Dolby® E is a professional audio coding system that makes multichannel audio distribution easy.

Helps broadcasters distribute surround and multichannel audio throughout the broadcast chain prior to transmission

Enables distribution of up to eight channels of audio, plus metadata and timecode, via existing two-channel broadcast infrastructures

Ensures effortless switching, editing, encoding, and decoding, and simplified audio/video synchronization

Includes access to the Dolby E Partner Program to help you plan your product purchase and system design decisions as well as create a clear path in your facility for realizing the benefits of Dolby E technology

Dolby E is a professional digital audio coding technology that is optimized for the distribution of surround and multichannel audio through digital two-channel postproduction and broadcasting infrastructures.

Dolby E enables the distribution of up to eight channels of audio via any stereo (AES/EBU) channel or via a recording onto two audio tracks of conventional digital videotapes, video servers, communication links, switchers, and routers.

The Dolby E signal doesn’t reach viewers at home; it is decoded back to baseband audio just prior to the final DTV transmission, and then re-encoded into the final audio format specified by the various DTV emission systems.

By matching the frame rate of the video it accompanies, Dolby E ensures effortless switching, editing, and successful encoding and decoding throughout the stages of the broadcast chain. Dolby E also gives content providers unprecedented control of program reproduction over time by including both consumer and professional metadata.

Finally, the Dolby E Partner Program provides you with a wealth of critical information about Dolby E compatibility with professional broadcast products, helping you clear a path in your facility for maximizing the benefits of Dolby E technology.

Why Dolby

With Dolby E, broadcasters can carry up to eight channels of audio using existing stereo equipment. A single AES/EBU pair on digital videotapes, video servers, communication links, switchers, and routers also can carry the Dolby E signal.

Dolby E can be repeatedly encoded and decoded throughout the broadcast chain without any discernable loss of audio quality. Dolby E also ensures that audio frames are synchronous with video frames, enabling programs to be switched and edited without having to decode the audio beforehand.

Regardless of the broadcast system’s complexity, Dolby E makes it easy to keep audio and video in sync by offering the easily quantifiable latency of exactly one frame per encode or decode.

With metadata embedded within its bitstream, Dolby E is designed to carry up to a 5.1 surround mix prior to transmission in Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus. By supporting up to eight audio channels, a single Dolby E stream can carry a complete 5.1 surround soundtrack, as well as an alternative two-track version, all in the space previously used by a conventional stereo signal. Those additional tracks can be used for a stereo or Dolby Surround mix, a foreign language version, or specialized tracks such as those for the hearing impaired.

We also include access to the Dolby E Partner Program to help you plan your product purchase and system design decisions. This program provides broadcasters and system designers with a clear path to realizing the benefits of Dolby E in your facility.

Program highlights for equipment manufacturers include:

Technical assistance in the development of new products or the modification of existing products

Access to recognized and respected Dolby logos

Promotion of member companies and products

No-cost membership

Marketing opportunities
Equipment manufacturers: If you are interested in participating in this program, or would like to add Dolby E enocding/decoding to your broadcast product, please contact us at Dolby Laboratories.