A Guide to Audio for HDTV in Europe

Overview		Production		Distribution		Transmission		Set-Top Box Requirements

To get 5.1 audio to the consumer, what does my set-top box need to support?

Current generation HD DVB set-top boxes feature both a bitstream output and a two-channel Dolby^® Digital decoder. The bitstream output allows an incoming Dolby Digital audio stream to be passed directly to a home theater system for decoding and presentation in 5.1 to the home listener. The two-channel decoder provides a stereo downmix of the stream for presentation on the analog outputs such as those used for the VCR. The inclusion of the decoder in the box is essential for receiving services that feature Dolby Digital audio only.

For receiving transmissions of Dolby Digital Plus audio, next-generation set-top boxes will use a Dolby Digital Plus decoder. This decoder is capable of downmixing the broadcast audio to mono or stereo if required, or outputting the full 5.1 mix as a Dolby Digital bitstream. The Dolby Digital output can be connected to any conventional Dolby Digital home theater system, ensuring that the largest audience possible will be able to hear the 5.1 mix.

Learn more about including Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus in a DVB transmission system by contacting the Dolby broadcast systems group or your local Dolby distributor.