Sonic and Panasonic Collaborate on Blu-ray Disc Authoring Systems for

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers
    2005 International CES

    LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005--Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC), best known for its Panasonic brand products, and Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq:SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today at the Consumer Electronics Show their intention to collaborate on the development of authoring systems for Blu-ray Disc (BD)-ROM for professional use. The collaboration will speed the production of BD titles for commercial release.
    Under the agreement, the two companies will contribute technology and engineering toward the development of BD authoring systems. By combining Panasonic's BD technology with Sonic's expertise in creating highly interactive professional authoring environments, worldwide distribution channel, and vast installed user-base, the companies expect to establish the infrastructure required for professionals to gain access to the authoring technology in order to jump-start BD-ROM title creation.
    Mr. Kazuhiro Tsuga, executive officer of Matsushita Electric in charge of digital network and software technology in Corporate R&D, said, "The alliance between our two companies marries our respective skills and experience, ensuring a better high-definition movie production environment for studios. Together, our efforts will help accelerate the introduction of Blu-ray-based entertainment to the home."
    "We are delighted to be working with Panasonic to develop professional BD authoring systems," said Rolf Hartley, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's Professional Products Group. "I am certain that with the collaboration of our technology partners, we will continue to provide Sonic customers with the latest and very best authoring technology available."
    At the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), sample BD movie discs, which were created with the alpha version of the authoring system, will be demonstrated at the Panasonic booth (9402 in Center Hall One) and by invitation at the Sonic Solutions demo suite at the Embedded Technology Forums (suite #205 at the Riviera Convention Center). Panasonic and Sonic Solutions plan to exhibit a beta version of the authoring system at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention (NAB) in April 2005.

    About Blu-ray Disc

    Blu-ray Disc is a next-generation optical disc format being developed for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 25 gigabytes of data, and a double-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 50 gigabytes of data.

    About Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic)

    Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand name, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated sales of US$71.92 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004. Matsushita's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, New York (NYSE:MC), Euronext Amsterdam, and Frankfurt stock exchanges. For more information on the company and its Panasonic brand, visit the Matsushita website at http://www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html.

    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.

    Sonic, the Sonic logo, Sonic Solutions, AuthorScript, DVDit, InterActual, MyDVD, RecordNow, and Roxio 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. Specifications, pricing and delivery schedules are subject to change without notice.

    Forward Looking Statements

    The above paragraphs of this press release may contain forward looking statements that are based upon current expectations. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties including, among others, the timely introduction and acceptance of new products, costs associated with new product introductions, the transition of products to new hardware configurations and platforms and other factors, including those discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Registration Statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contain a more detailed discussion of the Company's business including risks and uncertainties that may affect future results. The Company does not undertake to update any forward looking statements.

--30--EL/sf*

CONTACT: Sonic Solutions Paul Lefebvre, 415-893-8000 paul_lefebvre@sonic.com or Panasonic Will Safer, 201-392-6124 saferw@us.panasonic.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA NEVADA JAPAN INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA HARDWARE SOFTWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS ENTERTAINMENT TRADESHOW PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Sonic Solutions

Copyright Business Wire 2005