)
  (7)		   11,787
  Impairment of goodwill     —     —     7,671     (7,671 )(5)   —
  Impairment of other intangible assets     1,187     —     —     —     1,187
   
 
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses     265,359     21,950     161,529     (12,916 )   435,922
   
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)     68,750     (3,677 )   (17,770 )   (7,835 )   39,468
Other income, net     1,339     224     1,964     (479
(191
(1,080		 )(3)
)(8)
)(6)		   1,777
Loss on derivative     —     31,290     —     (31,290 )(14)   —
   
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     70,089     (34,743 )   (15,806 )   21,705     41,245
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes     (1,612 )   795     4,810     (669 )(10)   3,324
   
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $ 71,701   $ (35,538 ) $ (20,616 ) $ 22,374   $ 37,921
   
 
 
 
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share—basic
 
$
2.21
 
 
 
 
$
(0.30
)
 
 
 
$
0.98
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share—diluted   $ 2.05         $ (0.30 )       $ 0.92
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic     32,485           68,840     6,199
(68,840		   (15)
)(15)		   38,684
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted     35,003           68,840     6,199
(68,840		   (15)
)(15)		   41,202

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

109


Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

March 31, 2005

(in thousands)

 
   Avid
Historical
   Pinnacle
Historical
   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   Avid Pro
Forma
  
ASSETS                          
Current assets:                          
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 92,227   $ 99,089   $
 (71,330
(10,910		 )(1)
)(2)		 $ 109,076  
  Marketable securities     83,965     34,340     —     118,305  
  Accounts receivable, net     97,182     30,876     (52 )(3)   128,006  
  Inventories     55,150     27,876     (432 )(3)   82,594  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets     16,438     5,673     —     22,111  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total current assets     344,962     197,854     (82,724 )   460,092  
  Property and equipment, net     29,523     12,945     —     42,468  
  Intangible assets, net     45,010     6,324     (6,324
100,000		 )(4)
  (5)		   145,010  
  Goodwill     166,473     43,440     (43,440
156,223		 )(4)
  (5)		   322,696  
  Other long-term assets     8,450     7,433     —     15,883  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total assets   $ 594,418   $ 267,996   $ 123,735   $ 986,149  
   
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                          
Current liabilities:                          
  Accounts payable   $ 25,877   $ 13,877   $ (52 )(3) $ 39,702  
  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     61,572     37,250     5,500   (6)   104,322  
  Deferred revenues     55,742     13,736     (2,500 )(7)   66,978  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total current liabilities     143,191     64,863     2,948     211,002  
Long-term liabilities     1,569     822     —     2,391  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total liabilities     144,760     65,685     2,948     213,393  
   
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity:                          
  Common stock     351     380,835     (380,835
62		 )(8)
  (9)		   413  
  Additional paid-in capital     552,494     —     360,036   (9)   912,530  
  Accumulated deficit     (103,030 )   (186,892 )   (432
187,324
(37,000		 )(3)
  (8)
)(10)		   (140,030 )
  Deferred compensation     (3,547 )   —     —     (3,547 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     3,390     8,368     (8,368 )(8)   3,390  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total stockholders' equity     449,658     202,311     120,787     772,756  
   
 
 
 
 
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 594,418   $ 267,996   $ 123,735   $ 986,149  
   
 
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

110


Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

1.     Basis of Presentation

        On March 20, 2005, Avid signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pinnacle in a cash and stock transaction to be accounted for as a purchase under the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Under the terms of the agreement, Pinnacle common shareholders will receive 0.0869 of a share of Avid common stock plus $1.00 in cash for each share of Pinnacle common stock outstanding at the closing of the transaction. Each option to purchase Pinnacle common stock that is "in-the-money" (for which the exercise price is less than the value of the shares of Avid common stock plus cash consideration that would be received upon exercise of the option) but not exercised at the effective time of the merger will be automatically converted into the right to receive merger consideration equal in value to the number of shares of Pinnacle common stock subject to such option multiplied by the difference between the value a holder of Pinnacle common stock would receive in exchange for one share of Pinnacle common stock and the exercise price of such option. Options to purchase Pinnacle common stock that are "out-of-the-money" and not exercised prior to the effective time of the merger will be canceled upon the effective time with no right to receive any merger consideration. The merger is subject to satisfaction of a number of closing conditions, including shareholder and regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the third quarter of calendar 2005.

        The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements present the pro forma results of operations and financial position of Avid and Pinnacle on a combined basis based on the historical financial information of each company and after giving effect to the merger. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet has been prepared assuming the acquisition occurred on March 31, 2005. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations have been prepared assuming the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 also gives effect to the acquisition by Avid of M-Audio completed in August 2004. Avid's fiscal year end is December 31, while Pinnacle's fiscal year end is June 30. Therefore, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 includes the results of operations for Avid's fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and the results of operations for Pinnacle's year ended December 31, 2004.

        The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements are based on estimates and assumptions, which are preliminary and have been made solely for purposes of developing such pro forma information. The estimated pro forma adjustments arising from the proposed merger are derived from the estimated purchase price and estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The final determination of the purchase price allocation will be based on the fair value of the assets acquired, including the fair value of in-process research and development and other identifiable intangibles, and the fair value of liabilities assumed as of the date the merger is consummated. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired is allocated to goodwill. The final determination of purchase price, fair value and resulting goodwill may differ significantly from that reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

111

        A summary of the estimated purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):

Estimated consideration:          
  Value of Avid shares issued   $ 360,098    
  Cash consideration     71,330    
  Transaction costs     6,260    
   
   
    Total estimated purchase consideration:   $ 437,688    
   
   
Preliminary allocation of the purchase consideration as of March 31, 2005:          
  Fair value of net tangible assets acquired   $ 144,465    
  Identifiable intangible assets     100,000    
  In-process research and development     37,000    
  Goodwill     156,223    
   
   
    $ 437,688    
   
   

        In accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations, Avid has calculated the stock-related purchase price based upon a price of $58.09 per share of Avid common stock. This per share price represents the average closing price of Avid common stock from March 17, 2005 through March 23, 2005, which consists of the period beginning two business days prior to and ending two business days after the merger announcement date of March 21, 2005. Avid calculated the value of shares issued by multiplying the estimated number of shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding on the closing date of the merger of 71,330,000, which assumes full conversion of all applicable outstanding Pinnacle common stock equivalents for which the exercise price is less than the value of the Avid common stock plus cash to be received, by the exchange ratio in the merger agreement of 0.0869 to determine an estimated 6,199,000 Avid common stock shares that Avid would issue as consideration. The 6,199,000 shares estimated to be issued multiplied by the estimated price of $58.09 per share calculates the estimated total stock-related purchase price of $360,098,000. The final number of shares of Avid common stock to be issued is expected to differ from 6,199,000 because the number of shares of Avid common stock to be issued with respect to outstanding options to purchase shares of Pinnacle common stock is dependent on the closing price of Avid common stock on the effective date of the merger, the number of outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock may increase prior to the effective date as a result of option exercises and Pinnacle shareholders may elect to exercise dissenters' rights and receive cash in lieu of the cash and stock contemplated by the merger agreement. Avid calculated the estimated cash consideration by multiplying the estimated 71,330,000 shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding by the $1.00 per share consideration in the merger agreement. Avid has also included an estimated $6,260,000 of its transaction costs as purchase consideration, which include Avid's legal and accounting fees, investment bankers' fees, due diligence fees, filing and printing fees and fees paid for directors' and officers' liability insurance premiums for the former members of Pinnacle's board of directors as a condition of the merger with respect to pre-merger matters.

