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A Chronology
of Dolby Laboratories

May 1965-May 1998

A Chronology
of Dolby Laboratories

1965 May 1965 November 1967
Dolby Laboratories founded in London New York office established for U.S.
SW6 by Ray M. Dolby, American physicist, distribution of professional Dolby equip-
with staff of four. ment.

Summer 1965 1967-68 1968
Development of prototype audio and video B-type noise reduction developed.
noise reduction systems. The first licensed
International network established for consumer product with
Dolby Laboratories, 1965: top November 1965 distribution of professional equipment in Dolby B-type NR, the
floor at 590 Wandsworth Road, Dolby A-type noise reduction system for Europe, Japan, and Australia. KLH Model 40 recorder.
London SW6. professional music recording demonstrated
to Decca Record Company, London. June 1968
First consumer product equipped with
1966 January 1966 Dolby B-type, KLH Model 40 open-reel
After system tests, Decca orders first nine tape recorder, released in U.S. under first
A301 professional noise reduction units. license agreement (exclusive until 1970).

Dolby Laboratories’ first April 1966 November 1968 346 Clapham Road, London:
product, the A301 A-type noise First production A301 units delivered to Move to London premises at 346 Clapham company headquarters until
reduction unit. Decca at £700 ($2,000) each. Road, SW9. Dramatic increase in orders for 1976, European headquarters
Model A301, due to price reduction from until 1992.
May 1966 £700 to £560 resulting from improved
First commercial recording session production facilities. 1969
employing Dolby A-type, Vladimir
Ashkenazy playing Mozart piano concer- 1968-69 The Dolby Model 505 was
tos. Investigation of high-performance Com- supplied to potential licensees
pact Cassette by combining Dolby B-type for demonstrating the effects
The first LP released from November 1966 noise reduction with quality cassette of B-type NR with consumer
master tapes recorded with First LP from master tapes made with recorders. Concept demonstrated to high tape recorders.
Dolby A-type NR. Dolby A-type released by Decca (London fidelity industry using optimized
Records in the U.S.), Solti conducting Harman-Kardon CAD-4 recorder and
1967 Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (SET 3256). Dolby Model 505 B-type noise reduction
unit developed for demonstration pur-
Winter 1966-67 poses.
Introduction of A-type NR in U.S. with
first sales to CBS, RCA, MCA, Vanguard, 1969
and several independents. Increased Increased need for Dolby A-type as
coverage of Dolby NR by audio and music recording industry’s switch to multitrack
industry press. formats results in higher noise levels. By
year’s end, majority of London pop music
April 1967 studios equipped with Dolby noise
Liaison with first consumer hi-fi manufac- reduction. By 1972, 42 16-track recorders
turer, Henry Kloss of KLH in Cambridge, in London alone equipped on all tracks.
MA, to explore possibility of simplified
Monitoring an early recording noise reduction circuitry for home equip- October 1969
session using Dolby A301 NR ment. Negotiations begun on licensing High-performance cassette concept
units. Dolby noise reduction for consumer demonstrated at Audio Engineering
applications. Distinction now made Society (AES) convention in New York.
between A-type (professional) and B-type Presentations made to Advent, Fisher, and Early multitrack installation
(consumer) systems. Harman-Kardon consumer hi-fi companies. with Dolby A301 units.

October 1967
Further production facilities added in
London SW8.

1 ©1998 Dolby Laboratories Inc. S98/11615/12094
Dolby, AC-3, Pro Logic, Time Link and the Double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
All other trademarks are the proper ty of their respective owners.

