Surround sound. If you love audio, it’s a no-brainer. If not, it can be very complicated. Or is it? Here are a few things about Dolby Audio technology that you probably don’t know.
Ray Dolby Invented Dolby Sound
The term “Dolby” refers to the surround sound technology invented by Ray Dolby in 1965. Prior to inventing the famous sound technologies that bear his name, Ray Dolby helped develop the video tape recorder while working at a company called Ampex.
The Famous Musician Thomas Dolby Is Not Related To Ray Dolby
Thomas Dolby is a famous British musician from London, England. He’s best known for his 1982 synth-pop hit “She Blinded Me With Science”. He is also a successful session musician, music producer, inventor and entrepreneur, whose company Beatnik, Inc. created the polyphonic ringtone software used in over 100 million mobile telephones. He’s commonly thought to be related to Ray Dolby, but he is not. His real name is Thomas Morgan Robertson. “Dolby” is just his stage name.
ALF Was The First TV Show With Dolby Surround Sound
The first TV show to be broadcast using Dolby Surround Sound technology was a 1980s NBC sitcom called ALF. The show was about a suburban family called the Tanners that secretly adopt an adult alien named ALF who wants to eat their cat.
ALF was a strange choice for a surround sound test. The show was not known for its music our sound effects. Just it’s fake laugh-track. But the test was successful.
Prior to ALF’s first broadcast in 1986, the audio for all TV shows was either broadcast in mono or stereo. After ALF proved that Dolby Surround Sound worked, it was quickly adopted across the TV industry.
Learn More About Dolby Laboratories
If you want to learn more about Dolby Laboratories and Dolby sound technologies, then check out this great book by Charles S. Swartz or the official Dolby website.
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