        The amount allocated to identifiable intangible assets represents Avid's preliminary estimate of the identifiable assets acquired from Pinnacle, which include completed and core technology, customer relationships and contracts, and tradenames and trademarks. Recording the identifiable intangible assets results in the establishment of a deferred tax liability of approximately $35 million, which is offset by the release in like amount of Avid's valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. The amount allocated to in-process research and development represents an estimate of the fair value of purchased in-process technology for research projects that, as of the expected closing date of the merger, will not have reached technological feasibility and have no alternative future use. The amount allocated to in-process research and development will be charged to the statement of operations in the period the merger is consummated.

112


        The merger is expected to give rise to the consolidation and elimination of certain personnel and duplicate facilities. The pro forma balance sheet includes an adjustment to record the estimated liability associated with change-in-control severance agreements between Pinnacle and certain of its employees in accordance with Emerging Issue Task Force (EITF) No. 95-3, "Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combination." The pro forma balance sheet does not include any other adjustments related to the consolidation and elimination of personnel or facilities that may be recorded as Avid does not expect that a final integration plan will be established until just prior to or immediately after the closing of the merger.

2.     Pro Forma Adjustments

        Pro forma adjustments reflect only those adjustments that are factually supportable and do not include the impact of contingencies that will not be known until the later of the closing of the merger or the resolution of the contingency. The following are brief descriptions of each of the pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements:

        1)    To include the results of operations of M-Audio from January 1, 2004 through August 20, 2004, the date M-Audio was acquired by Avid. Avid has included the results of operations of M-Audio in Avid's historical consolidated financial statements from August 20, 2004.

        2)    To eliminate the effects of transactions between Avid and Pinnacle.

        3)    Certain Pinnacle amounts have been reclassified to conform to Avid's financial statement presentation.

        4)    To record the amortization expense for the estimated identifiable intangible assets from the acquisition of Pinnacle by Avid. The preliminary estimated identifiable intangible assets and their related estimated useful lives are as follows:

Intangible Asset
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Estimated
Useful Life
 
   (in thousands)

    
  Completed and core technology   $ 42,000   4 years
  Customer relationships and contracts     42,000   10 years
  Trademarks and tradenames     16,000   10 years
   
   
    Total intangible assets   $ 100,000    
   
   

        5)    To reverse amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill resulting from acquisitions previously consummated by Pinnacle.

        6)    To record the reduction in investment income resulting from the reduced cash balance after payments to effect the acquisition of Pinnacle.

113


        7)    To record the amortization expense for the identifiable intangible assets from the acquisition of M-Audio by Avid. The identified intangible assets and their related estimated useful lives are as follows:

Intangible Asset
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Estimated
Useful Life
 
   (in thousands)
    
Customer relationships   $ 28,000   12 years
Trade name     4,700   6 years
Non-competition agreements     1,200   2 years
Technology-based assets     4,500   4 years
   
   
    $ 38,400    
   
   

        8)    Certain M-Audio amounts have been reclassified to conform to Avid's financial statement presentation.

        9)    To reverse amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions previously comsummated by M-Audio.

        10)  To adjust the effective tax rate of M-Audio to that of the combined company.

        11)  To record the additional amortization of deferred stock compensation expense for unvested stock options exchanged in the acquisition of M-Audio by Avid, assuming the acquisition of M-Audio by Avid occurred on January 1, 2004. The deferred compensation is being amortized over the remaining vesting period of the assumed options. The amortization expense has been recorded in the expense category associated with the departmental classification of the grantee.

        12)  To eliminate non-recurring charges related to the acquisition of M-Audio by Avid.

        13)  To reverse stock compensation expense relating to stock options issued by M-Audio.

        14)  To reverse the loss associated with a put-arrangement on the preferred shares of M-Audio, since the equity structure of M-Audio has been replaced by the acquisition of M-Audio by Avid.

        15)  The pro forma weighted average common shares outstanding are calculated as follows:

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic
   Twelve Months
Ended December 31, 2004
   Three Months
Ended March 31, 2005
 
   (in thousands)

   (in thousands)
  Historical Avid weighted common shares outstanding—basic   32,485   34,987
  Shares estimated to be issued for Pinnacle acquisition   6,199   6,199
   
 
  Pro forma weighted common shares outstanding—basic   38,684   41,186
   
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted
        
  Historical Avid weighted common shares outstanding—diluted   35,003   37,263
  Shares estimated to be issued for Pinnacle acquisition   6,199   6,199
   
 
  Pro forma weighted common shares outstanding—diluted   41,202   43,462
   
 

114

        Note that Pinnacle's historical weighted average common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 of 69,942,000 and 68,840,000, respectively, will be cancelled upon consummation of the merger.

        1)    To record Avid's cash consideration for the acquisition of Pinnacle.

        2)    To reduce cash for Avid and Pinnacle's estimated transaction costs.

        3)    To eliminate the effects of transactions between Avid and Pinnacle.

        4)    To reverse goodwill and other intangible assets from acquisitions previously consummated by Pinnacle.

        5)    To record the preliminary estimated identifiable intangible assets and goodwill from the acquisition of Pinnacle.

        6)    To record the estimated liability associated with change-in-control severance agreements between Pinnacle and certain of its employees in accordance with EITF 95-3.

        7)    To adjust deferred revenue to the fair value associated with performance obligations assumed by Avid.

        8)    To reverse Pinnacle historical equity balances.

        9)    To record Avid's equity consideration for the acquisition of Pinnacle.

        10)  To reflect the estimated fair value of in-process research and development. Because this expense is directly attributable to the acquisition of Pinnacle and will not have a continuing impact, it is not reflected in the pro forma condensed combined statement of operations. However, this item will be recorded as an expense in the period that the acquisition of Pinnacle is completed.

115


INFORMATION CONCERNING AVID

        Avid develops, markets, sells and supports a wide range of software and hardware for digital media production, management and distribution. Digital media are video, audio or graphic elements in which the image, sound or picture is recorded and stored in digital format, as opposed to analog, or tape-based, signals. Avid's diverse range of product and service offerings enables customers to "Make, Manage and Move Media."

        Make Media.    Avid's Video and Film Editing and Effects segment offers digital, non-linear video and film editing systems and 3D and special-effects software that enable users to manipulate moving pictures and sound in a faster, easier, more creative, and more cost-effective manner than using traditional analog tape-based systems. Non-linear systems allow editors to access material instantaneously rather than requiring them to work sequentially. Avid's Audio segment offers digital audio software applications and hardware systems for music, film, television, video, broadcast, streaming media and web development. These systems are based upon proprietary audio hardware, software and control surfaces, and allow users to record, edit, mix, process and master audio in an integrated manner.

        Manage Media.    Avid provides complete network, storage and database solutions based on Avid Unity™ MediaNetwork technology. This technology enables users to share and manage media assets simultaneously throughout a project or organization. The ability to manage digital media assets effectively is a critical component of success for many broadcast and media companies with multiple nonlinear editing workstations in a range of geographic locations. As a result, professionals can collaborate seamlessly on all production elements and streamline the process for cost-effectively delivering compelling media experiences and quickly "re-purposing" or finding new uses or markets for media assets.

        Move Media.    Avid offers products that allow Avid's customers to distribute media over multiple platforms—including air, cable or satellite, or through the Internet. In addition, Avid provides technology for playback directly to air for broadcast television applications. Many of Avid's products also support the broadcast of streaming Internet video.

        Avid's products are used worldwide in production and post-production facilities; film studios; network, affiliate, independent and cable television stations; recording studios; advertising agencies; government and educational institutions; corporate communication departments; and by game developers and Internet professionals. Projects produced by Avid's customers using Avid's products have been honored with Oscar®, Emmy® and Grammy® awards, as well as a host of other international awards. In addition, Avid has also received numerous awards for technical innovations, including Oscars, Emmys and a Grammy. Oscar is a registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Grammy is a registered trademark of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc.

        Avid was incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 1987.

