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BBC R&D White Paper WHP175

Managing a Real World Dolby E Broadcast Workflow
Rowan de Pomerai

Keywords
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Abstract
BBC HD’s surround sound programming brings the viewer a more immersive audio experience than television has previously offered, while audio metadata allows greater control over audio reproduction in the home. However the technology required to produce and deliver 6 channels of audio with associated metadata gives broadcasters a new set of challenges. The Dolby E* data stream format allows transport of the audio and metadata within the distribution infrastructure, but its use requires careful consideration of system timing, audio-video synchronisation, metadata control and monitoring. Additionally, the increasing popularity of LCD and plasma displays in the home can cause viewers problems with audio-video synchronisation due to processing delays found in such displays. The BBC set out to examine and resolve these problems, and the results are presented in this paper as a useful knowledge base for anyone handling Dolby E and/or Dolby Digital to deliver multichannel audio for television.