A Clockwork Orange (1971) was the first film with Dolby sound that utilized Dolby noise reduction on all pre-mixes and masters, but with traditional optical soundtrack on release prints. Callan (1974) became the first film with a Dolby encoded optical soundtrack. In 1975 Dolby introduced Dolby Stereo including a noise reduction system as well as more audio channels (it could have additional center and surround channels matrixed from the left and right). The first film with A Dolby encoded stereo optical soundtrack was Lisztomania (1975), but it was only made in an LCR (Left-Center-Right) encoding technique. The first movie containing the true LCRS (Left-Center-Right Surround) encoded soundtrack was called A Star is Born in 1976. Having reworked the system a bit for home viewing, Dolby released Dolby Surround, which only extracted a surround channel, and the more advanced Dolby Pro Logic, which actually was the domestic counterpart of the theatrical Dolby Stereo.
Dolby engineers also developed a digital surround compression scheme for the movie. Dolby Stereo Digital (now simply known as Dolby Digital) was first encoded on the 1992 film Batman Returns. Another Dolby format, AC-3 (the film Clear and Present Danger was offered at the home theater market on a laserdisc in 1995) did not make much profit in the consumer market and eventually became part of the DVD specification. Dolby Digital was included in the High Definition Television (Advanced Television Systems Television, HDTV and ATSC respectively) standard of the USA, DVD-players, and a lot of satellite-TV and cable TV receivers. TV series The Simpsons used the Dolby digital surround sound compression scheme.
In 2005, the corporation offered its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, claiming to become public under the symbol DLB. The same year it celebrated the 40-anniversary.
In 2007, the company presented Dolby Volume at the International Consumer Electronics Show. It provides users with an opportunity to keep up a steady volume while switching from one channel to another.
On June 18, 2010, Dolby announced the arrival of Dolby Surround 7.1, which became widespread in the world market. The first movie released with this format was Pixars Toy Story 3. Later 50 more releases came out using the format. In April 2012, there were 3,600 Dolby Surround 7.1 movie theaters. In the same month a new cinematic technology, Dolby Atmos, was introduced by the company.
Essential glossary
reduction уменьшение, сокращение
found основать
compander компандер, расширитель
capability способность
process обрабатывать (данные, информацию)
veil скрывать, маскировать
consumer потребитель
investigation исследование
frequency response частотная характеристика
intelligibility разборчивость, отчётливость, внятность
pre-emphasis предыскажение, предварительная коррекция
distortion искажение, деформация
utilize использовать
pre-mix предварительное микширование
master первый оригинал
home viewing домашний просмотр
domestic домашний
counterpart аналог, копия, двойник
profit выгода, прибыль
satellite спутник
receiver приёмник, принимающее устройство
share акция
keep up поддерживать
SUBJECT AND LANGUAGE STUDY
Reading
3. Scan the text to finish the sentences.
1) The first issue produced by the company was
2) A notable American engineer and businessperson Henry Kloss talked Ray Dolby into producing
3) The first film with Dolby sound that used Dolby noise reduction on all pre-mixes and masters, although with traditional optical soundtrack on release prints was
4 The film A Star is Born contained the true
5) In 2010, Dolby announced the arrival of
4. Read the text in more detail to answer the questions.
1) What does Dolby Labs specialize in?
2) Who established the company?
3) What was the main feature that set Dolbys compander, Type A Dolby Noise Reduction, apart from the others?
4) What conclusion was made by Dolbys analysts of the limitations in optical sound?
5) What was the first movie that used Dolby noise reduction, though not in the final version?
6) What film was the first real LCRS soundtrack encoded on?
7) Where was the digital surround sound compression scheme employed?
8) Which system enables consumers to maintain an invariable volume while switching through program elements or channels?
9) When was Dolby Surround 7.1 introduced?
5. Find the English equivalents of the following words and expressions in the text.
Обыкновенный компандер; выдающийся американский инженер и бизнесмен; сильный фоновый шум; немного переделав (изменив) систему; не принёс большой прибыли на потребительском рынке; соответственно; выставила свои акции на Нью-Йоркской фондовой бирже; 40-я годовщина (со дня основания).
