Sonic bringing DTS 5.1 audio to Blockbuster, Best Buy VOD services
We've talked a lot about picture quality differences between downloads and disc, but audio is also a big part of the experience and Sonic appears committed to improving that in its new deal with DTS. No word on the exact specs, but the partnership will result in DTS "high performance" audio support including 5.1 surround in the RoxioNow video platform that supports Blockbuster and Best Buy's digital movie stores. Like Netflix, it plans to add the extra channels of audio later this year, check the press release after the break while we wait to see who gets there first.
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Sonic and DTS Partner to Significantly Enhance the Digital Movie Download Experience
RoxioNow Platform to Help Establish New Format for Delivering High Quality Video with DTS High Performance Audio to Connected Devices
NOVATO, Calif. and CALABASAS, Calif., June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sonic Solutions® (Nasdaq: SNIC) and DTS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTSI), today announced a partnership that will bring DTS' highly regarded multi-channel audio format to the RoxioNow™ premium entertainment platform. The collaboration will enable Sonic's retail partners, such as Best Buy and Blockbuster, to significantly enhance the viewing of premium movies, next-day television shows, and independent films with richly immersive 5.1-channel surround sound.
"Best Buy is always looking to meet the needs of our customers by bringing them the best technology, products, content, and services," said Ryan Pirozzi, Director of Movies for Best Buy. "Sonic's partnership with DTS falls in line with our goal of delivering exciting solutions in home entertainment and helps provide high-quality experiences across a broad range of connected devices at a critical junction in the evolution of digital delivery."
RoxioNow will add DTS-formatted audio to its supply chain for content encoding and will make DTS-enabled content available via its cloud-based digital locker system for connected devices. DTS delivers immersive 5.1 surround sound and stereo across a wide variety of digital entertainment platforms for in-home and portable devices.
"Since 1993, DTS has been dedicated to the ideal of delivering an unsurpassed audio experience to consumers for music, movies, and more," said Brian Towne, Executive Vice President at DTS in Calabasas, California. "In a developing ecosystem where convenience is key, DTS delivers high-quality audio to meet consumer demand for the finest high-definition entertainment. By integrating DTS within the RoxioNow platform, watching movies delivered online will immediately become an even more engaging and immersive experience. Further, this partnership raises the bar for online entertainment distribution and significantly extends the availability of DTS-encoded content to a much wider audience than ever before," added Towne.
"DTS has been delighting audiences in theaters and in homes for years with exceptional multi-channel sound, and we are delighted that they have chosen to work with Sonic to integrate their outstanding audio technology into our RoxioNow platform," said Mark Ely, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Sonic Solutions. "Working together, Sonic and DTS will bring truly immersive entertainment experiences to millions of connected consumers."
Sonic plans to launch the DTS high-performance audio codec this year in concert with RoxioNow platform partners, giving consumers the ability to rent or buy their favorite titles with stunning DTS sound.
About DTS, Inc
DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTSI) is a digital technology company dedicated to delivering the ultimate entertainment experience. DTS decoders are in virtually every major brand of multi-channel surround processors, and there are hundreds of millions of DTS-licensed consumer electronics products available worldwide. A pioneer in multi-channel audio, DTS technology is in home theatre, car audio, PC and gaming console products, as well as DVD players, televisions, digital media players, set-top boxes and surround music software. In addition, DTS is a mandatory audio format in the Blu-ray Disc standard, resulting in DTS technology being included in every device capable of playing Blu-ray discs. Founded in 1993, DTS' corporate headquarters are located in Calabasas, California with its licensing operations headquartered in Limerick, Ireland. DTS also has offices in Northern California, Washington, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For further information, please visit www.dts.com. DTS and the DTS Symbol are registered trademarks of DTS, Inc, and DTS Express is a trademark of DTS, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. (c) 2010 DTS, Inc. All rights reserved.
About Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC) is powering the digital media ecosystem through its complete range of Hollywood to Home™ applications, services, and technologies. Sonic's Roxio products enable consumers to easily manage and enjoy personal media and premium Hollywood entertainment on a broad range of connected devices. A wide array of leading technology firms, professionals, businesses, and developers rely on Sonic to bring innovative digital media functionality to next-generation devices and platforms. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.
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 RoxioNow entertainment platform. 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, and Hollywood to Home, are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by Sonic Solutions in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used by Sonic Solutions under license. Specifications, pricing and delivery schedules are subject to change without notice.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause DTS' results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words "planned," "expects," "believes," "strategy," "opportunity," "anticipates" and similar words. These statements may include, among others, plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding proposed new products, services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or financial or operating performance; statements of belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual growth and results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the transition to the next generation optical drives and consumer adoption of such technology, the rapidly changing and competitive nature of the digital audio, consumer electronics and entertainment markets, the Company's inclusion in or exclusion from governmental and industry standards, continued customer acceptance of the Company's technology, products, services and pricing, risks related to ownership and enforcement of intellectual property, the continued release and availability of entertainment content containing DTS audio soundtracks, success of the Company's research and development efforts, risks related to integrating acquisitions, greater than expected costs, the departure of key employees, the current financial crisis and global economic downturn, a loss of one or more of the Company's key customers or licensees, changes in domestic and international market and political conditions, and other risks and uncertainties more fully described in DTS' public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov. DTS does not intend to update any forward-looking statement contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
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