Barco and Doremi partner to develop industry’s first DCI-compliant next-generation 3-dimensional sound system

December 5, 2011

Source: Barco

Barco has teamed up with media block technology leader Doremi to bring the first DCI-compliant 3D sound system to the cinema market. Auro-3D, powered by Barco and Auro Technologies, is an audio system that creates true 3-dimensional sound.

Doremi will integrate the Auro-3D codec in their Integrated Media Block (IMB) to create the first DCI-compliant multi-channel audio format for cinema exhibitors. In addition, the Auro-3D® codec allows for single inventory distribution compatible with current and future standards.

“At Doremi, we always strive to provide the latest technology to the industry,” comments Michael Archer, VP of Digital Cinema at Doremi. “We are proud to help bring the revolutionary Auro-3D sound system to the digital cinema market. The fact that we were the first to pass the CTP and become DCI-compliant with our IMB solidifies our commitment to the exhibition community. Given Doremi's long-term relationship with Barco, it was natural for us to be the first to implement this technology.”

“Thanks to our partnership with Doremi, we've enabled content providers to maintain a single inventory distribution format and distribute multi-channel 3D audio files to theaters in a way that satisfies all the security and watermarking requirements mandated by the DCI specification,” says Brian Claypool, Senior Director Strategic Business Development at Barco. “In this way, we can offer cinema exhibitors next-generation DCI-compliant sound technology that is extremely simple to use and integrate it with our DCI-compliant digital cinema projection systems.”

Natural sound in 3D

The Auro-3D sound system elevates the cinema sound experience to an amazing level of auditory acuity. The technology achieves natural 3-dimensional sound reproduction, so that movie-goers hear sounds from their relative origination point in the theater – and it does so in a simple and cost-effective way. While traditional surround sound has two spatial axes, the Auro-3D format, designed by Wilfried Van Baelen, uses three layers: surround, plus height and top. The system deploys additional speakers in the upper portions of the auditorium to add the extra dimension and deliver a truly enveloping aural experience.

Auro-3D is fully compatible with today's predominant audio standards: stereo and 5.1 surround. Its speaker layout is defined for up to 13.1, with 11.1 being the ideal solution for commercial movie theaters. In addition, the Auro-3D codec enables single inventory distribution, which allows the content to be transported using the market's current standards without the burden of adding additional license keys or alternative playlists to the distribution.

Leading exhibitors on three continents have already successfully installed Auro-3D, bringing the Auro-3D install base into the double digits. Auro-3D continues to gain traction with additional installations in progress around the globe.

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