Take Video Playback to the Next Level with New DivX Plus™ HD Certified Universal Media Players from Marantz

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DivX®, a division of Sonic Solutions® (Nasdaq: SNIC), and Marantz®, a world leader of advanced home entertainment solutions, today announced that Marantz will integrate DivX Plus™ HD Certification in its new line of universal media players. The integration will enable a range of advanced features, while employing an H.264 codec in the popular MKV file container with AAC audio to deliver exceptional visual quality.

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Consumers who purchase the newly-developed DivX Plus HD Certified Universal Media Players will enjoy high-quality playback of DivX Plus HD video directly on the device using virtually any optical disc or through the USB slot. Users can also stream DivX Plus videos via DLNA v1.5 (Digital Living Network Alliance), ensuring easy content viewing across connected devices.

Key advanced DivX Plus HD features on the Marantz players include support for as many as eight subtitle and audio tracks in a single movie file, smooth fast forward and rewind for simple navigation through a DivX Plus video, and auto chapter points, so users may skip between chapters in a video when no chapters have previously been authored.

"Marantz is renowned for creating innovative home theater products, and its adoption of DivX Plus HD technology demonstrates the value that leading OEMs have for DivX playback," said Matt Milne, Executive Vice President and General Manager, DivX.  "Now, when a consumer sees the DivX Plus HD logo on a Marantz Universal Media Player, they can rest assured that their collection of digital video files will playback flawlessly."

"Our new UD5005 and UD7006 Universal Media Players are among the most sophisticated in today's advanced source component marketplace, and the inclusion of DivX Plus HD playback adds an even greater level of entertainment value for today's discerning consumers," said Kevin Zarow, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Marantz America. "MKV playback, 1080p playback and advanced features like smooth fast forward and rewind are features we know our customers will be excited about."

DivX Plus HD Certification is the premium level of certification available from DivX, awarded to consumer electronics products supporting the optimized playback of all content created with DivX software. Available on www.divx.com, DivX Plus Software allows users to create and playback H.264 video in an .mkv file container. DivX Plus HD Certified devices will playback all previous versions of DivX video and DivX Plus HD video files with the .mkv file extension and AAC audio created with third-party tools.

The UD5005 is now available in the United States, and the UD7006 will follow in February. Both devices offer true universal compatibility from virtually all of today’s most advanced video and audio formats. The Universal Media Players reflect Marantz’s longstanding foundation of audio superiority and innovation, while also embodying the company’s “three pillars” of commitment to its customers — impeccable design, total user convenience, and increased connectivity.  

Known for great performance, visual quality, and interoperability on any DivX Certified® device, DivX provides consumers with a comprehensive digital media solution supporting the majority of high-quality Internet video on their TVs or other consumer electronics devices. All DivX devices contain proprietary digital rights management technology and are capable of playing back premium movies in the DivX format from major studios. Global online retailers offering titles in the DivX format include WB Shop, Media Markt, Film Fresh, and Best Buy's CinemaNow, which is powered by RoxioNow™.

DivX creates, distributes, and licenses digital video technologies that span the "three screens" comprising today's consumer media environment — the PC, television, and mobile devices. Over 400 million DivX devices have shipped into the market worldwide from leading consumer electronics manufacturers. DivX also offers content providers and publishers a complete solution for the distribution of secure, high-quality digital video content. Driven by a globally recognized brand and a passionate community of hundreds of millions of consumers, DivX is simplifying the video experience to enable the digital home.

For more information about DivX, visit www.divx.com.  

About Marantz

Marantz America, LLC is committed to upholding the tradition of technological superiority initiated by founder Saul Marantz. In keeping with this emphasis on quality, Marantz audio and video components are carried only by the nation's premier independent audio/video specialty retailers. Additional information is available at www.us.marantz.com and www.facebook.com/marantzamerica. Marantz America, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M Holdings Inc.

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 provides consumers instant access to premium entertainment from virtually anywhere. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California. Learn more at www.sonic.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations, including the launch, distribution, and market acceptance of the DivX format. 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 Sonic Solutions' annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction with Sonic Solutions' 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. Sonic Solutions does not undertake to update any forward looking statements.

Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, Roxio, RoxioNow, DivX, DivX Certified, and Hollywood to Home are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by Sonic Solutions in the United States and/or other countries. Marantz is a registered trademark of D&M Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries.  All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used by Sonic Solutions under license.

SOURCE DivX