Sonic Teams Up With Microsoft on Professional
VC-1 Encoding
Sonic Unveils CineVision PSE, a New Parallel
Stream Encoder Based on Microsoft Technology
NAB 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada (April 16, 2007) — Sonic
Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today
announced that it has entered into a commercial agreement to broadly
deploy Microsoft’s advanced VC-1 encoding technology, known as the
PEP Encoder, in the professional high-definition title creation industry.
Already used by studios to prepare video assets for a significant number
of HD DVD titles, the all new version of the PEP Encoder, re-branded
as Sonic CineVision™ PSE (Parallel Stream Encoder), is being released
worldwide and supported by Sonic. Ideal for enterprise-level authoring
facilities with large processing infrastructures, CineVision PSE is
a best-of-breed VC-1 encoding platform that provides an unprecedented
level of fine-parameter and pre-processing controls to tackle the intricate
high-level image quality requirements of Hollywood. Sonic is demonstrating
CineVision PSE at NAB (Stand SL4314), taking place through April 19th
in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The image quality offered by the VC-1 codec provides an unparalleled
high-definition movie watching experience for consumers,” said Tim
Harader, senior business development manager at Microsoft Corp. “By
working with a leading supplier such as Sonic, we’re making the industry’s
most popular VC-1 encoder available to professional compressionists
everywhere. Sonic is well-known in the industry for providing the right
solutions and technical support required to be successful in the business
of Hollywood title creation."
CineVision PSE is a scalable software encoding solution that can be
deployed across a connected array of parallel processing computing
systems. Depending on the configuration, CineVision PSE may be used
to encode multiple simultaneous streams of the highest quality VC-1
delivered in near real-time. The application features segment-based
re-encoding, support for ISAN and Ad-ID metadata, and a graphical bit-stream
player for viewing the quality of an encoded file.
“Sonic remains committed to providing the Hollywood content creation
community with the crucial technology it needs to be successful in
the dynamic and evolving HD environment,” said Rolf Hartley, senior
vice president and general manager of Sonic’s Professional Products
Group. “By collaborating with Microsoft, Sonic is able to leverage
its vast expertise to deliver the best enterprise VC-1 encoding solution
possible. CineVision PSE provides ultra high-end capabilities for
professional facilities demanding the best possible quality and control
when encoding VC-1 and is an important, world-class addition to our
CineVision product range.”
VC-1 is a video codec standard that offers very high image quality
with excellent compression efficiency. VC-1 has been adopted by both
the DVD Forum and Blu-ray Disc (BD) Association as one of the mandatory
codecs for next-generation high-definition formats.
About
Sonic’s Professional Products Group
Sonic’s Professional Products Group (PPG) develops authoring and encoding
systems used in the release of a wide variety of video entertainment
including major motion pictures on DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, HD DVD and Blu-ray
Disc. Sonic’s world-renowned Scenarist® authoring and CineVision™ video
and audio encoding systems are intended for highly skilled professional
content creation facilities including high-end authoring and design
houses, major motion picture studios, and disc replicators. Sonic’s
Professional Products Group is actively involved in the development
and implementation of new entertainment standards and formats.
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 CineVision PSE. 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, CineVision, 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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