Dolby Laboratories Spotlights Rising Popularity Of DVD-AudioFor Home, Car, And PC

Industry Embraces DVD-Audio As Next-Generation Audio Format

25-Sep-03

Dolby Laboratories took advantage of its presence at CEDIA Expo 2003 to highlight the rapid adoption of DVD-Audio, and the format's recent expansion into mobile entertainment platforms.MLP LosslessTM technology, licensed by Dolby, is a key contributor to the playback quality and value-added feature set of the DVD-Audio format. MLP Lossless technology provides bit-for-bit replication of original musical performances, and allows sufficient disc space for interactive multimedia extras such as artist interviews and photos, liner notes, performance videos, and behind-the-scenes footage.""DVD-Audio is becoming an essential element of any high-quality home theater/home entertainment system. It is perfect for professional media system installersóand their clienteleówho demand the highest quality entertainment experiences available,"" said Craig Eggers, Director, Consumer Technology Marketing, Dolby Laboratories. ""With its Advanced ResolutionÆ multichannel capability and unique flexibility, DVD-Audio is rapidly being endorsed as the logical successor to the compact disc for packaged audio media. It adds the features, flexibility, and quality necessary to satisfy today's most demanding listeners.""An Update on Recent DVD-Audio NewsDVD-Audio has made the leap from home to mobile applications with the recently announced availability of the Pioneer AVH-P7500DVD, the world's first automotive aftermarket media center, and the first aftermarket in-car entertainment product incorporating DVD-Audio.Acura has recently announced that its 2004 Acura TL will offer the industry's first 5.1 DVD-Audio system as a standard feature.For those who prefer portability and a more personal listening experience, Toshiba and Panasonic offer several choices in portable DVD-Audio/Video playback.Hardware and Software Support GrowingSupport for the DVD-Audio format is building among both content producers and equipment makers. More than 75 record labels now support DVD-A, including Universal Music Group (with 25 recently announced titles), BMG, Capital-EMI, Warner Music Group, AIX, Silverline, and 5.1 Entertainment Group. More than 537 DVD-A titles are currently available globally, with new entries being released regularly.More than 20 manufacturers of electronic entertainment equipment now support DVD-A-audio. Most DVD-A discs include a multichannel and two-channel ""companion soundtrack"" encoded in DolbyÆ Digital, for instant playback compatibility with the nearly 75 million DVD-Video players, Xbox machines, and PlayStation 2 video game consoles currently in North American households.In the PC market, Creative Labs is offering the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 soundcard, which provides DVD-Audio playback on PCs. InterVideo recently announced that both the WinDVD Gold 5 and WinDVD Platinum 5 editions of its DVD player software enable PC users to enjoy a high-quality music experience from DVD-Audio while simultaneously navigating interactive video-based features often included on the discs. All three DVD-Audio support products incorporate Dolby technologies.""The expansion of DVD Audio to PC and mobile electronics platforms is a key element contributing to the future success of DVD-Audio as the preferred packaged audio media,"" said Eggers. ""These developments are essential to introducing a new generation of consumers to the dramatic capabilitiesóas well as the unique quality ofóAdvanced Resolution multichannel DVD Audio.""About Dolby LaboratoriesDolby Laboratories creates technologies that intensify and enhance the entertainment experience. 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.

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