Sonic delivers first Blu-ray disc software for Mac

Sonic Solutions has announced the release of Toast 7 with Blu-ray Disc (BD) support - the first application of its kind for the Mac.
The software ushers in a new era of advanced optical disc recording providing Mac users with the ability to store as much as 50 GB of data on a BD-R (recordable) or BD-RE (rewritable) disc. The Blu-ray Disc capabilities extend Toast’s long history of Mac-platform firsts and exemplify Sonic’s commitment to helping the industry make a successful transition to next-generation formats. Toast 7 with BD support is available exclusively for original equipment manufacturers developing next-generation external BD drives. The first drives to feature Toast 7 with BD support are expected to be available later this quarter.
Making the recently impossible now possible for Mac users, Toast’s Blu-ray Disc features include Toast Dynamic Writing, which for the first time enables users to record files simply by dragging and dropping files onto a disc in the same convenient way they would move or copy files to a removable storage device. The ability to store as much as 50 GB of data makes Toast an ideal solution for archiving extensive digital music collections or protecting critical files and precious memories too large to fit on a standard DVD. In addition to its Blu-ray capabilities, Toast 7 is now also a universal application that runs natively on both Intel-based and PowerPC-based systems.
“We are extremely pleased to continue our pioneering work and provide Mac users with new ways to exploit the full power and potential of the platform,” said Stan Wong, general manager, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. “The inclusion of Blu-ray Disc capabilities adds to an already unrivaled lineup of digital media features that have made Toast a retail leader and the standard for CD and DVD burning on the Mac. Toast 7 with Blu-ray Disc support represents a compelling solution for manufacturers of next-generation BD drives who want to provide their Mac customers with a product that has become synonymous with quality and innovation.”
Toast 7 with BD support is the latest in a long series of high-definition initiatives by Sonic Solutions, which began its pioneering work on next-generation formats over two years ago. Sonic has taken the leading role in helping the industry make a smooth transition to high-definition, spearheading the High Definition Authoring Alliance (HDAA) in 2005 to prepare Hollywood and their authoring facility partners for the rollout of BD and HD DVD titles. More recently, Sonic announced an extension to the Alliance with the formation of an Advisory Group (HDAA AG), comprised of top-tier computer and consumer electronics companies. The HDAA AG is collaborating with the HDAA to ensure high-definition formats deliver reliable, consistent and dynamic viewing experiences across platforms. Sonic has also released a number of high definition software applications that are in use today in both the professional and consumer markets.
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