Dolby and 5.1 Entertainment/Silverline Records Integrate Dolby Headphone Technology and DualDisc Format

Business Wire, Dec 20, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO -- Robert Cray, Josh One, Queensryche, Joey Ramone, and Blondie to be among first on DualDiscs featuring Dolby Headphone

Dolby Laboratories, a leader in surround sound technology, and 5.1 Entertainment Group/Silverline Records, the first label to produce and market music recordings in the DVD-Audio format, announced today that the two companies are collaborating to integrate Dolby(R) Headphone technology on the new DualDisc(TM) format.

Silverline DualDiscs are currently the only DualDiscs to feature Dolby Headphone-encoded AAC and WMA files. They are the first multichannel music discs to provide consumers with a pre-encoded personal surround sound experience, which is ideal for listeners on the move. Tracks encoded with Dolby Headphone are designed to be played via devices such as the Apple iPod(R), AAC or Windows(R) based portable players, and PCs. Robert Cray's latest release marks the first of over 200 DualDiscs that Silverline Records will release with Dolby Headphone-encoded music.

DualDiscs feature CD compatibility on one side and DVD compatibility on the other. In addition to a two-channel stereo recording on the CD side, DualDisc's DVD side provides the complete album in high fidelity 5.1 sound with MLP Lossless(TM), the core technology for DVD-Audio players. The DVD side contains a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack for playback on traditional DVD-Video players and a range of special features such as music videos, interviews, photos, Web links, concert footage, and lyrics. Dolby Headphone tracks encoded on these discs enable listeners to enjoy dramatic effects of multichannel music soundtracks through any set of headphones.

"DualDisc is a large part of the next generation of music entertainment and Dolby is thrilled that the first DualDisc offerings from Silverline will feature Dolby Headphone technology. Consumers will be able to download HE-AAC files pre-encoded with Dolby Headphone technology for a personal surround sound listening experience from their portable digital audio players," said Craig Eggers, Dolby's Consumer Electronics Marketing Director.

"We believe that DualDisc is a compelling music configuration and by collaborating with Dolby, we will be able to offer the ultimate listening experience on popular portable devices, such as the Apple iPod, in surround sound," said Jeff Dean, President of Silverline Records. "With the release of DualDisc titles from artists as diverse as Robert Cray, Queensryche, The Mavericks, Blondie, and Josh One, we are eager to give listeners their first taste of the quality, convenience, and the feature-filled experience the new configuration provides."

John Trickett, CEO and Chairman of 5.1 Entertainment Group added, "We are very excited to include Dolby Headphone technology on our DualDisc releases. Now music fans can experience their favorite albums in surround sound on their portable device--all from one disc."

Listeners can experience Dolby Headphone technology via pre-encoded tracks (as with the Silverline DualDiscs), or via any set of headphones connected to selected Dolby Headphone hardware devices. With Dolby Headphone, virtual surround sound listening is "out of head" and feels open and pleasant, minus the fatigue that occurs when listening to a whole album through headphones.

Dolby will be demonstrating the latest Silverline DualDisc offerings encoded with Dolby Headphone on portable music players at the CES from January 6-9, 2005, in Las Vegas. The Dolby booth (#20913) is located at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), South Hall, on the lower level.

About Dolby Laboratories

Dolby Laboratories develops and delivers products and technologies that make the entertainment experience more realistic and immersive. For nearly four decades, Dolby has been at the forefront of defining high-quality audio and surround sound in cinema, broadcast, home audio systems, cars, DVDs, headphones, games, televisions, and personal computers. Based in San Francisco with European headquarters in England, the privately held company has entertainment industry liaison offices in New York and Los Angeles, and licensing liaison offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tokyo. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please visit www.dolby.com.

About 5.1 Entertainment/Silverline Records

Silverline Records, the home of DVD-Audio, is a division of the 5.1 Entertainment Group, a vertically integrated music company that owns the immergent, Silverline, and Myutopia record labels, 5.1 Production Services, and 5.1 Music Publishing. The company is a recognized leader in the audio/visual production, release, and marketing of music in the DVD format. In addition to having released the largest catalog of DVD music worldwide, 5.1 Entertainment Group has mixed and produced projects for Fleetwood Mac, Usher, R. Kelly, Britney Spears, Sting, Aaron Neville, Eminem, Herbie Hancock, Dishwalla, Alice Cooper, Everclear, Hanson, Robbie Williams, Queen, Yanni, Norah Jones, and Aaron Neville, to name a few. www.5point1.net.