Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq: SNIC) announced today at the
National Association of Broadcasters Convention (NAB) a program that provides
users of high-end DVD authoring systems an easy way to move to Sonic
Scenarist(R) 3 with attractive economics. Intended for users of non-Scenarist
authoring tools who work in the demanding world of high-end commercial and
feature film DVD title production, the Scenarist Upgrade Program will give this
group of professionals access to the proven power of Scenarist 3 authoring,
Sonic's in-depth operator orientation training, SonicCare(TM) professional-level
support, and a clear upgrade path to take advantage of the new opportunities of
HD-DVD authoring as it arrives later this year.
The new program comes on the eve of Sonic's release of Scenarist 3, the latest version of the company's leading authoring application which is used to create the vast majority of DVD releases worldwide. Scenarist 3 adds new advanced authoring technologies, streamlined workflow, and extended title production capacity, and is designed to meet rapidly expanding title production demands. As part of the launch of Scenarist 3, the Upgrade Program provides users of other systems a proven foundation upon which to continue building their DVD title production business and protect their capital equipment investments.
"Sonic's Scenarist Upgrade Program comes at a perfect time for high-end DVD facilities as the demand for more complex DVD titles appears to be increasing," said Jim Pace, Co-owner of Audio Intervisual Design, a well-known and respected supplier of DVD production systems serving the
In addition to the power that Scenarist provides today, Sonic Scenarist has been designated by Sonic as the platform to which the next generation system for HD-DVD title production will be added. In discussion by the WG-1 of the DVD Forum (www.dvdforum.org), HD-DVD will feature high-definition video and audio content, and changes to the DVD command set, as well as backward compatibility for previously-released SD-DVD titles. HD-DVD, targeted for release in 2004, brings new opportunities to high-end DVD production facilities eager to produce content for a rapidly expanding base of HD-Ready home entertainment systems and excited consumers already numbering in the millions worldwide.
"HD is the next logical and inevitable evolutionary step for the wildly successful DVD format," said Jim Taylor, General Manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group and well known author of DVD Demystified. "With the advent of more affordable HD display solutions now hitting the market, HD-DVD will arrive with a healthy installed base of consumers eager to experience the improved quality of the new format."
"The Scenarist Upgrade Program is intended to enable professional facilities using other systems who want to protect and evolve their business to easily obtain and benefit from the power that Scenarist provides," said, Rolf Hartley, Vice President and General Manager of Sonic's Professional Products Group. "Looking ahead to the new opportunities awaiting high-end facilities with HD, Scenarist empowers users with built-in, future-proof technologies that secure DVD-based businesses."
Sonic plans to deliver Scenarist 3 in April 2003. Available through
About the Sonic
With its precise control of the DVD specification and the unequaled DVD-player compatibility of the titles it produces, Scenarist has become the backbone of the commercial DVD industry and is used to design and create the vast majority of blockbuster DVDs, feature releases, and high-end commercial titles available today.
Sonic Scenarist is available in three editions. Scenarist Studio offers a focused feature set for filmmakers and multimedia designers seeking advanced access to the DVD specification at an affordable price. Scenarist Studio includes the ability to create DVD-9 titles, work with 16:9 video content, and create DVDs with up to three camera angles. Scenarist Advanced adds copy protection, regional coding and closed-caption support to the feature list. Scenarist Professional is the full-featured Hollywood-standard authoring system used to create millions of DVD discs in commercial release. Scenarist Professional gives users the most complete level of control over the DVD specification and allows for the most interactive titles with up to nine video angles, DTS support, Text Data, Jacket Pictures and many other features. All editions use the same user interface and the same reliable and proven project and layout engine to ensure the most compatible discs.
About Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq: SNIC)
Based in
Forward Looking Statement
The above paragraphs of this press release may contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, among others, the timely introduction and acceptance of new products, costs associated with new product introductions, the transition of products to new hardware configurations and platforms and other factors, 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 Registration Statement 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.
Source: Business Wire
