Lucasfilm Ltd. Uses Dolby Digital Surround EX To Enhance Audio Experience For Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith; Dolby's Latest Sound Format Creates Optimum Surround Sound In Theatres Worldwide

25-May-05

Dolby Laboratories announced that its latest film sound format, DolbyÆ Digital Surround EXô, was used by Lucasfilm Ltd. to mix the soundtrack for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Bringing premium sound quality to select theatres around the world, Dolby Digital Surround EX technology encircles the audience with sound and dramatically enhances the overall cinematic experience. Introduced in 1999 with the release of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Dolby Digital Surround EX was jointly developed by Dolby Laboratories and Lucasfilm Ltd. in an effort to add new dimension to the Star Wars experience. The audio technology adds a third surround channel to the Dolby Digital format to accurately locate sound effects behind the audience. As a result, moviegoers experience more realistic flyover and fly-around effects and more convincing sound movement on and off the screen. ""Just as Dolby Stereo revolutionized film audio with Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Dolby Digital Surround EX continues to push the industry forward by enabling a more dramatic presentation of the latest Star Wars film,"" said Matthew Wood, Supervising Sound Editor, Skywalker Sound. ""Having Dolby Digital Surround EX in our mixing arsenal has given us the ability to unify all the Star Wars movies with one format featuring a completely enveloping sound stage."" Dolby Digital Surround EX is one of the most rapidly adopted sound formats in cinema history. More than 9,000 cinemas worldwide have installed a Dolby Digital Surround EX processor and additional rear speakers in their theatres to leverage this technology. Dolby Digital Surround EX film prints can be used in any cinema because they carry both a Dolby Digital soundtrack for digital processors and a Dolby SR track for playback over analog systems. Skywalker Sound is a Lucasfilm Ltd. Entertainment Company. ""Lucasfilm and Dolby have worked together for nearly three decades to push the envelope of movie sound -- the development of Dolby Digital Surround EX being one example,"" said Tim Partridge, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dolby Laboratories Professional Division. ""Our organizations share the same dedication to improving the cinematic experience and we were delighted once again to work with Lucasfilm on the final chapter of Star Wars.""

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