Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.36

April 6, 2001

Roger Hackett

Dear Roger:

I am pleased to offer you the position of President and General Manager of
Sensory Science, reporting directly to me. The details of your offer are as
follows:

        -       A bi-weekly salary of $12,115.38 ($315,000.00 annualized).

        -       A stock option grant of 150,000 shares subject to approval by
                the SONICblue Board of Directors. In connection with this grant,
                you will be required to sign and abide by the terms of SONICblue
                Incorporated's form of Common Stock Option Agreement, which has
                a four-year vesting schedule with an initial six-month exercise
                cliff.

        -       Eligibility to participate in the 2001 management incentive plan
                at a target of 60% of annual base salary.

In addition, SONICblue provides an excellent benefits program which includes a
choice of medical benefits coverage, dental insurance, vision care, 401(k)
retirement plan, employee stock purchase plan, profit sharing plan, paid
sabbatical leave, tuition reimbursement, short-term and long-term disability,
life insurance, and more!

SONICblue prides itself on providing state-of-the-art digital media solutions to
the consumer device industry and beyond. Our success is driven by the
creativity, resourcefulness and energy of team members who have made the
commitment to maintain high moral and ethical standards in the performance of
their jobs. SONICblue strives to create a work environment that is both
challenging on a professional level and satisfying on a personal level.

This offer is contingent upon an investigation of references given, employment
history, criminal record, education, and/or other factors pertaining to your
status as an employee. Furthermore, this offer is in compliance with the
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which requires the Company to verify
that each employee hired is legally entitled to work in the United States.

Your employment with SONICblue will be at will. Employment "at will" means that
you are free to resign from your employment at any time, for any reason or no
reason at all, with or without cause and

                                       1
<PAGE>

with or without notice. Similarly, SONICblue may terminate your employment at
any time for any legal reason, with or without cause and with or without notice.
By accepting this offer of employment, you agree that your employment is at
will, and acknowledge that no one has the authority to promise you, either
orally or in writing, anything to the contrary.

As a condition of your employment with SONICblue, you will be required to
execute and abide by the terms of the company's standard form of Employee
Proprietary Information & Invention and Arbitration Agreements. In the event of
any dispute or claim relating to, or arising out of, your employment
relationship with SONICblue, you and the Company agree that all such disputes,
including but not limited to, claims of harassment, discrimination and wrongful
termination, shall be settled by arbitration held in Santa Clara County,
California, under the Arbitration Rules set forth in California Code of Civil
Procedure Section 1280, et seq., including section 1283.05, (the "Rules") and
pursuant to California law. A copy of the Rules will be attached as an exhibit
to the arbitration agreement, which will be provided to you during your
orientation. In addition, on the first day of your employment with SONICblue,
you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United
States.

The terms described in this letter and your Employee Proprietary Information &
Invention Agreement and Arbitration Agreements replace any prior oral or written
agreement, understandings, and promises between SONICblue and you concerning the
terms and conditions of your employment with SONICblue. By signing this letter,
you acknowledge that you have not relied on any previous oral or implied
representations, inducements or understandings of any kind or nature in
accepting employment with SONICblue.

This offer of employment (and all terms contained in this offer) is conditioned
upon, and, if accepted will become effective at the time of, SONICblue
Incorporated's acquisition of Sensory Science Corporation.

Roger, we are very excited about you joining the SONICblue team and assisting us
in continuing to maintain our leadership in the consumer device market. Please
sign below to acknowledge your acceptance of this offer and return to SONICblue
Human Resources, attention Terese Farkas (__________), before 5:00 p.m. Pacific
Standard Time on Tuesday, April 11, 2001 at which time this offer will expire.

Sincerely,

/s/ Terese Farkas for Ken Potashner
-----------------------------------
Ken Potashner
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President

/s/ Roger Hackett
-----------------------------------
Roger Hackett

                 Acknowledge and accept offer on April 11, 2001.

<PAGE>
November 13, 2001

Roger Hackett

------------------------

------------------------

Subject:  SONICblue Annual Bonus Plan

Dear Roger:

Your offer letter from SONICblue ("Company") dated April 6, 2001, states that
you are eligible to participate in the Company's 2001 Annual Bonus Plan at a
target of 60% of your annual base salary.

Per the Annual Bonus Plan Policy, eligible salary is determined based upon the
length of employment with the Company during the Plan year. For the Plan year
2001, we will make an exception for you and allow your bonus to be paid based
upon a full year of employment contingent on Sensory Science achieving $40
million in revenue in the fourth quarter. This bonus will be paid in accordance
with the Annual Bonus Plan Policy.

Due to the discretionary nature of the information contained in this letter, I
ask that you keep its contents confidential.

Congratulations and thank you,

/s/ Terese Farkas
-----------------
Terese Farkas
Senior Vice President

Human Resources and Administration

cc:      Ken Potashner
         John Todd
         Personnel File<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.37

April 16, 2001

John J. Todd

------------

------------

Dear John:

We are pleased to offer you the position of Chief Financial Officer/Chief
Operating Officer, reporting directly to me. We will collaboratively define the
appropriate organizational model to facilitate both the C.F.O. and C.O.O.
responsibilities. The details of your offer are as follows:

        -       A bi-weekly salary of $16,346.16 ($425,000.00 annualized).

