At IFA in Berlin, Dolby Laboratories will be running a technical demonstration of its Volume technology for home audio systems, including audio/video receivers, home-theater-in-a-box systems, and stereo audio systems.

First announced at 2007 International CES, Dolby Volume brings a novel approach to delivering consistent volume levels across a wide variety of channel programming or input sources. This technology performs measurement, analysis, and control of volume levels according to a psychoacoustic model based on the characteristics of human hearing.

Dolby Volume complements Dolby Digital (AC-3), the de facto standard for surround sound in DVB-based broadcasting, as well as the audio standard for DVD-Video and for DTV broadcasting in North America. Dolby Digital as implemented in digital broadcast, DVD, and next-generation high-definition optical media contains a mechanism for controlling loudness through the digital broadcast chain by the use of audio metadata, specifically the dialogue normalization parameter, which indicates the average program loudness.

“To get the most out of high-definition entertainment today, you need the right content and outstanding playback devices,” said Robin Dyer, Vice President, EMEA, Dolby Laboratories. “To improve the entertainment experience, Dolby Volume is designed to put control in the hands of consumers so that they can enjoy their favorite music and movies without having to constantly check volume levels or reach for the remote control. We’re excited about the opportunity to extend the benefits of this technology to people using home audio systems."

At IFA, Dolby is demonstrating the technical capabilities of Volume, a technology not available yet in consumer electronics devices.

Story filed 31.08.07