Sonic Solutions Collaborates With QNX Software Systems

Sonic Solutions has announced a collaboration with QNX Software Systems to address the growing market opportunity for automobile entertainment.
As part of the relationship, Sonic has updated CinePlayer CE Navigator, its robust software-based media playback and navigation engine, to be compatible with the QNX Neutrino realtime operating system, which is used by major industries such as the automotive sector to run mission-critical applications and consumer electronics platforms. As an integrated component of QNX Neutrino, CinePlayer Navigator provides a cost-effective way for automobile manufacturers to offer passenger entertainment systems that deliver rich media playback, navigation, and an exceptional viewing experience.
According to analysis from Frost & Sullivan the revenue for North American Automotive Infotainment Systems Markets totaled $2.01 billion in 2004 and is projected to more than double to $4.84 billion by 2011.
"Our research indicates the demand for in-dash navigation and entertainment systems in new cars will grow from 10 million units this year to over 55 millions in 2012," said Dr. Jon Pedddie of the multimedia market research firm Jon Peddie Research in Tiburon CA. "Most of the vehicle manufactures are responding to consumer demand for mobile entertainment and using in-car infotainment systems as a way to influence purchasing decisions and differentiate their products. Sonic is taking the correct approach to entering this market by aligning themselves with a clear category leader. CinePlayer Navigator will represent an attractive, cost-effective option to car manufacturers who wish to cut system costs so they may offer in-cab entertainment in a higher number of vehicles."
Based on the same technology trusted by Hollywood studios, CinePlayer CE Navigator is a software-based DVD playback engine that delivers broad playback compatibility on a variety of platforms. The proven technology offers stunning picture quality and supports all standard video and audio formats offered in the DVD specification, as well as advanced functions such as anamorphic widescreen video, motion menus, and multiple video angles.
"QNX is extremely pleased to work with Sonic and to offer CinePlayer Navigator as a valuable add-on to QNX realtime embedded OS technology," said Dave Curley, vice president of marketing at QNX Software Systems.
"CinePlayer Navigator's flexible and efficient design helps further our goal to enable QNX customers to effectively tackle implementation challenges and quickly bring advanced digital media platforms to the automotive market."
"It is exciting to be working with such an established industry leader that has helped create in-cab systems for more than 180 vehicle models," said Jim Taylor, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group.
"CinePlayer Navigator's entry into the automotive sector, once again reinforces the broad market appeal of our technology, which is helping to shape and influence consumers' digital media experience on an ever increasing number of consumer electronic devices."
Created by Sonic's Advanced Technology Group, CinePlayer Navigator is part of the company's growing portfolio of technologies that are being licensed to enable media playback, as well as DVD recording and authoring.
Sonic's technologies are licensed by leading technology companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, and Scientific Atlanta and used to enable digital media experiences in a wide variety of markets including consumer electronics, PCs, kiosks, automotive entertainment systems, and music download services. In addition to standard-DVD, Sonic recently introduced comprehensive support for emerging high-definition formats, Blu-Ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD.
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