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To: Black-Scholes who wrote (44343)	8/31/1999 4:22:00 PM
From: Don Dorsey	Respond to of 50808

Sonic Introduces DVD Publishing Tools for Apple's New PowerMac G4; New DVD Transcoder Converts QuickTime Files into MPEG-2 Video and Dolby Digital Audio Business Editors and High Tech Writers SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1999--Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC) today debuted at the Seybold San Francisco Exposition a new software-based MPEG-2 video encoder and Dolby Digital audio encoder designed to convert QuickTime files for publishing on DVD. The new Sonic DVD Transcoder takes full advantage of the 128-bit vector execution unit integrated into Apple's just-announced PowerMac G4, maximizing encoding speed and video quality. Using special algorithms that take advantage of enhanced speed of the PowerMac G4, the Sonic DVD Transcoder delivers up to five times faster performance than any other solutions for the Macintosh. Designed for unattended processing, it can batch-convert QuickTime files into MPEG-2 or MPEG-1 video and Dolby Digital audio, and includes user-selectable MPEG compression and bit-rate parameters. Built-in legalization automatically ensures DVD-compatible encoding for playback in DVD set-top players and DVD-equipped computers. Software-based Dolby Digital audio encoding provides a unique capability to convert AIFF and QuickTime files into Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. An integrated sample-rate converter automatically ensures that audio sample-rates will play at 48kHz, which is required for DVD publishing. "The Sonic DVD Transcoder is the missing link for multimedia professionals wanting to publish their content on DVD," said Mark Ely, Director of Product Marketing for Sonic Solutions. "Previously, QuickTime files either had to be printed to videotape and encoded using hardware-based solutions, or converted using extremely slow software tools that didn't adequately address audio requirements. The PowerMac G4-enhanced Sonic DVD Transcoder offers a fast, efficient and cost-effective solution." "The new PowerMac G4 brings supercomputer speeds to personal computing." said Phil Schiller, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. "By taking advantage of the incredible power of the new PowerMac G4 processor, Sonic will make DVD publishing even faster and more efficient on the Macintosh platform." The Sonic DVD Transcoder is available in two configurations: a standard edition includes MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 video transcoding and has a suggested U.S. list price of $999. A professional edition adds Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio encoding, and has a list price of $1,999. Both versions are compatible with Sonic Solutions' complete line of DVD Authoring systems - DVDit!, DVD Fusion, and DVD Creator - and are scheduled to ship in September.