Technicolor
chooses Sonic
authoring solutions to power world's first advanced interactive Blu-ray
Disc and HD DVD titles
Titles
authored with Sonic Scenarist HD DVD Edition and Scenarist Blu-ray
Edition showcased at CES
LAS VEGAS --(Business
Wire)-- Jan. 5, 2006 Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ:SNIC), the leader in
digital media software, and Technicolor, part of the Services division
of Thomson (EURONEXT:18453) (NYSE:TMS), today announced the production
of the world's first replicated discs utilizing the advanced
interactive modes of the Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD formats.
Highlighting the real-world capabilities of Sonic-developed tools
available to members of Sonic's High Definition Authoring Alliance
(HDAA), the titles were authored at Technicolor Creative Services' DVD
authoring facility in Burbank using Sonic Scenarist HD DVD Edition and
Scenarist Blu-ray Edition high-definition authoring workstations. The
titles were then optically mastered by Eclipse Data Technologies and
replicated by Technicolor Home Entertainment Services in Camarillo, CA.
The Technicolor-produced titles will be showcased at HD DVD and Blu-ray
demonstrations during the 2006 International CES this week in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
Delivering the exciting interactive features of the new high-definition
formats, the first title features the recently re-mastered documentary
"Chronos" by award-winning director Ron Fricke. "Chronos" will be
displayed in both new formats at the Thomson exhibit area in the
Renaissance Hotel, and also previewed in a 14-foot walk-through theater
at the Thomson booth (1/ 20901) in the South Hall using an RCA-brand HD
DVD player and an RCA 70" DLP display.
A second title, also created in BD and HD DVD versions, is "DTS Alive,"
a CES presentation for DTS.
Technicolor has also provided a spindle of HD DVD disc samples to the
HD DVD Promotions Group for display in the HD DVD booth, as well as a
spindle of BD disc samples for the BD Promotions Group.
"Technicolor is once again leading the industry through a period of
managed transition," stated Mary Ann Fialkowski, president, Technicolor
Entertainment Services. "Working with Sonic Solutions, one of our key
technology partner-suppliers, we've responded to the industry drive
towards high-definition in both the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc standards."
The Sonic authoring systems used to create the BD and HD DVD discs at
Technicolor are included in the set of encoding, authoring, and
emulation solutions supplied to members as part of Sonic's HDAA
program.
Sonic's tools enable the features of each format's standard playback
modes -- HDMV for BD and Standard Content for HD DVD -- while also
offering unique support for the advanced interactive capabilities of
iHD for Advanced Content HD DVD and BD-J for Blu-ray Disc.
The advanced capabilities enabled by these tools are highlighted in
both versions of "Chronos," which feature movie-synchronized on-screen
display of bonus material such as anecdotes and annotations, and
contextual overlaid menus that allow viewers to select scene
navigation, change audio settings, and turn on annotations, all without
interrupting video playback.
"We joined the High Definition Authoring Alliance because we knew that
Sonic's leadership in both standard authoring and advanced bonus
features for DVD would give us a tremendous head start as we work to
prepare ourselves to meet our customers' need for titles in these new
high-definition formats," said Chuck Null, vice president of Technical
Services at Technicolor Creative Services (TCS). "Our ability to begin
producing real, playable discs that take full advantage of the
interactive potential of iHD and BD-J is a huge milestone that
underscores the value of our HDAA participation and lets our clients
know that we will be ready for them when they need BD or HD DVD."
Scenarist Blu-ray Edition Workgroup includes BD-J advanced interactive
components, while Sonic Scenarist HD DVD Edition Workgroup includes the
Sonic HD DVD Advanced Content Multiplexer and Advanced Content Player,
making it the first production platform capable of both producing and
emulating fully-interactive HD DVD 1.0 titles. The tools are updated as
format specifications are finalized and feedback from HDAA members is
incorporated into the interface and workflow design.
"The successful production of these first titles with interactive
features is a signal to the entire industry that the ability to create
advanced high-definition content is quickly becoming a reality, and
that Sonic has the experience and the know-how to serve as an ideal
authoring tools partner for the introduction of both BD and HD DVD,"
said Rolf Hartley, senior vice-president and general manager of Sonic's
Professional Products Group. "Through our HDAA-based collaboration with
the world's leading creative production facilities, Sonic continues to
develop practical, efficient solutions that support the full
interactive potential of these new formats, offering big benefits for
both Hollywood and consumers."
Sonic and Technicolor will be demonstrating the Technicolor-produced BD
and HD DVD discs using Sonic playback technology by invitation in
Sonic's suite at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel (Gold Coast Suite, 29th
Floor, North Tower), in the Thomson booth in the South Hall of the Las
Vegas Convention Center, and in the Thomson exhibit area at the
Renaissance Hotel.
About Technicolor
Headquartered in Camarillo, California, Technicolor is part of the
Services division of Thomson (Euronext Paris:18453) (NYSE:TMS). Along
with being the world's largest film processor, Technicolor has evolved
to become the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of
videocassettes, DVDs, and CDs, and a leading provider of production,
postproduction, and visual effects services to film studios and cable
and television networks.
On an annualized basis, Technicolor processes more than five billion
feet of motion picture film, and has the capacity to produce over 1.5
billion DVDs, 330 million videocassettes, and 300 million CDs. The
company is also a principal developer and supplier of services for
comprehensive, end-to-end digital cinema distribution, channel
origination and broadcast playout, and cinema advertising.
Technicolor serves an international base of entertainment, software,
game manufacturing, promotional, direct marketing, OEM, and corporate
customers with its manufacturing and postproduction facilities
worldwide. Major Hollywood clients include The Walt Disney Co.,
DreamWorks SKG, New Line Cinema, Universal, Paramount, and Warner Bros.
Software publishing clients include Microsoft, Vivendi Universal Games,
Electronic Arts, and Atari. For more information: http://www.technicolor.com.
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 DVD authoring systems
and interactive content delivery technologies used to produce the
majority of Hollywood DVD film releases, to the award-winning Roxio-
and Sonic-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup solutions
that have become the premiere 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.
###
Sonic, the Sonic logo,
Sonic Solutions, Roxio, and Scenarist 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.
Forward
Looking Statements
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.
