Sonic Launches Extended Developer Group Program
New Scenarist Plug-ins to Simplify Interactive
HD DVD and BD Title Production
NAB 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada (April 16, 2007) — Sonic
Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today
launched an Extended Developer Group (EDGe), a certified program for
the creation of third-party plug-ins for its world-class high-definition
authoring platform Scenarist®. The new plug-ins will enable professional
content creators to more quickly and efficiently develop advanced interactive
HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) titles. While advanced interactive content
delivers a dynamic viewing experience for consumers and is one of the
major benefits of next-generation formats, it is extremely time consuming
and expensive to develop. The Scenarist plug-ins will simplify the
process of creating advanced high-definition titles by offering a set
of predefined and vetted interactive behaviors or other functionality
that can be automatically applied to a new authoring project. The plug-ins
will help accelerate and streamline the authoring process and, because
the advanced functionality has already been fully tested and certified
by Sonic, also dramatically reduce QC requirements. For more information
on the EDGe program contact Sonic at edge@sonic.com.
“With EDGe, Sonic has created a unique program that should pay dividends
for all participating groups and, perhaps more importantly, help propel
forward the high-definition industry as a whole,” said, Richard Doherty,
research director for The Envisioneering Group. “Sonic’s production-proven
plug-ins and applications will ensure that movie viewers make the most
of their HD systems and experience the full-impact of high-performance
interactive title features. Sonic also opens a door for HD discographers
and developers who can leverage Sonic’s broad distribution to monetize
their own unique high-definition expertise and interactive artistry,
while at the same time adding value to the EDGe program.”
The EDGe program provides all the necessary tools and support to help
the development community successfully define, create, and market Scenarist
plug-ins. Sonic will provide engineering assistance to help turn program
developers’ ideas into HD DVD or BD advanced interactive code, as well
as the tools, SDKs and APIs required during plug-in development. Developers
will also be able to take advantage of Sonic’s Quality Assurance Team
for final plug-in qualification. Once the plug-in is released, Sonic
will provide comprehensive end-user technical support including facilitating
the electronic delivery of updates. Sonic will also actively promote
third-party plug-ins to its extensive user community through a variety
of vehicles including its extensive network of distribution partners
and resellers, as well as direct to customers through Sonic’s eStore.
“We are delighted to be involved in the EDGe program and to take the
opportunity to monetize our format understanding and early commitment
to high-definition development,” said Jeff Levison, principal, Levison
Audio. “The EDGe program not only creates a new revenue stream for
our company, but also enables us to play a larger and more active role
in helping to further establish the high-definition market in which
we participate.”
Anticipated to release later this quarter, Scenarist plug-ins will
offer a range of predefined advanced content functionality by industry-leading
multi-media companies. Initial plug-ins include METAMENU™ Suite, by
Metabeam, which automatically generates high-definition menu interfaces
that can be modified within Scenarist. METAMENU plug-ins speed development
by providing authors with a robust, networked menu system modeled on
best practices in user experience design. The Advanced Content Synchronizer
by Rivetal helps automate the otherwise labor-intensive process of
synchronizing and positioning hundreds or even thousands of media elements
that make up a highly-interactive HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc title. Users
can process production photos, storyboards, script pages and metadata
all in real time. Also available will be HD AudioSavant™, by Levison
Audio, an innovative plug-in that generates consistent, organized audio
assets for HD production and includes all the necessary audio processing
functions such as pitch correct, de-interleave, trim, and equalization.
Also available is the Technicolor Stream Analyzer by Technicolor Creative
Services. This valuable utility parses multi-format elementary streams
and describes production attributes such as timestamp, version, and
notes.
“It became apparent during the research, development and deployment
of the Scenarist Workgroup that for HD formats to compel mass-consumer
adoption over DVD-Video, we had to make it easier and more efficient
for professional authors to create and QC advanced interactive titles,”
said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic’s
Professional Products Group. “The EDGe program provides an important
alternative to the time-consuming process of hand-coding advanced functionality.
We fully expect that the efficiencies Scenarist plug-ins will bring
to high-definition title production will result in a far richer and
innovative consumer entertainment experience.”
Sonic will be introducing the EDGe program and demonstrating plug-ins
at NAB (Stand SL4314), April 16th to the 19th, Las Vegas Nevada.
About Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC ; http://www.sonic.com )
is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of
interoperable, platform-independent software tools and applications
for creative professionals, business and home users, and technology
partners. Sonic's products range from advanced authoring systems and
interactive content delivery technologies used to produce Hollywood
DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray Disc film releases, to the award-winning Roxio®-branded
CD and DVD creation, playback, and backup solutions that have become
the premier choice for consumers, prosumers and business users worldwide.
Sonic products are globally available from major retailers, online
at Sonic.com and Roxio.com, and are bundled with PCs, after-market
drives and consumer electronic devices. Sonic's digital media creation
engine is the de facto standard and has been licensed by major software
and hardware manufacturers, including Adobe, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta,
Sony, and many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County,
California.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
that are based upon current expectations, including the launch, distribution,
and market acceptance of Scenarist plug-ins. Actual results could
differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements
as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including those discussed
in the Company's annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction
with the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q
and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which contain a more detailed discussion of the Company's business
including risks and uncertainties that may affect future results.
The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.
Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, Scenarist, and Roxio are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions or its subsidiaries in the
United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names
are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used
by Sonic Solutions under license.
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