Chronology 1998

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www.film-tech.com 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. International network established for November 1965 distribution of professional equipment in Dolby Laboratories, 1965: top floor at 590 Wandsworth Road, Dolby A-type noise reduction system for Europe, Japan, and Australia. London SW6. professional music recording demonstrated to Decca Record Company, London. June 1968 The first licensed First consumer product equipped with consumer product with 1966 January 1966 Dolby B-type, KLH Model 40 open-reel Dolby B-type NR, the KLH Model 40 recorder. 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).

April 1966 November 1968 First production A301 units delivered to Move to London premises at 346 Clapham Dolby Laboratories’ first Decca at £700 ($2,000) each. Road, SW9. Dramatic increase in orders for product, the A301 A-type noise Model A301, due to price reduction from reduction unit. 346 Clapham Road, London: May 1966 £700 to £560 resulting from improved company headquarters until 1976, European headquarters First commercial recording session production facilities. until 1992. employing Dolby A-type, Vladimir Ashkenazy playing Mozart piano concer- 1968-69 1969 tos. Investigation of high-performance Com- pact Cassette by combining Dolby B-type November 1966 noise reduction with quality cassette First LP from master tapes made with recorders. Concept demonstrated to high Dolby A-type released by Decca (London fidelity industry using optimized The Dolby Model 505 was supplied to potential licensees Harman-Kardon CAD-4 recorder and The first LP released from Records in the U.S.), Solti conducting for demonstrating the effects master tapes recorded with Dolby Model 505 B-type noise reduction of B-type NR with consumer Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (SET 3256). tape recorders. Dolby A-type NR. unit developed for demonstration pur- 1967 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. Monitoring an early recording MA, to explore possibility of simplified session using Dolby A301 NR noise reduction circuitry for home equip- October 1969 units. ment. Negotiations begun on licensing High-performance cassette concept Early multitrack installation Dolby noise reduction for consumer demonstrated at Audio Engineering with Dolby A301 units. applications. Distinction now made Society (AES) convention in New York. between A-type (professional) and B-type Presentations made to Advent, Fisher, and (consumer) systems. Harman-Kardon consumer hi-fi companies.

