Sonic and Adaptec enter worldwide distribution pact

Sonic Solutions, a leader in DVD creation software, have announced that they have entered into a distribution agreement with Adaptec – the leader in desktop I/O solutions.
Under the agreement, Adaptec will be the exclusive distributor of co-branded versions of MyDVD and DVDit! in the US, Europe and Asia - except Japan.
Jeff Loebbaka, Vice-president and General Manager of Adaptec's Desktop Products Group, said: "With the growth of DVD players, introduction of new lower-cost DVD burners, and the growing consumer appetite for sharing and preserving home movies, the retail market is poised for a great consumer DVD software solution."
He added: "Sonic was our top choice as they have the best DVD technology, the leading DVD software applications and the largest installed base among the PC and peripheral OEMs. With Adaptec's brand strength and channel reach and Sonic's exceptional products, we believe that we have the winning video solution for retailers."
Mary Sauer, Senior Vice-president of Business Development of Sonic Solutions, said: "Adaptec has the brand awareness and strong relationships that we have been seeking in a retail partner. Adaptec pioneered the market for CD-burning software, and together with their strong retail experience, their desktop I/O and video solutions, and our DVD product line-up, we will create and expand the market for consumer video and DVD creation software."
Since its introduction in 1997, DVD has enjoyed the fastest growth of any consumer electronics format: over 120 million set-top and DVD-equipped PC players are now in the market, the number of replicated discs in North America will top the one-billion mark in 2002. Also, new lost-cost DVD recorders are hitting the market with a potential of over four million units being sold this year.
Sonic was the first to offer professional DVD production systems, and over 75% of Hollywood movies available to consumers today are created using Sonic's DVD technology.
Sonic are the leading OEM supplier of consumer DVD software, and Sonic's MyDVD and DVDit! software are bundled by the leading manufacturers of PCs, DVD-drives, and video/graphics cards including Adaptec, Compaq, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, NEC, Nova, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Sony, and others.
Sonic recently entered into DVD technology licensing agreements with Microsoft and Adobe, further establishing Sonic¹s technology as the standard for creating videos on DVD.
Sonic Solutions, www.sonic.com
(GMcG)