Sonic Solutions announced today that they have signed a strategic agreement where Avtrex will include Sonic's AuthorScript CE CD/DVD burning and playback engine with its DVR software to provide a complete DVD/DVR solution for its set-top box and consumer electronics OEM and ODM customers.

The combined product will be demonstrated by appointment during CES at the Avtrex suite (Marriott Residence Inn) and by appointment at Sonic's suite at the Embedded Technology Forums (#205, Riviera Convention Center).

By incorporating Sonic's AuthorScript CE, Avtrex can now offer its OEM/ODM customers a complete, brandable, Linux-based software solution for DVD and DVR. Portable to a wide variety of processor platforms, the Sonic-Avtrex solution also offers the maximum flexibility in product implementation. For consumers, the combined technology allows home users to burn DVDs of their recorded TV programs, freeing hard disk space on the DVR for recording additional content from standard definition and high definition television (HDTV).

"We chose to work with Sonic because of their solid reputation for providing powerful, reliable technology for CD/DVD burning with AuthorScript CE," said Steve Francis, president and CEO of Avtrex. "The collaboration will allow our OEM and ODM customers to benefit from CE-optimized software solutions that are flexible, cost-effective, and that allow them to brand their products more effectively."

"A combined DVD and DVR solution gives consumers the kind of control and flexibility they desire when watching, recording, and archiving their favorite TV programs to DVD that they can take anywhere to watch anytime," said Jim Taylor, general manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group. "AuthorScript CE boasts the latest technologies for CD/DVD burning and formatting and can be easily integrated into any CE platform. Sonic is delighted to work with Avtrex to create best-in-class DVR/DVD-R software solutions to power diverse CE hardware platforms."

Sonic's strategic agreement with Avtrex further underscores Sonic's move to deploy its technology beyond the traditional PC and into consumer electronics products. Sonic recently announced a development and AuthorScript licensing deal with Scientific-Atlanta to embed AuthorScript into its cable set-top boxes. Sonic also recently announced that it had entered into a new license agreement with Microsoft in which Sonic AuthorScript powers the CD and DVD formatting and burning features of Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Microsoft's flagship consumer operating system.