EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We hereby consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Form 8-K of
Pinnacle  Systems,  Inc.,  dated March 26, 1999,  of our report dated August 13,
1998 relating to the consolidated  financial statements of Truevision,  Inc. for
the years ended June 27, 1998, June 28, 1997 and June 29, 1996, which appears at
page F-2 of the Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  included in the  Pinnacle  Systems,
Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-71959).


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Jose, California
March 26, 1999