1970 1970-72 December 1971 1972
Extensive travels by Dolby staff in U.S., A Clockwork Orange, first film to use
Add-on consumer noise reduc- Europe, and Japan to introduce high Dolby noise reduction on all pre-mixes and The Model 364, for
tion units like the Advent 100 fidelity cassette concept to more consumer masters, released (with conventional optical decoding mono 35 mm
convinced “audiophiles” that equipment and tape manufacturers. soundtrack). optical soundtracks
Dolby B NR really worked. encoded with A-type NR,
February 1970 February 1972 was the first Dolby
Dolby Model 320 B-type First add-on consumer Dolby B-type noise Introduction of Dolby Model 364 cinema product designed
encoder for pre-recorded reduction unit, Model 100, introduced by unit for decoding mono optical sound- specifically for the cinema.
cassettes. second Dolby licensee, Advent Corpora- tracks encoded with A-type noise reduc-
tion. tion. Distributed outside U.S. by Rank The first Dolby multitrack
One of the first licensed Film Equipment. noise reduction unit, the
cassette decks with Dolby June 1970 M Series, took full advantage
B-type NR, the Harman- Introduction of Dolby Model 320, B-type March 1972 of the compact Cat. No. 22
Kardon CAD-5. unit for encoding pre-recorded cassettes. Full-time FM broadcasts encoded with A-type module.
Extensive work begun with Ampex Stereo Dolby B-type noise reduction begun in
The slim new Dolby 360 Series Tapes in the U.S. and Decca in the U.K. to New York by WQXR. 1973
A-type noise reduction unit produce pre-recorded cassettes encoded
was better suited to multitrack with B-type noise reduction. Summer 1972 Signetics’ B-type IC made it
installations (below) than the Results of using Dolby A-type with easier to incorporate Dolby
A301. Summer 1970 experimental 16 mm stereo optical NR in consumer products.
Arrival in the U.S. of first high fidelity soundtrack format reported by Eastman
Multitrack installation with cassette recorders incorporating Dolby Kodak. 1974
Dolby Model 361s. B-type (Advent, Fisher, and Harman-
Kardon), all manufactured in Japan by September 1972
1971 third Dolby licensee, Nakamichi. Dolby M Series multitrack A-type units
introduced at AES convention in New
Beginning with the 360 Series, September 1970 York.
the Dolby Cat. No. 22 A-type Launch of second-generation Dolby A-type
module was incorporated in units, Model 360 Series, with identical January 1973
Dolby products for nearly two characteristics to Model A301 but in Samples of first B-type IC, Signetics
decades; more than 90,000 smaller format better suited to multitrack NE545, sent to licensees for evaluation.
modules have been installations.
manufactured. June 1973
Fifth company, Revox, signs license Proposal by Dolby Laboratories for
agreement. combining B-type noise reduction and 25
microsecond pre-emphasis in FM broad-
November 1970 casting published in Journal of the Audio
First B-type pre-recorded audio cassettes Engineering Society.
released independently by Ampex and
Decca. September 1973
Dolby Model E2 Cinema Equalizer
Investigation of application of A-type noise introduced for use in theatres to comple-
reduction to cinema sound results in first ment A-type noise reduction techniques for
tests with excerpts from a production film, film soundtracks.
Jane Eyre.
October 1973
January 1971 Philips, inventor of Compact Cassette,
Japanese licensing liaison office established signs license.
in Tokyo with Continental Far East, Inc.
February 1974
May 1971 Dolby FM system combining B-type noise
Agreement negotiated with Signetics for reduction and 25 microsecond pre-
development of first Dolby B-type IC. emphasis demonstrated to Federal Com-
munication Commission (FCC).
June 1971
First experimental FM broadcasts using May 1974
Dolby Model 320 B-type encoder unit, by Callan, first film with optical soundtrack
WFMT in Chicago. (mono) encoded with A-type noise
reduction, shown at Cannes film festival.
Summer 1971
Increased licensing activities result in 30 June 1974
licensees by end of year, including Sony, 25 microsecond Dolby FM broadcasts
Matsushita, and JVC. approved for U.S. by FCC.

2

The Dolby Model 330 tape July 1974 October 1976 1977
duplication unit (pictured) and First 35 mm stereo optical recorder Introduction of Dolby CP50 Cinema
Model 334 FM broadcast unit commissioned by Dolby Laboratories at Processor, economical theatre unit for The economical Dolby CP50
featured the new slim format EMI Elstree Studios, England. Milestone reproduction of 35 mm Dolby Stereo Cinema Processor for stereo
of the 360 Series. in development of stereo variable area optical releases. optical releases.
(SVA) soundtrack format now widely
1975 associated with Dolby Laboratories’ January 1977 1978
involvement with film sound. Establishment of Dolby Laboratories
The first Dolby Stereo cinema Licensing Corporation with responsibility 1979
processor, the CP100. October 1974 for all licensing activities.
Dolby Models 330 and 334 introduced for ®A.M.P.A.S.
1976 pre-recorded cassette duplication and May 1977
Dolby FM broadcasting. Opening of Star Wars in 46 U.S. theatres Beginning with this
731 Sansome Street, equipped for Dolby Stereo, plus release of Scientific and Engineering
San Francisco: corporate November 1974 Close Encounters of the Third Kind later in Award in 1979, Dolby
headquarters, 1976-1986. 35 mm Dolby Stereo optical soundtrack year, greatly increase public awareness of Laboratories’ contribu-
format introduced at SMPTE convention Dolby Stereo and trigger further theatre tions to film sound have
3 in Toronto using specially re-mixed section installations. been recognized six times
of Stardust. Advantages include per- by the Academy of Motion
formance comparable to older 35 mm December 1977 Picture Arts and Sciences.
magnetic process at considerably less cost Twelve films released with Dolby Stereo
to producers, distributors, and exhibitors. soundtracks in 1977, bringing to 30 The compact Dolby
number of films with A-type encoded Cat. No. 55 A-type module
February 1975 soundtracks. enabled new kinds of NR
Dolby CP100 Cinema Processor intro- units, including a new family
duced for reproduction of Dolby Stereo April 1978 of modules for use within
magnetic and optical soundtracks. First Star Wars (1977) is first of 18 films in a professional VTRs.
units installed for London premiere of film row with Dolby encoded soundtracks to
Tommy in March. win Academy Award® for Best Achievement
in Sound.
August 1975
100 U.S. stations broadcasting in Dolby December 1978
FM. Superman, 50th film with soundtracks
encoded with Dolby A-type NR, opens
September 1975 simultaneously in over 200 theatres; also
First feature film for general release with used in first experiments with 70 mm
Dolby Stereo optical soundtrack, stereo surround.
Lisztomania, completed.
April 1979
October 1975 Dolby Laboratories receives Scientific and
Dolby FM broadcasting approved for Engineering Award for “improved film
Canada by Canadian Department of sound recording and reproduction system”
Communications. from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences.
January 1976
New headquarters in San Francisco June 1979
opened; original New York facility closed. Dolby HX headroom extension for cassette
London continues with manufacturing and recording introduced to audio industry at
international sales, while San Francisco Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in
handles company administration, research Chicago.
and development, new market develop-
ment, licensing, and North American sales. July 1979
Dolby applications engineers permanently Manufacturers of VHS video recorders
located in Hollywood and New York. licensed to incorporate B-type noise
reduction in video cassette machines.
Spring 1976
Second 35 mm stereo optical recorder Summer 1979
commissioned in Hollywood by Dolby Introduction of Dolby Cat. No. 55,
Laboratories and RCA. compact A-type module for general design
applications in Dolby noise reduction units.
First 35 mm Dolby Stereo optical film with
encoded surround effects, A Star Is Born, September 1979
released. Hair, first Dolby Stereo film dubbed in a
language other than English, released in
Germany.

