Dolby rolls out 7.1, intros new consumer tech

Dolby Laboratories invited the tech and gadget press to San Francisco to sample its new 7.1 Surround Sound technology, the latest 3D theater improvements, and a suite of consumer items that bring Dolby sound into the home.

The 7.1 system configuration adds two additional rear speakers to the conventional 5.1 arrangement in theaters, creating a set of four surround channels and three front channels. Multiple in-theater demonstrations--including a screening of 7.1-native "Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon"--featured how 7.1 forges a more 360-degree sound environment. "Cars 2" and the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" were also mixed and presented in 7.1, but the sheer audio assault of Michael Bay's robotized chaos in "Dark of the Moon" was the obvious choice if Dolby wanted to show off a bit.

One crucial consumer-themed portion of the press event unveiled the latest features of Dolby's Home Theater software. The system allows users to create and save their own stereo surround presets for AV receivers, Blu-ray players, televisions, game systems, and PCs. The latest features can now manipulate the sound outputs of smartphones and tablets to simulate Dolby surround effects using an HDMI output.