116


INFORMATION CONCERNING PINNACLE

        Pinnacle is a supplier of digital video products to a variety of customers, ranging from individuals with little or no video experience to broadcasters with specific and sophisticated requirements. Pinnacle's digital video products allow its customers to capture, edit, store, view and play video and to burn that programming onto a compact disc or digital versatile disc. The increase in the number of video distribution channels, including cable television, direct satellite broadcast, video-on-demand, DVDs and the Internet have led to a rapid increase in demand for video content.

        Pinnacle's products use standard computer and network architecture, along with specialized hardware and software designed to provide digital video solutions to users around the world. For broadcasters, Pinnacle offers products that provide solutions for live-to-air, play-out, editing and news markets. For consumers, Pinnacle offers low-cost, easy-to-use home video editing and viewing solutions that allow consumers to edit their home videos using a personal computer and/or view television programming on their computers. In addition, Pinnacle provides products that allow consumers to view on their television sets video and other media content stored on their computers.

        Pinnacle was incorporated under the laws of California in 1986.

        The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of Pinnacle common stock as of June 1, 2005 by:

117

        Unless otherwise noted, the Pinnacle shareholders named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Pinnacle common stock owned by them, subject to applicable common property laws.

Beneficial Owner
   Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
   Number of
Shares
Underlying
Options
   Total Shares
Beneficially
Owned
   Percent of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
5% Shareholders:                
Mac-Per-Wolf Company(2)
310 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 2600		   6,795,458   0   6,795,458   9.5%
FMR Corp.(3)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109		   6,278,729   0   6,278,729   8.8%
Barclays Global Investors, NA(4)
45 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105		   3,791,095   0   3,791,095   5.3%

Current Directors and Officers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Patti S. Hart(5)   8,101   258,333   266,434   *
Warren Allgyer   13,224   39,603   52,827   *
L. Gregory Ballard   5,000   79,333   84,333   *
Ajay Chopra(6)   198,033   560,437   758,470   1.1%
Terri A. Dial   0   0   0   *
Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.   0   18,333   18,333   *
L. William Krause   0   118,333   118,333   *
John C. Lewis   15,000   113,333   128,333   *
Harry Motro   0   38,333   38,333   *

Former Officers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charles J. Vaughan(5)   132,140   168,333   300,473   *
J. Kim Fennell(5)   3,121   0   3,121   *
Mark L. Sanders(5)   265,431   705,375   970,806   1.4%
Georg Blinn(7)   8,230   131,875   140,105   *
Arthur D. Chadwick(8)   110,847   0   110,847   *
William Loesch(9)   12,397   0   12,397   *
All current directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)   260,809   1,527,370   1,788,179   2.5%
*
Less than 1%

(1)
This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal Pinnacle shareholders. Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 71,229,613 shares of Pinnacle common stock outstanding as of June 1, 2005. For each named person, this percentage includes Pinnacle common stock that such person has the right to acquire either currently or within 60 days of June 1, 2005, including upon the exercise of an option. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and includes voting and investment power with respect to shares.

(2)
Information based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed on May 9, 2005 with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Mac-Per-Wolf Company. Such entity is a parent holding company filing on behalf of its two subsidiaries: (i) PWMCO, LLC, a broker dealer registered under Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and an investment adviser registered under Section 203

118

(3)
Information based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2005 with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FMR Corp. FMR Corp. is the parent holding company of a group of investment management companies that hold investment power and, in some cases, voting power over the securities reported in the Schedule 13G. The investment management companies, which include several investment advisers registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, provide investment advisory and management services for their respective clients.

(4)
Information based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on February 17, 2004 with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Barclays Global Investors, N.A., such entity beneficially owned 2,632,421 shares of Pinnacle common stock. According to such Schedule 13G, 1,110,174 shares were beneficially owned by Barclays Global Fund Advisors, an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, which acts as investment adviser to various companies. According to such Schedule 13G, 48,500 shares were beneficially owned by Barclays Bank plc, a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act, as amended.

(5)
On March 1, 2004, Pinnacle's board of directors appointed Patti S. Hart to the positions of chairman of Pinnacle's board of directors, and Pinnacle's president and chief executive officer, replacing Mr. Vaughan who had served as Pinnacle's interim president and chief executive officer from November 2003 through February 2004 and replacing Mr. Sanders who held the position of chairman of Pinnacle's board of directors from July 2002 through February 2004. Mr. Fennell held the position of Pinnacle's chief executive officer and president from July 1, 2002 until November 3, 2003. The above table presents information for Mr. Vaughan and Mr. Sanders as of February 29, 2004 and for Mr. Fennell as of November 3, 2003, as Pinnacle does not have complete information regarding their transactions after their departures.

(6)
Includes 33,492 shares beneficially held for Mr. Chopra's children, and Mr. Chopra holds voting and dispositive power over these shares.

(7)
Effective September 30, 2004, Mr. Blinn terminated employment as vice president, general manager, Pinnacle Systems GmbH. The above table presents information for Mr. Blinn as of September 30, 2004 as Pinnacle does not have complete information regarding his stock transactions after that date.

(8)
Effective October 20, 2004, Mr. Chadwick resigned from his position as Pinnacle's senior vice president, finance and administration and chief financial officer. The above table presents information for Mr. Chadwick as of October 20, 2004 as Pinnacle does not have complete information regarding his stock transactions after that date.

(9)
Mr. Loesch's employment as vice president/general manager of content editing and viewing with Pinnacle terminated on August 31, 2004. The above table presents information for Mr. Loesch as of August 31, 2004 as Pinnacle does not have complete information regarding his stock transactions after that date.

119


DESCRIPTION OF AVID CAPITAL STOCK

        The following description of Avid capital stock summarizes the material terms and provisions of the indicated securities. For the complete terms of Avid common stock, preferred stock and preferred stock purchase rights, please refer to Avid's certificate of incorporation, bylaws and rights agreement that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement that includes this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The terms of these securities may also be affected by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

        Avid is authorized by its certificate of incorporation to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 35,236,229 shares were issued and outstanding on June 7, 2005, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. If the proposal to amend Avid's certificate of incorporation is approved, Avid will, upon filing the amendment to its certificate of incorporation, be authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock. All outstanding shares of Avid common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

        Voting.    For all matters submitted to a vote of Avid stockholders, each holder of Avid common stock is entitled to one vote for each share registered in his or her name on Avid's books. Avid common stock does not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, subject to the voting rights of any outstanding Avid preferred stock, of which there currently is none, persons who hold more than 50% of the outstanding Avid common stock entitled to elect members of Avid's board of directors can elect all of the directors who are up for election in a particular year.

        Dividends.    If Avid's board of directors declares a dividend, holders of Avid common stock will receive payments from Avid's funds that are legally available to pay dividends. However, this dividend right is subject to any preferential dividend rights Avid may grant to the persons who hold preferred stock, if any is outstanding.

        Liquidation and Dissolution.    If Avid is liquidated or dissolves, the holders of its common stock will be entitled to share ratably in all the assets that remain after it pays its liabilities and any amounts it may owe to the persons who hold preferred stock, if any is outstanding.

        Other Rights and Restrictions.    Holders of Avid common stock do not have preemptive rights, and they have no right to convert their common stock into any other securities. Avid common stock is not subject to redemption by Avid. The rights, preferences and privileges of Avid common stockholders are subject to the rights of Avid stockholders of any series of preferred stock that Avid may issue in the future. Avid's certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not restrict the ability of a holder of Avid common stock to transfer his or her shares of common stock.

        Listing.    Avid common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market.

        Transfer Agent and Registrar.    The transfer agent and registrar for Avid common stock is EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., Canton, Massachusetts.