First continental Dolby Stereo mix, Don First Japanese Dolby Stereo mix, Rengo
Giovanni, completed in France. Kantai (The Grand Fleet), completed by
Toho Films.
Autumn 1979
Number of professional tracks equipped 2,000th U.S. theatre equipped with Dolby
with Dolby A-type noise reduction surpasses Stereo processor (Fox Westroads, Omaha).
50,000.
Elephant Parts, first pre-recorded VHS
First stereo VHS video cassette recorder video cassette with stereo soundtracks
with Dolby B-type noise reduction intro- encoded with B-type noise reduction,
duced by JVC in Japan. released by Pacific Arts.

1980 November 1979 July 1981 Dolby SP Series multitrack
Apocalypse Now is first Dolby Stereo 70 mm Joint development of first Dolby C-type IC NR unit.
The CP200, the most advanced film exhibited commercially with stereo announced by Pioneer, Hitachi, and Dolby
and comprehensive Dolby surround (in 15 theatres). Laboratories. With more than 750 1982
cinema processor to date. elements, new chip is most complex linear
January 1980 IC ever, and includes B-type characteristic
1981 First cassette deck incorporating Dolby HX for compatibility.
introduced by Harman-Kardon at CES in
Dolby Cat. No. 221 two- Las Vegas. Summer 1981
channel A-type NR module for Total number of consumer products
Sony BVH 1000/1100 April 1980 manufactured with Dolby B-type NR
professional VTRs. Dolby Cat. No. 155 introduced, first in surpasses 100 million.
series of A-type noise reduction modules for
inclusion within professional 1" C-format August 1981
video recorders. Dolby Stereo film festival at Magic Lantern
Theatre, Bridgton, Maine, screens 22
May 1980 Dolby Stereo titles in three weeks.
First installations of Dolby CP200 Cinema
Processor, comprehensive theatre unit Music Television (MTV), first full-time
incorporating for the first time Optical Bass cable television service with stereo sound
Extension and format programming. encoded with Dolby B-type noise reduc-
tion, begins nationwide.
Autumn 1980
Dolby C-type noise reduction introduced to September 1981
licensees; 24 companies announce plans for Production samples of first Dolby B-type/
equipped products. Six models exhibited at C-type IC, Hitachi HA10238, sent to
Tokyo Audio Fair in October. licensees for evaluation. First C-type
prerecorded cassettes announced by
December 1980 to March 1981 Desmar Records, New York.
Dolby C-type demonstrated to audio press
in U.S., U.K., and Germany. First product Autumn 1981
with C-type, Sony TC-FX6C cassette deck, Number of Dolby C-type processors
reaches Japanese market. manufactured surpasses one million, only
nine months after introduction of first
April 1981 product with C-type noise reduction.
Dolby Cat. No. 221, two-channel A-type
audio noise reduction module for Sony October 1981
BVH 1100 and 1000 professional VTRs, Dolby SP Series professional noise reduc-
introduced at National Association of tion unit introduced at Los Angeles
Broadcasters (NAB) convention. SMPTE and New York AES conventions.

Spring 1981 January 1982
Cassette duplicators in the U.S., Japan, and First consumer cassette deck with Dolby
Europe supplied with new Dolby Cat. No. HX Pro headroom extension introduced at
219 C-type encoder modules for evaluation. Winter CES by Harman-Kardon.

