Two New Codecs Chosen for Blu-Ray Format

have been approveDolby Digital Plus and MLP Lossless audio technologies d for the next-generation Blu-ray Disc.

Blu-ray Disc was developed to enable recording, rewriting, and playback of high-definition (HD) video and to store large amounts of data (25 GB for single layer, 50 GB for dual layer on asingle-sided disc). In addition to the Dolby technologies mentioned above as optional codecs, the BDA selected Dolby Digital as a mandatory audio standard for Blu-ray Disc in September 2004.

Dolby Digital Plus is an extension of Dolby Digital, an approved audio standard for DVD-Video worldwide and for North American digital cable and digital television broadcasting. While providing bit-rate and channel extendibility for future formats, Dolby Digital Plus is designed to be fully compatible with the millions of A/V receivers equipped with Dolby Digital technology in the market today.

Dolby Digital Plus is also designed to offer discrete channel coverage to 7.1 or more channels, as well as new streaming and mixing capabilities for the future needs of content creators and providers. Consumers may one day watch a feature-length movie with the director’s commentary streamed directly from the studio’s website.

MLP Lossless technology, licensed by Dolby, fulfills both industry content creation and consumer demand for lossless audio in next-generation media. Bit-for-bit identical during playback to the original studio masters, MLP Lossless enables discrete multichannel reproduction beyond present 5.1 or 7.1 applications. Additionally, MLP Lossless coding efficiencies enable more bits to be allocated to picture quality and special features. Discs with MLP Lossless can provide extremely high digital audio quality and ample data space for value-added content.