Dolby Release for Online Standard Powers Multiscreen Entertainment

New MPEG-DASH development kit enables partners to deliver high-quality audio for HD streaming

LAS VEGAS — 2012 NAB Show, Booth SU1212 — Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) today announced the availability of a development kit to bring the full power of Dolby® Digital Plus premium-quality multichannel audio to partners that leverage the MPEG Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH) standard. MPEG ratified MPEG-DASH in November 2011, and it is quickly gaining traction as a mainstream delivery format for streaming content over the Internet.

“Netflix® welcomes the growing support for emerging online standards, including MPEG-DASH and the associated common encryption specification for ISO files. These standards will enable continued efficient and high-quality integration of over-the-top services like Netflix across a wide range of devices,” said Mark Watson, Director, Streaming Standards, Netflix.

Dolby technology has been selected by leading online video services including Netflix, HBO Go®, Vudu™, Best Buy® CinemaNow®, Samsung™ Acetrax™, Dixons KnowHow™ Movies, Voddler®, Apple® iTunes®, and Amazon® Instant Video. This development kit will enable current and future partners, such as encoder vendors and digital rights management (DRM) vendors, to easily implement and test Dolby Digital Plus for products and services in the online video ecosystem. The development kit includes test vectors as well as specifications that describe how Dolby Digital Plus can be signaled and transported within MPEG-DASH, Microsoft® Smooth Streaming, and Apple HTTP Live Streaming (HLS).

“The emergence of the MPEG-DASH specification is an important step in the maturation of adaptive bit-rate delivery for multiscreen video,” said Tony Huang, Senior Product Manager, Broadcast and Live, Digital Rapids®. “We’re excited to be extending our support for Dolby Digital Plus audio to DASH, enabling our customers to bring premium content with high-quality audio to their audiences on any compatible device in a reliable and consistent manner.”

“Envivio is closely collaborating with Dolby to provide Dolby Digital Plus alongside AVC/H.264 video at different bit rates while supporting seamless adaptive switching, enabling our customers to deliver high-quality multichannel audio entertainment to consumers on any compatible device while lowering their operational costs,” said Arnaud Perrier, VP of Solutions, Envivio®. “As the DASH standard becomes more universally adopted, even more service providers will be able to leverage these technologies.”

“As more consumers enjoy streaming content on multiple screens, it’s increasingly important that the entertainment experiences are the best quality, regardless of delivery medium and playback devices,” said Thierry Fautier, Senior Director of Convergence Solutions, Harmonic. “We look forward to working with Dolby to improve content delivery to connected and portable devices. Harmonic and Dolby believe that when consumers enjoy entertainment over the Internet, they never need compromise on quality.”

Dolby Digital Plus enables the delivery of high-quality audio to any compatible device and any distribution workflow, including broadcast, over-the-top (OTT), online, and on demand. It includes scalable, adaptive, and bandwidth-efficient multichannel coding designed for bandwidth-constrained delivery networks, as well as technologies such as loudness control and device-playback sound optimization. Widely supported within the digital entertainment ecosystem, it is available on more than 640 million products, including connected TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, game consoles, and Blu-ray™ players, making it the preferred audio solution for artists, operators, carriers, and device makers worldwide. Dolby is demonstrating how Dolby Digital Plus enhances entertainment experiences across platforms and screens at NAB Show® 2012 (booth SU1212).