Sonic Introduces DVD Publishing Tools for Apple's New Power Mac G4; New DVD Transcoder Converts QuickTime Files into MPEG-2 Video and Dolby Digital Audio

Business Wire, Sept 1, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1999--

Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq:SNIC) today debuted at the Seybold San Francisco Exposition a new software-based MPEG-2 video encoder and Dolby Digital audio encoder designed to convert QuickTime files for publishing on DVD. The new Sonic DVD Transcoder takes full advantage of the 128-bit vector execution unit integrated into Apple Computer's (Nasdaq:AAPL) just-announced Power Mac G4, maximizing encoding speed and video quality.

Using special algorithms that take advantage of enhanced speed of the Power Mac G4, the Sonic DVD Transcoder delivers up to five times faster performance than any other solutions for the Macintosh. Designed for unattended processing, it can batch-convert QuickTime files into MPEG-2 or MPEG-1 video and Dolby Digital audio, and includes user-selectable MPEG compression and bit-rate parameters. Built-in legalization automatically ensures DVD-compatible encoding for playback in DVD set-top players and DVD-equipped computers.

Software-based Dolby Digital audio encoding provides a unique capability to convert AIFF and QuickTime files into Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. An integrated sample-rate converter automatically ensures that audio sample-rates will play at 48kHz, which is required for DVD publishing.

"The Sonic DVD Transcoder is the missing link for multimedia professionals wanting to publish their content on DVD," said Mark Ely, Director of Product Marketing for Sonic Solutions. "Previously, QuickTime files either had to be printed to videotape and encoded using hardware-based solutions, or converted using extremely slow software tools that didn't adequately address audio requirements. The Power Mac G4-enhanced Sonic DVD Transcoder offers a fast, efficient and cost-effective solution."

"The new Power Mac G4 brings supercomputer speeds to personal computing." said Phil Schiller, Apple's Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. "By taking advantage of the incredible power of the new Power Mac G4 processor, Sonic will make DVD publishing even faster and more efficient on the Macintosh platform."

The Sonic DVD Transcoder is available in two configurations: a standard edition includes MPEG-2 and MPEG-1 video transcoding and has a suggested U.S. list price of $999. A professional edition adds Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio encoding, and has a list price of $1,999. Both versions are compatible with Sonic Solutions' complete line of DVD Authoring systems -- DVDit!, DVD Fusion, and DVD Creator -- and are scheduled to ship in September.

About Sonic Solutions

Based in Marin County, California, Sonic Solutions designs and manufactures DVD publishing systems used by video, audio and multimedia professionals around the world to prepare music, video, film, graphics and entertainment software. Sonic DVD Creator is the leading system for producing content for the DVD format, and has been used to create thousands of DVD titles worldwide, for applications ranging from feature film releases to corporate and industrial titles. Sonic DVDit! is the easiest way to publish on DVD and for the first time makes DVD production available to the consumer market. Sonic also offers SonicStudio HD, the leading digital audio workstation used by audio professionals to prepare recorded sound for release on DVD and CD, as well as for film and video soundtracks and broadcast. Sonic is a leader in advancing DVD-Video and DVD-Audio technology and is a full voting-member of the DVD Forum, the standards-setting body for the DVD format. Sonic Solutions can be contacted on the web at www.sonic.com.

Sonic Solutions, and the Sonic logo are trademarks of Sonic Solutions. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Specifications, pricing and delivery schedules are subject to change without notice.

The above paragraphs of this press release contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, among others, the timely introduction and acceptance of new products, costs associated with new product introductions, the transition of products to new hardware configurations and platforms and other factors, including those discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q 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.