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March 22, 2003
Amsterdam, 22nd March 2003--Dolby Laboratories, the world leader in
multichannel audio for the cinema and home, is showcasing its leadingedge
audio technologies and tools under the theme of "The Sound of
EntertainmentTM" at the 114th AES Convention in Amsterdam, 22-25
March 2003.
The company will also introduce enhancements to its innovative LM100
Broadcast Loudness Meter and exhibit its latest production tool, the Model
585 Time Scaling Processor.
"Exciting surround audio is becoming an expected feature of digital home
entertainment media, whether it's a digital television programme or a
console game," commented Dolby's market development manager, Jason
Power. "AES is an excellent opportunity for us to meet the people who
create these soundtracks, and show technologies which will help them
deliver better sound to all listeners - at home, in the cinema, or on the
move."
In the broadcast area of the Dolby booth, there will be demonstrations of a
concert in Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound, originally shown by Austrian
public broadcaster, ORF, on New Year's Day 2003. This was the first-ever
live broadcast in Europe transmitted in 5.1 surround sound.
Demonstrations will show how ORF used Dolby E to carry the 5.1 mix and
accompanying metadata back to their broadcast centre, prior to
transmission in Dolby Digital.
Broadcast demonstrations will also feature a major new enhancement to
the LM100 Broadcast Loudness Meter. The new automated
measurement mode makes it even easier for operators to judge how loud
their viewers will perceive their programming to be, enabling them to adjust
channels and programmes to similar loudness levels.
Making its Europe debut at this year's AES will be the Model 585 Time
Scaling Processor, which enables high-quality, real-time pitch correction
of frame-rate-converted or time-scaled multichannel audio and produces
unparalleled natural-sounding results. Suitable for all types of content, the
Model 585 can process up to eight channels of PCM as a single-phase
synchronous program or the eight channels can be split into smaller
groups, if required. Audio tracks can be pitch-shifted up or down by 15
percent, or adjusted to be 15 percent longer or shorter in time-scale mode,
while maintaining proper pitch.
A key application for PC downloads, high-quality MPEG-4 AAC audio for
IP, wireless, and broadband networks, will be demonstrated by Dolby staff
at the booth. To date, MPEG-4 AAC has been specified as the high-quality
general audio coder for 3G wireless terminals; Apple Computer has
incorporated MPEG-4 AAC into QuickTimeTM 6; and the Digital Radio
Mondiale system - the next-generation digital replacement for radio
broadcasting under 30 MHz - builds on the audio coding of MPEG-4 AAC.
These exciting platforms represent the state of the art in audio coding.
Dolby Headphone technology will also be shown at Dolby's booth, so
visitors will be able to enjoy dramatic personal surround-sound experiences
while listening to music, viewing clips of recent movies, or playing popular
video games. Dolby Headphone technology lets consumers enjoy the
dramatic surround effects of a 5.1-channel soundtrack through any
ordinary set of headphones, and "listener fatigue" - a phenomenon
commonly associated with headphone playback - is virtually eliminated.
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories, the worldwide leader in sound innovation, creates
technologies that enhance the entertainment experience, making it richer,
fuller, and more involving. For almost four decades, Dolby has been
instrumental in defining high-quality audio and surround sound in cinema,
broadcast, home audio systems, cars, DVDs, headphones, games,
televisions, and personal computers. Based in San Francisco with
European headquarters in England, the privately held company has
entertainment industry liaison offices in New York and Los Angeles and
licensing liaison offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo. For
more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please
visit www.dolby.com.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. All other
trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. © 2003 Dolby Laboratories, s, Inc.
Media Contact:
Sarah Dawson, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (44) 1793-842195 smd@dolby.co.uk