6. Match the films in the left column with the new techniques encoded on them.
Grammar revision: the passive voice 2
We use the Passive Voice to say what happens to the subject:
1) when the agent of the action is unimportant, unknown or obvious from the context:
A few new studios have been built this year.
2) if we want to sound more formal or polite:
The document hasnt been sent. (Instead of: You havent sent the document.)
3) when the action itself is more important than who or what does it (in technological processes, reports, newspaper headings, manuals, instructions, regulations etc.):
Dolby Stereo Digital was first encoded in 1992.
4) to put more emphasis on the agent:
The awarding ceremony will be opened by the company president.
We form the passive voice with the verb to be and the past participle of the main verb:
Dolby Stereo Digital was first encoded in 1992.
4) to put more emphasis on the agent:
The awarding ceremony will be opened by the company president.
We form the passive voice with the verb to be and the past participle of the main verb:
be (is/was/have been etc.) + the past participle (made/ washed/done etc.)
In 2012, a new cinematic technology, Dolby Atmos, was introduced by the company. (past simple passive)
A new digital surround sound compression scheme is being developed by Dolby engineers for this movie. (present continuous passive)
See Unit 1 for more information about the passive voice.
7. Rewrite these sentences in the Passive Voice.
1) Ray Dolby founded the company in Great Britain in 1965.
2) In 1976, he moved it to the United States.
3) Henry Kloss of KLH persuaded Dolby to manufacture a consumer version of his noise reduction.
4) A Clockwork Orange was the first film that used Dolby noise reduction (though only on the pre mixes and masters, not on release prints).
5) In 1975, Dolby Labs introduced Dolby Stereo.
6) Dolby specialists also developed a digital surround sound compression scheme for the cinema.
7) In 2010, Dolby announced the arrival of Dolby Surround 7.1.
8. Turn the sentences from Active into Passive. Omit the agent where it is possible.
1) The music company is producing a new video.
2) When did the company introduce the cinematic technology Dolby Atmos?
3) The company specialists have evolved an innovative sound scheme for the home theater.
4) The camera operator was shooting the video when the equipment failed to operate.
5) They had already built a stage for the gig in the square when we came there.
TALKING AND DISCUSSING POINT
9. Choose any two Dolby formats and compare them.
10. Prepare a report on the topic «Dolby Technologies». Pick from the following options:
Analog audio noise reduction: Dolby A/B/C/S-Type NR; Dolby FM; Dolby HX Pro.
Audio encoding/ compression: Dolby Digital (AC-3); Dolby Digital EX; Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3); Dolby Digital Live; Dolby E; Dolby Stereo (Dolby Analog); Dolby TrueHD; AAC; aacPlus; Dolby Pulse.
Audio processing: Dolby Headphone; Dolby Virtual Speaker; Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Pro Logic IIz; Audistry; Dolby Volume; Dolby Mobile.
Video processing: Dolby Contrast; Dolby Vision.
Digital Cinema: Dolby Digital Cinema; Dolby 3D; Dolby Atmos.
Live Sound: Dolby Lake Processor.
11. Comment on the following quotation.
«People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.»
Steve JobsWRITING
12. Write a report on the topic «Ray Milton Dolby. Biography and achievements.»
13. Write a review of one of the films mentioned in the text:A Clockwork Orange, Callan, Lisztomania, A Star Is Born, Batman Returns, Clear and Present Danger, The Simpsons, Toy Story 3.
Follow the plan:
Introduction (thesis paragraph, short summary plot, overview of the review body)
Body paragraphs/analysis (cinematography, setting, acting, soundtrack, accomplishments and fails, the critics feelings)
Recommendation (if the movie is worth watching)
Conclusion (tied up with the thesis)
14. Write a letter to your friend (State Exam Writing).
This is part of the letter you have received from your English pen-friend Elizabeth:
In your next letter, please tell me about a film you like. Whats it about? Who is starring in the film? Why do you like it?