Dolby Digital Record Year As Dolby Digital Surround EX Takes Off
Dolby Laboratories, which in early 1999 introduced the fastest-selling product in cinema sound history, the SA-10 for the playback of Dolby Digital Surround EX(TM) movies, announced record-setting sales for the 1999 fiscal year which ended September 30. The company sold 7,000 Dolby Digital film processors in FY99, up 1,600 over the previous year's record sales. Additionally, 4,600 Dolby Digital Surround EX adapters (SA-10) were sold. Also this year, Dolby significantly increased its position as the world leader in digitally-equipped cinema screens, with a total of more than 23,400 Dolby Digital installations. According to current reports, 54,000 screens worldwide now use Dolby cinema processors. ""In the past year, Dolby Digital on every screen has become the norm for many multiplexes worldwide,"" said Dolby President Bill Jasper. ""As part of our ongoing effort to make the moviegoing experience even more attractive, Dolby Digital Surround EX provides a new tool for movie sound mixers to add further involvement and excitement for film fans around the globe."" Three of this summer's top grossing U.S. releases, ""Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,"" ""Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,"" and ""The Haunting"" all carry the audience-thrilling Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks, and are being released around the world with this new enhancement to Dolby Digital. This fall and in the coming months(a), new Dolby Digital Surround EX-encoded films include: - ""The Fight Club"" (20th Century Fox), October release; - ""Bats"" (Destination Films), October release; - ""The Bone Collector"" (Universal), November release; - ""The Messenger: The Joan of Arc Story"" (Sony Releasing), the first European Dolby Digital Surround EX production, mixed in France, November release; - ""End of Days"" (Universal), November release; - ""Toy Story 2"" (Buena Vista), November release; - ""The World is Not Enough(R)"" (MGM), November release; - ""Minority Report"" (20th Century Fox), June 2000 release; - ""Pitch Black"" (USA Films), release in 2000; - ""Spooky House"" (distributor to be announced), release in 2000. ""Bats"" is the first film to be released by new distributor Destination Films. ""Dolby Digital Surround EX on this film makes its effect that much more frightening,"" said Christopher W. Aronson, Executive Vice President, Distribution. ""With the added sound dimension, the audience will feel as though they are actually surrounded by hordes of attacking bats!"" Francois Groult, the sound designer for Luc Besson's ""The Messenger: The Joan of Arc Story,"" used Dolby Digital Surround EX for the first time on this film and said: ""It was perfect for the sound effects of many of the medieval weapons. The catapult really does fly from behind the audience and onto the screen. There are many quick sound effect `flashes,' for example, arrows swishing past the audience to the back of the theatre. All these effects create a hugely exciting experience for the audience."" Other Dolby Milestones In 1999, a growing number of exhibitor chains decided to commit to 100 percent Dolby Digital on all new installations, with United Cinemas International and National Amusements joining already announced Famous Players, Cinemastar Luxury Theatres, and Pacific Theatres. In addition: - 2,250 Dolby Digital films released or announced; up 750 from 1998 - 9,520 Dolby encoded films; up 820 from 1998 - Dolby films mixed in 43 countries; up from 28 countries in 1998 - 164 distributors of cinema products in 58 countries; up from 110 in 50 countries in 1998 Dolby Digital Surround EX was originally developed by Dolby Laboratories and Lucasfilm THX to be used in ""Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace."" With Dolby Digital Surround EX, back surround information is reproduced by the theatre's rear speakers, while left and right surround information is reproduced by the side speakers. The addition of a new surround channel with this use of speakers allows a sound designer to create true ""fly-over"" and ""fly-around"" effects that are smoother and much more accurately placed, either directly behind or directly beside the audience. For more information and statistics on Dolby Laboratories, including an up-to-date list of films released with Dolby Digital soundtracks, visit www.dolby.com.