        Avid's board of directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further stockholder approval, to issue from time to time up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series. Each series of preferred stock shall have the number of shares, designations, preferences, voting powers, qualifications and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be determined by Avid's board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, voting rights, redemption and sinking fund provisions, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive rights.

120

        Avid stockholders have granted Avid's board of directors authority to issue the preferred stock and to determine its rights and preferences in order to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The rights of the holders of Avid common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any Avid preferred stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of Avid preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, a majority of outstanding Avid voting stock.

        As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, Avid's board of directors had designated 50,000 shares of preferred stock as series A junior participating preferred stock, or series A preferred stock, in connection with its stockholder rights plan. The rights, preferences and privileges of the series A preferred stock are described below.

        The following description is a summary of the material terms of Avid's series A preferred stock. This summary of series A preferred stock is not complete and is qualified by reference to Avid's certificate of incorporation. Avid's certificate of incorporation, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of series A preferred stock. A copy of Avid's certificate of incorporation is incorporated by reference into the registration statement that includes this joint proxy statement/prospectus. As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, there are no shares of series A preferred stock outstanding.

        Voting.    Each share of series A preferred stock is entitled to 1,000 votes, subject to adjustment if Avid effects a stock split or issues a stock dividend. Except as provided below, each share of series A preferred stock votes together with the holders of Avid common stock and all of Avid's other capital stock on all matters voted on by Avid stockholders.

        Dividends.    The holders of shares of series A preferred stock are entitled to quarterly cash dividends equal to the greater of $10.00 and 1,000 times the dividend declared per share of Avid common stock, if any, other than dividends payable in common stock or by a subdivision of outstanding Avid common stock.

        Liquidation and Dissolution.    If Avid is liquidated or dissolved or wound up, then it must pay the holders of outstanding shares of series A preferred stock, before it makes any payment to the holders of shares of Avid stock ranking junior to the series A preferred stock, an amount equal to $1,000 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, or if greater, an amount equal to 1,000 times the amount to be paid to holders of Avid common stock. For purposes of this liquidation preference, neither the consolidation, merger or other business combination of Avid with another entity nor the sale of all or any of its property, assets or business will be treated as a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Avid.

        Merger, Consolidation, etc.    If Avid is a party to any merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which shares of its common stock are exchanged or changed into stock or securities of another entity, cash or property of another entity, then the series A preferred stock will be exchanged or changed into an amount per share equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of consideration into which or for which each share of Avid common stock is changed or exchanged in the merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

        Adjustments for Stock Splits and Other Events.    In the event that Avid declares a dividend on its common stock that is payable in common stock or it effects a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of its common stock into a greater or lesser number of shares, then in each case the amount payable to holders of series A preferred stock will be increased or reduced in

121


proportion to the resulting increase or decrease in the total number of shares of Avid common stock outstanding.

        Redemption.    Avid may not redeem the series A preferred stock.

        On February 29, 1996, Avid's board of directors adopted a stockholder rights plan. Under the plan, each Avid common stockholder received a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right, or a right, for each outstanding share of common stock that the stockholder owned at the close of business on March 11, 1996. In addition, each share of Avid common stock issued after March 11, 1996 receives one preferred stock purchase right. The rights trade automatically with shares of Avid common stock and become exercisable only under the circumstances described below. The rights will expire upon the close of business on February 28, 2006, subject to earlier expiration or termination as described in the rights agreement.

        The purpose of the rights is to encourage potential acquirors to negotiate with Avid's board of directors before attempting a takeover bid and to provide Avid's board of directors with leverage in negotiating on behalf of Avid stockholders the terms of any proposed takeover. The rights may have anti-takeover effects. They should not, however, interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by Avid's board of directors.

        The following description is a summary of the material terms of Avid's stockholder rights plan. It does not restate all of the terms of the plan. The rights agreement, and not this description, defines the terms and provisions of the plan. Avid has filed a copy of its rights agreement as an exhibit to its Current Report on Form 8-K, which Avid filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 1996 and which is incorporated by reference into the registration statement which includes this joint proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain a copy at no charge by writing to Avid at the address listed under the caption "Where You Can Find Additional Information" on page 169.

        Exercise of Rights.    Until a right is exercised, the holder of a right will not have any rights as a stockholder. Currently, the rights are not exercisable. When the rights become exercisable, if ever, holders of the rights will be able to purchase from Avid a unit equal to 1/1000th of a share of its series A preferred stock at a purchase price of $115 per unit, subject to adjustment.

        In general, the rights will become exercisable upon the earlier of:

        Flip-In Event.    If a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of Avid common stock, then each right, other than those rights held by the person or group that exceeded the 20% threshold, will then entitle its holder to receive, upon exercise, a number of shares of Avid common stock which is equal to the exercise price of the right divided by one-half of the market price of Avid common stock on the date of the occurrence of the flip-in event. However, the rights are not exercisable following such an event until such time as the rights are no longer redeemable by Avid, as described below.

        Flip-Over Event.    If at any time after a person or group becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of Avid common stock,

122

then each holder, other than the person or group that exceeded the 20% threshold, of a right will be entitled to receive, upon exercise, a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company in the transaction equal to the exercise price of the right divided by one-half of the market price of the acquiring company's common stock on the date of the occurrence of the flip-over event.

        Exchange of Rights.    At any time after a flip-in event, Avid's board of directors may exchange the rights (other than those rights held by the person or group that exceeded the 20% threshold), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Avid common stock or 1/1000th of a share of Avid series A preferred stock (or of a share of a class or series of Avid preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges) for each right.

        Redemption of Rights.    At any time prior to earliest of the close of business on the tenth day after the occurrence of a flip-in event, the occurrence of a flip-over event or February 28, 2006, Avid may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per right.

        As of June 7, 2005, there was one outstanding warrant to purchase an aggregate of 1,155,235 shares of Avid common stock at an exercise price of $47.64 per share. The warrant does not confer upon the holder thereof any rights as an Avid stockholder until the warrant is exercised.

        Avid has shares of common stock and preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval. Avid may utilize these additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including acquisition, capital-raising transactions, consisting of either equity or convertible debt, stock dividends, stock splits and issuances under current or future stock plans.

        The existence of unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock may enable Avid's board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management or to issue preferred stock with terms that could render more difficult or discourage a third-party attempt to obtain control of Avid by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, thereby protecting the continuity of its management. In addition, if Avid issues preferred stock, the issuance could adversely affect the voting power of holders of Avid common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

        Business Combinations.    Avid is subject to the provisions of section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A "business combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to specified exceptions, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.

        Staggered Board.    Avid's certificate of incorporation provides for the division of its board of directors into three classes as nearly equal in size as possible with staggered three-year terms. In addition, Avid's bylaws provide that directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, except that the directors elected by the holders of a particular class or series of stock may be removed without cause only by the

123


vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of that class or series. Under Avid's bylaws, unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy on the board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of Avid's board of directors, may be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The classification of Avid's board of directors and the limitations on the removal of directors and filling of vacancies could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of Avid.

        Limitation of Liability; Indemnification.    Avid's certificate of incorporation contains provisions permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate a director's liability for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as the breach of a director's duty of loyalty or acts or omissions that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law. The limitation of liability described above does not alter the liability of Avid's directors and officers under federal securities laws. Furthermore, Avid's certificate of incorporation contains provisions to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. These provisions do not limit or eliminate Avid's right or the right of any Avid stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach by a director or an officer of his or her duty of care. Avid believes that these provisions will assist it in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors.

        Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders.    Avid's certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may take action only at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not take action by written consent. Avid's bylaws provide that special meetings of its stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board of directors, the president or by a majority of the board of directors.

        Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.    Avid's bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, must meet specified procedural requirements. These provisions may preclude Avid stockholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders, including nominating candidates for election as directors.