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 property of their respective owners. 1970 1970-72 December 1971 Extensive travels by Dolby staff in U.S., A Clockwork Orange, first film to use Europe, and Japan to introduce high Dolby noise reduction on all pre-mixes and fidelity cassette concept to more consumer masters, released (with conventional optical equipment and tape manufacturers. soundtrack). Add-on consumer noise reduction units like the Advent 100 convinced “audiophiles” that February 1970 February 1972 1972 Dolby B NR really worked. First add-on consumer Dolby B-type noise Introduction of Dolby Model 364 cinema reduction unit, Model 100, introduced by unit for decoding mono optical sound- The Model 364, for second Dolby licensee, Advent Corpora- tracks encoded with A-type noise reduc- decoding mono 35 mm optical soundtracks tion. tion. Distributed outside U.S. by Rank encoded with A-type NR, Film Equipment. was the first Dolby product designed June 1970 specifically for the cinema. Introduction of Dolby Model 320, B-type March 1972 Dolby Model 320 B-type encoder for pre-recorded unit for encoding pre-recorded cassettes. Full-time FM broadcasts encoded with cassettes. Extensive work begun with Ampex Stereo Dolby B-type noise reduction begun in Tapes in the U.S. and Decca in the U.K. to New York by WQXR. produce pre-recorded cassettes encoded with B-type noise reduction. Summer 1972 Results of using Dolby A-type with Summer 1970 experimental 16 mm stereo optical Arrival in the U.S. of first high fidelity soundtrack format reported by Eastman cassette recorders incorporating Dolby Kodak. One of the first licensed B-type (Advent, Fisher, and Harman- cassette decks with Dolby B-type NR, the Harman- Kardon), all manufactured in Japan by September 1972 The first Dolby multitrack Kardon CAD-5. noise reduction unit, the third Dolby licensee, Nakamichi. Dolby M Series multitrack A-type units M Series, took full advantage introduced at AES convention in New of the compact Cat. No. 22 September 1970 York. A-type module. Launch of second-generation Dolby A-type units, Model 360 Series, with identical January 1973 1973 The slim new Dolby 360 Series characteristics to Model A301 but in Samples of first B-type IC, Signetics A-type noise reduction unit smaller format better suited to multitrack NE545, sent to licensees for evaluation. was better suited to multitrack installations (below) than the installations. A301. June 1973 Fifth company, Revox, signs license Proposal by Dolby Laboratories for Signetics’ B-type IC made it agreement. combining B-type noise reduction and 25 easier to incorporate Dolby microsecond pre-emphasis in FM broad- NR in consumer products. 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 Multitrack installation with tests with excerpts from a production film, film soundtracks. Dolby Model 361s. Jane Eyre. October 1973 1971 January 1971 Philips, inventor of Compact Cassette, Japanese licensing liaison office established signs license. in Tokyo with Continental Far East, Inc. February 1974 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 Beginning with the 360 Series, First experimental FM broadcasts using May 1974 the Dolby Cat. No. 22 A-type module was incorporated in Dolby Model 320 B-type encoder unit, by Callan, first film with optical soundtrack Dolby products for nearly two WFMT in Chicago. (mono) encoded with A-type noise decades; more than 90,000 modules have been reduction, shown at Cannes film festival. manufactured. 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 July 1974 October 1976 First 35 mm stereo optical recorder Introduction of Dolby CP50 Cinema commissioned by Dolby Laboratories at Processor, economical theatre unit for EMI Elstree Studios, England. Milestone reproduction of 35 mm Dolby Stereo in development of stereo variable area optical releases. (SVA) soundtrack format now widely associated with Dolby Laboratories’ January 1977 1977 involvement with film sound. Establishment of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation with responsibility October 1974 for all licensing activities. Dolby Models 330 and 334 introduced for The Dolby Model 330 tape pre-recorded cassette duplication and May 1977 The economical Dolby CP50 duplication unit (pictured) and Dolby FM broadcasting. Opening of Star Wars in 46 U.S. theatres Cinema Processor for stereo Model 334 FM broadcast unit optical releases. featured the new slim format equipped for Dolby Stereo, plus release of of the 360 Series. November 1974 Close Encounters of the Third Kind later in 35 mm Dolby Stereo optical soundtrack year, greatly increase public awareness of format introduced at SMPTE convention Dolby Stereo and trigger further theatre in Toronto using specially re-mixed section installations. of Stardust. Advantages include performance comparable to older 35 mm December 1977 magnetic process at considerably less cost Twelve films released with Dolby Stereo to producers, distributors, and exhibitors. soundtracks in 1977, bringing to 30 number of films with A-type encoded 1975 February 1975 soundtracks. Dolby CP100 Cinema Processor introduced for reproduction of Dolby Stereo April 1978 1978 magnetic and optical soundtracks. First Star Wars (1977) is first of 18 films in a units installed for London premiere of film row with Dolby encoded soundtracks to Tommy in March. win Academy Award® for Best Achievement in Sound. The first Dolby Stereo cinema processor, the CP100. 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 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. 1976 January 1976 ®A.M.P.A.S. New headquarters in San Francisco June 1979 Beginning with this opened; original New York facility closed. Dolby HX headroom extension for cassette Scientific and Engineering London continues with manufacturing and recording introduced to audio industry at Award in 1979, Dolby Laboratories’ contribu- international sales, while San Francisco Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in tions to film sound have handles company administration, research Chicago. been recognized six times by the Academy of Motion and development, new market develop- Picture Arts and Sciences. ment, licensing, and North American sales. July 1979 731 Sansome Street, San Francisco: corporate Dolby applications engineers permanently Manufacturers of VHS video recorders headquarters, 1976-1986. 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 The compact Dolby Cat. No. 55 A-type module released. Hair, first Dolby Stereo film dubbed in a enabled new kinds of NR language other than English, released in units, including a new family of modules for use within Germany. professional VTRs. 3 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.

