ProAudio Review - March 2008 - (Page 42)

POST | First Look by Mel Lambert Dolby Media Producer ith optical media finding wider application in not only consumer but also business markets (after all, when did you last see a corporate or sales presentation on slides or a VHS-format VCR?), preparing audio tracks prior to DVD authoring is becoming increasing important. Dolby Media Producer/DMP is a user-friendly software suite that supports all Dolby formats used for mastering DVDVideo, DVD-Audio, HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc formats and other optical media. DMP’s component applications support multichannel, non-real-time encoding and real-time file decoding of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD (bit-for-bit lossless) and MLP Lossless formats via an intuitive user interface. As such, Dolby Media Producer comprises a truly flexible, one-stop solution for encoding standalone and video soundtracks. A TRIO OF MAC-BASED SOLUTIONS Designed for use on Apple Mac OSX-based systems (there are no current plans for Microsoft Windows or Vista platforms) the DMP software suite comprises three complementary products: Dolby Media Encoder (MAPP $8,000 for a network-configurable version and includes the seats; additional client seats cost $500 each); Dolby Media Decoder (MAPP $1,900); and Dolby Media Tools (MAPP $1,800); a package of all three modules sells for $11,000. (A single-user SE Standalone Encoder sells for $2,900.) These prices should be compared, of course, with the hardware DP569 Multichannel Audio Encoder and DP564 Decoder, which offer only real-time processing of formats up to Dolby Digital, and sell for $9k. MEDIA ENCODER Media Encoder’s key feature is its Encoder Queue – users can develop file parameters, pass them to a server that ingests the audio data and metadata components; the program does its magic via comprehensive project and file management functions. Dolby Media Encoder includes three Media Encoder Clients, enabling multiple operators to set up and submit jobs locally or over a network to a centralized server. An intuitive Mac OSX interface simplifies preparation of encoding jobs through the local clients. Complete administrative control includes job status displays, accessible system and error logs for all encoder activity, plus flexible scheduling. To check on processing progress, the encoder can be accessed via a standard browser from any networked computer within a facility. Additional Media Encoder Clients can be purchased to allow additional operators within a facility to set up and submit jobs. The software supports standard audio source files for encoding into any or all of the Dolby formats used in current disc-based media; it accepts existing timecode or can embed newly generated, user-definable code. The Media Encoder can also generate metadata for all the selected formats. Usefully, source and encoded files can be auditioned using a preview playback feature, while previously encoded content can also be updated using the punch-in overdub feature - a major timesaver if only one small section of a bitstream needs to be modified or otherwise updated. … AND VICE VERSA Unlike Media Encoder, which for maximum efficiency is really intended to run in a networked topology, with users delivering files to be encoded on a central server, Media Decoder is configured to run on a single computer to provide playback and decoding for an individual audio room. The application decodes Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital Surround EX formats, and processes Dolby Headphone technology. Media Decoder supports monitoring of various consumer-listening modes, including down-mixing and dynamic range control, and enables decoding and monitoring of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD and MLP Lossless formats. To streamline A/V sync during quality- control checks of source or encoded files, Media Decoder controls video transports via standard 9-pin protocol; it also supports synchronization with Apple QuickTime files. The decoder’s audio output supports Core Audio and ASIO formats for use with FireWire I/O devices, or with other external/internal hardware, including Digidesign Pro Tools, MAudio or MOTU I/O. A variety of loudspeaker layouts can also be created to match physical outputs with targeted locations, ranging To the left, a Dolby Media Encoder GUI from two-speaker stereo to eight-speaker/7.1channel sessions. TOOLS OF THE TRADE As the name suggests, Dolby Media Tools is a utility program that allows users to repair and update previously encoded files without having to re-encode, including metadata editing, file trimming, timecode striping, and file concatenation. Using file trim and concatenation, files can be divided, shortened and/or appended to add, for example, a revised trailer to a movie DVD project. SMPTE-format timecode can also be added to a file that lacks Dolby Media Tools GUI it, or be re-striped to replace bad or non-continuous code. Like the decoder, DMT is designed to run locally on a single Apple computer. DOLBY continues on page 44 ➤ 42 | ProAudio Review | March 2008 Subscribe to the Digital Edition of Pro Audio Review http://www.proaudioreview.com/subscribe www.proaudioreview.com http://www.proaudioreview.com http://www.proaudioreview.com/subscribe

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ProAudio Review - March 2008 Contents Publisher's Page Studio News and New Products Sennheiser MKH 8040 Microphone Digidesign Mbox 2 Micro Studio Spotlight Upsampler X/Audio Live News and New Products Touring Gear From the Road Broadcast News and New Products ION Audio Tape2PC Cassette Archiving System Brauner VMA Large-Diaphragm Microphone Audio Ltd. RMS 2040 Series Post News and New Products First Look NAB Showcase Buyers Guide Single Slice

ProAudio Review - March 2008

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