Sonic to Add THX Media Director™ Technology to RoxioNow

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonic Solutions® (Nasdaq: SNIC) and THX Ltd., today announced a partnership that will add THX Media Director™ technology into Sonic's content creation tools, streaming content, and RoxioNow™-enabled consumer electronics devices.  Sonic will incorporate THX Media Director technology into its professional content creation products, add THX Media Director content descriptors into digital content streamed through its RoxioNow entertainment platform, and incorporate THX Media Director functionality into RoxioNow playback. The collaboration will help bring THX Media Director capabilities to an array of online entertainment services and a broad, multi-manufacturer network of connected devices and allow consumers to experience movies, television, and music that is faithful to an artists' creative intent.

The integration of THX Media Director across the Sonic products greatly extends the reach of THX's innovative technology into consumers' digital entertainment experience. With this rapid deployment of THX Media Director-enabled content and devices, consumers will begin to experience the benefits of THX Media Director's automatic operation, enjoying their digital content without having to constantly adjust A/V settings when switching across media types.

The RoxioNow platform encompasses a complete range of products and technologies for the creation, distribution, and enjoyment of streamed and downloaded digital entertainment. THX will work with Sonic to include THX Media Director content descriptors into nearly all titles in its digital library.

Sonic will also integrate THX Media Director capabilities into its professional optical disc authoring and video encoding products. Scenarist®, the number one choice for professional DVD and Blu-ray Disc production, and CineVision®, a comprehensive encoding solution for DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc, will each allow content creators to make their content THX Media Director-enabled.

"The ideal scenario for consumers is a world in which all their entertainment devices work seamlessly to deliver content in the way it was intended to be viewed," said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager, Professional Technology Division, Sonic Solutions. "Offering THX Media Director will help streamline optimizing audio and visual settings and will help further Sonic's efforts to provide consumers high-quality entertainment experiences across a broad range of connected devices."

Mounting consumer frustration, driven by a growing array of content types, media sources, device options and playback settings, is fueling demand for THX Media Director. Recognizing this, content owners and distributors, like RoxioNow, are working closely with THX, from capture through to post-production, to include THX Media Director information for describing specific audio and video characteristics in their content. THX Media Director-enabled devices then are able to read and act upon this information and automatically select the optimal settings for the content and the capabilities of the A/V components in the home theater system.

"Confusion often leads to inaction, with many consumers leaving their products in the wrong modes or settings, which results in a less than stellar experience," said Rick Dean, senior vice president, THX Ltd.  "THX Media Director combined with the broad reach and influence of Sonic's technologies for digital and physical delivery will ensure that all of the filmmakers' work, whether streamed on RoxioNow or encoded using Sonic's professional tools, is presented using the optimal settings intended for the playback experience in the home."

THX Media Director content descriptors communicate information needed for consumer electronics devices to automatically select optimum audio and video settings for specific pieces of content. THX Media Director-enabled devices (set-top boxes, 3DTVs, projectors, and AV receivers) that can act on these descriptors will be available in late 2011 and early 2012 from companies including LG Electronics, JVC U.S.A., Epson America, and Onkyo Sound and Vision. The RoxioNow player that is licensed into many such CE devices will be upgraded to support the reception of THX Media Director information that is delivered with RoxioNow titles.

The RoxioNow platform serves a broad range of premium content, including new movies and next-day TV programs, to a growing, multi-manufacturer ecosystem of connected home and mobile electronics, as well as over 350 million DivX Certified devices. RoxioNow enables storefronts for brick and mortar retailers, cable operators, PC manufacturers, game system vendors, consumer electronics makers, and Hollywood studios' direct-to-consumer initiatives. The platform allows these companies to participate in the entertainment supply chain, add value to product offerings, and form ongoing relationships with customers. "Powered by RoxioNow™" stores enable consumers to instantly rent and purchase high-quality entertainment on their favorite devices and, through the RoxioNow online entertainment library, access their content at any time, on any RoxioNow-powered device.

About THX Ltd.

From the big screen to your screen, THX ignites your passion for exciting entertainment experiences. Founded by George Lucas and recognized by audiences around the globe, THX is synonymous with the design and certification of world-class cinemas, premium audio systems, HDTVs, and blockbuster movies and games. Products featuring THX defy convention and define quality in their class, whether in the cinema, home or on the road. For more information, visit www.thx.com.

About Sonic Solutions

Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC) enables digital media from Hollywood to home. For more than two decades, Sonic products, service, and technology brands including Roxio®, RoxioNow, DivX®, and MainConcept®, have fueled home entertainment, powered rich digital media functionality on a range of platforms for a variety of partners, and inspired unique personal media experiences for hundreds of millions of consumers. Sonic technologies are now combining to deliver a universal platform for Hollywood studios, retailers, consumer electronics manufacturers, and PC OEMs that provide consumers instant access to premium entertainment from virtually anywhere. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California. Learn more at www.sonic.com.

SOURCE THX Ltd.