November 1979 July 1981 Apocalypse Now is first Dolby Stereo 70 mm Joint development of first Dolby C-type IC film exhibited commercially with stereo announced by Pioneer, Hitachi, and Dolby surround (in 15 theatres). Laboratories. With more than 750 elements, new chip is most complex linear 1980 January 1980 IC ever, and includes B-type characteristic First cassette deck incorporating Dolby HX for compatibility. introduced by Harman-Kardon at CES in Las Vegas. Summer 1981 Total number of consumer products April 1980 manufactured with Dolby B-type NR 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 reduction, begins nationwide. Autumn 1980 Dolby C-type noise reduction introduced to September 1981 The CP200, the most advanced licensees; 24 companies announce plans for Production samples of first Dolby B-type/ and comprehensive Dolby cinema processor to date. 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 1981 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- Dolby Cat. No. 221 two- introduced at National Association of tion unit introduced at Los Angeles Dolby SP Series multitrack channel A-type NR module for NR unit. Sony BVH 1000/1100 Broadcasters (NAB) convention. SMPTE and New York AES conventions. professional VTRs. Spring 1981 January 1982 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.

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

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.

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

May 1983 October 1985 Introduction of Dolby Model 372, Dolby AC-1 incorporated into AUSSAT 1, portable two-channel professional A-type Australia’s direct broadcast satellite. noise reduction unit. Cost-effective Dolby XP Series multitrack Dolby Model 372 portable Ray Dolby becomes chairman of Dolby A-type noise reduction unit introduced at A-type noise reduction unit. Dolby XP Series multitrack Laboratories, appointing Bill Jasper AES in New York. A-type noise reduction unit. company president. January 1986 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. 1984 February 1984 100 Potrero Ave., San Production of Dolby Cat. No. 248, Dolby Twelve products with Dolby Surround Francisco, company head- HX Pro module for Otari MTR-10/12 decoding introduced at CES in Las Vegas. quarters since January 1986. 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. 5 Spring 1986 July 1987 Dolby SR introduced in U.S., UK, First Dolby Stereo SR films released, Germany and Japan. Innerspace and Robocop.

July 1986 March 1988 1988 Dolby London adds new factory on Union Opening of San Francisco facility’s Road, Clapham. Presentation Studio; includes theatre for film and concert presentation, projection August 1986 room, and audio control/recording room. Number of professional tracks equipped with Dolby A-type surpasses 100,000. Otari introduces MTR 100A multitrack recorder with switchable SR/A-type OEM September 1986 module at AES in Paris. Presentation Studio, San Francisco headquarters. Studer introduces A-820 multitrack audio tape recorder with SR or A-type built-in. April 1988 Dolby Laboratories receives Academy Autumn 1986 Award for Technical Achievement for First delivery of Dolby Cat. No. 280 SR Dolby Cat. No. 43 playback-only back- Dolby Cat. No. 280 SR modules could be substituted modules. ground noise suppressor. for Cat. No. 22 modules in existing Dolby NR units. Dolby Stereo SR 35 mm optical format October 1988 demonstrated to the Academy of Motion Introduction of Dolby Model 363, low- Dolby Cat. No. 43 noise Picture Arts and Sciences. cost 1U two-channel unit incorporating suppressor, widely used in the Cat. No. 300 switchable SR/A-type film industry to clean up soundtrack elements, wins October 1986 modules. Academy Award for Technical Agreements completed with first three Achievement. consumer licensees in People’s Republic of November 1988 China. Studer introduces revised A-820 multitrack audio recorder using Dolby Cat. No. 300 November 1986 modules. Model 363 two-channel NR Release of 1000th Dolby Stereo film, unit providing switchable SR Heartbreak Ridge. December 1988 and A-type NR. Sanyo releases LA2770, first Dolby Pro 1987 January 1987 Logic IC. First Dolby Pro Logic directional enhance- ment surround decoder shown at CES. March 1989 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. Ioan Allen (l.) and Ray Dolby switchable SR/A-type OEM module (r.) were presented their Oscars by Angie Dickenson. introduced at NAB. June 1989 ®©A.M.P.A.S. Dolby Model 400, software controlled Spring 1987 SR/A-type unit, introduced at APRS, Production quantities of Cat. No. 431 SR London. modules manufactured. The Cat. No. 431 SR module Model 400, the first software- was designed for use in Dolby First consumer product to incorporate controlled Dolby NR unit. SP and XP multitrack NR Joint effort with Graham Patten Systems to Dolby Time Link digital delay introduced. units. 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- ®N.A.T.A.S. 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 October 1989 February 1991 Dolby S-type, new consumer noise Development of Dolby Digital, with reduction system derived from Dolby SR, compatible SR•D 35 mm prints providing DP500 Series codecs were the first to utilize the Dolby AC-2 demonstrated to Far Eastern licensees and both digital and analog optical sound- algorithm. 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 provides automatic alignment. licensees and press in London. and Milan during summer and autumn.