124


COMPARISON OF PINNACLE SHAREHOLDER AND AVID STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS

        After consummation of the merger, the holders of Pinnacle common stock who receive Avid common stock and cash under the terms of the merger agreement will become stockholders of Avid. As Pinnacle shareholders, their rights are presently governed by California law and by Pinnacle's articles of incorporation and Pinnacle's bylaws. After consummation of the merger, as Avid stockholders, the rights of the former Pinnacle shareholders will be governed by Delaware law and by Avid's certificate of incorporation and Avid's bylaws. The following discussion summarizes the material differences between the rights of holders of Pinnacle common stock and the rights of holders of Avid common stock and differences between the charters and bylaws of Pinnacle and Avid. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Pinnacle's articles of incorporation and Pinnacle's bylaws, Avid's certificate of incorporation and Avid bylaws, and the relevant provisions of California and Delaware law.

Size of the Board of Directors

Pinnacle

Under California law, although changes in the number of directors must in general be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares, the board of directors may fix the exact number of directors within a stated range set forth in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, if that stated range has been approved by the shareholders.

Pinnacle's bylaws provide Pinnacle's board of directors with the authority to set the exact number of directors within the range of five to nine. The number of directors of Pinnacle is currently fixed at eight.

Avid

In accordance with Delaware law, Avid's bylaws authorize Avid's board of directors to change the number of directors by resolution without stockholder approval.

The number of directors of Avid is currently fixed at seven.

Classified Board of Directors

Under California law, directors generally must be elected annually; however, a corporation that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or has outstanding securities qualified for trading on the Nasdaq National Market, is permitted to adopt a classified board of directors.

Pinnacle's articles of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for a classified board of directors.

Avid

Delaware law permits, but does not require, a classified board of directors, with staggered terms under which one-half or one-third of the directors are elected for terms of two or three years, respectively.

Avid's certificate of incorporation provides that Avid's board of directors shall be divided into three classes with staggered terms of three years.

125

Removal of Directors

Pinnacle

Under California law, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; however, no individual director may be removed—unless the entire board of directors is removed—if the number of votes cast against such removal would be sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting. In addition, when, by the provisions of the articles of incorporation, the holders of shares of a class or series, voting as a class or series, are entitled to elect one or more directors, any director so elected may be removed only by the vote of holders of shares of that class or series.

Pinnacle's directors may not be removed without cause if less than the entire board of directors is being removed and the votes cast against a director's removal would be sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting.

Avid

Under Delaware law, except as otherwise provided in a corporation's certificate of incorporation, a director of a corporation that has a classified board of directors may only be removed by the stockholders for cause.

Avid's bylaws provide that, except as otherwise provided by Delaware law, directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote in an election of directors, except that the directors elected by the holders of a particular class or series of stock may be removed without cause only by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of that class or series.

Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors

Pinnacle

Under California law, any vacancy on the board of directors (other than one created by removal of a director) may be filled by the board of directors. Unless otherwise specified in a corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws, if the number of directors in office at the time a vacancy occurs is less than a quorum, a vacancy may be filled by the unanimous written consent of the directors then in office, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors at a meeting held pursuant to notice or waivers of notice, or by a sole remaining director. A vacancy created by removal of a director may be filled by the board of directors only if the board of directors is so authorized by the corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws.

Pinnacle's bylaws allow any newly created directorship on the board of directors or any vacancy in the board of directors to be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, unless the vacancy was created by the removal of a director by the vote of the shareholders or by court order. In this case, the vacancy must be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present.

Avid

Under Delaware law, unless otherwise provided in the corporation's certificate of incorporation or bylaws, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office.

Avid's bylaws provide that, unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy on the board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board of directors, may be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then in office.

126

Interested Director Transactions

Pinnacle

Under California law, certain contracts or transactions in which one or more of a corporation's directors has a material financial interest are not void or voidable because of such interest, provided that certain conditions, such as obtaining the required approval and fulfilling the requirements of good faith and full disclosure, are met.

Under California law, the conditions under which a contract or transaction with an interested director would not be void or voidable are as follows:

With respect to whether a contract or transaction was just and reasonable as to the corporation at the time the contract or transaction was approved, California law explicitly places the burden of proof on the interested director. Under California law, if shareholder approval is sought, the interested director is not entitled to vote his shares with respect to any action regarding such contract or transaction. If approval of the board of directors is sought, the contract or transaction must be approved by a majority vote of a quorum of the directors, without counting the vote of any interested directors (except that interested directors may be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum), and the contract or transaction must be just and reasonable to the corporation.

Avid

Under Delaware law, certain contracts or transactions in which one or more of a corporation's directors has an interest are not void or voidable because of such interest, provided that certain conditions, such as obtaining the required approval and fulfilling the requirements of good faith and full disclosure, are met.

Under Delaware law, the conditions under which a contract or transaction with an interested director would not be void or voidable are as follows:

Under Delaware law, if board of director approval is sought, the contract or transaction can be approved by a majority of the disinterested directors even though they comprise less than a quorum.

127

Limitation of Liability

Pinnacle

Under California law, corporations are permitted to adopt a provision in their charters eliminating the liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of the director's fiduciary duty of care.

Under California law, a corporation may not eliminate the liability of a director to a corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages where such liability is based on:

Pinnacle's articles of incorporation contain a provision limiting the liability of its directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent of California law.

Avid

Under Delaware law corporations are permitted to adopt a provision in their charters eliminating the liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of the director's fiduciary duty of care.

Under Delaware law, a corporation may not eliminate the liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages where such liability is based on:


Such limitation of liability provisions do not affect the availability of non-monetary remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

Avid's certificate of incorporation contains a provision limiting the liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

128

Indemnification

California corporations may include in their articles of incorporation a provision that extends the scope of indemnification through agreements, bylaws or other corporate action beyond that specifically authorized by statute. Pinnacle's articles of incorporation include a provision providing that Pinnacle is authorized to indemnify its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by California law. Pinnacle's bylaws also include provisions providing that Pinnacle shall indemnify its officers and directors. Additionally, Pinnacle has entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of its executive officers, directors and certain employees.

Delaware law states that the indemnification provided by statute shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. Avid's certificate of incorporation provides that Avid shall indemnify its directors and officers to the maximum extent permissible under Delaware law.

Cumulative Voting

Under California law, shareholders have the right to cumulative voting unless a corporation has outstanding shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or has outstanding securities qualified for trading on the Nasdaq National Market and has elected to eliminate shareholders' cumulative voting rights.

Pinnacle has not eliminated the right of cumulative voting; therefore, cumulative voting is available to Pinnacle shareholders.

Avid

Under Delaware law cumulative voting in the election of directors is not available unless specifically provided for in the certificate of incorporation.

Avid's certificate of incorporation provides that there shall be no cumulative voting.

Voting by Ballot

Pinnacle

California law provides that elections for directors need not be by written ballot unless a shareholder demands election by ballot at the meeting and before voting begins or unless a corporation's bylaws so require.

Pinnacle's bylaws provide that, upon the demand of any shareholder made at a meeting before the voting begins, the election of directors shall be by written ballot.

Avid

Under Delaware law, the restriction on a corporation's stockholders to vote for directors exclusively by written ballot may be lifted if so provided in the corporation's certificate of incorporation.

Avid's certificate of incorporation provides that no action by the stockholders may be taken by a written action in lieu of a meeting.

129

Power to Call Special Meetings; Advance Notice of Business and Nominees

Pinnacle

Under California law, a special meeting of shareholders may be called by the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the president, the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than 10% percent of the votes at such meeting and such additional persons as are authorized by the articles of incorporation or the bylaws.

Pinnacle's bylaws allow the board of directors, the chairman of the board of directors, the president, or one or more shareholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than 10% of the votes at the meeting to call a special meeting of shareholders. If a special meeting is called by any person or persons other than the board of directors, Pinnacle's bylaws require that the request shall be in writing and shall specify the time of the meeting and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted.

