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March 3, 2003
San Francisco, March 3, 2003--Dolby Laboratories has officially announced the
formation of its worldwide Production Services Group. Historically, Dolby has provided
audio service to the global cinema industry to enhance the movie experience. With this
new initiative, the company expands its world-renowned expertise to offer more
services to more segments of the entertainment industry.
With the many digital cinema initiatives worldwide, Dolby has expanded its services to
address the needs of industry professionals working in the medium. Clients have come
to rely on Dolby to provide system installation services, content-loading into D-cinemas,
as well as audio mastering and verification. Dolby now plans to offer similar
mastering programs and quality assurance for digital pictures.
"Until standards are firmly established, the industry needs to support those theatres that
have installed early digital systems," said Tim Partridge, vice president, Professional
Division. "However, that means making multiple masters, since each system is quite
different. With the video expertise we now have in-house, we are able to provide the
same quality assurance for the various digital cinema masters as we have done for years
in audio."
For traditional film distribution, Dolby recently expanded its well-established print
checking program to include North America, and has helped ensure the quality of US
release prints for 34 major films during the first nine months of operation, including the
recent releases Jungle Book 2, Daredevil, 8 Mile, and
catch me if you can. The company
also provided print checking services and installation and alignment services for the
Sundance Film Festival. During February, Dolby introduced a new screen monitoring
service, which provides distributors and theatre management feedback on the
presentation quality of films while they are playing, as well as data on how the theatre
itself performs.
In addition, Dolby continues to offer the broadcasting industry similar quality assurance
services--from audio mastering to complete station commissioning for audio signals--
as more and more TV productions are mixed and delivered in multichannel audio.
Recently, for example, audio mastering support was provided for 5.1 production of the
NFC Football Championships.
"In the past two decades, Dolby has offered a wide range of technical service to film
and television productions," said David W. Gray, vice president, Production Services.
"We have grown to understand the needs of entertainment companies as they embrace
digital technology and particularly multichannel audio. Since we already have
experience with the issues, both commercial and technical, we are well-placed to offer
our expertise."
John Iles, director, Production Services, noted "Internationally, Dolby Production
Services continues to expand the range of services offered at major international film
festivals, such as Cannes, offering hardware and engineering assistance for the
numerous digital cinema screenings that are now being held at these events. Audio
consultancy was also provided through the entire production chain of the film
Pinocchio, one of Europe's first major digital cinema releases."
Dolby Production Services Group has over 75 sound and cinema experts available. Of
these, 55 work out of Dolby offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Wootton Bassett,
England, while the remaining 20 are based in major entertainment cities around the
world.
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories creates technologies that intensify and enhance the entertainment
experience, making it richer, fuller, and more involving. For nearly 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.
© Dolby Laboratories, Inc. S03/14641
Media Contact:
Jim Arnold, Dolby Laboratories, Director of Public Relations, 415-645-5116 jja@dolby.com
