Dolby Debuts "Buy One Get One Free 3D Glasses" Offer at ShoWest 2009

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Dolby 3D reusable glasses promotion offers exhibitors eco-friendly solution with additional cost savings in time for Disney/Pixar’s film Up

Las Vegas, April 1, 2009–At ShoWest 2009, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB), announced a limited-time „buy one get one free“ Dolby® 3D Glasses offer for exhibitors installing a new Dolby 3D Digital Cinema system. The special promotion will run from April 6 through May 22, 2009.

This promotion coincides with the North American release of Disney/Pixar’s Up on May 29, 2009, and will provide exhibitors around the world who purchase and install a Dolby 3D Digital Cinema system during the promotional period with an opportunity to purchase eco-friendly, reusable Dolby 3D glasses at this special price.

„Movie theatre owners around the world are excited by the advantages the Dolby 3D Digital Cinema solution provides, given its superior presentation and environmentally friendly 3D glasses,“ said John Carey, Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Products and Services, Dolby Laboratories. „This offer builds upon Dolby 3D’s already cost-effective solution, and we look forward to expanding the number of Dolby 3D screens to satisfy the growing consumer demand for high-quality 3D screenings.“

Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, said, „After many successful Disney Digital 3D™ film releases on Dolby 3D systems, we couldn’t be happier with their technology and eco-friendly, reusable glasses solution.  With more than 17 upcoming new Disney Digital 3D films, starting with Disney/Pixar’s Up on May 29, 2009, we’re excited that Dolby has chosen to make such a compelling sales offer of their 3D systems to exhibitors worldwide.“

Dolby’s unique full-spectrum color-filter technology licensed from Infitec, enabled by the high-tech passive Dolby 3D Glasses, enhances the motion picture experience. The system provides realistic color reproduction and extremely sharp images. The environmentally friendly and reusable glasses can be used repeatedly, significantly reducing the cost per viewing for exhibitors.

For additional information on the Dolby 3D Glasses offer, contact salesadmin@dolby.com.

About Dolby 3D Digital Cinema

Dolby 3D Digital Cinema technology, in conjunction with digital cinema projectors featuring Texas Instruments Digital Light ProcessingTM (DLP) technology, provides exhibitors with an efficient and flexible solution designed to deliver a superior 3D experience. Dolby 3D utilizes standard white screens, so exhibitors don’t have the added cost or the quality compromise associated with the use of silver screens, delivering a  consummate 3D experience from every seat in the house.

Dolby 3D Digital Cinema Delivers Large-Screen Capabilities

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Dolby 3D allows exhibitors to play back 3D content in their largest auditoriums

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB), announced today at ShoWest 2009 that exhibitors will now have the ability to play back content using Dolby® 3D Digital Cinema to provide a premium viewing experience in their largest auditoriums.

By implementing Dolby 3D for large screens, exhibitors can project Dolby 3D onto screens ranging from 41 to 70 feet. The new Dolby 3D large-screen solution is compatible with all of Barco’s digital cinema twin-projector offerings, including the ultra-bright DP-3000 flagship projectors.

„This is a milestone for Dolby 3D projection capabilities, as screen size has to date been limited to accommodate a range of up to 40-42 feet,“ stated Page Haun, Senior Director, Cinema Marketing, Dolby Laboratories. „Dolby realizes that exhibitors need the flexibility to provide 3D in their largest and smallest auditoriums, and with this announcement, Dolby is now able to support exhibitors‘ various needs.“

"Exhibitors have told us they want 3D without compromise. No excuses, no compromises, simply the right amount of light and a consistently beautiful image for screen sizes reaching all the way up to 70 feet," said Wim Buyens, Vice President Digital Cinema for Barco’s Media and Entertainment Division. „With Barco’s twin-projector offering and Dolby 3D for large screens, exhibitors can now move 3D audiences into their largest auditoriums to maximize 3D revenues."

Malco Theatres, the first to test Dolby 3D for large screens, recently used the solution to screen Walt Disney Pictures‘ Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience at its Malco Paradiso multiplex in Memphis, TN, and Malco Grandview in Madison, MS.

"Dolby continues to assist exhibitors by developing new ways to make the cinemagoing experience more immersive and this collaboration effort with Barco will help to bring 3D to the next level,“ said Mike Thomson, Vice President Operations and Technology, Malco Theatres. "The ability to play back Dolby 3D on our largest screens has been very successful."

In addition, Dolby’s unique full-spectrum color-filter technology, enabled by the high-tech passive Dolby 3D Glasses, enhances the motion picture experience. The Dolby 3D system provides realistic color reproduction and extremely sharp images. The environmentally friendly and reusable glasses can be used repeatedly, significantly reducing the cost per viewing for exhibitors.

