Sonic Delivers Phase 2 HD Authoring Tools
September 11, 2005
Amsterdam, Netherlands - Sonic Solutions announced the release of significant enhancements to its production toolset for new high-definition video disc formats. The releases mark the completion of Phase 2 of Sonic’s development of encoding and authoring solutions that allow members of the High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA), a Sonic-sponsored association of the world’s top disc authoring facilities, to prepare now for the upcoming rollouts of both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD).
Covering the entire spectrum of components required for full-service HD disc creation, the tools are being released from mid-August through late September and are showing now in the Sonic booth (#7.731) at IBC.
“We pride ourselves on being leaders in DVD title development, and with these new tools from the HDAA — as well as the inside information they provide — we’ll be able to maintain our cutting-edge position as the market expands to include HD formats,” said Michael Becker, Managing Director of Trierweiler, Germany-based CD & DVD premastering and duplication facility, Skywalk Mastering GmbH / Imagion AG. “The HDAA allows us to keep up with the changes as these new formats evolve, and to benefit from hands-on training and experience with the tools ahead of the official adoption of specifications. That shortens our response time, and positions us to profit sooner from HD title development.”
The Phase 2 feature enhancements include:
• Video and audio encoding — the Sonic HD-series Encoder now supports additional codecs and features StreamData technology that enables unsurpassed integration with Sonic HD authoring applications via the exchange of key encoding metadata.
• HD DVD Standard Content authoring — Scenarist HD now supports additional audio stream types (Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD), and disc image formatting and output.
• BD authoring — Blu-ray Creator supports High Definition Movie Mode (HDMV), additional stream types including MPEG-2 HD and LPCM, subtitle creation, support for pop-up menus and overlay controls, and disc image formatting.
• Advanced interactivity — HD DVD advanced interactivity code compilations support advanced subtitles, synchronized content (e.g., storyboards and scripts), and the world’s first Advanced Content in-stream multiplexing solution, as well as iHD emulation; BD-J advanced interactivity code compilations allow buttons to be overlaid on video for seamless, contextually-integrated menus.
With the rollouts of two highly complex HD formats approaching quickly, the availability of pre-release tools gives HDAA members more time to master the challenges of working with the new formats, allowing them to get up-to-speed even as some details of the specifications are still in flux. Sonic is working closely with the HDAA members, incorporating their feedback into go-forward software designs as the components evolve into full commercial products.
“By delivering on Phase 2 of our pre-release program for the HDAA, Sonic is helping to demonstrate that HD DVD and BD are viable formats with real tools for content creation,” said Chris Neely, vice president of development for Sonic’s Professional Products Group. “That’s great news for the industry in general because it adds momentum to the upcoming launches. And it’s particularly empowering for HDAA members, because they can now begin working with customers to get titles into the pipeline.”
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