Sonic and Microsoft enable HD DVD authoring in Windows Media 9

Sonic Solutions and Microsoft are developing new production tools that will allow film studios and production facilities to create high-definition DVD titles in the Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series.
DVD titles created using Windows Media Video 9 (WMV HD), a component of the Windows Media 9 Series platform, provide dramatically superior image quality at data rates comparable to standard definition DVD video content. WMV HD titles can be played on the latest generation Windows XP-based PCs, including the popular new Windows XP Media Center Edition, which integrates into the living room to provide a top-notch home entertainment and online computing experience. Sonic plans to ship its WMV HD authoring system in May 2004.
Sonic is the leading supplier of professional DVD authoring systems to film studios and postproduction houses, which have used Sonic’s authoring technology to release billions of consumer DVDs. In working with Microsoft, Sonic will add support for WMV HD to its professional authoring product line.
“With its strong expertise in professional DVD authoring, Sonic is the logical company to enable studios to create WMV HD titles,” said Jonathan Usher, Director of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft “Sonic’s solution will enable studios to easily take full advantage of the quality of WMV HD, supporting up to 1080p resolution, six times that of standard DVD resolution.”
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