Sonic Solutions today announced that PLDS (Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions Corp.) has signed a Qflix technology and IP licensing agreement.

PLDS is integrating Qflix technology into a range of optical disc drives planned for release this year that will enable downloaded movies and video programs to be recorded to DVD with Content Scramble System (CSS) encryption. The Qflix drives by PLDS will be available for duplication system vendors providing custom DVD manufacturing services to Internet retailers, as well as PC manufacturers developing consumer desktops and notebooks.

PLDS said that it is now taking orders on a complete line of Qflix drives for integration in desktop computers and notebooks. In addition to DVD-RW drives, PLDS also plans to release Qflix Blu-ray Disc Combo drives that will offer Blu-ray Disc playback and DVD video recording. The Qflix brand will be featured on consumer products and services including compatible recordable media and video download services as a symbol for consumers looking for legitimate "purchase, download, and burn" solutions.

The royalty-bearing Qflix licensing program for media and optical drive manufacturers was established by Pioneer and Sonic to facilitate the adoption of secure download and burn applications in accordance with the approved industry specifications for recording downloads set by the DVD Forum and the DVD Copy Control Association.