Sonic Launches Expanded Scenarist Workgroup Solutions for HD Title Production
Introduces Scenarist QC Line of Quality-Control Systems to help Authoring Facilities Deliver First European Titles with Sonic Advanced Authoring and Encoding
IBC 2006, Amsterdam (September 8, 2006) - Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today introduced significant new features and capabilities for the Scenarist® Workgroup product line, further enabling major motion picture studios and professional authoring facilities to efficiently encode, author, proof, and release Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD commercial titles that feature high-definition video and rich interactivity. Scenarist Workgroup will now include updated versions of Sonic's powerful authoring and encoding applications, Scenarist 4 and CineVision™, which provide even greater codec support, stunning HD encoding quality, and support the simultaneous production of HD DVD and BD content. Additionally, Sonic is introducing new quality-control (QC) systems, including CineVision QC for real-time HD stream quality checking and Scenarist QC for both standard and high-definition project emulation. The new systems are planned for phased release starting in September. The Scenarist Workgroup line of products is being showcased at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), taking place in Amsterdam from September 8th through the 12th (Hall #7, stand #738).
"These significant enhancements to the Scenarist Workgroup are based on direct feedback from our High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA) partners and professional authors the world over who are using Sonic's tools to produce the first wave of HD titles," said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Professional Products Group. "Underscoring our commitment to the success of next-generation formats, the new refinements to Scenarist and CineVision and the inclusion of new quality-controls systems will save content creators a significant amount of time - time that can now be used to push the creative boundaries of next-generation formats and produce titles of exceptional quality and interactivity."
New to the Scenarist Workgroup product line is Scenarist QC, a line of best-of-breed DVD-Video, Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD emulation systems. Available separately, the Scenarist QC emulators allow authoring facilities to verify disc navigation, video and audio compression quality, and ancillary information such as closed captions and subtitles to ensure discs are produced to the highest standard and in the shortest amount of time. Also new to the Scenarist Workgroup is CineVision QC, an HD video quality control system that enables encoding professionals for the first time to perform video compression quality control procedures in real-time on next-generation DVD format high-definition codecs. CineVision QC delivers decoded content via HD-SDI, providing the best possible quality for reproduction of the compressed image by passing video anomalies that can be introduced to video quality when output via DVI/HDMI.
Already the standard tool set for professional content creators who demand the highest level of creative control, Scenarist 4 and CineVision have been enhanced with a variety of notable features and capabilities. Based on Sonic's work with the High Definition Authoring Alliance Advisory Group (HDAA AG), and extensive playback testing, Scenarist 4 provides enhanced compatibility with the new range of high-definition set-top players now shipping. The extended high-definition feature set also includes support for the full complement of the audio and video codecs required by Hollywood studios including MPEG-2, VC-1, AVC, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD. Scenarist 4 also includes enhanced support for the AACS content protection specification including support for region coding for Blu-ray Disc title production. In addition, users are now able to generate compelling menus and graphics using Sonic's Scenarist Designer utility included with Scenarist Workgroup.
Developed by Sonic to complement Scenarist 4, the CineVision encoder delivers master-quality video streams across all of the next-generation HD formats. In the latest update, the application takes image quality to a new level for all three next-generation HD format and includes new advanced tools, such as adaptive quantization in AVC, to improve the handling of video effects. In addition, the application improves timeline information, giving the compressionist a clear view of the bit rate and quality metrics for the encoded files. CineVision also features additional workflow accelerators such as the ability to import chapter timecodes from Sonic StreamData™ or spreadsheet files.
Sonic Solutions began its pioneering work on the next-generation HD formats over three years ago. Taking a leading role in helping the industry make a smooth transition to the new high-definition optical formats, Sonic founded 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 is collaborating with the HDAA to ensure the high-definition formats deliver reliable, consistent and dynamic viewing experiences across all playback platforms. Sonic Scenarist advanced interactive authoring and CineVision high-definition encoding solutions were used by German-based HDAA member Imagion AG to author Elephant's Dream - the first commercially-available HD DVD title released in Europe.
For more information on Sonic's comprehensive high-definition initiatives visit http://www.sonic.com/HD
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®-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.
Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, Roxio, Scenarist, Sonic StreamData and CineVision 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.