Hitachi, NEC And Sony Display DolbyÆ Digital Logo On Computers

New Program Recognizes Advances In PC Sound Systems

8-Jun-00

DolbyÆ Laboratories announced a new licensing program that allows computer manufacturers to display the Dolby Digital trademark on their products. The program is limited to manufacturers whose products feature Dolby Digital multichannel audio technology and meet a high set of audio technology standards designed by Dolby. The program debuts in Japan, with Hitachi, NEC, and Sony as the first companies participating in the landmark program. The first products carrying the Dolby Digital logo will appear in Q2 of this year.Shoppers will see the Dolby Digital logo displayed on the packaging of featured PC units from Hitachi, NEC, and Sony, marking the beginning of an entirely new commitment to PC audio by both Dolby and computer manufacturers. PC manufacturers wishing to participate in the new program must submit their products to rigorous testing and certification, placing their PCs in an elite group of products that deliver the highest quality audio possible.By displaying the Dolby Digital logo, the PC manufacturer alerts the customer that its PC products provide Dolby Digital multichannel sound from either an S/PDIF digital or analog multichannel output. This capability allows the user to experience Dolby Digital multichannel sound technology directly from the PC, while simultaneously encouraging game developers to create more multichannel computer games.""Dolby Digital 5.1-channel sound lets customers experience fantastic multichannel realism, during both movie viewing and game play, right on their computers,"" said Dennis Staats, Manager, Technology Marketing for Dolby Laboratories. ""The Dolby Digital trademark is their assurance that the same high-quality sound they hear at the movies and in their home theaters can be heard on their PC.""Although Dolby Digital technology has been present in PCs since the advent of DVD-ROM, the Dolby Digital logo has not been displayed on those products. The recent establishment of standards and test procedures by Dolby now make it possible for PC manufacturers to demonstrate their commitment to high-quality audio.About Dolby DigitalDolby Digital, which debuted in movie theatres in 1992, provides up to five full-range sound channels plus a sixth channel for low frequency effects. It is currently the most popular digital film sound format, as well as the standard worldwide for both standard and high-definition digital TV (SDTV and HDTV), digital cable systems, and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). Dolby Digital is also well on its way to becoming the audio standard in Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) systems, as well as in PCs and console games.About Dolby LaboratoriesDolby Laboratories is the developer of signal processing systems used worldwide in applications that include motion picture sound, consumer entertainment products and media, broadcasting, and music recording. Based in San Francisco with European headquarters in England, the privately held company also has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Tokyo.