Dolby Professional Reference Decoder DP580

Comprehensive Decoding, Monitoring, and Analysis  

The Dolby Professional Reference Decoder DP580 replaces all the functionalities of the DP568, while adding new capabilities and features. As the first reference Dolby TrueHD decoder, the Dolby DP580 enables validation of associated Dolby TrueHD signals encoded in the Metadata-enhanced Audio Transmission (MAT) format. This type of validation has not been previously available for any testing environment.

The Dolby DP580 also monitors the enhanced features of Dolby Digital Plus, including secondary audio bitstream mixing and 7.1-channel decoding. It provides a real-time reference tool for generating signals for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Digital.

Quality Control and Loudness Monitoring

With the DP580, broadcasters can perform quality control at any point within their headends. It also enables monitoring, display, and logging of all audio-related metadata. Program loudness measurement options include:

Leq(A) with Dolby Dialogue Intelligence

ITU-R BS.1770-1 with Dolby Dialogue Intelligence

ITU-R BS.1770-2 with and without Dolby Dialogue Intelligence

EBU Mode loudness estimation

Flexibility and Versatility

Further capabilities include support for HDMI with Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) device emulation, allowing emulation of HDMI repeater/sink devices such as A/V receivers and HDTVs. The many additional features include: 

Monitoring capabilities for emulating set-top box behavior in QC environments

Consumer Emulation mode for Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby multistream decoders

Support for MPEG-2 transport stream with H.264 and MPEG-2 video decoding to verify audio/video synchronization

Standard analog and digital audio and video outputs (including HDMI)

Support for HDMI Audio Return Channel

Error detection and information logging (pause burst, IEC 61937 data types, and consumer electronics control [CEC] message)

Web-based user interface for easy selection and monitoring of the unique downmixing capabilities, listening modes, and compression modes of Dolby technologies

Headphone output for confidence monitoring

Web services API to enable automated test operations

Rear Panel Inputs/Outputs

ASI/SDI Input

One autodetecting BNC female connector, 75Ω, unbalanced
Autodetects and supports SD-SDI (SMPTE 259M-1998), 1.5 GB/s HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M-1998), 3.0 GB/s HD-SDI (SMPTE 424M-2008), or DVB-ASI (ETSI TR 101 891 v1.1.1)

Supports processing of one stereo pair within the 16 embedded audio channels in SDI

SDI Out

One autodetecting BNC female connector, 75Ω, unbalanced
(This feature will be enabled in a future software release.)

AES Input

One BNC female connector, unbalanced, 75Ω, signal levels per AES-3id-1995 (SMPTE 276M)
Supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby E, HE AAC, and PCM input

Digital Audio Outputs

Four HD-BNC female connectors, unbalanced, 75Ω, signal levels per AES-3id-1995 (SMPTE 276M)
Provides PCM, Dolby Digital, or Dolby Digital Plus output

Analog Audio Outputs

Eight-channel analog output via DB25 male connector, Tascam® compliant

HDMI Output

HDMI output with support for uncompressed video, multichannel PCM audio, and Audio Return Channel

HDMI Input

HDMI input with support for uncompressed video, multichannel PCM audio, and Audio Return Channel

Media Ethernet Port

RJ45 connector for 1000Base-T Ethernet; supports MPEG-2 transport streams over UDP/RTP with IGMPv3

Control Ethernet Port

RJ45 connector for 1000Base-T Ethernet; provides status and control through a web-based user interface

Processing Capabilities

Audio Decoding Algorithms

Dolby TrueHD, MLP Lossless™, Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3); Dolby Digital (AC-3); Dolby E, AAC, HE AAC v1, HE AAC v2 with Dolby metadata; Dolby Pro Logic® IIx; MPEG-1 LII

Video Formats Supported

H.264, MPEG-2
HD: 1080i at 25, 29.97, and 30 fps; 1080p at 25, 29.97, 30, 50, and 60 fps; 720p at 59.94, 60, and 50 fps
SD: 480i at 29.97 fps and 576i at 25 fps

Loudness Estimation/Algorithms

ITU-R BS.1770-1 audio loudness measurement with Dialogue Intelligence, patented

ITU-R BS.1770-2 audio loudness measurement with Dialogue Intelligence, patented

ITU-R BS.1770-2 audio loudness measurement

Leq(A) audio loudness measurement with Dialogue Intelligence, patented

EBU Mode (EBU R128)

Peak Measurement

True peak per ITU-R BS.1770-1 Annex 2

Environmental Characteristics

Power Specifications

100–240 VAC, 50–60 Hz, autosensing, 350 W, designed to operate from a centrally switched power source
Front-panel power switch
Field-replaceable power supply

Dimensions and Weight

1-U rackmount: 44 × 483 × 394 mm (1.75 × 19 × 15.50 inches)
Net: 6.5 kg (14.5 lb)

Environmental Conditions

Operating: 0°C–40°C (32°F–104°F), fan cooling, 20%–80% relative humidity (noncondensing)

Regulatory Notices

North America: UL, FCC, and CE compliant
Europe: complies with the European Union Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHs), as amended by Commission Decisions 2005/618/EC, 2005/717/EC, 2005/747/EC (RoHs Directive), and WEEE

Product Manual

Dolby Professional Reference Decoder DP580 Product Manual 

Specification Sheet

Dolby Professional Reference Decoder DP580 Specifications Sheet