Sonic Solutions(R) (NASDAQ:SNIC) , the leader in digital media software, and CinemaNow (http://www.cinemanow.com/), a digital entertainment innovator delivering high-quality Hollywood movies and TV shows across multiple platforms, announced today a collaboration that will enable consumers to legally burn Internet downloaded entertainment onto protected recordable DVDs for playback on standard and high-definition players. CinemaNow is participating in Sonic's Qflix(TM) technology and Intellectual Property licensing program, which allows video entertainment to be recorded to DVD using industry approved Content Scramble System (CSS) encryption. Additionally, CinemaNow's robust library of video content will be available within Sonic's movie download application, Roxio Venue(TM) that will be distributed through Sonic's broad OEM and retail channels to provide convenient access to millions of consumers.
CinemaNow will offer the largest selection of movies, TV shows, music videos and more through its online movie store within Roxio Venue and manage content licensing and delivery for consumers. Roxio Venue is now available to PC OEMs for inclusion on systems equipped with Qflix-enabled DVD burners.
"Our commitment to enhancing the digital entertainment experience has driven CinemaNow to develop a comprehensive set of tools that deliver high-quality movies and television programs across multiple platforms," said Curt Marvis, CEO of CinemaNow. "In moving quickly to integrate our service with Sonic's application, we are pleased to unlock a vast collection of previously unavailable content for consumers to instantly access in the home and burn to DVD."
Based on the recently approved industry specifications for recording electronic downloads set by the DVD Forum and the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA), Qflix offers a new means for content owners, including major film studios and niche producers, to release titles for custom production and sale over the Internet while maintaining the same level of copy protection used on commercially mass-produced DVDs.
"The online video distribution industry will get a massive shot in the arm with the ability to burn downloaded video to DVD with the same protection and ubiquitous playability of packaged DVDs," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic Solutions' Advanced Technology Group. "We are confident that our partnership with CinemaNow will fuel the burn-to-DVD business and provide content owners with a new, valuable distribution platform."
