Dolby is bringing an updated version of its Digital Plus surround sound technology to NAB this year. The company worked on significant advancements in the core encoding process enable providers to deliver cinematic 5.1-channel surround sound at 192 kbps, half the data rate typically used by traditional broadcast services today. These enhancements enable an authentic audio experience for consumers to enjoy over more connections on more devices. Dolby plans to release these enhancements for integration by professional encoder partners this summer.
“Our vision is to deliver an immersive, realistic viewing experience that is true to the creator’s vision, tailored for whatever compatible device is used for playback. With the latest coding breakthroughs and playback optimization in Dolby Digital Plus, we are enabling that vision and powering a new wave of service innovation,” said Jason Power, Senior Director, Broadcast Audio Ecosystem, Dolby Laboratories.
The Dolby also features:
- Surround descriptive audio—Dolby Digital Plus enables descriptive audio for the visually impaired (VI) in uncompromised full surround sound, improving audio for those who most value it and helping broadcasters meet mandatory requirements for VI description.
- Integrated volume leveling—The integrated volume-leveling option of the Dolby MS11 Multistream Decoder in Dolby Digital Plus increases consistency for the viewer and helps providers achieve compliance with the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act.
- New professional infrastructure and transmission solutions—Dolby is making it easier than ever for partners to implement comprehensive support for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, and Dolby E.
- Dolby Media Emulator—This new production tool enables broadcasters to optimize how audio mixes will sound on the final transmission and to accurately hit the delivery specification.