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. August 1991 April 1990 Introduction of Dolby CP65 Cinema Dolby 3 Stereo for stereo television sets Processor for playback of all 35 mm analog introduced. optical formats and interface with new

Dolby Digital format. The CP65 became the best- June 1990 selling Dolby cinema processor Release of 100th Dolby Stereo SR film, September 1991 ever. Robocop 2. Dolby DP5500 Series DSTL™ system, world’s first all-digital studio-to-transmitter August 1990 link, demonstrated at NAB Radio ‘91 in Demonstration in San Francisco of San Francisco. advanced NTSC television system combining Dolby AC-2 stereo digital First STACE Award, in memory of Dolby The Dolby DP5500 Series audio and Faroudja Research Enterprises’ Laboratories’ long-time National Sales DSTL™ system, the world’s SuperNTSC video. Administrator Stacey Rehm, presented by first all-digital studio-to- transmitter link. Theater Equipment Association to Sam Sanyo releases LV1000, first IC incorpo- Feldman of National Amusements, rating Dolby Time Link digital delay. honoring “commitment to advancement of technology in film exhibition.” September 1990 Dolby Model 422 B/C/S encoder October 1991 The Dolby Model 422 provides tape duplicators with S-type as introduced at AES. Dolby 430 Series background noise well as B-type and C-type NR. suppressor, based on modified version of November 1990 Dolby SR, introduced. First 1" 24-track recorders with Dolby Dolby Cat. No. 430 background noise supressor, S-type, Tascam MSR-24S and Fostex December 1991 based on Dolby SR. G24S, introduced. TV2 Denmark is first European broadcaster to produce Dolby Surround pro- December 1990 gramming regularly, beginning with Victor First production cassette decks with Borge New Year’s Eve concert. Dolby S-type shipped, Harman-Kardon TD4600 and TD4800. January 1992 1992 Lower-cost A-type/SR multitrack unit, Dolby Technologies: How They Work, Dolby SRP Series, announced. consumer information laser disc, released. Video cassette version follows in 1991. April 1992 Dolby DP90, all-new AC-1 encoder, 1991 January 1991 introduced at NAB convention in Las

HBO announces expanded use of Dolby Vegas. Lower-cost SRP Series Surround on original programming, brings multitrack Dolby SR within reach of smaller including all music specials. May 1992 studios. First Dolby DSTL system installed at WWKX FM, Providence, RI.

7 June 1992 September 1993 First film released in Dolby Digital, First single-chip processor (ZR38000) 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- The Model DA10 Dolby Digital processor and Cat. No. 699 digital specific AC-3 ICs announced for second Digital adapter and Cat. No. 699 digital soundtrack reader. soundtrack reader. quarter of 1994.

