MADISON, WI — Sony Creative Software, a leading provider of professional video and audio editing software applications, has announced the availability of Blu-print™, a complete and cost-effective software solution for use in authoring DVD's in the new Blu-ray™ format.

The Blu-print authoring application, developed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, runs on most high-end Windows-powered workstation and enables postproduction facilities and movie production studios to utilize the advanced features of the BD-ROM format. In addition to ensuring proper encoding, users can use Blu-print to create menu navigation for their Blu-ray discs and utilize the advanced features of the format such as BDMV (Blu-ray™ Disc Movie) "popup" menus and BD-J (Blu-ray™ Disc Java) interactivity.

Don Eklund, executive vice president, advanced technologies, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment remarked, "We are delighted that Blu-print can finally be made available to all interested customers for commercial use. Extensive experience gained through years of DVD and UMD production at Sony Pictures has been used to design and develop a powerful tool that can satisfy demanding production environments while providing an easy-to-use user interface. Blu-print is now in use at SPE and other premier authoring facilities and has been used to create the BD-titles in the market today."

"The Blu-print application effectively unlocks many of the most advanced Blu-ray functions and capabilities, providing producers of the new disc format with a comprehensive resource for developing higher quality projects than ever before," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of marketing, Sony Creative Software. "This software-based solution helps to streamline the authoring process and allows Blu-print integration within a production facility's existing workflow process."

Blu-print is now available for $50,000 per license. A free 30-day trial is available by request. Sony Creative Software also provides technical support and maintenance agreements for Blu-print at the Gold (6 months - $7,500) and Platinum levels (1 year - $10,000).

For additional information regarding Blu-print, please email Sony Creative Software at blu-print_sales@sonymediasoftware.com or call toll-free 866-650-7768 in North America or +1-608-204-7713 international. More information on Sony Creative Software's professional audio and video solutions is available at http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com.

About Sony Creative Software

Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, audio, and music production, as well as industry-leading technology for DVD production and Blu-ray Disc™ authoring. Sound Forge™ Pro, ACID™ Pro, and Vegas™ Pro software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals. These signature product lines continue to advance media production by providing powerful, accessible tools. Today, there is a Sony Creative Software application for every level of expertise, including a full line of consumer software based on the company's professional applications. In addition, Sony Creative Software produces the extensive Sony® Sound Series collection of royalty-free loops and samples, Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series exclusive sound effects, and Vision Series video creation assets. Further, the company provides the industry-leading tools for enterprise-level Blu-ray Disc authoring: Blu-code™ encoder, Blu-print® software, and on-Q Create® for Blu-ray Java. The company’s customers span the globe and include professionals in the film, television, video game, and recording industries, as well as students, educators, and hobbyists.