June 1981 April 1982 Dolby Cat. No. 226 two-
Thirty-four products with Dolby C-type Dolby Cat. No. 226, two-channel audio channel A-type NR module for
exhibited by licensees at CES in Chicago. noise reduction module for Ampex VPR-2 Ampex and Marconi VTRs.
First headphone portable cassette player and Marconi MR-2 professional VTRs,
with Dolby B-type introduced by Infinity. introduced at NAB convention.

4

Investigation underway of delta modula- First headphone portable cassette units
tion techniques for storage and transmis- with Dolby C-type introduced, Sony
sion of high-quality audio. WM-D2C and WM-D6C.

1983 July 1982 April 1984 Dolby Model 380 noise
Introduction of first low-voltage B-type IC Dolby Model 380, two-channel noise reduction unit for Ampex
Dolby Cat. No. 234 two- by Rohm Corporation facilitates incorpora- reduction unit for Ampex VPR-3/RCA VPR-3VTR.
channel A-type NR module for tion of Dolby B-type noise reduction in TH-900 professional VTRs, and Cat. No.
Sony BV2000 VTR. headphone portable cassette players. 235 interface module for Ampex VPR-80/ 1985
RCA TH-400, introduced at NAB.
First high-speed cassette duplication Dolby CP55 cinema processor,
equipment incorporating Dolby HX Pro May 1984 replacing the CP50, provides
announced by Electrosound. Release of 500th Dolby Stereo film, The automation features and higher
Karate Kid. per formance.
Betacam ENG/EFP equipment with Dolby
C-type noise reduction on VTR sound- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Dolby Laboratories’ first
tracks introduced by Sony. released with more than 1,500 Dolby digital product, the DP80
Stereo prints in U.S. alone. Dolby AC-1 encoder.
November 1982
Dolby demonstration film, listen . . ., September 1984
introduced at SMPTE convention. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
adopts Dolby AC-1 for direct broadcast
December 1982 satellite use beginning in 1985.
First licensed decoder with Dolby
Surround circuitry introduced by January 1985
Surround Sound Inc. Second MTV channel, VH-1, begins
operation in U.S. using Dolby AC-1 for
March 1983 satellite distribution.
Paper detailing investigation into delta
modulation for audio storage and transmis- February 1985
sion presented at AES convention in Dolby CP55 35 mm cinema processor with
Eindhoven. automated features introduced at ShoWest
in Las Vegas.
April 1983
Dolby Cat. No. 234, two-channel noise March 1985
reduction module for Sony BV 2000 First AC-1 encoding unit, Dolby DP80,
professional VTR, introduced at NAB manufactured in San Francisco.
convention.
Summer 1985
San Francisco manufacturing facility First video disc and cassette software issued
opened. with Dolby Surround trademark.

Dolby Model 372 portable May 1983 October 1985 Dolby XP Series multitrack
A-type noise reduction unit. Introduction of Dolby Model 372, Dolby AC-1 incorporated into AUSSAT 1, A-type noise reduction unit.
portable two-channel professional A-type Australia’s direct broadcast satellite.
1984 noise reduction unit. 1986
Cost-effective Dolby XP Series multitrack
5 Ray Dolby becomes chairman of Dolby A-type noise reduction unit introduced at 100 Potrero Ave., San
Laboratories, appointing Bill Jasper AES in New York. Francisco, company head-
company president. quarters since January 1986.
January 1986
June 1983 San Francisco finance and administration,
Capitol Records releases first prerecorded engineering, licensing and manufacturing
cassettes produced with Dolby HX Pro. consolidated in refurbished warehouse at
100 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco.
February 1984
Production of Dolby Cat. No. 248, Dolby Twelve products with Dolby Surround
HX Pro module for Otari MTR-10/12 decoding introduced at CES in Las Vegas.
series cassette mastering recorder.
March 1986
March 1984 Dolby SR (spectral recording) introduced
Dolby Soundlink ADM, later known as at AES in Montreux. Dolby Cat. Nos. 280
Dolby AC-1, adopted by General Instru- (single-track) and 431 (multitrack)
ment for direct broadcast satellite and cable modules shown.
television applications.

Spring 1986 July 1987
Dolby SR introduced in U.S., UK, First Dolby Stereo SR films released,
Germany and Japan. Innerspace and Robocop.

Dolby Cat. No. 280 SR July 1986 March 1988 1988
modules could be substituted Dolby London adds new factory on Union Opening of San Francisco facility’s
for Cat. No. 22 modules in Road, Clapham. Presentation Studio; includes theatre for Presentation Studio, San
existing Dolby NR units. film and concert presentation, projection Francisco headquarters.
August 1986 room, and audio control/recording room.
1987 Number of professional tracks equipped Dolby Cat. No. 43 noise
with Dolby A-type surpasses 100,000. Otari introduces MTR 100A multitrack suppressor, widely used in the
The Cat. No. 431 SR module recorder with switchable SR/A-type OEM film industry to clean up
was designed for use in Dolby September 1986 module at AES in Paris. soundtrack elements, wins
SP and XP multitrack NR Studer introduces A-820 multitrack audio Academy Award for Technical
units. tape recorder with SR or A-type built-in. April 1988 Achievement.
Dolby Laboratories receives Academy
Autumn 1986 Award for Technical Achievement for Model 363 two-channel NR
First delivery of Dolby Cat. No. 280 SR Dolby Cat. No. 43 playback-only back- unit providing switchable SR
modules. ground noise suppressor. and A-type NR.

