One of the major players in the surround sound game is the Dolby Digital technology that is used by many of the new systems. When we go to the theater, they often advertise that the movie we are about to see is being broadcast with “Dolby Digital Surround Sound.” This is supposed to impress the moviegoers and the home theater system purchasers. But does anybody actually know what the Dolby Digital technology consists of? There are many variations within the Dolby Digital technology, but the basic idea remains the same throughout the variations.

The Dolby Digital title refers to the digital enhancement of sending and receiving audio signals for audio equipment. As they were one of the predecessors of this type of technology and also being marketed well, the system is now widely accepted as being the leader in the field and ensuring it’s wide spread use in most audio systems.

Having the ability to support several channels the Dolby Digital technology enables the ability to disseminate in mono or stereo quality. Used primarily in digital equipment like CD players, Tv’s and DVD’s and of course the movie theaters there is a variation that is used in the video gaming industry to make that feeling even more realistic.

Dolby Digital was born 50 years ago by a man by the name of Ray Dolby, hence the Dolby Digital name. He wanted to eradicate or reduce the white noise and static that plagued the audio equipment at the time. Clarity of audio was degraded by this static noise so when the solution he found was released it quickly became the standard for record companies and movie theater production.

From these humble beginnings the technology has grown into the behemoth we know today. The movie theaters had a more compressed format that is used to take advantage of the multiple layers of channel distribution. The very first time this technology was used effectively to the masses was though a movie called “Batman Returns”. The resulting sound gave the audience a more clearer sound that was appreciated by all, and as a result the Dolby Digital system was and still is used by movie theaters around the world.

The original Dolby Digital moves onward, having made it’s mark the technology has and will continue to improve over time. It’s legacy of changing the way moviegoers experience the theater continues with further immersion of sight and sound melding together to enhance the story and helping to create a pleasant and sometimes exciting memory. Having jumped from an elitist movie theater experience to the home was the next logical step. Home theaters have become the “in thing” where surround sound systems blast acoustic sounds in waves that vibrate the bones of the audience, it is no wonder that Dolby Digital is embraced and applauded for it’s contribution to entertainment.