Dolby Showcases Digital Cinema Solutions at ShoWest 2009

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Dolby reinforces leadership in cinema audio technology with the new CP750

At ShoWest 2009 today, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB), will demonstrate its latest digital cinema solutions for audio, networking, 3D, and more. Dolby is making it easier than ever for exhibitors to transition to digital cinema with its comprehensive and reliable solutions. These include its digital cinema server, software, and 3D solution, as well as its latest in audio processing, the CP750 Digital Cinema Processor.

„As digital cinema continues to expand, Dolby is proud to deliver premium technology in digital audio and in digital cinema. With more than 2,500 Dolby® Digital Cinema and 1,000 Dolby 3D Digital Cinema systems shipped globally, we continue to be a leading contributor to the digital transition for cinema,“ said Ramzi Haidamus, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Dolby Laboratories.

The following Dolby Digital Cinema products will be on display in booth #1605 at ShoWest 2009: 

Dolby CP750 

The Dolby CP750 underscores Dolby’s commitment to simplifying digital cinema, making the upgrade easy and economical. Designed to work with the new digital cinema environment, the Dolby CP750 seamlessly integrates with preshow servers, alternative content, and digital cinema servers. The processor has an easy-to-use interface and powerful setup/remote software, and it can play back PCM digital audio; Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic®, Dolby Pro Logic II, and Dolby Digital Surround EX™ streams; and analog audio. 

By allowing the theatre’s network operations center to manage the system, the unit can be monitored, controlled, and upgraded from one centralized location via the Internet. The CP750 can process hearing impaired and visually impaired tracks.

In addition to the new Dolby CP750, the company will showcase the following:

Dolby 3D Digital Cinema

  • A flexible, high-quality 3D solution that supports both 2D and 3D playback without the need for a dedicated 3D auditorium or a special silver screen
  • Provides uniform light distribution to deliver an exceptional viewing experience for both 2D and 3D content
  • Uses a unique color-filtering technology for realistic color reproductions and crystal-clear images
  • Features Dolby 3D glasses that can be reused hundreds of times, providing a compelling financial model as well as an environmentally friendly 3D solution

Dolby Digital Cinema Server

  • Includes the Dolby Show Store (DSS100) and the Dolby Show Player (DSP100)
  • Built-in Screen Management System (SMS) software
  • DSS100 holds up to approximately eight movies at present average file sizes
  • DSP100 decrypts movie data, decodes the image and sound, and outputs reencrypted image data to the digital cinema projector

Dolby Show Library

  • Allows exhibitors to load digital content from a central server via Ethernet, USB 2.0, satellite, DVD, or removable hard drive
  • Dispenses the files electronically and automatically to networked Dolby Digital Cinema systems throughout the multiplex
  • Allows the theatre operator to easily program the entire movie schedule, including onscreen advertising, by using the drag-and-drop Dolby Show Manager software interface

Dolby Theatre Management System software

  • Simplifies and streamlines digital screen operations, easily supporting today’s largest multiplexes
  • From ingesting content and moving it even while playing, to drag-and-drop show assembly, Dolby Theatre Management System software features operational simplicity, at-a-glance monitoring, and fully automatic show operation
  • Gives theatre personnel and network operations centers comprehensive central control over all presentations (for a single screen, a large multiplex, or a system integrator’s entire network)
  • Provides SMPTE closed-caption support, remote upgrade capability, and Dolby web services for integration with third-party systems

Dolby Digital Cinema and 3D Digital Cinema Systems Selected for China Film Group and Lianzhong Circuit

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Dolby continues 3D digital cinema penetration in Asia Pacific

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) announced today that both China Film Group Corporation and Lianzhong Circuit, in conjunction with Dolby’s Chinese distributor, ACE ,have selected Dolby® Digital Cinema and Dolby 3D solutions for multiple theatre locations throughout China.

"We are so excited to be able to bring 3D movies to our patrons in Dolby 3D," said Chen Dunliang, President of Wuhan Lianzhong Circuit. "Both Dolby Digital Cinema and Dolby 3D are welcome additions to the Lianzhong Circuit and will wow our audiences with a pristine picture and a premium-quality 3D experience."

"Dolby continues to expand its digital cinema footprint and Dolby 3D continues to grow in the Asia Pacific region," said Mahesh Sundaram, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Dolby Laboratories. „Cinema entertainment is evolving quickly in Asia Pacific. We are honored to help Lianzhong and China Film Group drive the trend and to bring a new and inspiring cinema viewing experience to consumers in China with Dolby Digital Cinema and Dolby 3D products."