Dolby Stereo SR 35 mm optical format October 1988 1989
demonstrated to the Academy of Motion Introduction of Dolby Model 363, low-
Picture Arts and Sciences. cost 1U two-channel unit incorporating Ioan Allen (l.) and Ray Dolby
Cat. No. 300 switchable SR/A-type (r.) were presented their Oscars
October 1986 modules. by Angie Dickenson.
Agreements completed with first three
consumer licensees in People’s Republic of November 1988 ®©A.M.P.A.S.
China. Studer introduces revised A-820 multitrack
audio recorder using Dolby Cat. No. 300 Model 400, the first software-
November 1986 modules. controlled Dolby NR unit.
Release of 1000th Dolby Stereo film,
Heartbreak Ridge. December 1988 ®N.A.T.A.S.
Sanyo releases LA2770, first Dolby Pro
January 1987 Logic IC.
First Dolby Pro Logic directional enhance-
ment surround decoder shown at CES. March 1989
Ray Dolby and Ioan Allen awarded Oscars®
CBS broadcasts Super Bowl XXI in Dolby for “continuing contributions to motion
Surround. picture sound through the research and
development programs of Dolby Laborato-
March 1987 ries” by Academy of Motion Picture Arts
Sony BVH-3000 C-format VTR with and Sciences.
switchable SR/A-type OEM module
introduced at NAB. June 1989
Dolby Model 400, software controlled
Spring 1987 SR/A-type unit, introduced at APRS,
Production quantities of Cat. No. 431 SR London.
modules manufactured.
First consumer product to incorporate
Joint effort with Graham Patten Systems to Dolby Time Link digital delay introduced.
supply Australian independent TV stations
with video/audio distribution system September 1989
incorporating DP85s. Ray Dolby wins Emmy for “outstanding
achievement in engineering development
May 1987 for audio noise reduction systems for
Release of first Dolby Stereo film mixed in professional television tape recorders” by
China, The First Woman in the Forest. National Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences.
Concord Records releases the first com-
mercial recording prepared with Dolby SR, First Dolby Surround music-only record-
the 1987 Dave Brubeck Quartet’s Blue ing, The Home Video Album, released on
Rondo. CD and audio cassette by RCA Victor.

6

DP500 Series codecs were the October 1989 February 1991
first to utilize the Dolby AC-2 Dolby S-type, new consumer noise Development of Dolby Digital, with
algorithm. reduction system derived from Dolby SR, compatible SR•D 35 mm prints providing
demonstrated to Far Eastern licensees and both digital and analog optical sound-
press in Tokyo. tracks, announced at ShoWest in Las Vegas.
New format is first application of Dolby
Dolby Model 500 Series AC-2 digital AC-3 multichannel digital audio coding.
codecs, and software-controlled Dolby
MT Series multitrack SR/A-type unit, April 1991
introduced at AES in New York. First demonstrations of Dolby Digital for
film industry held in San Francisco.
Among other features, the November 1989 Further demonstrations in Los Angeles,
software-controlled MT Series Dolby S-type demonstrated to European New York, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich
multitrack SR/A-type unit licensees and press in London. and Milan during summer and autumn.
provides automatic alignment.

1990 January 1990 Skywalker Sound begins using Dolby AC-2
Dolby S-type demonstrated to U.S. press digital coding to transmit high-quality
at CES in Las Vegas. Five licensees exhibit audio over T1 link between facilities in
prototype consumer products incorporat- Marin County and Los Angeles.
ing new system.

April 1990 August 1991
Dolby 3 Stereo for stereo television sets Introduction of Dolby CP65 Cinema
introduced. Processor for playback of all 35 mm analog
optical formats and interface with new
June 1990 Dolby Digital format. The CP65 became the best-
Release of 100th Dolby Stereo SR film, selling Dolby cinema processor
Robocop 2. September 1991 ever.
Dolby DP5500 Series DSTL™ system,
August 1990 world’s first all-digital studio-to-transmitter
Demonstration in San Francisco of link, demonstrated at NAB Radio ‘91 in
advanced NTSC television system San Francisco.
combining Dolby AC-2 stereo digital
audio and Faroudja Research Enterprises’ First STACE Award, in memory of Dolby The Dolby DP5500 Series
SuperNTSC video. Laboratories’ long-time National Sales DSTL™ system, the world’s
Administrator Stacey Rehm, presented by first all-digital studio-to-
Theater Equipment Association to Sam transmitter link.
Feldman of National Amusements,
Sanyo releases LV1000, first IC incorpo- honoring “commitment to advancement of
rating Dolby Time Link digital delay. technology in film exhibition.”

