Sony licenses Dolby's HDR tech to make brighter, better Bravia HDTVs in the future
Ever since BrightSide first showed off its Extreme Dynamic Range displays that claim to display luminance throughout the entire range of vision back in 2005, we've been waiting for the technology to overtake current LCDs. The years have passed and a after being purchased by Dolby all we've had to show for it so far is a slightly smaller bezel and a handful of reference displays for professionals from Sim2. That could turn around though, now that Dolby has licensed the technology to Sony to make BRAVIA LCD HDTVs with. Of course, so far Sony hasn't done much with its implementation of OLED and after six years we're cautious to get too excited before actual products are announced, but we could be in for some much better looking displays very soon. Check the press release after the break for details or slick the link to Sim2 below for more explanation on just what this technology is and why you should look forward to it.
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Dolby Licenses High Dynamic Range Image Display Patents to Sony
San Francisco, June 6, 2011-Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) today announced that Sony Corporation has licensed local dimming high dynamic range (HDR) image display patents from Dolby for select Sony BRAVIA™ LCD televisions with LED backlight technology.
LCDs with Dolby's imaging technologies deliver enhanced dynamic contrast to produce vivid images that significantly surpass the picture quality of fluorescent tube backlit LCDs-providing consumers with the high-quality entertainment experience they have come to associate with the Dolby brand.
"Dolby is committed to delivering the best possible entertainment experience, whether that means immersing surround sound to enhance audio, or LED local dimming LCDs that consume less power to display very bright, high contrast images," said Ramzi Haidamus, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby continues to create innovative imaging solutions that enable partners to provide compelling entertainment experiences."
Dolby has been involved with imaging technology for years, beginning with Dolby® Digital Cinema in 2005. Since then, Dolby has launched Dolby 3D for the cinema, the Dolby Professional Reference Monitor for postproduction HD mastering, an open specification for 3D broadcast, and now HDR for LED-LCD consumer televisions.
Dolby's HDR imaging technologies greatly improve the visual impact of an LCD, delivering amazingly lifelike images with virtually all the contrast, vibrant colors, true blacks, and subtle shadings that are seen naturally. Specifically, the Dolby LED backlight small area local dimming technologies vary the illumination intensity throughout an image to provide the precise brightness level each portion of an image requires. These technologies address current LCD display limitations, in particular with conventional cold-cathode fluorescent (CCFL) tube backlighting. Dolby's imaging technologies enable the display of images that approach the full dynamic range of what the human eye can see.
About Dolby Laboratories
Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, visit www.dolby.com.
