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Sonic Powers BD-Live With New Scenarist

Next-Generation Features in Scenarist Version 5 Extend Sonic's Lead in Blu-ray Disc Authoring

Amsterdam, The Netherlands—IBC (September 12, 2008) — Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced the release of Scenarist® BD Version 5, a major upgrade to the industry's leading authoring solution for Blu-ray Disc (BD). Building on the field-proven strengths of previous Scenarist versions, Scenarist BD Version 5 adds new functionality focused on the creation of titles that fully leverage advanced interactive features such as BD-Live that enable the seamless blending of on-disc and online content. Scenarist BD Version 5 also streamlines data exchange with third-party interactive programming applications for BD-J - such as those available through the Sonic Extended Developer Group (EDGe) - to enhance and simplify the workflow in the production of cutting-edge BD title releases. The new version of Sonic Scenarist not only delivers the key features required for the rapidly growing BD authoring market, but also highlights Sonic's on-going commitment to the professional authoring industry in Hollywood and around the world.

BD-Live bridges the worlds of optical and streaming media, enriching the viewing experience by combining the stunning visual and audio quality of high-definition content from disc with network-hosted content that is up-to-date and user-customizable. The new Scenarist system uses network connections that are built into the latest BD players that connect to broadband via an on-board RJ-45 connector. With these enhancements in BD-Live support, Scenarist BD becomes the world's first BD-Live authoring system to fully enable and manage BD-Live updates, expanding the creative possibilities of BD title design within the fast, familiar Scenarist environment.

"Hollywood studios and BD publishers everywhere are enthusiastic about BD-Live because it offers them new ways to differentiate their titles and to keep products fresh long after their initial release dates," said Ole Lütjens, VP Product Development at MX Production in San Francisco. "With this new version of Scenarist, we can extend our services to offer these benefits to our customers without the inherent inefficiency of working with custom tools outside of our established Scenarist workflow. That's an exciting breakthrough that will spur the development of innovative new titles, which should help make consumers even more eager to upgrade to BD."

The BD-Live features of Scenarist BD Version 5 include progressive playlist support, which allows streamed content to start without waiting for the download to complete, and virtual file system control, which lets authors specify in detail how players handle downloaded BD-Live content. The new version of Scenarist BD also offers a number of other important enhancements for increased authoring power and flexibility including:

  • Ensequence on-Q integration – enhanced project data exchange between on-Q and Scenarist.
  • BD-J source creation – creation of Java class files containing all accessible project objects.
  • Partial mux control – fast, efficient project revisioning by focusing on only changed components for mux.
  • Portable project archives – two new archive formats optimized for shared network storage environments.

"Complemented by the innovative BD tools now available via the Sonic Extended Developers Group (EDGe), Scenarist BD provides a BD creation environment of unmatched capability, power, and efficiency," said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Professional Products Group. "Version 5 proves that Sonic is once again moving full speed ahead to ensure its customers have everything they need to take full advantage of the creative and business opportunities offered by this exciting new format."

Sonic will be demonstrating Scenarist BD Version 5 at the IBC convention, Hall 7, Stand 7.D11, September 12 to 16, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

About Sonic Solutions

Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC; http://www.sonic.com) enables the creation, management, and enjoyment of digital media content through its Hollywood to Home™ products, services, and technologies. Sonic's products range from the advanced authoring systems used to produce Hollywood DVD and Blu-ray Disc titles to the award-winning Roxio®-branded photo, video, music, and digital-media management applications and services. Sonic's patented technologies and AuthorScript® media engine are relied upon by leading technology firms to define rich media experiences on a wide array of consumer electronics, mobile devices, set-top players, retail kiosks, and PCs. Always an innovator, Sonic has taken a leading role in helping professional and consumer markets make the successful transition to the new high-definition media formats and, through the Qflix™ platform, Sonic is defining new models for the digital distribution of Hollywood entertainment. 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 distribution and market acceptance of Scenarist. 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, AuthorScript, Hollywood to Home, Qflix, Scenarist and Roxio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions 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 under license.