Miles Sound System SDK 7.2a

Miles Dolby Surround Provider

Discussion

The Miles Dolby Surround provider is accessed by passing MSS_MC_DOLBY_SURROUND as the channel specification in a call to AIL_open_digital_driver or AIL_quick_startup. It is a run-time surround sound encoder, implemented in a so-called 'matrix' output filter. Using multi-speaker systems like those from Cambridge Soundworks, Boston Acoustics, and Altec Lansing (or any other surround sound system), the Dolby Surround provider can steer audio to the rear speakers - allowing real (non-simulated) 3D sound positioning.

Note that using the Miles Dolby Surround matrix filter does not give you the right to use the Dolby Logo. To use the Dolby logo, you must become a Dolby Surround licensee (the criteria to do this are listed below).

Overview of Dolby Surround

A Dolby Surround soundtrack carries four audio channels (left, center, right, and surround) in a two-channel stereo format. Creating a Dolby Surround soundtrack involves mixing down these four audio channels and encoding then into a final stereo mix using a Dolby Surround encoder (like the run-time version built into Miles). For linear tracks, a Dolby Surround encoder, model SEU-4, and Dolby Surround decoder, model SDU-4, are used. There is also a plug-in available for users of Digidesign's Pro Tools system.

For sound effects which need to be positioned on the fly, you should use the Miles Dolby Surround matrix filter.

On Becoming a Dolby Surround Licensee

In order to become a Dolby Surround Licensee, which grants you the right to use the Dolby Surround Logo, four basic criteria need to be met:

I. You must use a Dolby-approved, real-time encoding scheme, such as the Miles Dolby Surround provider.

II. You must use a Dolby-approved Surround facility to encode the linear audio in your game.

III. You must sign a royalty-free trademark agreement, which grants a license to use the Dolby Surround trademark, subject to these conditions.

IV. You must send a sample of the finished title at, or prior to, the time of release.

For more information on becoming a Surround licensee, or to request a licensing agreement, please contact Dolby directly:

Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
Encoding Services Department
100 Potrero Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94103-4813
Tel: 415-558-0200
Fax: 415-863-1373

For more information on producing in Dolby Surround, please visit the Dolby web-site.

For technical questions on producing content in Dolby Surround, please E-mail.

To request a licensing agreement via email, please E-mail.

Related Sections: Miles Dolby Surround Provider
Related Functions: AIL_open_digital_driver, AIL_quick_startup