Dolby Model 740 Spectral Processor, new Autumn 1993

The Dolby Model 740 intro- type of dynamic equalizer, introduced at Premier Television in Germany is first Zoran introduces first single- duced recording and broadcast APRS in London. European satellite broadcaster to transmit chip processor capable of engineers to a new kind of Dolby AC-3 digital audio dynamic EQ. live sports programs in Dolby Surround. coding and decoding. First used in second-generation Granada Televison becomes first UK DA20 Dolby Digital film broadcaster to produce original Dolby October 1993 sound adapter. Surround programming. Digital HDTV Grand Alliance selects Dolby AC-3 to provide digital surround July 1992 sound for U.S. HDTV system. BMG Classics announces all new pre- recorded audio cassettes to utilize Dolby First rock recording mixed in Dolby S-type beginning in October. Surround, “Pictures at an Exhibition,” released on Emerson, Lake & Palmer CD NBC uses Model 430 background noise The Return of the Manticore. suppressor for location broadcasts of Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. November 1993 First ISDN transmission utilizing Dolby August 1992 AC-2 coding (Burbank, CA to London). Zoran Corp. to develop Dolby AC-3 ICs for implementing consumer format based January 1994 1994 on Dolby Digital film format. First shipments of DA20 adapter and Cat. No. 700 soundhead, streamlined second- 1993 January 1993 generation hardware for playback of Dolby Dolby European headquarters relocated Digital films. from London to new facility in Wootton Second-generation DA20 Dolby Laboratories’ new Bassett, Wiltshire. Dolby DSTL™ digital studio-transmitter Dolby Digital adapter and Cat. European headquarters, No. 700 soundtrack reader Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, link with twice the power of the original reduce cost to equip theatres for Dolby Digital playback. England. Stalingrad, first non-U.S. Dolby Digital model introduced. production, opens in ten theatres equipped for Dolby Digital playback in Germany, March 1994 Austria, and Switzerland. Dolby Fax™ for linking worldwide facilities with digital audio begins U.S. sales. February 1993 WEA announces all new prerecorded audio DP521 and DP522 AC-3 digital encoders cassettes to utilize Dolby S-type beginning and decoders introduced. in summer. Dolby Fax system for transmitting high-quality audio May 1994 over ISDN lines introduced. 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. Two-channel DP521 Dolby AC-3 digital encoder and April 1993 France Supervision launches Dolby DP522 decoder for HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) Surround programming with broadcast of applications such as DBS and cable systems. officially opens Dolby Laboratories’ new Roland Garros tennis championship. European headquarters at Wootton Bassett. August 1994 Princess Anne officially opens the new Wootton Bassett May 1993 Fox Network begins broadcasting entire facility. First French Dolby Digital productions, NFL season in Dolby Surround. Ma Saison Préférée and Toxic Affair, 3375 Barham Boulevard, Los screened at Cannes Festival. Hollywood Film Division relocates to Angeles, new home to Dolby Laboratories’ Hollywood Film expanded facilities at 3375 Barham Division. August 1993 Boulevard, Los Angeles. First 35 mm soundhead capable of reading both analog and Dolby Digital optical October 1994 New DP523 encoder (upper tracks introduced by Cinemeccanica. Model DP523, two-channel digital audio unit) supports Dolby AC-2 encoder supporting AC-2 and AC-3 at as and AC-3 (shown with companion DP524 decoder many as four data rates, introduced. introduced Spring 1995).

