Division Shift at Sony Electronics in Audio and Video Production Software

Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Production Systems division will now head up domestic sales and distribution of Sony’s professional video and audio production tools for audio video professionals, the music industry, and government clients. The suite of products was formerly part of Sonic Foundry, a recent Sony acquisition. They include: Vegas, Vegas + DVD, Sound Forge and ACID.

’’Under this new arrangement, the combined availability of both hardware and software through our sales and marketing channels now provides professional customers with a complete and unprecedented `one-stop' Sony-based AV production workflow from acquisition to online editing to display,’’ said Steve Jacobs, senior vice president of Sony's Broadcast and Production Systems division.

Jacobs said the pro-sumer market has expanded because of cost reductions in hardware that offer performance levels traditionally associated with high-end, and higher-priced, technologies.

’’Today a $4,000 DVCAM camcorder performs on a par with $40,000 camcorders of the recent past, Sony Media Software gives pro-sumers the capabilities of several racks worth of high-end professional gear, all on their PC,’’ said Jacobs.

The acquisition of Sonic Foundry was a significant part of Sony Pictures Digital's effort to maximize digital services capabilities and infrastructure. It makes information and entertainment available anytime on any enabled device, and allows individuals to take control of media content.

’’As broadband access has become increasingly more pervasive, the options for consumers have expanded, creating new markets and opportunities. Working across all Sony divisions, Sony Pictures Digital will provide the technological know-how and the infrastructure to deliver our content deeper into the marketplace,’’ said Patrick Kennedy, executive vice president of Sony Pictures Digital Networks, a business unit of Sony Pictures Digital.