Sony Acquires Netblender, Expands Blu-ray Authoring Software Tools

Sony Creative Software, makers of the ever popular Sony Vegas Pro video editing and authoring software, have acquired Netblender, an up and coming developer in the same field. The amount paid by Sony has not been disclosed.

The deal gives Sony access to Netblender's BD Touch software which allows control of Blu- ray players and other set top boxes from iOS and Android devices.

Brad Reinke, Senior Vice President, Sony Creative Software said of the acquisition, "[This] will allow us to continue to deliver industry-standard tools that address these issues, as well as having the resources to offer new capabilities such as Blu-ray 3D and Custom BD-J within this new product line. We look forward to working with and supporting NetBlender's loyal customers who have come to rely on these solutions for their multimedia production needs."

Netblender themselves say over 2,000 retail Blu-ray Discs have been produced with their software and they operate in 31 countries around the world, John Harrington, CEO of NetBlender said, "The combination of NetBlender's innovative products and Sony's market leadership will be a powerful force for encouraging growth in the Blu-ray industry."

All in all a purchase that Sony hope will boost their Blu-ray authoring capability and also speed up the rate at which they can put out BDs to the market all over the world. If this purchase leads to more and faster BD catalogue releases then not only will Sony be happy, I think we, the consumers, will be too.