CinemaNow upgrades digital movie platform

Service now supports 1080p high-def content, interactive bonus features from Blu-ray

By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 1/4/2010

JAN. 4 | Sonic Solutions has upgraded its Roxio CinemaNow digital movie platform to make the experience more comparable to Blu-ray Disc. The upgraded platform supports 1080p high-definition content, interactive bonus features found on Blu-ray releases and comes 3D-ready to support digital delivery of 3D content on PCs and consumer electronics platforms.

Sonic operates the Roxio CinemaNow movie service and powers digital movie services from Blockbuster and Best Buy. The upgraded platform will be used for all Sonic-supported services.

The upgraded platform is compatible with a range of connected TVs, Blu-ray players and set-top boxes, as well as PC and mobile devices. For the PC, the updated interface includes touch functionality and Windows 7 compatibility. The upgrade also will make Sonic-supported movie services available on Android and Win Mobile devices.

Sonic also enhanced its CinemaNow movie service to make it easier for consumers to find content. The service now has links from movies to additional content from a studio, director, writer or actor, as well as movie previews and trailers.

Sonic executive VP of strategy Mark Ely said the upgraded platform is the next step for the company now that it has a number of deals with major retailers and consumer electronic devices to deliver content.

“Our plan for 2010 is to further advance the Roxio CinemaNow entertainment platform and enable our partners to deliver an exceptional user experience through rich interactivity and amazing high-definition video and audio quality,” he said.

CinemaNow will demo its 2.0 platform at the Consumer Electronics Show this week.