        -       A stock option grant of 450,000 shares subject to approval by
                the SONIC|blue Board of Directors. In connection with this
                grant, you will be required to sign and abide by the terms of
                SONIC|blue Incorporated's form of Common Stock Option Agreement,
                which has a four-year vesting schedule with an initial six-month
                exercise cliff.

        -       You will participate in SONIC|blue's Senior Management Bonus
                Plan, which is targeted to pay 60% of eligible base salary at
                plan. Your plan will have no upper cap. For FY 2001 you will
                receive no less than 50% of your target bonus. Plan details are
                currently being finalized with our Board of Directors.

        -       You will receive a $150,000.00 loan from the Company, which
                shall be forgiven, at your 18-month anniversary, at which time
                all applicable taxes shall be withheld. In addition, your loan
                will be forgiven if a Change in Control or termination of your
                employment, for other than cause, takes place.

        -       In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, you will
                receive eighteen (18) months of your base salary, a bonus
                payment equivalent to eighteen (18) months base pay and 50% of
                your remaining unvested options will be vested to you.

        -       Should you relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area, the Company
                will pay for your reasonable moving expenses attributed to the
                relocation of your primary Southern California residence. The
                Company will reimburse you for all reasonable travel expenses
                incurred in commuting from your residence in Southern California
                to the Company's offices, the reasonable cost of maintaining a
                second residence and a leased car in the San Francisco Bay Area.
                In addition, you will be reimbursed for up to two trips a month
                for your family to the Bay Area. Should you relocate, the
                Company shall not be required to pay all or any part of the cost
                of your new residence in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Company
                will pay you a tax gross-up payment in an amount sufficient to
                ensure that you do not incur any net income tax liability due to
                any relocation payments made.

                                       1
<PAGE>

John J. Todd
April 16, 2001
Page Two

For the purposes of this document, Change in Control means: (1) the consummation
of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any
other corporate reorganization, if more than 50% of the combined voting power of
the continuing or surviving entity's securities outstanding immediately after
such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by persons who are
not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation
or other reorganization, or (2) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the Company's assets. A transaction will not constitute
a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's
incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially
the same proportions by the persons who held the Company's securities
immediately before such transaction.

In addition, SONIC|blue provides an excellent benefits program which includes a
choice of medical benefits coverage, dental insurance, vision care, 401(k)
retirement plan, employee stock purchase plan, profit sharing plan, paid
sabbatical leave, tuition reimbursement, membership in a local fitness club,
short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and more!

SONIC|blue prides itself on providing state-of-the-art graphics and multimedia
solutions to the PC industry and beyond. Our success is driven by the
creativity, resourcefulness and energy of team members who have made the
commitment to maintain high moral and ethical standards in the performance of
their jobs. SONIC|blue strives to create a work environment that is both
challenging on a professional level and satisfying on a personal level.

This offer is contingent upon an investigation of references given, employment
history, criminal record, education, and/or other factors pertaining to your
status as an employee. Furthermore, this offer is in compliance with the
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which requires the Company to verify
that each employee hired is legally entitled to work in the United States.

Your employment with SONIC|blue will be at will. Employment "at will" means that
you are free to resign from your employment at any time, for any reason or no
reason at all, with or without cause and with or without notice. Similarly,
SONIC|blue may terminate your employment at any time for any legal reason, with
or without cause and with or without notice. By accepting this offer of
employment, you agree that your employment is at will, and acknowledge that no
one has the authority to promise you, either orally or in writing, anything to
the contrary.

As a condition of your employment with SONIC|blue, you will be required to
execute and abide by the terms of the company's standard form of Employee
Proprietary Information & Invention and Arbitration Agreements. In the event of
any dispute or claim relating to, or arising out of, your employment
relationship with SONIC|blue, you and the Company agree that all such disputes,
including but not limited to, claims of harassment, discrimination and wrongful
termination, shall be settled by arbitration held in Santa Clara County,
California, under the Arbitration Rules set forth in California Code of Civil
Procedure Section 1280, et seq., including section 1283.05, (the "Rules") and
pursuant to California law. A copy of the Rules will be attached as an exhibit
to the arbitration agreement, which will be provided to you during your
orientation. In addition, on the first day of your employment with SONIC|blue,
you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United
States.

<PAGE>

John J. Todd
April 16, 2001
Page Two

The terms described in this letter and your Employee Proprietary Information &
Invention Agreement and Arbitration Agreements replace any prior oral or written
agreement, understandings, and promises between SONIC|blue and you concerning
the terms and conditions of your employment with SONIC|blue. By signing this
letter, you acknowledge that you have not relied on any previous oral or implied
representations, inducements or understandings of any kind or nature in
accepting employment with SONIC|blue.

John, we are very excited about you joining the SONIC|blue team. Please sign
below to acknowledge your acceptance of this offer and return to SONIC|blue,
Terese Farkas, Vice President of Human Resources and Facilities.

Sincerely,

/s/ Ken Potashner
---------------------------
Ken Potashner
Chairman, CEO and President

/s/ John J. Todd
---------------------------
John J. Todd

Acknowledge and accept offer on April 16, 2001.  Start date :  May 8, 2001

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