It doesn't look like the consoles we'll be buying this Sunday can be upgraded, though. The DVD-playing version of Wii is due in late 2007.
Nintendo Selects Sonic to Enable DVD Functionality in Future Version of Wii Console
Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator Helps Deliver Ultimate Movie Viewing to New-Generation Gaming Console
NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ:SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that Nintendo, the worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, has chosen Sonic® CinePlayer® CE DVD Navigator to bring high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version of the company’s Wii™ gaming console. Nintendo plans to release this version of Wii in the latter half of 2007.
Based on the same technology trusted by Hollywood studios, CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator is a robust, software-based DVD playback engine that delivers broad playback compatibility on a variety of platforms. The proven technology offers exceptional picture quality and supports all standard video and audio formats offered in the DVD specification, as well as advanced functions such as anamorphic widescreen video, motion menus, and multiple video angles.
“To be involved in Nintendo’s ground-breaking gaming console is extremely gratifying and a testament to the efficiency, flexibility and dependability of Sonic’s technology," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic’s Advanced Technology Group. “Game consoles represent a fresh market and platform where we can introduce a new audience of potentially millions to the quality of our brand and the power of our digital media applications."
According to a recent report by new media research firm Centris (
http://www.centris.com/index.htm), DVD playback device penetration continues to grow. The total number of DVD playback-capable households grew to 91 million in April 2006, which represents an 8% increase over the previous year. Adding to this figure was an increase in DVD-enabled game units which grew 11% year over year to approximately 45 million.
Created by Sonic’s Advanced Technology Group, CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator is part of the company’s growing portfolio of technologies that are being licensed to enable CD and DVD playback, as well as DVD recording and authoring. Sonic’s technologies are licensed by leading technology companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, and Scientific Atlanta and used to enable digital media experiences in a wide variety of markets including consumer electronics, PCs, kiosks, automotive entertainment systems, and music download services. In addition to standard-DVD, Sonic recently introduced comprehensive support for emerging high-definition formats, Blu-Ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD.
For more information on Sonic’s technologies for application developers, visit:
http://www.sonic.com/products/Develo...quicklook.aspx.
About Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ:SNIC)(
http://www.sonic.com) is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of interoperable, platform-independent software tools and applications for creative professionals, business and home users, and technology partners. Sonic's products range from advanced DVD authoring systems and interactive content delivery technologies used to produce the majority of Hollywood DVD film releases, to the award-winning Roxio®-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup solutions that have become the premier choice for consumers, prosumers and business users worldwide.
Sonic products are globally available from major retailers, online at Sonic.com and Roxio.com, and are bundled with PCs, after-market drives and consumer electronic devices. Sonic's digital media creation engine is the de facto standard and has been licensed by major software and hardware manufacturers, including Adobe, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta, Sony, and many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.
