Exhibit 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No.  333-84739) of Pinnacle  Systems,  Inc. of our report
dated  September 28, 1999 relating to the statement of tangible  assets sold and
liabilities assumed as of July 31, 1999 and the related statement of revenue and
direct expenses for the year ended October 31, 1998 of  Hewlett-Packard  Company
Broadcast  Video Server  Business  which  appears in the Current  Report on Form
8-K/A, amendment No. 1, of Pinnacle Systems, Inc.'s Form 8-K originally filed on
August 13, 1999.





/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Jose, California
October 14, 1999






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