AccuWeather's CinemaLive HD™ Version 2.0 Takes the Lead in Weather Displays

STATE COLLEGE, PA May 16, 2008 - AccuWeather, Inc. (www.accuweather.com) announces the release of version 2.0 of the CinemaLive HD™ weather display. Versatile, fast and easy to use, in a future-proof architecture, CinemaLive HD™ delivers network-quality weather presentations through a best-of-breed combination of high-impact HD animations and weather forecasting, enabling stations to get breaking weather on the air fast and first with visuals that connect to their audience.

Best-of-Breed Weather and Graphics. The foundation of CinemaLive HD is the leading-edge Brainstorm graphics engine that is already familiar to U.S. viewers from its role in the dramatic new looks of ESPN and NBC, and in the captivating graphics of MSNBC's 2008 campaign coverage. AccuWeather is the first to apply a graphics engine of this sophistication to a weather system. AccuWeather adds to the Brainstorm engine stunning HD weather elements, the most complete meteorological support, and a new user interface optimized for weather professionals.

Live-on-Every Layer Architecture. At the heart of the system is a "live-on-every-layer" architecture, implemented within an entirely new, three-screen WeatherCockpit™. Scenes are available for air immediately when created or updated, and can be continually and automatically updated with the latest warnings, forecasts, observations, and more from totally reengineered and expanded data feeds and forecasting tools.

Only True 360º 3D Graphics Architecture. The video-game generation expects to be "in the graphics" not just in front of them. CinemaLive HD creates the only true 360-degree 3D weather graphics environment, placing the station's weather team in the midst of the weather story in a way seen on no other system.

The 3D world of CinemaLive is created with the advanced Brainstorm shader technology. Realistic weather effects in combination with CityVision HD™ - local landmarks that viewers recognize - show viewers what will be happening in their neighborhoods.

First to Fully Support Microsoft® Virtual Earth™. CinemaLive HD is the first weather system to fully harness the power of Microsoft Virtual Earth. That means CinemaLive combines the best interactive story-telling tools with the power to zoom to 3D street corner level wherever the day's weather story is happening. The powerful 3D imagery of Microsoft Virtual Earth is fully integrated with CinemaLive's realistic sky conditions and weather animations.

Totally Reengineered and Expanded Data Sources. In addition to a full complement of standard meteorological data, CinemaLive HD offers the richest body of supplemental information, including:

Real-time local storm reports; Mesonet data from 11,833 weather stations; Lightning data with real-time strike information; Level II NEXRAD Doppler radar; Road pavement conditions for 18 states; Over 32 forecast models and 20 radar products and other meteorological data; and GIS presentations of real-time, tropical and current weather information.

Future-Proof Technology. A hallmark of CinemaLive HD is its versatility and adaptability to future requirements. CinemaLive supports virtual sets, but does not require their use. It provides station meteorologists the richest body of forecasting data, while also allowing them to link in their own favorite sources. It conforms to a station's preferred on-air look while offering opportunities to easily freshen it with the latest graphic tools. For stations not yet ready for HD, CinemaLive can initially be used for SD production and then reconfigured for HD with no cost for additional hardware.

Video clips of CinemaLive HD production may be viewed online at www.accuweather.com/cinema-live.

Air checks from AccuWeather's CinemaLive HD, SelectWarn and The Local AccuWeather Channel's may be viewed at AccuWeather's 2008 Cable Show Booth 2232.

About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com

AccuWeather, The World's Weather Authority®, presents accurate, localized, branded forecasts and severe weather bulletins to over 110 million Americans each day via the Internet, mobile devices and IPTV, through the airwaves, in print and on digital signage. The 113 meteorologists at AccuWeather deliver a portfolio of customized products and services to media, business, government, and institutions, and inform millions of visitors worldwide through the free AccuWeather.com website. AccuWeather also provides content onto more than 20,000 third-party Internet sites, including CNN Interactive, ABC's owned and operated stations, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Visit www.accuweather.com for more information.

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