Harmonic, Dolby reach Digital Plus deal

Dolby Laboratories, and Harmonic reached a deal where Harmonic will support Dolby(R) Digital Plus, Dolby’s next-generation audio technology for high-definition programming, in Harmonic’s future products. Harmonic and Dolby are closely collaborating on cost-effective, integrated solutions that would streamline the audio/video service provider’s delivery architecture with several key advanced audio features.

Dolby Digital Plus offers the same quality available today with Dolby Digital but requires less bandwidth while maintaining compatibility with millions of existing Dolby Digital receivers. Built on Dolby Digital, the sound of DVD and HD broadcasts worldwide, Dolby Digital Plus was designed for the delivery formats of the future, including H.264 and VC-1. All Dolby Digital Plus decoders provide an output stream fully compatible with all current A/V receivers.

“Harmonic and Dolby share a common goal of providing broadcasters with the technologies and products that ease the delivery and enhance the quality of content provided to viewers,” said Jeff Nelson, Broadcast Channel Manager, Dolby Laboratories. “With next-generation systems such as IPTV, Dolby Digital Plus offers broadcasters the flexibility to deliver higher quality audio at a reduced data rate.”

Dolby is demonstrating Dolby Digital Plus at the National Association of Broadcasters Conference and Expo in its booth (SU2923) April 24-27 in Las Vegas.