First DolbyÆ Digital License Issued In Turkey

15-Aug-00

DolbyÆ Laboratories announced that Vestel Electronics Co. has become the first manufacturer in Turkey to become licensed to manufacture and sell products with Dolby Digital technology. Vestel introduced a DVD-Video player based on an integrated digital solution sourced from Ravisent Technology. ""Vestel Electronics has long been a customer of ours and is setting what we hope will become a new standard in audio-video product manufacturing in Turkey,"" said Martin Lindsay, Manager, Technical Licensing Development at Dolby Laboratories. ""Viewers will now be able to enjoy high-quality video combined with dynamic multichannel audio using either Dolby Digital or Dolby Surround Pro LogicÆ decoders that create a surround sound experience similar to that found in the best movie theatres.""The DVD-2100 DVD-Video player has been designed to provide a high-quality viewing experience with enhanced audio. Manufactured by Vestel, this is the first two-channel DVD-Video player designed and produced in Turkey. Vestel is initially introducing 200,000 units through the end of 2000, but intends to increase production monthly. This two-channel DVD-Video player, available since January, 2000, features an on-screen menu (OSD), both optical and coaxial digital outputs, S-Video output, and a TruSurround audio spatializer. ""Vestel Electronics is committed to building upon its leadership position in Turkeyís consumer electronic market,"" said Cevat Kumbasar, Deputy CEO, at Vestel Electronics. ""Dolby is recognized as a leader in audio technology in Turkey, and throughout the world. Utilizing Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround Pro Logic sound ensures that our viewers will be getting the highest quality audio solution available for television.""About Vestel ElectronicsVestel Electronics, headquartered in Manisa, Turkey, is one of Europeís leading OEM suppliers of color televisions and computer monitors. In 1999, Vestel Electronics produced 3,850,000 color televisions and supplied respectively 12 percent and 32 percent of the European and Turkish color television markets. It manufactures its products at the Manisa location under the Vestel Electronics brand. In addition to the DVD-2100, Vestel produces a line of television receivers incorporating both Dolby Surround Pro Logic and Virtual Dolby Surround technologies. Vestel Electronics is a publicly traded company.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 a worldwide standard for both standard and high-definition digital TV (SDTV and HDTV), digital cable systems, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), and LaserDisc. Dolby Digital is also becoming an audio standard in Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) systems.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, Beijing and Tokyo.