Sonic Debuts DVD ProducerT 4 and SD-2000 Encoding for Windows XP Professional

New Features, Power, and Productivity for Creative DVD Producers

Amsterdam, The Netherlands (September 12, 2003) - Sonic Solutions [Nasdaq: SNIC] debuted today at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) DVD Producer 4, the latest version of Sonic's professional authoring system designed to provide highly advanced DVD title production to creative DVD professionals. A new version of its well known SD-2000 advanced MPEG encoding system for the Windows platform designed for the preparation of video and audio assets for DVD authoring was also introduced.

DVD Producer 4 adds significant features and productivity enhancements to its already impressive array of tools designed to streamline the authoring process. With rich new features such as a new PlayList Manager that allows users to easily create multiple independent playback lists of a DVD's contents, and integration with hardware for proofing output to an external video monitor during the authoring process, DVD Producer 4 sets a new standard in advanced title production, flexibility, and ease of use.

New in DVD Producer 4:

FilmPack T authoring support - Designed for film and high-end multimedia producers who require the maximum in DVD authoring flexibility, DVD Producer 4 now supports dual-layer

(DVD-9) authoring, Volume Info, Regional Coding, CSS, CGMS, and APS copy protection schemes.

Automatic Dolby Digital transcoding - DVD Producer 4 now includes fast and efficient automatic transcoding to Dolby Digital from PCM formatted audio files.

Integrated hardware for real-time proofing to an external video monitor - DVD Producer 4 integrates hardware to output video to an external video monitor for real-time proofing during authoring. Real-time proofing involves outputting a multiplexed stream from the authoring system that exactly matches the playback characteristics of a DVD player to deliver WYSIWYG title checking during the authoring process.

PlayList Manager - DVD Producer 4 allows users to simply create multiple independent playback order lists of their DVDs assets with up to 64,000 possible links, controlling all aspects of starting position, audio and subtitle stream selection.

Sonic's SD-2000 advanced MPEG encoder for Windows XP Professional is designed for feature film and high-end multimedia professionals who need the very best in video and audio encoding using the PC platform. Previously only available for the Macintosh platform, the SD-2000 for Windows XP Professional will incorporate the latest UI and workflow enhancements designed to improve the usability and productivity of the highly-regarded encoding system. In addition, the new version of SD-2000 is intended for workstation integration with Sonic Scenarist ® , Hollywood 's choice for high-end DVD title creation.

"Our customers need flexible professional authoring solutions that are reliable, extremely productive, and scalable with easy upgrades that allow them to grow their capabilities along with their businesses," said Paul Stellingwerff, Vice-president at Transtec BV in Rotterdam , The Netherlands. "DVD Producer 4 and the SD-2000 for Windows XP Professional allow us to combine performance and economy to meet the specific needs and requirements of our clients."

"The professional DVD industry has always relied on Sonic to deliver cutting-edge technology that it can count on for advanced DVD title creation," said, Rolf Hartley , Vice-president and General Manager of Sonic's Professional Products Division. "DVD Producer 4 and the SD-2000 for PC are excellent additions to our product line and are designed for professional facilities that require best-in-class authoring and systems that deliver mission-critical performance and reliability."

About DVD Producer
Sonic DVD Producer is an integrated and complete DVD-Video and DVD-ROM authoring system designed for creative professionals who require highly-advanced DVD title production capabilities . Incorporating powerful menu design technology to create DVD menus that would typically require the use of separate graphics and video editing applications, DVD Producer's menu design engine enables the automatic creation of animated-motion buttons with drag-and-drop simplicity, and incorporates a familiar text tool for creating stylish button labels and menu headings with drop shadow effects.

DVD Producer also features JumpAnywhere T , an advanced point-and-click navigation programming interface that eliminates user scripting while delivering highly-advanced interactivity. Other features include custom Jacket Picture creation, real-time bit-for-bit project proofing and full support for OpenDVD T technology, allowing finished DVD-Video discs to be edited, to add or delete video and audio content .

By incorporating Sonic's highly regarded AuthorScript ® -powered multiplexing and formatting engine and WriteDirect T single-step DVD Volume creation, DVD Producer is able to output to the widest range of DVD-Recordable devices. DVD Producer is available in both a software-only version, and a version that is tightly integrated with Sonic's acclaimed SD-series hardware video encoding solutions.

About the Sonic SD-2000 Encoder
Sonic's SD-2000 video encoder takes advantage of the latest developments in MPEG compression and video RISC processing technology. Utilizing IBM's high-end broadcast video encoder in conjunction with an array of programmable logic and video processing hardware, the SD-2000 encoder offers a level of quality and functionality previously unheard of in the DVD production market.

A single PCI card, the SD-2000 encoder includes SDI digital video I/O, multi-channel digital audio I/O and integrated RS-422 machine control and linear timecode reading. The SD-2000 includes real-time MPEG-2 VBR and CBR encoding and decoding, Dolby Digital encoding and decoding, and support for complete DVD title de-multiplexing and proofing.

About Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC)
Based in Marin County , California , Sonic Solutions (http://www.sonic.com) is the world's leading supplier of DVD creation software for professional, industrial and consumer applications. The majority of major film releases on DVD have been produced on Sonic's professional DVD authoring systems in studios around the world. Sonic's MyDVD ® and DVDit! ® are the most widely used DVD creation applications by consumers and video enthusiasts and are the solutions of choice among the key PC and after-market drive suppliers. Sonic's RecordNow T is a leading solution for audio and data mastering. Sonic's AuthorScript ® , the DVD and CD formatting and burning engine that underlies Sonic's applications, is the most widely deployed DVD software engine and has been licensed by Adobe, Microsoft, Sony, and many others.

Sonic, the Sonic logo, Backup MyPC, CinePlayer, DVD Producer, Edit-on-DVD, NoNOISE, OpenDVD, Sonic PrimeTime, RecordNow and Simple Backup are trademarks of Sonic Solutions. AuthorScript, AutoDVD, DVDit!, DVD Fusion, MyDVD, PrePlay, ReelDVD, Scenarist, Sonic DVD Creator and Sonic Solutions are registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used by Sonic under license. Specifications, pricing and delivery schedules are subject to change without notice.