The Dolby Model 422 provides September 1990 October 1991
tape duplicators with S-type as Dolby Model 422 B/C/S encoder Dolby 430 Series background noise
well as B-type and C-type NR. introduced at AES. suppressor, based on modified version of
Dolby SR, introduced.
November 1990 Dolby Cat. No. 430
First 1" 24-track recorders with Dolby December 1991 background noise supressor,
S-type, Tascam MSR-24S and Fostex TV2 Denmark is first European broad- based on Dolby SR.
G24S, introduced. caster to produce Dolby Surround pro-
gramming regularly, beginning with Victor
December 1990 Borge New Year’s Eve concert.
First production cassette decks with
Dolby S-type shipped, Harman-Kardon January 1992 1992
TD4600 and TD4800. Lower-cost A-type/SR multitrack unit,
Dolby SRP Series, announced.
Dolby Technologies: How They Work,
consumer information laser disc, released. April 1992
Video cassette version follows in 1991. Dolby DP90, all-new AC-1 encoder,
introduced at NAB convention in Las
1991 January 1991 Vegas.
HBO announces expanded use of Dolby
Surround on original programming, May 1992 Lower-cost SRP Series
including all music specials. First Dolby DSTL system installed at brings multitrack Dolby
WWKX FM, Providence, RI. SR within reach of smaller
studios.

7

The Model DA10 Dolby June 1992 September 1993
Digital adapter and Cat. No. First film released in Dolby Digital, First single-chip processor (ZR38000)
699 digital soundtrack reader. Batman Returns, premieres in ten U.S. capable of Dolby AC-3 coding/decoding
theatres equipped with new DA10 Dolby made available by Zoran. Application-
Digital processor and Cat. No. 699 digital specific AC-3 ICs announced for second
soundtrack reader. quarter of 1994.

The Dolby Model 740 intro- Dolby Model 740 Spectral Processor, new Autumn 1993 Zoran introduces first single-
duced recording and broadcast type of dynamic equalizer, introduced at Premier Television in Germany is first chip processor capable of
engineers to a new kind of APRS in London. European satellite broadcaster to transmit Dolby AC-3 digital audio
dynamic EQ. live sports programs in Dolby Surround. coding and decoding. First
Granada Televison becomes first UK used in second-generation
1993 broadcaster to produce original Dolby October 1993 DA20 Dolby Digital film
Surround programming. Digital HDTV Grand Alliance selects sound adapter.
Dolby Laboratories’ new Dolby AC-3 to provide digital surround
European headquarters, July 1992 sound for U.S. HDTV system. 1994
Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, BMG Classics announces all new pre-
England. recorded audio cassettes to utilize Dolby First rock recording mixed in Dolby Second-generation DA20
S-type beginning in October. Surround, “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Dolby Digital adapter and Cat.
Princess Anne officially opens released on Emerson, Lake & Palmer CD No. 700 soundtrack reader
the new Wootton Bassett NBC uses Model 430 background noise The Return of the Manticore. reduce cost to equip theatres
facility. suppressor for location broadcasts of for Dolby Digital playback.
Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. November 1993
First ISDN transmission utilizing Dolby Dolby Fax system for
August 1992 AC-2 coding (Burbank, CA to London). transmitting high-quality audio
Zoran Corp. to develop Dolby AC-3 ICs over ISDN lines introduced.
for implementing consumer format based January 1994
on Dolby Digital film format. First shipments of DA20 adapter and Cat. Two-channel DP521 Dolby
No. 700 soundhead, streamlined second- AC-3 digital encoder and
January 1993 generation hardware for playback of Dolby DP522 decoder for
Dolby European headquarters relocated Digital films. applications such as DBS and
from London to new facility in Wootton cable systems.
Bassett, Wiltshire. Dolby DSTL™ digital studio-transmitter
link with twice the power of the original 3375 Barham Boulevard, Los
Stalingrad, first non-U.S. Dolby Digital model introduced. Angeles, new home to Dolby
production, opens in ten theatres equipped Laboratories’ Hollywood Film
for Dolby Digital playback in Germany, March 1994 Division.
Austria, and Switzerland. Dolby Fax™ for linking worldwide facilities
with digital audio begins U.S. sales. New DP523 encoder (upper
February 1993 unit) supports Dolby AC-2
WEA announces all new prerecorded audio DP521 and DP522 AC-3 digital encoders and AC-3 (shown with
cassettes to utilize Dolby S-type beginning and decoders introduced. companion DP524 decoder
in summer. introduced Spring 1995).
May 1994
March 1993 First Direct Broadcast Satellite service with
World’s first Dolby Surround video game, Dolby AC-3 digital audio, DMX for
King Arthur’s World, released in Europe. Business, begins.

