Dolby Surround ProLogic: Don't Count It OutCompatibility Assures Continuing Dominance Of Tried-And-True Technology

As newer media such as DVD and digital TV become prevalent, so will Dolby Digital audio. And remarkably, more than two million consumer products with 5.1-channel Dolby Digital decoding have been sold as of September 1, 1999. On the other hand, more than 40 million units equipped with Dolby Surround decoding have now been sold worldwide. Thus the need for Dolby Surround programming is greater than ever. Of course, at its best, discrete 5.1-channel Dolby Digital outperforms matrixed four-channel Dolby Surround ProLogic. But as audio journalist Corey Greenberg noted in the July-August 1999 issue of Stereo Review's Sound & Vision magazine: ""Öproperly decoded, Dolby ProLogic can still shake the rafters even after you've been spoiled by Dolby Digital.""Broadcasters Lead The WayIn addition to all those VHS movies rented day after day and a growing roster of the most popular video games, a primary source of Dolby Surround programming today, particularly in the U.S. and the U.K., is regular TV and satellite broadcastingófrom weekly dramatic series to concert specials, from feature films to football matches. In the U.S., such popular weekly shows as FOX's Ally McBeal, ABC's NYPD Blue, CBS's Chicago Hope, HBO's The Sopranos, and NBC's Frasier are all produced in Dolby Surround. HBO also regularly produces Dolby Surround concert specials featuring such superstars as Cher, Clint Black, and Janet Jackson. In the U.K., offerings from Yorkshire TV include Liverpool One, a police drama series; The Price is Right quiz show; and Jungle Run, a children's game program. From the BBC comes the latest 12-episode series of the popular drama Dangerfield, and from Channel Four, Love in the 21st Century. And in June, ONdigital broadcast the sell-out All Saints concert from Wembley Arena.