Sonic Powers Demonstration of Advanced Interactivity for HD Disc Forma

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors
    NAB2005
    Booths #SL308 and #SL332

    LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2005--Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq:SNIC), the leader in digital media authoring software, today with Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) demonstrated iHD, developed by Microsoft and The Walt Disney Studios to deliver advanced interactivity for new HD-based disc formats. The Sonic-developed demonstration offers NAB attendees a compelling preview of the future of high definition video entertainment, showcasing Sonic's patented InterActual(R) technology which enables viewers of HD video discs to experience advanced interactivity along with access to supplemental movie-synchronized content that can come from disc or the Internet. Many of the features highlighted in the demonstration build on the same type of capabilities already supported in Sonic's industry-leading authoring systems and workflow solutions for interactive DVDs, and are being integrated into Sonic's systems for HD-based discs to facilitate the planned launches of next-generation formats in 2005 and 2006.
    "iHD is exciting technology that provides Hollywood studios with a broad canvas to deliver enhanced features and entertainment value to consumers," said Kevin Unangst, director of Windows Digital Media at Microsoft. "Sonic's authoring expertise and understanding of Hollywood's creative and production requirements positions them perfectly to deliver the solutions that authoring facilities and studios will need to create cutting-edge iHD titles."
    The Sonic and Microsoft demonstrations are conceptual in nature and were developed in partnership with New Line Home Entertainment, a market-proven innovator of feature-rich DVD productions. New Line Home Entertainment and InterActual, a subsidiary of Sonic Solutions, have a long-standing relationship of enabling cutting-edge enhanced DVD features. The conceptual demonstrations highlight some of the advanced features possible on next-generation DVDs, including interactive menus during the film (picture in picture), bonus material integrated and synchronized with the movie, secondary video documentaries during main feature playback, advanced content navigation, and up-to-date trailers streamed from the Internet and seamlessly integrated with the playback.
    In choosing the capabilities to demonstrate, Sonic drew on years of experience with InterActual-enabled DVD production as well as on its close collaboration with Hollywood studios to determine which advanced interactivity features appeal most to consumers. Sonic's professional tools for production of HD-based formats will allow content providers to take full creative advantage of these new features within an efficient, streamlined title production workflow that incorporates Sonic's systems for managing and delivering online content for interactive titles. Sonic's patented InterActual technology opens a huge array of opportunities for title enhancements, such as coming attractions and trailers that are always current, online ticket purchases for movies currently in theaters, and direct links to the latest studio titles and merchandising.
    "Advanced interactivity will be central to the success of the new high definition title creation business," said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's professional products group. "By incorporating iHD capabilities into our advanced HD authoring systems, Sonic will enable authoring facilities to take advantage of all that is possible with the new HD formats within an efficient title production system. Our tools will make it fast and easy for Hollywood studios to bring high definition movies to consumers, including the exciting interactivity and features that make watching movies at home a compelling experience."
    Sonic is demonstrating advanced interactivity at its booth (#SL308) and in the NAB Digital Media Theater in the Microsoft booth #SL332 at 11:30 a.m. daily during the exhibition.

    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 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, InterActual, and Roxio 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.

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CONTACT: Sonic Solutions Paul Lefebvre, 415-893-8000 paul_lefebvre@sonic.com

KEYWORD: NEVADA CALIFORNIA TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: Sonic Solutions

Copyright Business Wire 2005