Sonic's Roxio Software Bundled with Pioneer BDR-101A Blu-ray Disc Writer Sonic Solutions, the leader in digital media software, broke new ground today shipping its Roxio ® BD software with the first commercially available Blu-ray Disc drive from Pioneer Electronics. The release ushers in a new era in optical disc recording, making possible for the first time the backup of up to 25GB of data on a single layer BD-R (recordable) or BD-RE (rewritable) disc, as well as image-to-disc recording and the archive and playback of hours of high-definition video content. The software and hardware combination will enable a range of applications including professional pre-mastering, high-definition authoring and high-capacity storage. "We are pleased to partner with Sonic as we continue our tradition of delivering breakthrough technologies in the optical disc market, from our introduction of LaserDisc products more than 25 years ago to today's introduction of the first Blu-ray Disc Drive," said Andy Parsons, senior vice president at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "Sonic's software has helped establish and grow the market for CD and DVD creation and has made them the clear leader in their field. Given the depth and breadth of our joint experience, this effort by our two companies bodes well for the future success of this exciting next-generation optical format." Initially targeted to professional users, the Pioneer BDR-101A will allow authoring facilities to perform testing and evaluation of commercial Blu-ray Disc releases in preparation for replication. Roxio digital media software for Blu-ray Disc will also enable image-to-disc recording, saving of BD disc images, and data transfer for file backup on BD. The drive may also be used by enthusiasts to store DV camcorder video and to record high-definition television shows on a properly equipped personal computer. The BDR-101A is also capable of BD-ROM movie and DVD playback and recording. "Given Pioneer's contributions to the development of optical media, their choice of Roxio is a gratifying validation of our high-definition authoring leadership," said Stan Wong, general manager, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. "Sonic is firmly committed to encouraging the success of the next-generation high- definition formats like BD at all levels, and enabling data and video recording for the world's first shipping BD drive is a significant achievement for us and a major milestone in the launch of this powerful new format." The release of BD-enabled Roxio software adds another first to Sonic's 15-year history of delivering optical-format innovations, including the delivery of the first commercial CD mastering system in 1989, the first professional DVD production system in 1996, and the first consumer DVD authoring application in 1999. Sonic's efforts on high-definition began over two years ago. Through its High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA), Sonic has been helping Hollywood and their authoring facility partners prepare for the successful launch of the next-generation optical format. Sonic's technologies and guidance have been essential in the creation of the first replicated discs using advanced interactive modes of both BD and HD DVD. In addition, Sonic has also licensed BD technology to leading consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers, such as Broadcom, for incorporation into high-definition set-top players. Pioneer BDR-101A has befun shipping to us. We are still on allocation. We hope to get a big shipment in next week.
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