8 November 1994 CP500 digital cinema processor introduced Interview with the Vampire is 100th Dolby at ShowEast in Atlantic City, combining Digital release. More than 120 foreign playback electronics for both analog and language versions of Dolby Digital titles digital Dolby encoded soundtracks. Dolby CP500 digital cinema released to date. processor. November 1995 Screening room completed at European FCC’s ATSAC recommends adoption of New screening room at European headquarters. headquarters in Wootton Bassett. ATSC digital TV system with Dolby AC-3 audio as U.S. digital TV standard. 1995 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 March 1995 convention in Singapore. Lower-cost Dolby CP45 West Coast Live becomes first live U.S. processor enables smaller radio show regularly broadcast in Dolby 21 consumer products with Dolby Digital theatres to equip for reproduction of Dolby A-type and Surround. decoding shown at CES, Las Vegas; 11 SR soundtracks. manufacturers display DVD-Video New U.S. manufacturing facility opens in products. Brisbane, CA, near 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 New U.S. manufacturing Dolby format to win Academy Award for announced Dolby Digital film titles surpass facility in Brisbane, CA, just south of San Francisco. 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 introduced; 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 Convention, Copenhagen. 9 New DP503 encoder featuring Dolby February 1997 DP503 encoder provides AC-2, Dolby AC-3 and MPEG-1 LII First combination laser disc/DVD-Video MPEG Layer II coding as well coding also previewed at AES convention. players delivered to U.S. retailers. as both Dolby AC-2 and Dolby AC-3. The first DVD video discs and June 1996 March 1997 players, which feature Dolby Digital audio, were delivered to First cinema multiplex in Latin America The English Patient (1996), released U.S. retailers in the first quarter with Dolby Digital on all screens, Cinemex exclusively in Dolby Digital, wins Academy of 1997. 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 100th laser disc with 5.1-channel Dolby First software Dolby Digital decoder using Digital audio, Twister, released. MMX™ technology announced by Intel.

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. April 1997 First European NTSC laser disc in Dolby Dolby DP562 reference decoder with Digital, French-language version of Judge 5.1-channel Dolby Digital and digitally Twister, the 100th laser disc Dredd, released. implemented 4-channel Pro Logic released with a Dolby Digital Dolby DP562 Reference soundtrack. decoding introduced at NAB Convention, Decoder provides 5.1-channel October 1996 Las Vegas. Dolby Digital and 4-channel Record 3,500 Dolby Digital processors Pro Logic decoding. 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, screened at ShowEast, Atlantic City. May 1997 Ray Dolby named by President Clinton as November 1996 recipient of National Medal of Technology. Dolby Surround Tools TDM Plug-Ins for Digidesign Pro Tools workstations Dolby Digital is only digital format played demonstrated at AES Convention, Los at the Cannes Film Festival, including Angeles. opening and closing films, The Fifth Element and Absolute Power. Dolby Surround Tools Plug- Dolby Net, low bit-rate version of Dolby Ins provide Dolby Surround Digital, introduced for low-bandwidth June 1997 encoding and Dolby Pro Logic decoding (pictured) for use on applications such as real-time streaming Dolby DP561B Dolby Digital encoder Pro Tools workstations. Internet audio. introduced featuring lower cost and compliance with European CE specifica- First DVD-Video players delivered to tions for RF emissions and susceptibility. retailers in Japan. July 1997 December 1996 Sales of Dolby Digital cinema processors FCC adopts digital TV standard for U.S. top 10,000; released and announced Dolby with Dolby Digital as multichannel digital Digital film titles surpass 940 with more surround-sound coding of choice. 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 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio. Dolby DP561B 5.1-channel with Dolby Pro Logic introduced by Volvo Dolby Digital encoder features at Detroit Motor Show. lower cost and CE compliance. British Academy of Film and Television 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, introduced 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.”

December 1997 March 1998 Scientific and Technical 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 and implementation of the discs, same as NTSC discs, enabling digital film sound format. CP500 Digital Cinema worldwide release of discs with only Dolby Processor.” Digital soundtracks. May 1998 DIRECTV announces first broadcasts with 1998 January 1998 Dolby Digital 5.1-channel audio, DDS 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 5.1-channel Dolby Digital Meluch, Scott Robinson, Wilson Allen and audio. John Neary presented with Scientific and 1,380 feature films with Dolby Digital 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