Sonopress, a subsidiary of the arvato storage media group, has joined the HD DVD Promotion Group. With this step the international media manufacturer continues its efforts in research, development and the production of next-generation formats.

Sven Deutschmann, CEO of Western Europe at Sonopress, says he is looking forward to working together with the HD DVD Promotion Group: "We will be able to contribute valuable expertise in technology. In close cooperation with the other members of the HD DVD Promotion Group from all segments of the industry, we will develop marketing strategies for the HD DVD format and establish it on the market."

Since the summer, Sonopress has been producing HD DVDs for several customers and also offers authoring services. A current project is the HD DVD titled All The Goals FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 by ILC and PIAS.

The North American HD DVD Promotional Group says there are estimated to be more than 175,000 HD DVD players now sold in the US. The group forecasts an install base of more than 2.5 million players by the end of 2007 and that movie title sales will exceed $600 million 2007.

Story filed 10.01.07