April 1993 France Supervision launches Dolby
HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) Surround programming with broadcast of
officially opens Dolby Laboratories’ new Roland Garros tennis championship.
European headquarters at Wootton Bassett.
August 1994
May 1993 Fox Network begins broadcasting entire
First French Dolby Digital productions, NFL season in Dolby Surround.
Ma Saison Préférée and Toxic Affair,
screened at Cannes Festival. Hollywood Film Division relocates to
expanded facilities at 3375 Barham
August 1993 Boulevard, Los Angeles.
First 35 mm soundhead capable of reading
both analog and Dolby Digital optical October 1994
tracks introduced by Cinemeccanica. Model DP523, two-channel digital audio
encoder supporting AC-2 and AC-3 at as
many as four data rates, introduced.

8

November 1994 CP500 digital cinema processor introduced Dolby CP500 digital cinema
Interview with the Vampire is 100th Dolby at ShowEast in Atlantic City, combining processor.
Digital release. More than 120 foreign playback electronics for both analog and
New screening room at language versions of Dolby Digital titles digital Dolby encoded soundtracks.
European headquarters. released to date.
November 1995
1995 Screening room completed at European FCC’s ATSAC recommends adoption of
headquarters in Wootton Bassett. ATSC digital TV system with Dolby AC-3
audio as U.S. digital TV standard.
January 1995
First Dolby Digital consumer products and Introduction of licensing program for
laser discs utilizing Dolby AC-3 announced Dolby Surround Multimedia.
at CES.
First MGM/UA Dolby Digital release,
Toshiba and Time Warner demonstrate Goldeneye.
prototype DVD with Dolby Digital AC-3
audio. December 1995
Dolby Digital prints struck worldwide in
February 1995 1995 estimated at 400,000; 40,000 in
Ray Dolby awarded Technical Grammy for circulation globally at any given time.
1994.
Dolby Digital AC-3 audio mandatory for
BBC broadcasts first radio production in NTSC countries, optional elsewhere, in
Dolby Surround (Bomber, BBC Radio 4). final DVD specifications.

Technicolor London records its 100th January 1996 1996
Dolby Digital soundtrack, Nell. Lower-cost CP45 analog cinema processor
introduced at 2nd annual CineAsia Lower-cost Dolby CP45
March 1995 convention in Singapore. processor enables smaller
West Coast Live becomes first live U.S. theatres to equip for repro-
radio show regularly broadcast in Dolby 21 consumer products with Dolby Digital duction of Dolby A-type and
Surround. decoding shown at CES, Las Vegas; 11 SR soundtracks.
manufacturers display DVD-Video
New U.S. manufacturing New U.S. manufacturing facility opens in products.
facility in Brisbane, CA, just Brisbane, CA, near San Francisco.
south of San Francisco. February 1996
Speed (1994) first film with Dolby Digital Theatres worldwide equipped for Dolby
soundtrack and 18th consecutive film in a Digital playback top 4,000; released and
Dolby format to win Academy Award for announced Dolby Digital film titles surpass
Best Achievement in Sound. 400.

Spring 1995 March 1996
20th Century Fox announces all future Dolby Laboratories receives Scientific and
releases to be in Dolby Digital. Technical Award from Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences for Dolby Digital
DP524 two-channel digital decoder film sound system.
supporting both AC-2 and AC-3 intro-
duced; offers bit rates from 56 to April 1996
384 kb/s. Dolby and Microsoft sign letter of intent to
jointly develop PC surround sound
June 1995 technologies and specifications supporting
Dolby World Wide Web site opens on use of Dolby Digital AC-3 and Dolby
Internet—www.dolby.com. Surround Pro Logic.

July 1995 Dolby and Digidesign® announce joint

Paramount chooses Dolby Digital as effort to ensure interface between upcom-

primary release format. ing Dolby Drive and ProTools® and

AudioVision workstations; Dolby also to

September 1995 develop Dolby Surround encoder/decoder

Warner Bros. announces that all future Plug-in.

titles will be in Dolby Digital.

May 1996

October 1995 Dolby Drive, all-digital, disk-based

Record 3,500 analog and 2,100 digital replacement for classic 35 mm mag film

cinema processors sold in fiscal 1995. soundtrack dubber, previewed at AES

9 Convention, Copenhagen.

DP503 encoder provides New DP503 encoder featuring Dolby February 1997 The first DVD video discs and
MPEG Layer II coding as well AC-2, Dolby AC-3 and MPEG-1 LII First combination laser disc/DVD-Video players, which feature Dolby
as both Dolby AC-2 and coding also previewed at AES convention. players delivered to U.S. retailers. Digital audio, were delivered to
Dolby AC-3. U.S. retailers in the first quarter
June 1996 March 1997 of 1997.
First cinema multiplex in Latin America The English Patient (1996), released
with Dolby Digital on all screens, Cinemex exclusively in Dolby Digital, wins Academy
Loreto, opens in Mexico City. Award for Best Achievement in Sound.

NBC broadcasts opening and closing First PAL DVD-Video with 5.1-channel
ceremonies of 1996 Olympic Games in Dolby Digital soundtrack, German-
Dolby Surround. language version of 12 Monkeys, released in
Europe.

