Sonic Solutions to Power World’s First Commercially Available Blu-ray Disc Drive

Pioneer Electronics Chooses Sonic Solutions to Power World’s First Commercially Available Blu-ray Disc Drive

Sonic’s Roxio Software Bundled with Pioneer BDR-101A Blu-ray Disc Writer

Sonic Solutions broke new ground today shipping its Roxio BD software with the first commercially available Blu-ray Disc drive from Pioneer Electronics. The release ushers in a new era in optical disc recording, making possible for the first time the backup of up to 25GB of data on a single layer BD-R (recordable) or BD-RE (rewritable) disc, as well as image-to-disc recording and the archive and playback of hours of high-definition video content. The software and hardware combination will enable a range of applications including professional pre-mastering, high-definition authoring and high-capacity storage.
"We are pleased to partner with Sonic as we continue our tradition of delivering breakthrough technologies in the optical disc market, from our introduction of LaserDisc products more than 25 years ago to today’s introduction of the first Blu-ray Disc Drive,” said Andy Parsons, senior vice president at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “Sonic’s software has helped establish and grow the market for CD and DVD creation and has made them the clear leader in their field. Given the depth and breadth of our joint experience, this effort by our two companies bodes well for the future success of this exciting next-generation optical format."
Initially targeted to professional users, the Pioneer BDR-101A will allow authoring facilities to perform testing and evaluation of commercial Blu-ray Disc releases in preparation for replication. Roxio digital media software for Blu-ray Disc will also enable image-to-disc recording, saving of BD disc images, and data transfer for file backup on BD. The drive may also be used by enthusiasts to store DV camcorder video and to record high-definition television shows on a properly equipped personal computer. The BDR-101A is also capable of BD-ROM movie and DVD playback and recording.
"Given Pioneer’s contributions to the development of optical media, their choice of Roxio is a gratifying validation of our high-definition authoring leadership,” said Stan Wong, general manager, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. “Sonic is firmly committed to encouraging the success of the next-generation high- definition formats like BD at all levels, and enabling data and video recording for the world’s first shipping BD drive is a significant achievement for us and a major milestone in the launch of this powerful new format."
The release of BD-enabled Roxio software adds another first to Sonic’s 15-year history of delivering optical-format innovations, including the delivery of the first commercial CD mastering system in 1989, the first professional DVD production system in 1996, and the first consumer DVD authoring application in 1999. Sonic’s efforts on high-definition began over two years ago. Through its High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA), Sonic has been helping Hollywood and their authoring facility partners prepare for the successful launch of the next-generation optical format. Sonic’s technologies and guidance have been essential in the creation of the first replicated discs using advanced interactive modes of both BD and HD DVD. In addition, Sonic has also licensed BD technology to leading consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers, such as Broadcom, for incorporation into high-definition set-top players.

High Definition Authoring - Avid DVD by Sonic

Avid Adds High-Definition DVD Authoring to Avid DVD by Sonic

Brings Ground Breaking High-Definition Digital Media Creation Tools to Video Professionals

Sonic Solutions the leader in digital media software, today introduced Avid DVD by Sonic® - BD Edition, the world’s first Blu-ray Disc (BD) authoring system for video professionals. The software will be included as a tightly-integrated component of Avid Technology, Inc.’s Studio Toolkit, which can be added to the Avid Xpress® Pro and Avid® Media Composer® family of products. Offering the perfect balance of speed, flexibility, and power, Avid DVD by Sonic - BD Edition will enable creative professionals working with high-definition content to author BD projects that feature stunning Widescreen (16:9) menus, rich playlists and sophisticated navigation systems.
“Our pioneering work with Avid highlights another important milestone in Sonic’s strategy to bring HD authoring technologies to the vast video-production market,” said Chris Neely, vice president of development for Sonic’s Professional Products Group. “Our knowledge and experience in BD and HD DVD will continue to drive a full range of Sonic-enabled solutions by our technology partners and industry-defining products that deliver dynamic high-definition creation and enjoyment experiences from Hollywood to home.”
The unveiling of next-generation authoring capabilities for the professional video market is the latest in a long series of high-definition initiatives by Sonic Solutions, which began its pioneering work on next-generation formats over two years ago. Sonic has taken a leading role in helping the industry make a smooth transition to the new high-definition optical formats, spearheading the High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA) in 2005 to prepare Hollywood and their authoring facility partners for the rollout of BD and HD DVD titles. More recently, Sonic announced an extension to the Alliance with the formation of an Advisory Group (HDAA AG). Comprised of top-tier computer and consumer electronics companies, the HDAA AG will collaborate with the HDAA to ensure high-definition formats deliver reliable, consistent and dynamic viewing experiences across platforms. In addition, Sonic recently released the world’s first professional high-definition authoring and encoding systems, Scenarist® 4 and CineVision™.
“We are pleased to extend our successful, long-standing relationship with Sonic Solutions,” said Patrick McLean, senior product manager for Avid. “Our winning formula of seamlessly combining Sonic’s advanced authoring technologies with Avid’s tools for editing, finishing, and mastering film and video projects, will enable content creators to expose the full power and potential of high definition from capture all the way to final distribution.”

For more information on Sonic’s comprehensive high-definition initiatives visit:

http://www.sonic.com/HD

Welcome to the DVD Authoring Blog

Welcome to the DVD Authoring Blog. This Blog will discuss the latest advancements in DVD Authoring technology. Whether you are hobbyist, or a professional, the advice here should prove interesting.

DVD Authoring has come a long way. Initially, only Hollywood studios had enough money to create high end DVDs. Now your average person can create DVDs that rival anything you see in Hollywood. Technology is no longer the holdup when it comes to creating innovative DVD menus. Now, your only limitation is your own imagination.

Easter Eggs - I am a huge fan of hidden content in DVDs. Why not put a few items in hard to find places so that only the most dedicated fans can find them. This personalizes the DVD for the die hard fans, and the less involved fans will never know the difference.

Motion Menus - In my opinion, all DVD menus should contain movement. There is nothing more disappointing then getting to the main menu of a movie and seeing a still picture as the background. It doesn't take much to add motion, so I think it should be a standard (except when lack of space on disk dictates otherwise).

Blue Ray Disk and HD DVD - No more excuses Hollywood. These new formats give us more disk space and higher quality video. Bring on the extra content. Where are those outtake reels we all love?

Conclusion - I hope you all enjoy reading this Blog as much as I will enjoy writing it.