Nintendo chooses Sonic for DVD playback in future Wii versions
Nintendo had previously revealed that it would be bringing a Wii capable of DVD playback to the Japanese market at a later date. The Wii we currently know does not support playback of DVD Movies much like its GameCube predecessor.
Sonic Solutions have revealed that their software based DVD player Sonic CinePlayer CE will be used in a future version of the Wii. This DVD enhanced Wii will be coming out in the later half of 2007.
Press Release inside
onic Solutions, the leader in digital media software, today announced that Nintendo, the worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, has chosen Sonic CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator to bring high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version of the companys Wii gaming console. Nintendo plans to release this version of Wii in the latter half of 2007.
Based on the same technology trusted by Hollywood studios, CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator is a robust, software-based DVD playback engine that delivers broad playback compatibility on a variety of platforms. The proven technology offers exceptional 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.
“”To be involved in Nintendos ground-breaking gaming console is extremely gratifying and a testament to the efficiency, flexibility and dependability of Sonics technology,”” said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonics Advanced Technology Group. Game consoles represent a fresh market and platform where we can introduce a new audience of potentially millions to the quality of our brand and the power of our digital media applications.
According to a recent report by new media research firm Centris (http://www.centris.com/index.htm), DVD playback device penetration continues to grow. The total number of DVD playback-capable households grew to 91 million in April 2006, which represents an 8% increase over the previous year. Adding to this figure was an increase in DVD-enabled game units which grew 11% year over year to approximately 45 million.
Created by Sonics Advanced Technology Group, CinePlayer CE DVD Navigator is part of the companys growing portfolio of technologies that are being licensed to enable CD and DVD playback, as well as DVD recording and authoring. Sonics 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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