Dolby Debuts Dolby TrueHD, 'Picture-Perfect' Sound for Next-Generation HD Discs
Dolby Laboratories announced its latest advancement in lossless audio technology, Dolby TrueHD, which is designed to complement the recent developments in high-definition optical disc formats. With Dolby TrueHD, home theater viewers will experience audio performance equal to the highest-resolution studio masters currently available.
The company is demonstrating Dolby TrueHD along with Dolby Digital Plus at its CEDIA Expo. These two Dolby technologies are essential elements of next-generation high-definition entertainment, having been adopted for use in both the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats. Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus technologies are mandatory audio codecs in the HD DVD format as well as optional features in the Blu-ray Disc format. Dolby Digital is mandatory in both formats.
"The high-definition disc formats being discussed today will provide viewers with new levels of image quality," said Craig Eggers, Dolby Senior Manager, Consumer Electronics Technology Marketing. "With Dolby TrueHD, those same viewers can experience multichannel surround sound that fully complements the detail and fidelity of the high-definition picture."
Dolby TrueHD builds upon the proven foundation of MLP Lossless(TM) by incorporating higher bit rates, additional channels, enhanced stereo mix support, and extensive metadata functionality, including dynamic range control and dialogue normalization. Enabling recordings that are bit-for-bit identical to studio masters, MLP Lossless was first introduced in DVD-Audio, and has since become the leading multichannel lossless audio format. In addition, Dolby TrueHD provides support for all of the new speaker locations designated by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) for digital cinema applications (RP 226).
"When coupled with high-definition video, Dolby TrueHD offers an exceptional home theater experience that enables you to enjoy sound as stunning as the picture," said Ed Schummer, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Consumer Division, Dolby Laboratories. "When a playback system displays the Dolby TrueHD logo, viewers are assured they are hearing the highest-quality audio performance possible -- as if they are hearing the studio master itself."
