Pioneer Chooses Sonic Solutions to Power World's First Commercially-Available Blu-ray Disc Drive

Sonic's Roxio Software Bundled with Pioneer BDR-101A Blu-ray Disc Writer

Santa Clara, California (May 17, 2006) - Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, broke new ground today shipping its Roxio® Blu-ray Disc (BD) software with the first commercially-available Blu-ray Disc drive from Pioneer. The release ushers in a new era in optical disc recording, making possible for the first time the backup of up to 25GB of data on a single layer BD-R (recordable) or BD-RE (rewritable) disc, as well as image to disc recording and the archive and playback of hours of high-definition video content. The software and hardware combination will enable a range of applications including professional pre-mastering and high-capacity storage.

“Sonic is the ideal software partner for Pioneer as we continue our tradition of delivering breakthrough technologies in the optical disc market, from our introduction of the LaserDisc more than 25 years ago to today's introduction of the world's first Blu-ray Disc Drive,” said Chris Tampsett, Sales Director, Pioneer Europe Multimedia Division. The usability, quality and reliability of Sonic's software has grown the market for CD and DVD creation and has made Sonic a leader in their field. Given the depth and breadth of our joint experience, this effort by our two companies bodes well for the future success of this exciting next-generation optical format.”

Initially targeted to professional users, the Pioneer BDR-101A will allow authoring facilities to perform testing and evaluation of commercial Blu-ray Disc releases in preparation for replication. Roxio digital media software for Blu-ray Disc will also enable image to disc recording, saving of BD disc images, and data transfer for file backup on BD. The drive may also be used by enthusiasts to store massive amounts of uncompressed camcorder video.

“Given Pioneer's contributions to the development of optical media, their choice of Roxio is a gratifying validation of our high-definition authoring leadership,” said Stan Wong general manager, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. “Sonic is firmly committed to encouraging the next-generation high definition formats like BD at all levels, and enabling data recording for the world's first shipping BD drive is a significant achievement for us and a major milestone in the launch of this powerful new format.”

The release of BD-enabled Roxio software adds another first to Sonic's 15-year history of delivering optical-format innovations, including the delivery of the first commercial CD mastering system in 1989, the first professional DVD production system in 1996, and the first consumer DVD authoring application in 1999. Sonic's efforts on high-definition began over two years ago. Through its High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA), Sonic has been helping Hollywood and their authoring facility partners prepare for the successful launch of the next-generation optical format. Sonic's technologies and guidance have been essential in the creation of the first replicated discs using advanced interactive modes of both BD and HD DVD. In addition, Sonic has also licensed BD technology to leading consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers, such as Broadcom, for incorporation into high-definition set-top players. More information on Sonic's work within the high definition formats can be found at http://www.sonic.com/hd

About Pioneer

Pioneer Europe NV is headquartered in Melsele, Belgium, and its European Web address is www.pioneer-eur.com . Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is a leader in optical disc technology and a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets. The company focuses on four core business domains including DVD, display technologies, Digital Network Entertainment™ and components.

About Sonic Solutions

Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC; http://www.sonic.com) is the leader in digital media software, providing a broad range of interoperable, platform independent software tools and applications for creative professionals, business and home users, and technology partners. Sonic’s products range from advanced DVD authoring systems and interactive content delivery technologies used to produce the majority of Hollywood DVD film releases, to the award-winning Roxio- and Sonic-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup solutions that have become the premiere choice for consumers, prosumers and business users worldwide.

Sonic products are globally available from major retailers, online at Sonic.com and Roxio.com, and are bundled with PCs, after-market drives and consumer electronic devices. Sonic’s digital media creation engine is the de facto standard and has been licensed by major software and hardware manufacturers, including Adobe, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta, Sony, and many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.

For more information, Contact:

Rosie Tickner
Roxio
rosie.tickner@roxio.com