Dolby to launch 7.1 Surround Sound in theatres

Website: Rapid TV News

Dolby Labs is working with Disney and Pixar on a new audio format 7.1 Dolby Surround. It was unveiled at ShoWest yesterday.

Dolby 7.1 will be launched in selected theatres showing Toy Story 3, in 3D, this June.

“For 40 years Dolby has not only provided content creators with the tools to create a more realistic audio experience, but has also enabled the exhibitor to deliver audiences the ability to experience the content as the creator intended,” said Page Haun, Senior Director, Marketing, Cinema Market Segment, Dolby Laboratories.

“The release of Toy Story 3 in a discrete 7.1 mix will raise the bar for movie theatre owners and their patrons.”

Dolby Surround 7.1 claims to bring a more exciting sensory experience to audiences for 2D and gives content creators control over audio placement in a theatre when mixing 3D movies.

The ability to compose audio with visual elements of 3D allows content creators to immerse the audience deeper into the movie with dramatic realism.

Dolby Surround 7.1 provides content creators with four surround zones to better orchestrate audio channels in a movie theatre environment.

The four surround zones incorporate the traditional Left Surround and Right Surround with new Back Surround Left and Back Surround Right zones.

The addition of the two Back Surround zones enhances directionality in panning 360 degrees around the theatre.

Dolby Surround 7.1 format comprises 8 channels of audio and has the following channel layout: Left, Center, Right, Low-Frequency Effects (LFE), Left Surround, Right Surround, Back Surround Left (new), and Back Surround Right (new).

In order for exhibitors to deliver the new format, Dolby will be providing Dolby Surround 7.1 playback capabilities in the Dolby CP650 and Dolby CP750 digital cinema audio processor lines.

At ShoWest, Dolby has created a showreel of discrete 7.1 mixed material using past Pixar movies.