Zapex Technologies and Dolby Laboratories Partner to Deliver Industry-Leading MPEG-2 and Digital Audio Systems
08:13 a.m. Mar 03, 1997 EST
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 1997--Zapex Technologies Inc., a developer of high-quality MPEG-2 video compression engines, and Dolby Laboratories Inc., the leader in surround sound technology development, today announced a joint development and marketing agreement under which they will provide compression systems that enable broadcasters and other content providers to deliver exceptionally high quality digital audio and video through satellite systems, digital video discs (DVD), the Internet, and corporate networks.
Under the terms of the agreement, Zapex will incorporate Dolby Laboratories' Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio-coding technology into its soon-to-be-released MPEG-2 video encoding and MPEG-2/Dolby Digital audio encoding system.
Dolby will validate that this joint design board meets Dolby's stringent demands for audio quality and will license Zapex to use the Dolby trademark on their digital audio/video encoding systems. As part of the agreement, Dolby Laboratories has full rights to the hardware design.
"Combining our state-of-the art MPEG-2 compression algorithms and flexible architecture with Dolby Digital audio coding technology allows us to offer video professionals an unparalleled system for delivering quality audio and video at the lowest possible bit rates," said John Chun, vice president of marketing for Zapex Technologies.
"Our first product, scheduled for release later this month, will set the standard for digital video performance, enabling broadcasters to deliver an outstanding audio/video experience at the lowest possible transmission bit rates."
Dolby Digital is an advanced perceptual coding technology for transmission and storage of up to five full-range channels, plus a supplemental bass-only effects channel. Thanks to Dolby Laboratories' unique experience with audio noise reduction, Dolby Digital yields higher sound quality and allows multichannel surround sound to be encoded at a lower bit rate than is required by just one channel on a compact disc.
Commercially, Dolby Digital is used in Dolby's digital film format and on the audio tracks of the latest generation laser discs. It has also been adopted as the audio format for the Digital Video Disc (DVD) and for high definition television (HDTV) in the United States.
Commenting on the agreement, Larry Poor, Director of Technology Marketing at Dolby Laboratories, said: "Zapex and Dolby share the common commitment to delivering the highest quality audio at remarkably low data rates. Using Dolby's breakthrough Digital audio delivery, users can enjoy an enhanced audio experience.
"We selected Zapex as a technology partner for Dolby Digital encoding because of their sophisticated audio compression hardware capabilities. With this technology partnership, Dolby will be able to continue to deliver to it's customers cost effective, encoding solutions." About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories is the developer of audio signal processing systems used worldwide in consumer audio and video products, in consumer audio and video entertainment software, and in professional sound applications that include music recording, broadcasting, and motion picture sound. The privately held company is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York and Los Angeles and European headquarters in England. About Zapex Technologies
Zapex Technologies is committed to being the leading worldwide supplier of standards-based audio/video compression engines. The company's core MPEG-2 encoding technology delivers the industry's highest-quality, most efficient compression performance. Zapex compression engines are used by companies that deliver digital video to target audiences through satellite and broadcast television, DVD, the Internet and corporate networks.
Located in Mountain View, Zapex Technologies will deliver its first commercially available product to market in the first quarter of 1997. For more information, contact Zapex Technologies, 1927 Landings Drive, Mountain View, California 94043, telephone: 415/254-2380, fax: 415/254-2399. URL: zapex.com . |
