PictureTel introduces new release of software for award-winning desktop
videoconferencing product line

Added functionality for Live50; Windows 95 compatibility for Live50 and
Live100; new camera available for Live50

DANVERS, Mass. -- April 1, 1996 -- PictureTel Corporation (NASDAQ: PCTL /
www.picturetel.com), the world leader in videoconferencing, today
announced the availability of a new release of software for its
award-winning PictureTel Live50 and Live100 desktop videoconferencing
systems. In addition to this new release of software, PictureTel also
announced a new camera option for the Live50. The Live50 and Live100 were
formerly known as the PictureTel LIVE PCS 50 and PCS 100, respectively.

The new release, version 1.6, brings several new capabilities to these
products. In addition to supporting Windows 3.1 operating system
environments, the products are now Windows 95 compatible.

With version 1.6, the Live50 delivers capabilities that until now were only
associated with high-end desktop systems, such as the Live100. The Live50
now supports:

 - robust network connectivity; V.35 & RS-449 (both dialed and
   non-dialed) and Switched-56;
 - an option to operate at data rates up to and including 384 Kbps;
   and
 - ATM connectivity, via First Virtual Corporation's desktop ATM25
   network.

"The 1.6 release further demonstrates PictureTel's strategy to bring
high-end, high-performance desktop videoconferencing to the market at an
affordable price," said Tony Paradiso, director of marketing for
PictureTel's desktop products. "We are also very excited to be able to use
the Live50 within an ATM environment, such as those provided by First
Virtual Corporation and others."

Ralph Ungermann, CEO of First Virtual Corporation, said his company is
impressed by the enhanced capabilities of the Live50.

"The ability to run stored, live and interactive video over the LAN or WAN
for video collaboration is a direction we believe many corporations are
heading in. The combination of FVC's low-cost ATM system and PictureTel's
high-quality desktop videoconferencing provides a powerful mutli-purpose,
multimedia network at a new price point," he said.

WINDOWS 95 FUNCTIONALITY

Version 1.6 of the Live50 and Live100 also is compatible with PCs using
Windows 95.

"PictureTel customers who have adopted Windows 95, can upgrade to version
1.6 and migrate their PictureTel desktop systems to Windows 95," said
Paradiso. "The flexibility of these products, with support for both
Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, enables users to implement desktop
videoconferencing easily and economically as they upgrade their operating
system."

FLIPCAM FOR THE LIVE50

PictureTel also announces the availability of a new camera for the Live50.
Previously, a fixed-focus camera was included with the Live50, now the
PictureTel FlipCam is an option. The FlipCam, which has been standard on
the Live100 since its inception, provides manual controls for focus, zoom
and aperture. With the FlipCam, the Live50 can extend desktop applications
by enabling a small, ad-hoc gathering of people to be viewed by the
far-end. The FlipCam for the Live50 is available immediately, and can be
purchased as part of a new system, or as an add-on. A base-level system
with a FlipCam is priced at $3,195, while the camera is priced at $1,300
as a separate item.

Version 1.6 also includes the latest version of LiveShare Plus,
PictureTel's award-winning data-conferencing software package that enables
users to work on a whiteboard together, share multiple Windows
applications, transfer files, share clipboards, and remotely control a
system, all during a video-call.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICING

Version 1.6 will begin shipping on new Live50 and Live100 systems effective
today. Upgrades will be made available to the installed base directly in
the U.S. and Canada. In the rest of the world, upgrades are available to
end-users through the network of PictureTel resellers and channel
partners. Pricing for this upgrade varies according to geography. The U.S.
list prices of the complete version 1.6 Live50 and Live100 systems remains
$2,495 and $4,995, respectively.

PictureTel Corporation is the world leader in developing, manufacturing and
marketing a full range of visual telecommunications solutions that are
"Redefining the Way the World Meets." The company's products serve
videoconferencing needs from the desktop to the boardroom. PictureTel also
markets network products and a comprehensive portfolio of enterprise-wide
services.

Recent PictureTel news releases are available by calling 1-800-716- 6000,
extension 4 (U.S. and Canada only).

PRESS CONTACTS:

Kevin Flanagan
PictureTel Corporation
(508) 762-5178
e-mail: flanagank@pictel.com

Diane Parazin
Lages & Associates
(617) 232-0315 / (714) 453-8080
73362.465@compuserve.com
 
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