Sonic Updates CinePlayer CE Navigator to Target Burgeoning In-Car Entertainment Market
NOVATO, Calif.--Sonic Solutions® , the leader in digital media software, today announced a collaboration with QNX Software Systems, the leading operating system provider for the in-car infotainment industry, 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 (www.transportation.frost.com) 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 Peddie 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.
For more information on Sonic's technologies for application developers, visit: http://www.sonic.com/products/Developer/AuthorScript/quicklook.aspx.
About QNX Software Systems
QNX Software Systems, a Harman International company , is the industry leader in realtime, embedded OS technology. The component-based architectures of the QNX® Neutrino® RTOS and QNX Momentics® development suite together provide the industry’s most reliable and scalable framework for building innovative, high-performance embedded systems. Global leaders such as Cisco, DaimlerChrysler, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens depend on QNX technology for network routers, medical instruments, vehicle telematics units, security and defense systems, industrial robotics, and other mission- or life-critical applications. Founded in 1980, QNX Software Systems is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and distributes products in over 100 countries worldwide. Visit www.qnx.com.
About Sonic Solutions
Sonic Solutions (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®-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup solutions that have become the premier 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.
Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, Roxio, and CinePlayer, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective owners and, in some cases, are used by Sonic Solutions under license.