September 1996 First software Dolby Digital decoder using
100th laser disc with 5.1-channel Dolby MMX™ technology announced by Intel.
Digital audio, Twister, released.

Fall TV season opens in U.S. with 13 new First DVD-only video players delivered to
shows produced in Dolby Surround, U.S. retailers.
bringing current total to more than 50.

Twister, the 100th laser disc First European NTSC laser disc in Dolby April 1997 Dolby DP562 Reference
released with a Dolby Digital Digital, French-language version of Judge Dolby DP562 reference decoder with Decoder provides 5.1-channel
soundtrack. Dredd, released. 5.1-channel Dolby Digital and digitally Dolby Digital and 4-channel
implemented 4-channel Pro Logic Pro Logic decoding.
October 1996 decoding introduced at NAB Convention,
Record 3,500 Dolby Digital processors Las Vegas.
sold in fiscal 1996 ending September 30.
First DVD-Video disc titles go on sale in
seven U.S. markets.

500th Dolby Digital theatrical film, Shine, May 1997
screened at ShowEast, Atlantic City. Ray Dolby named by President Clinton as
recipient of National Medal of Technology.
November 1996
Dolby Surround Tools TDM Plug-Ins for Dolby Digital is only digital format played
Digidesign Pro Tools workstations at the Cannes Film Festival, including
demonstrated at AES Convention, Los opening and closing films, The Fifth
Angeles. Element and Absolute Power.

Dolby Surround Tools Plug- Dolby Net, low bit-rate version of Dolby June 1997
Ins provide Dolby Surround Digital, introduced for low-bandwidth Dolby DP561B Dolby Digital encoder
encoding and Dolby Pro Logic applications such as real-time streaming introduced featuring lower cost and
decoding (pictured) for use on Internet audio. compliance with European CE specifica-
Pro Tools workstations. tions for RF emissions and susceptibility.

First DVD-Video players delivered to
retailers in Japan.

December 1996 July 1997
FCC adopts digital TV standard for U.S. Sales of Dolby Digital cinema processors
with Dolby Digital as multichannel digital top 10,000; released and announced Dolby
surround-sound coding of choice. Digital film titles surpass 940 with more
than 1,000 foreign-language versions.

1997 January 1997 DVD Spectacular, first music-only DVD-
First automobile surround-sound system Video title, released by Delos International
with Dolby Pro Logic introduced by Volvo with 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio. Dolby DP561B 5.1-channel
at Detroit Motor Show. Dolby Digital encoder features
British Academy of Film and Television lower cost and CE compliance.
Arts (BAFTA) presents Special Technical
Virtual Dolby Surround and Virtual Dolby Award to Dolby Laboratories “for out-
Digital, enabling surround-sound effect standing achievement in film sound.”
from PCs with just two speakers, intro-
duced at CES, Las Vegas. August 1997
Ray Dolby named recipient of American
Electronics Association’s Medal of Achieve-
ment.

10

September 1997 development and implementation of Dolby
Dolby DP567 two-channel Dolby Digital CP500 Digital Cinema Processor.
encoder introduced at AES Convention,
New York. Ioan Allen receives B.J. Sturdivant Award
given annually at ShoWest film exhibitors’
November 1997 convention to “an individual who through-
Canada and South Korea adopt ATSC out their career has demonstrated a
digital broadcast TV system with Dolby dedication to the exhibition industry and
Digital audio. its causes.”

Scientific and Technical December 1997 March 1998
Academy Award presented Dolby Digital classified as mandatory audio More theatres worldwide (13,037)
to Dolby engineers “for coding for PAL/SECAM DVD-Video equipped for Dolby Digital than any other
the design, development discs, same as NTSC discs, enabling digital film sound format.
and implementation of the worldwide release of discs with only Dolby
CP500 Digital Cinema Digital soundtracks. May 1998
Processor.” DIRECTV announces first broadcasts with
January 1998 Dolby Digital 5.1-channel audio, DDS
1998 Number of Dolby cinema sound processors transmissions of Dolby Digital feature films
sold surpasses 50,000 worldwide. commencing July 1.

February 1998 Number of theatres equipped for Dolby DIRECTV announces
Dolby engineers Kirk Handley, Ray Digital tops 14,000 worldwide. DDS transmissions with
Meluch, Scott Robinson, Wilson Allen and 5.1-channel Dolby Digital
John Neary presented with Scientific and 1,380 feature films with Dolby Digital audio.
Technical Awards by Academy of Motion soundtracks, plus 1,700 foreign-language
Pictures Arts and Sciences for design, versions, released or announced to date.

Dolby Laboratories Inc.
100 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone 415-558-0200 • Fax 415-863-1373 • E-mail: [email protected]
Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 8QJ, England
Phone (44) 1793-842100 • Fax (44) 1793-842101 • E-mail: [email protected]

www.dolby.com