Dolby Digital Plus Chosen as an Audio Format for Windows 7

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) announced today that Windows^(R) 7 will support Dolby^(R) Digital Plus to offer high-quality multichannel audio. Available on the Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions, Dolby Digital Plus will deliver home theater-quality audio to the PC, improving the listening experience of music, movies, or videos.

The next generation of Dolby Digital, the multichannel audio standard for DVDs and select HD broadcasts worldwide, Dolby Digital Plus is a high-efficiency audio codec that maintains the quality of Dolby Digital at a lower data rate and is fully compatible with all current Dolby Digital A/V receivers.

"As Windows 7 amplifies the entertainment experience on the PC, it makes sense that Dolby Digital Plus is selected as the audio format for delivering high-quality surround sound," said Ramzi Haidamus, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Dolby Laboratories. "With Blu-ray Disc, DTV broadcasts, and rich multimedia delivered through the Internet, Dolby Digital Plus ensures that people will hear outstanding audio on any device."

"Customers have told us that having a solid media experience is a critical part of their computing experience," said Mike Nash, Corporate Vice President, Windows Product Management, Microsoft Corporation. "We are delighted to be working with Dolby Laboratories, the leaders in high-quality audio and surround sound, to provide Dolby Digital Plus to our mutual customers. Built into Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, and Windows 7 Ultimate, Dolby creates a richer entertainment environment at home or on the go."

The Dolby Digital Plus audio format is a complete audio system that spans Internet-delivered content to terrestrial digital and HDTV services and optical discs. It provides support for up to 7.1 channels and advanced features like bitstream mixing for secondary audio tracks. Dolby Digital Plus is also the broadcast audio standard for HDTV services in key countries including France, Italy, UK, Spain, and Sweden.

SOURCE: DOLBY