Sonic Solutions has acquired photo software developer Simple Star in an effort to expand its web presence. Simple Star is the creator of PhotoShow, desktop and flash-based software that allows users to create ‘movies’ of their photos and video clips (you can see a sample here). The PhotoShow acquisition also includes a large community based around the product.

Sonic Solutions is the owner of the Roxio line of DVD and CD authoring tools, including Toast and Easy Media Creator. The acquisition make sense, as Roxio has recently been trying to expand their offerings to include online functionality. Media authoring isn’t dead by any means, but many of the videos and photos that were once edited and distributed on CDs are now shared via the web.

The transaction price was not disclosed.