Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Sonic Solutions develops and markets computer software related to digital media for consumer and professional end-users. Founded in 1986, and trading on the NASDAQ, their software and services enable the creation, design, management, and delivery of data, photographs, audio, interactive features, and video in digital formats. They enable this for a host of playback modes. This includes Internet, broadcast, mobile, and compact audio discs, digital video discs, and Blu-ray discs.
The company operates three divisions. Their Roxio division is their Consumer Products Group. They are the world’s leading digital media software provider. Their product lineup includes DVD Decoder, Easy Media Creator®, MyDVD®, RecordNow®, and Toast®. This consumer division sells their products through major retailers including Best Buy, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Wal-Mart, CompUSA, and Staples, as well as through Internet and direct marketers such as Amazon.com and CDW.
Sonic Solutions Professional Products Group creates solutions that are the world standard for authoring Hollywood’s DVD and Blu-ray Disc title releases. This group’s products include Scenarist®, CineVision®, and Scenarist Publisher. The company’s Advanced Technology Group develops and licenses digital media creation, playback, and distribution technology to a wide variety of top–tier companies worldwide. This group’s product lineup includes AuthorScript®, Qflix, and DVD On Demand™, as well as Cineplayer® Navigators.
With approximately 600 employees worldwide, Sonic’s international sales and distribution network is in over 40 countries. The company’s European headquarters are in London, England and they have offices in Tokyo, Japan. The company uses independent distributors for sales and support efforts in Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Sonic Solutions always strives to innovate. In 1989, they began their pioneering work delivering the first commercial CD mastering system. As the DVD revolution took hold, Sonic continued to innovate and delivered the first commercial DVD production system for Hollywood studios in 1996. They also delivered the first DVD authoring application for the professional market in 1999, and the first consumer DVD creation software, MyDVD, in 2000.
In 2005, they formed the High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA). This was to help Hollywood and their authoring partners prepare for the launch of next-generation formats in the industry. The work of the HDAA resulted in the production of the industry’s first discs to make use of advanced interactivity for both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. Sonic Solutions continues their tradition of creating new applications today for the benefit of the company, their employees, and their shareholders.
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