Sonic Announces Licensing of AuthorScript CE by Broadcom
Wednesday January 5, 6:30 am ET
AuthorScript Enables DVD Burning and Playback for Broadcom's Set-Top Box and DVD Player/Recorder Semiconductor Solutions
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005-- Sonic Solutions® (Nasdaq:SNIC - News) today announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, that it has entered into a multi-year development and license agreement with Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM - News), a leading provider of highly integrated semiconductor solutions enabling broadband communications. Under this agreement, Broadcom has licensed AuthorScript® CE, Sonic's advanced DVD and CD recording and playback engine for consumer electronics devices, for inclusion in its high-definition DVD and set-top box reference platforms. By licensing AuthorScript CE, Broadcom will enable its customers -- consumer electronics manufacturers who market cable and satellite set-top boxes and CE devices -- to easily add DVD recording and playback capabilities to their products.
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With the integration of advanced Electronic Program Guides for time-shifting and high-definition video recording capabilities, hard drive- and DVD-based Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) are rapidly becoming a "smarter" centerpiece of the home entertainment experience. The integration of AuthorScript CE into the Broadcom® reference design allows CE manufacturers to deliver a new generation of DVRs that contain a simple one-step solution for moving recorded shows onto standard DVD discs, freeing-up space on the DVR for additional recording. This combination of hard drive and DVD recording in a single device eliminates the need for separate recorder/playback units, minimizing the number of components and interconnects required in the living room, greatly simplifying the user experience.
"As we developed our business plan, it became clear to us that we need to work closely with a partner who is totally focused on DVD software technology," said Peter Besen, vice president of consumer electronics at Broadcom. "After carefully looking at the vendors in this market, we realized Sonic was the clear choice because of its strong expertise in DVD playback and recording technology, and its solid track record of innovation."
"We're very happy to be working with Broadcom to expand the scope of our AuthorScript technology in the CE space," said Mary Sauer, senior vice president of business development, member of the board of directors, and co-founder of Sonic Solutions. "Consumers want to create, manage, and enjoy digital media content on consumer electronics as well as PCs without worrying about the platform, while enjoying powerful feature sets and with a consistent and direct interface. 'My media, how I want it, when I want it, and wherever I want it' describes the future state of this convergent world, and our new relationship with Broadcom moves us, and the industry, closer to this convergence ideal."
Sonic's license agreement with Broadcom underscores Sonic's move to deploy its technology beyond the traditional PC and into consumer electronics products. Sonic recently announced that it had entered into a new license agreement with Microsoft in which Sonic licensed AuthorScript CD and DVD formatting and burning modules for the latest version of Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Microsoft's flagship consumer operating system. Sonic also recently announced a development and AuthorScript licensing deal with Scientific-Atlanta, which will embed AuthorScript into its cable set-top boxes.
"We are extremely pleased to have been chosen by Broadcom as its technology partner in bringing DVD recording and playback technology to its DVD and set-top box reference platforms," said Jim Taylor, general manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group. "Based on the same technology that Sonic uses in its Hollywood-level authoring systems, AuthorScript CE has been tailored to match the DVD creation needs of consumers and to excel in the demanding set-top hardware and software environment. With AuthorScript CE, Broadcom has added a key element to its reference designs, enabling it to rapidly deliver innovative new products and services for the digital home."
About Sonic AuthorScript CE
AuthorScript® CE is Sonic's DVD/CD formatting, burning, and playback software that allows CE manufacturers to easily incorporate DVD/CD burning and playback into consumer electronics devices such as cable and satellite receivers, DVRs, media centers, and Digital TVs. AuthorScript CE contains modules for converting video and audio data into DVD- and VCD-compliant streams, formatting and burning DVD-Video and VCD projects, data recording on DVDs and CDs, music CD ripping and burning, DVR recording and time-shifting, DVD-Video and VCD playback, and audio CD playback.
AuthorScript CE includes all the advantages that have made Sonic's AuthorScript engine the dominant solution for DVD/CD recording and authoring on the PC. AuthorScript offers the highest playback compatibility, comprehensive support for multiple formats including DVD-Video, DVD-VR, DVD+RW video recording (+VR), CPRM, and OpenDVD® for reading and re-editing recorded discs. AuthorScript CE supports all popular devices, including DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD+RW DL and DVD-RAM, as well as CD-R and CD-RW.
AuthorScript has been licensed by leading companies including Adobe, Avid, Kodak, Microsoft, Sony, Time Warner, and many others. It is the underlying engine in Sonic's DVD applications including MyDVD®, DVDit®, and RecordNow(TM), which are bundled by major OEMs such as Adaptec, Compaq, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Matrox, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Plextor, Pioneer, Sony, ViewSonic, and many others. |
