Broadcast Distribution with Dolby E

Dolby E is a digital audio technology optimized for the distribution of surround and multichannel audio through digital two-channel postproduction and broadcasting infrastructures.

The Dolby E signal does not reach viewers at home. It is decoded back to baseband audio just prior to the final DTV transmission and then re-encoded into the final audio format specified by the various DTV emission systems (for example, Dolby Digital in ATSC, DVB, satellite, and cable systems; and AAC for ISDB in Japan).

With Dolby E, up to eight channels of audio, plus consumer and professional metadata, can be distributed via any stereo (AES/EBU) channel or recorded onto two audio tracks of conventional digital video tapes, video servers, communication links, switchers, and routers.

Because the frame rate of Dolby E matches that of the video it accompanies, programs can be effortlessly switched, edited, and successfully encoded and decoded many times throughout the various stages of the broadcast chain. Audio/video synchronization is also simplified, with exactly one frame of delay added per Dolby E encode or decode stage.

For more on Dolby E, see our Tech Resources Library and Dolby E products.

Dolby E and Metadata

Metadata allows content providers unprecedented control over how a program will be reproduced in the home. Dolby E conveniently transports both consumer and professional metadata created during program production. Consumer parameters (transferred as a serial data stream from Dolby E to Dolby Digital codecs during the final audio encode, just prior to multiplexing with the digital video for final DTV transmission) are carried in both the Dolby E and the Dolby Digital bitstreams, while professional parameters are carried only in Dolby E and never reach viewers. All metadata parameters can pass unchanged through the various broadcast distribution stages.

For more on Dolby E metadata parameters, see our Technical Library.> 

Dolby E Partner Program

The Dolby E Partner Program provides broadcasters and systems designers with information about Dolby E compatibility of professional broadcast products. This information will help you plan your product purchase and system design decisions to create a clear path in your facility for the benefits and advantages of Dolby E technology.

See complete list of products and manufacturers>