IDF Spring 2004: Intel High Definition Audio, initiatives of Dolby and Microsoft

We can state that Dolby Laboratories and Intel set a new milestone in the PC multimedia features evolution. Two companies launched the joint initiative of advancing sound and entertainment features of modern consumer electronics into personal computers supporting Intel High Definition (HD) Audio. This standard, formerly codenamed Azalia, exists currently as a draft version 0.9 to be finally approved in H2 2004.

Within its Dolby PC Entertainment Experience initiative Dolby announced the new Integrated Audio Codec Licensing and PC Logo programmes introducing Dolby Surround Sound technologies. Dolby Integrated Audio Codec Licensing will enable audio codec developers to create Intel HD Audio solutions.

As for Dolby PC Logo, it will enable buyers to purchase PCs supporting the necessary Dolby technologies meeting personalized requirements. HD Audio codecs compatible with Dolby technologies will provide system-level support of Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Digital Live, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx technologies.

Dolby PC Logo will host the following variants:

• Dolby Sound Room — Dolby Digital, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Pro Logic II without 5.1 systems
• Dolby Home Theater — 3D 5.1-channel home theatre sound, Dolby Digital, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator.
• Dolby Master Studio — the most advanced set of 7.1-channel 3D sound, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and Dolby Digital encoding

As for Intel High Definition Audio support, already this Spring we should see Microsoft´s new UAA HD Audio Class Driver that will be supported by Intel ICH6 Southbridge and Windows 2000 (SP4), Windows XP Home/Pro/MCE (SP1), Windows Server 2003 Standard, Windows Codename Longhorn, etc.

We´ll naturally get back to Intel High Definition Audio as soon as we have more information.

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