Avid

Under Delaware law, a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by any other person authorized to do so in the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws.

Avid's bylaws authorize the chairman of the board of directors, the president or a majority of the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders.

Actions by Written Consent

Under California law, shareholders may take action by written consent in lieu of voting at a shareholders meeting. California law permits a corporation, pursuant to a provision in a corporation's articles of incorporation to eliminate the ability of shareholders to act by written consent.

Pinnacle's bylaws provide for shareholder action by written consent.

Avid

Under Delaware law, stockholders may take action by written consent in lieu of voting at a stockholders meeting. Delaware law permits a corporation, pursuant to a provision in a corporation's certificate of incorporation, to eliminate the ability of stockholders to act by written consent.

Avid's certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not permit stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

130

Stockholder Voting on Mergers and Similar Transactions

Pinnacle

California law generally requires that the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the acquiring and target corporations approve statutory mergers. California law contains an exemption from this voting requirements for reorganizations in which shareholders or the corporation itself, or both, immediately prior to the reorganization will own immediately after the reorganization equity securities constituting more than 5/6ths of the voting power of the surviving or acquiring corporation or its parent entity.

California law also requires that a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation be approved by a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation transferring such assets.

With certain exceptions, California law also requires that mergers, reorganizations, certain sales of assets and similar transactions be approved by a majority vote of each class of shares outstanding.

Avid

Delaware law generally requires that the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the acquiring and target corporations approve statutory mergers. Delaware law does not require a stockholder vote of the surviving corporation in a merger (unless the corporation provides otherwise in its certificate of incorporation) if:

Delaware law also requires that a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation be approved by a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation transferring such assets.

Delaware law generally does not require class voting, except in certain transactions involving an amendment to the certificate of incorporation that adversely affects a specific class of shares, increases or decreases the number of authorized shares of a class of shares, or increases or decreases the par value of the shares of a class of shares.

131

Provisions Relating to Certain Business Combinations

Pinnacle

California law provides that, except where the fairness of the terms and conditions of the transaction has been approved by the California Commissioner of Corporations and except in a "short-form" merger (i.e., the merger of a parent corporation with a subsidiary in which the parent owns at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class of the subsidiary's stock), if the surviving corporation or its parent corporation owns, directly or indirectly, shares of the target corporation representing more than 50% of the voting power of the target corporation prior to the merger, the nonredeemable common stock of a target corporation may be converted only into nonredeemable common stock of the surviving corporation or its parent corporation, unless all of the shareholders of the class consent. The effect of this provision is to prohibit a cash-out merger of minority shareholders, except where the majority shareholders already own 90% or more of the voting power of the target corporation and could, therefore, effect a short-form merger to accomplish such a cash-out of minority shareholders.

Avid

Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware prohibits "business combinations," including mergers, consolidations, sale and leases of assets, issuances of securities and similar transactions, by a corporation or a subsidiary with an "interested stockholder" who beneficially owns 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock, for three years after the person or entity becomes an interested stockholder, unless:

The merger of Avid and Pinnacle is not subject to the restriction on business combinations set forth in Section 203. Avid's board of directors has unanimously approved and adopted the merger and the merger agreement.

132

Dissenters' Rights and Appraisal Rights

Pinnacle

Under California law, if the approval of the outstanding shares of the corporation is required for a merger or reorganization, each shareholder entitled to vote on the transaction who did not vote in favor of the merger or reorganization may require the corporation to purchase for cash at fair market value the shares owned by such shareholder. No dissenters' rights are available for shares listed on any national securities exchange certified by the Commissioner of Corporations or listed on the Nasdaq National Market, unless (a) there exists with respect to such shares any restriction on transfer imposed by the corporation or by any law or regulation or (b) if demands for payment are filed with respect to 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a class of capital stock, and in the case of either (a) or (b) the shares were voted against the merger.

Since shares of Pinnacle common stock are listed on the Nasdaq National Market, demands for payment with respect to 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Pinnacle common stock must be filed with Scott E. Martin, the Corporate Secretary of Pinnacle, before Pinnacle's special meeting. More information regarding Dissenters' Rights are described in "The Merger—Dissenters' Rights and Appraisal Rights."

Avid

Under Delaware law, stockholders of a corporation that is a constituent corporation in a merger generally have the right to demand and receive payment of the fair value of their stock in lieu of receiving the merger consideration. However, appraisal rights are not available to holders of shares listed on a national securities exchange; designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders; unless, however, holders of stock are required to accept in the merger anything other than any combination of (a) shares of stock or depositary receipts of the surviving corporation in the merger; (b) shares of stock or depositary receipts of another corporation that, at the effective date of the merger, will be either listed on a national securities exchange, designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders; (c) cash in lieu of fractional shares of the stock or depositary receipts received; or (d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c).

In addition, appraisal rights are not available to the holders of shares of the surviving corporation in the merger if the merger does not require the approval of the stockholders of that corporation.

With respect to the proposed merger, appraisal rights are not available to stockholders of Avid.

133

Sources and Payment of Dividends

Pinnacle

Under California law, no distributions to a corporation's shareholders may be made unless:

Under Delaware law, subject to any restriction in the corporation's certificate of incorporation, the board of directors may declare and pay dividends out of surplus of the corporation, which is defined as net assets less statutory capital, or if no surplus exists, out of the net profits of the corporation for the year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding year; provided, however, that if the capital of the corporation has been diminished to an amount less than the aggregate amount of capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having preference upon the distribution of assets, the board of directors may not declare and pay dividends out of the corporation's net profits until the deficiency in the capital has been repaired. Avid's certificate of incorporation contains no provisions restricting dividends on Avid common stock.

Rights of Purchase and Redemption

Pinnacle

Under California law, any corporation may purchase, redeem and dispose of its own shares, except that it may not purchase or redeem these shares unless it meets the requirements for making distributions set forth above.

Avid

Under Delaware law, any corporation may purchase, redeem and dispose of its own shares, except that it may not purchase or redeem these shares if the capital of the corporation is impaired or would become impaired as a result of the redemption. However, at any time a corporation may purchase or redeem any of its shares that are entitled upon any distribution of assets to a preference over another class of its stock or, if no shares entitled to such a preference are outstanding, any of its own shares, if these shares will be retired upon acquisition or redemption, thereby reducing the capital of the corporation.

134

Rights of Inspection

Pinnacle

California allows any shareholder to inspect and copy the shareholder list for a purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a shareholder. California law provides, in addition, an absolute right to inspect and copy the corporation's shareholder list by persons holding an aggregate of 5% or more of a corporation's voting shares, or under certain other circumstances, shareholders holding an aggregate of 1% or more of such shares.

Pinnacle's bylaws provide that any shareholder has the right to inspect the list of shareholders for a purpose reasonably related to the shareholder's interests as a shareholder. In addition, Pinnacle's bylaws provide that any shareholder or shareholders who hold at least 5% in the aggregate of the outstanding shares entitled to vote or who holds at least 1% of such voting shares and has filed a Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the election of directors may inspect the list of shareholders without giving a reason.

Avid

Delaware law allows any stockholder to inspect and copy the stockholder list for a purpose reasonably related to such person's interest as a stockholder. Delaware law does not provide for any such absolute right of inspection.

Avid's bylaws provide that an officer of Avid shall prepare, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and that any stockholder has the right to inspect the list of stockholders for any purpose germane to the meeting of stockholders.

Derivative Actions

Pinnacle

California law provides that a shareholder bringing a derivative action on behalf of the corporation need not have been a shareholder at the time of the transaction in question, provided that certain tests are met concerning the fairness of allowing the action to go forward. The shareholder must make his or her demand on the board of directors before filing suit. California law also provides that the corporation or the defendant in a derivative suit may make a motion to the court for an order requiring the plaintiff shareholder to furnish a security bond.

