DGP, Enteractive and IDM join Sonic High Definition Authoring Alliance

DGP, Enteractive and IDM, have announced that they have joined Sonic Solutions’ newly created High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA).
The HDAA is the first and only worldwide association of top DVD authoring houses dedicated to facilitating the rollout of titles for release in the new high definition HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) optical disc formats.
Sonic Solutions, the leader in digital media software with long-standing ties to the Hollywood studios and the consumer electronics industry, today announced the creation of HDAA, which includes more than 25 of the industry’s top DVD authoring houses worldwide. The charter of the alliance is to help increase momentum for the successful introduction of the new DVD formats, and ensure timely availability of quality titles by providing members with exclusive access to key information, HD-enabled tools, and comprehensive training.
“As members of a global affiliation our three companies have been working extremely closely together for the last five years, so for the three of us to carry that on to the next generation DVD format makes perfect sense” said Julian Day, Managing Director of London’s DGP.
“Right now Sonic is the only company offering solutions for both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray disc,” said Hans Henseleit, Managing Director of Enteractive in Hamburg. “So the HDAA will allow us to maintain our positions as leading international DVD suppliers as we can prepare for any outcome from any future format discussions.”
Jonathan Finnerty, Managing Director of IDM, added: “Even though the next generation DVD format will not hit Europe until 2006 at the earliest we aim to be the first to equip ourselves with the knowledge and experience necessary to provide whatever new services our clients require."
The HDAA will help authoring houses develop new titles based on the high definition HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) formats and take full advantage of the formats’ new interactive capabilities. HDAA members will participate in group meetings, special events and technical seminars with Sonic engineers who are involved in defining the new standards to exchange information, contribute ideas and discuss the practicalities of HD title development.
HDAA members will also have early access to Sonic’s toolset for the new formats, which are the first available solutions to address all aspects of authoring for complex-interactive HD titles.
(GB/KMcA)