About Dolby 3D Digital Cinema

Dolby 3D Digital Cinema technology, in conjunction with digital cinema projectors featuring Texas Instruments Digital Light Processing™ (DLP™) technology, provides exhibitors with an efficient and flexible solution designed to deliver a superior 3D experience. Dolby 3D utilizes standard white screens, so exhibitors don’t have the added cost or the quality compromise associated with the use of silver screens, delivering a great 3D experience from every seat in the house. Additionally, Dolby Laboratories provides cost-effective and environmentally friendly passive reusable 3D glasses. Dolby’s 3D solution uses a unique full-spectrum color-filter technology licensed from Infitec that provides realistic color reproduction and extremely sharp images.

New Dolby Multistream Decoder Bridges HE AAC and

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Dolby Digital Plus Standards

Flexible solution for new European HDTV broadcasting specifications and next-generation broadcast services

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) announced today the new Dolby® Multistream Decoder, a licensable multiformat audio decoding technology that supports Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Pulse in a single package for next generation HDTVs and set top boxes.

In Europe, various industry groups such as Digital Video Broadcasting, the European Broadcasting Union and DIGITALEUROPE (formerly known as EICTA) have recommended Dolby Digital Plus and HE AAC as the audio coding systems for next-generation broadcast transmissions. In addition, individual national forums have specified these audio systems for their respective HD formats. Dolby Digital Plus decoding brings premium audio support and full compatibility with existing Dolby Digital broadcasts. Dolby Pulse (Dolby’s implementation of HE AAC) can extend the Dolby experience to an even wider range of bandwidth constrained services and new online opportunities.

The new decoder, also known as the Dolby MS10 Multistream Decoder, decodes both Dolby Digital Plus and HE AAC audio and therefore can assist manufacturers in meeting new MPEG-4 terrestrial receiver specifications in several European countries, including Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Norway (HE AAC only with transcoder), Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It also enables new audio mixing options to enhance presentation for viewers with vision impairments, as required or recommended in several European countries, including Sweden and the UK.

„We’re confident that the Dolby Multistream Decoder will not only aid manufacturers in reducing the cost and complexity of integrating audio technologies into their TVs and set top boxes, but it also will aid greatly in simplifying product development and testing,“ said Tom Daily, Senior Director of Marketing, Broadcast Segment at Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 

Other key benefits of the Dolby Multistream Decoder include:

· Full compatibility with Dolby metadata and consumers‘ existing

  DVD home cinema systems with all Dolby and HE AAC

  transmission formats

· Full multichannel support (transcoder) for Dolby Pulse in

  addition to Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus decoding and

  conversion–one Dolby Digital output for all input formats

· Support for audio description services delivered „receiver-mix“

  style using two simultaneous instances of Dolby Pulse, Dolby

  Digital, or Dolby Digital Plus decoders, respectively–all for the

  price of a single decoder instance

· Support for multiprogram Dolby Digital Plus streams (main and 

  associated audio delivered in the same audio stream)

· Ability to decode AAC, HE AAC v.1, and HE AAC v.2 bitstreams

Dolby MS10 Multistream Decoder implementation and system kits are available starting today. For more information, please visit www.dolby.com/ms10.

Dolby Pulse

Dolby Pulse is the newest addition to Dolby’s comprehensive portfolio of high-quality audio technologies, and is designed to meet the varying needs of broadcasters and operators in different regions. Complementing Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pulse addresses next-generation applications where bandwidth efficiency is critical. Based on a consistent code base and equipped with support of various metadata, Dolby Pulse is designed to provide consistent and predictable results throughout the broadcast chain.

Because it is based on the AAC family of codecs, a Dolby Pulse decoder can decode AAC, HE AAC v.1, and HE AAC v.2 bitstreams. Dolby Pulse stands apart from the standard MPEG-4 HE AAC core because it integrates all the metadata parameters as required to be considered a broadcast audio system, like Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Digital.

Dolby Pulse also offers significant improvements in the following areas:

· Decoder stability: Offers highly optimized switching times  

  between channel configurations and improved reliability when  

  used in a system with Dolby Pulse encoders

· Error concealment: Ensures reliable broadcast audio

  performance

· Decoder requirements in terms of memory and computational

  complexity: Dolby Pulse decoding within the Dolby Multistream

  Decoder platform is integrated into a combined code base that

  is optimized for H.264 system-on-chip architectures

· Encoder audio quality: Offers superior audio quality compared

  to other parametric audio codecs