Avid

Under Delaware law, a stockholder may initiate a derivative action to enforce a right of a corporation if the corporation wrongfully fails to enforce the right itself. An individual may also commence a class action suit on behalf of himself and other similarly situated stockholders to enforce an obligation owed to the stockholders directly where the requirements for maintaining a class action under Delaware law have been met. The complaint must state that the plaintiff was a stockholder at the time of the transaction of which the plaintiff complains or that the plaintiff's shares thereafter devolved on the plaintiff by operation of law and, with respect to a derivative action, allege with particularity the efforts made by the plaintiff to obtain the action the plaintiff desires from the directors or allege with particularity that such effort would have been futile. In addition, under Delaware law the plaintiff must remain a stockholder through the duration of the suit. The action will not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

135

Dissolution

Pinnacle

Under California law, shareholders holding 50% or more of the total voting power may authorize a corporation's dissolution, with or without the approval of the corporation's board of directors, and this right may not be modified by the articles of incorporation. Thus, shareholders holding 50% or more of the voting power may authorize Pinnacle's dissolution.

Avid

Under Delaware law, unless the board of directors approves a proposal to dissolve, a dissolution must be approved by stockholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if a dissolution is initially approved by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation's outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board of directors.

Avid's certificate of incorporation contains no such supermajority voting requirement.

136


PROPOSALS FOR AVID'S 2005 ANNUAL MEETING

Proposal 1: Amendment to Avid's Certificate of Incorporation

        The first proposal on the agenda for Avid's annual meeting is the approval of the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of Avid capital stock.

        At the meeting, Avid will ask its stockholders to approve an amendment to its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000. The purpose of this increase is to provide shares for future corporate needs, such as capital-raising transactions, stock dividends, stock splits, issuances under current or future stock plans and acquisitions, including the proposed merger with Pinnacle. In addition, to effect this change, the total number of shares of capital stock, including shares of preferred stock, authorized in Avid's certificate of incorporation would increase from 51,000,000 to 101,000,000.

        On February 16, 2005, Avid's board of directors voted unanimously to recommend to Avid stockholders that Avid's certificate of incorporation be amended to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance by 50,000,000. Under Delaware corporate law, Avid is required to obtain approval from its stockholders to amend its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance.

        If approved by Avid stockholders, the increase in authorized shares would become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after Avid's annual meeting at such time as Avid files a Certificate of Amendment to its Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, with the Delaware Secretary of State. A copy of the proposed amendment is included as Annex F to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.

        Avid's certificate of incorporation currently authorizes Avid to issue up to 51,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 50,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of March 31, 2005, Avid had a total of approximately 35.1 million shares of common stock outstanding and approximately 10.1 million additional shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to Avid's equity compensation plans, an outstanding warrant and as potential earnout consideration in connection with Avid's acquisition of M-Audio in August 2004. As a result, as of March 31, 2005, Avid had approximately 4.8 million shares of common stock available for future issuance in excess of the outstanding common stock and shares of common stock reserved for potential future issuance. If the Pinnacle merger described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is consummated, Avid would be required to issue approximately 6,200,000 shares of common stock. Accordingly, in order to consummate the merger, Avid stockholders must approve this proposal.

        Avid's board of directors also believes that it is important to have available for issuance authorized shares of common stock to provide for Avid's future corporate needs. The additional authorized shares would be available for issuance from time to time in the discretion of Avid's board of directors, without further stockholder action, except as may be required for a particular transaction by law or the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq National Market. The shares would be issuable for any proper corporate purpose, including acquisitions, capital-raising transactions consisting of either equity or convertible debt, stock dividends, stock splits or issuances under current or future stock plans, such as the proposed 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. Avid's board of directors believes that these additional shares will provide Avid with the ability to issue shares in the future without potential expense and delay incident to obtaining stockholder approval for a particular issuance. Except to the extent described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, Avid does not currently have any plans, understandings or agreements for the issuance or use of the additional shares of common stock to be approved under this proposal.

137


        Holders of Avid common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of Avid stockholders and to receive ratably dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by Avid's board of directors from funds legally available therefor, subject to the payment of any outstanding preferential dividends declared with respect to any Avid preferred stock that from time to time may be outstanding. Upon Avid's liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of Avid's business, holders of Avid common stock are entitled to share ratably in any assets available for distribution to Avid stockholders after payment of all of Avid's obligations, subject to the rights of the holders of any Avid preferred stock then outstanding to receive preferential distributions.

        The proposed amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock will not affect the rights of existing holders of common stock except to the extent that future issuances of common stock will reduce each existing stockholder's proportionate ownership. Holders of common stock do not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for the purchase of any shares of common stock, which means that current holders of Avid common stock do not have a prior right to purchase any new issue of common stock in order to maintain their proportionate ownership.

        The issuance of additional shares of Avid common stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from attempting to acquire, control of Avid. Avid is not aware of any attempts on the part of a third party to effect a change of control of Avid, and the amendment has been proposed for the reasons stated above and not in response to any unsolicited offer or takeover attempt.

        Avid's board of directors believes the amendment to Avid's certificate of incorporation is in Avid's best interest and the best interest of Avid stockholders and recommends that Avid stockholders vote "FOR" the proposal to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under Avid's certificate of incorporation from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000.

138


Proposal 2: Election of Avid Directors

        The following table sets forth certain information as of June 1, 2005 with respect to the beneficial ownership of Avid common stock by:


Beneficial Owner
   Number of Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
   Percentage of
Common Stock
Outstanding(%)(1)(2)
  
5% Stockholders          
FMR Corp.(3)
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109		   3,240,630   9.2 %
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.(4)
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66202		   2,035,254   5.8  
Oak Associates, Ltd.(5)
3875 Embassy Parkway
Suite 250
Akron, OH 44333		   2,021,000   5.8  

Directors and Officers(6)
 
 
 
 
 
George H. Billings(7)   10,000   *  
Elizabeth M. Daley   0   *  
John V. Guttag(8)   33,000   *  
Nancy Hawthorne(9)   38,000   *  
Pamela F. Lenehan(10)   40,000   *  
William J. Warner(11)   146,700   *  
David A. Krall(12)   451,714   1.3  
Charles L. Smith(13)   52,489   *  
Michael J. Rockwell(14)   29,413   *  
Paul J. Milbury(15)   28,212   *  
David M. Lebolt(16)   31,562   *  
Joseph Bentivegna(17)   23,201   *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)(18)
 
950,311
 
2.6
 
*
Less than 1%

(1)
The number of shares beneficially owned by each Avid stockholder, director and executive officer is calculated pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under those rules, a person or entity is considered to beneficially own all shares for which the person has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and all shares that the person or entity has the right to acquire on, or within 60 days after, June 1, 2005. The inclusion herein of any shares of Avid common stock deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of such shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity listed above has sole voting and/or investment power with respect to the shares listed as of June 1, 2005.

139

(2)
In calculating the percentage of Avid common stock beneficially owned by each person or entity listed, the number of shares deemed outstanding includes 35,212,744 shares outstanding as of June 1, 2005, plus, for that person or entity only, any shares subject to stock options that were exercisable on, or within 60 days after, June 1, 2005.

(3)
Beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2004, as reported in an amendment to a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2005. Includes (a) 2,925,800 shares owned by Fidelity Management & Research Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., (b) 209,600 shares owned by Fidelity Management Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp., (c) 30 shares owned by Strategic Advisers, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMR Corp. and (d) 105,200 shares owned by Fidelity International Limited, an entity that FMR Corp. voluntarily includes in its Schedule 13G filings. FMR Corp. and Edward C. Johnson, the Chairman of FMR Corp., have sole power to dispose of 2,925,800 shares. The board of trustees of each of the subsidiaries of FMR Corp. have the sole power to vote and direct the voting of 2,925,800 shares. Fidelity International Limited has sole power to vote and the sole power to dispose of 105,200 shares. Edward C. Johnson is the Chairman of Fidelity International Limited.

(4)
Beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2004, as reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2005. Includes 602,304 shares beneficially owned by Waddell & Reed Ivy Investment Company, an investment advisory subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., and 1,432,950 shares beneficially owned by Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company, an investment advisory subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Inc., which is a subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.

(5)
Beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2004 as reported in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2005.

(6)
The address for each director and executive officer is c/o Avid Technology, Inc., One Park West, Tewksbury, Massachusetts 01876.

(7)
Consists of shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(8)
Consists of 30,000 shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and 3,000 shares of Avid common stock held in trust for the benefit of Dr. Guttag's children.

(9)
Consists of shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(10)
Consists of shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(11)
Includes 10,000 shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(12)
Includes 414,259 shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(13)
Includes 27,021 shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(14)
Consists of shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(15)
Includes 25,212 shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(16)
Consists of shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(17)
Includes 14,125 shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

(18)
Includes 723,496 shares of Avid common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options.

140

        Avid's board of directors is divided into three classes (designated Class I, Class II and Class III Directors), with one class being elected each year and members of each class holding office for a three-year term. Avid's board of directors currently consists of seven members, two of whom are Class I Directors (with terms expiring at Avid's 2006 annual meeting), two of whom are Class II Directors (with terms expiring at Avid's 2007 annual meeting), and three of whom are Class III Directors (two of whom have been nominated for re-election at Avid's annual meeting this year for terms expiring at Avid's 2008 annual meeting). William J. Warner, a current Class III Director, has decided not to stand for re-election at Avid's annual meeting.

        The persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote to elect Elizabeth M. Daley and John V. Guttag as Class III Directors, unless authority to vote for the election of any or all of the nominees is withheld by marking the proxy to that effect. Both nominees have indicated their willingness to serve if elected, but if either or both of the nominees should be unable or unwilling to serve, proxies may be voted for substitute nominee(s) designated by Avid's board of directors.

        Set forth below regarding each continuing director and each of the nominees for director is his or her name, age as of March 31, 2005, all positions he or she holds with Avid, if any, principal occupation, business experience during at least the past five years, the names of other publicly held corporations for which he or she serves as a director, and the year during which he or she first became a member of Avid's board of directors.

        There are no family relationships among any of the directors and executive officers of Avid.

        Elizabeth M. Daley, 62, became a director in February 2005. Ms. Daley has been Dean of the School of Cinema-Television at the University of Southern California since 1991 and Executive Director of the Annenberg Center for Communication at the University of Southern California since 1993.

        John V. Guttag, 56, became a director in October 2002. Dr. Guttag has been a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology since January 1979, and served as Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from January 1999 to September 2004. In addition, Dr. Guttag is co-head of the Network and Mobile Systems Group within MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science.

        Avid's board of directors recommends that Avid stockholders vote "FOR" the election of Ms. Daley and Dr. Guttag as Class III Directors.

        George H. Billings, 54, became a director in March 2004. Since 1987, Mr. Billings has been the President of Billings & Co., a management consulting firm focused on the wireless communications and related industries. Mr. Billings also served as Chief Operating Officer from March 1998 to June 1998, and as Chief Executive Officer from June 1998 to May 1999 of Silicon Wireless, Ltd., a developer of wireless communication technology. In addition, from May 1992 to May 1997, Mr. Billings served first as the Chief Operating Officer and later as Vice Chairman of Radio Movil Digital Americas, Inc., a

141

wireless dispatch communications company with investments in South America. Previously, Mr. Billings served as General Manager of the Washington-Baltimore Cellular Telephone Company Partnership (d/b/a Cellular One), and as Vice President of Corporate Development of the Communications Satellite Corporation.

        Nancy Hawthorne, 53, became a director in October 1997. Since August 2001, Ms. Hawthorne has served as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Clerestory, LLC, a financial advisory and investment firm. From 1996 until July 1997, Ms. Hawthorne was Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Hawthorne, Krauss & Associates, LLC, a provider of consulting services to corporate management. From July 1997 until July 2001, Ms. Hawthorne was self-employed, providing a variety of financial strategy consulting services. Previously, Ms. Hawthorne served as Treasurer and the Chief Financial Officer of Continental Cablevision. Ms. Hawthorne also serves as a director of the Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc., a mutual fund established by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

        David A. Krall, 44, has served as a director since October 2000 and has been an employee since 1995. Mr. Krall has served as Avid's President and Chief Executive Officer since April 2000, and served as Avid's President and Chief Operating Officer from October 1999 until April 2000. Previously, Mr. Krall served as Chief Operating Officer of Digidesign, Avid's audio division, from July 1998 to October 1999, and as Vice President of Engineering of Digidesign from June 1996 to July 1998.

        Pamela F. Lenehan, 52, has served as a director since April 2001. Since June 2002, Ms. Lenehan has served as President of Ridge Hill Consulting, LLC, a strategy and financial consulting firm. From September 2001 until June 2002, Ms. Lenehan was self-employed as a private investor. From March 2000 until September 2001, Ms. Lenehan was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Convergent Networks, Inc., a manufacturer of switching equipment. From February 1995 until January 2000, she was Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Treasurer of Oak Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of telecommunications components. Previously, Ms. Lenehan was a Managing Director of Investment Banking at Credit Suisse First Boston and a Vice President of Corporate Banking at Chase Manhattan Bank. Ms. Lenehan is a member of the board of directors of Spartech Corporation, a processor of engineered thermoplastics.

        During 2004, Avid's board of directors met eight times and acted by written consent once. With the exception of Mr. Warner, each director was present for at least 75% of the aggregate number of Avid's board of directors meetings and meetings held by all committees on which that director then served. Mr. Warner attended five of the eight meetings of Avid's board of directors. One of the meetings of Avid's board of directors that Mr. Warner missed was due to a hospitalization for a broken hip and another was due to the funeral of a family member.

        Avid's corporate governance guidelines provide that directors are expected to attend Avid's annual meeting of stockholders. All of Avid's directors attended Avid's 2004 annual meeting of stockholders.

        Avid's board of directors has established three standing committees—audit, compensation, and nominating and governance—each of which operates under a charter that has been approved by Avid's board of directors. Current copies of each committee's charter are available on the corporate governance section of Avid's website at www.avid.com and can be accessed by clicking on "Company," "Investors" and "Corporate Governance." In addition, a copy of Avid's audit committee charter, as in effect on the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex H.

142


        Avid's board of directors has determined that Mr. Billings, Ms. Daley, Dr. Guttag, Ms. Hawthorne and Ms. Lenehan are independent directors as defined under the rules of the Nasdaq National Market. Accordingly, each of the members of each of the three standing committees of Avid's board of directors is an independent director as defined under the rules of the Nasdaq National Market.

        Avid's audit committee's responsibilities include:

        Avid's audit committee is authorized to retain independent legal, accounting and other advisors, and compensate them for their services.

        Avid's audit committee met thirteen times and acted by written consent once during 2004. The current members of Avid's audit committee are Mr. Billings, Ms. Hawthorne and Ms. Lenehan. Mr. Billings was appointed to Avid's audit committee in May 2004. Mr. Billings replaced Charles T. Brumback, a former member of Avid's board of directors, who served on Avid's audit committee in 2004 until his retirement in May 2004.

        Avid's board of directors has determined that each of Mr. Billings, Ms. Hawthorne and Ms. Lenehan is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K.

        Avid's compensation committee's responsibilities include: