# Dolby Digital

> Audio compression technologies

**Wikidata**: [Q622624](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q622624)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Digital)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dolby-digital

## Summary
Dolby Digital is an audio compression technology and sound format developed by Dolby for multi-channel audio systems. It serves as the standard for digital surround sound in cinema, DVDs, Blu-rays, and television broadcasts worldwide.

## Key Facts
- Dolby Digital is an audio compression technology classified as a multi-channel sound system and sound format
- It was developed by Dolby Laboratories and has multiple aliases including DD, Dolby Audio, AC-3, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby SR-D, A/52, and Dolby Digital 5.1
- The technology supports various channel configurations with up to 5.1 channels (five full-range channels plus one low-frequency effects channel)
- Dolby Digital has 40 Wikipedia sitelinks and is available in multiple languages including Arabic, Belarusian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, English, and Spanish
- It is different from Dolby Atmos, another audio technology by Dolby
- The official website is https://professional.dolby.com/tv/dolby-digital/
- Dolby Digital has an IPTC news code of audiocodec/c001 and is part of the LC and MARC vocabularies with ID mspecplayback/dolbydig
- There is a fandom article about Dolby Digital with ID 21072 titled "Dolby Digital | Logopedia | Fandom"
- The technology is identified by the freebase ID /m/0l7sr and has a MobyGames attribute ID of 274

## FAQs
### Q: What is Dolby Digital used for?
A: Dolby Digital is used for multi-channel audio compression in cinema sound systems, DVDs, Blu-rays, digital television broadcasts, and streaming media. It delivers high-quality surround sound experiences across various entertainment platforms.

### Q: How is Dolby Digital different from Dolby Atmos?
A: Dolby Digital is a traditional multi-channel audio compression technology, while Dolby Atmos is a more advanced audio format that adds height channels for a three-dimensional sound experience. They are separate audio technologies developed by Dolby.

### Q: What do the names AC-3 and Dolby Digital 5.1 refer to?
A: AC-3 refers to the Audio Coding 3 compression algorithm used by Dolby Digital, while Dolby Digital 5.1 specifically indicates the 5.1 channel configuration supported by the technology (five full-range channels plus one subwoofer channel).

### Q: Where can I find official information about Dolby Digital?
A: Official information about Dolby Digital is available at https://professional.dolby.com/tv/dolby-digital/. Additional information can be found in Wikipedia articles available in multiple languages and on the Fandom Logopedia page.

## Why It Matters
Dolby Digital revolutionized audio quality in home entertainment and cinema by introducing efficient compression techniques that could deliver high-quality multi-channel sound within limited bandwidth constraints. Before its widespread adoption, cinema and home audio systems often struggled with limited channel configurations and lower fidelity. Dolby Digital enabled the transition from analog to digital audio formats, supporting up to 5.1 channels dramatically improved the immersive experience for movie watchers and music listeners. Its compression algorithms allowed high-quality audio to be delivered through various mediums including DVDs, digital television, and streaming platforms, making premium audio accessible to the general public and setting the standard for digital audio in entertainment worldwide.

## Notable For
1. Pioneered digital multi-channel audio compression that became the industry standard for cinema and home entertainment systems
2. Created under various names including AC-3, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Digital 5.1, showing its versatility and evolution
3. One of the first widespread audio technologies to deliver true surround sound experiences to home theaters
4. Supports up to 5.1 channels (five full-range channels plus one subwoofer channel), significantly enhancing audio immersion compared to stereo systems
5. Has been translated into numerous languages for Wikipedia, demonstrating its global impact and adoption

## Body
### Overview
Dolby Digital is an audio compression technology and sound format developed by Dolby Laboratories. It is classified as both a multi-channel sound system and a sound format. The technology has been widely adopted in various entertainment platforms including cinema, DVDs, Blu-rays, digital television broadcasts, and streaming media.

### Technical Specifications
- Supports various channel configurations including the popular 5.1 format
- Utilizes AC-3 (Audio Coding 3) compression algorithm
- Designed to deliver high-quality multi-channel audio within limited bandwidth constraints
- Allows for up to 5.1 channels of audio (five full-range channels plus one low-frequency effects channel)

### Names and Variations
- Primary name: Dolby Digital
- Other aliases: DD, Dolby Audio, AC-3, AC3, Dolby AC-3, Dolby AC 3, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby SR-D, A/52, Dolby Digital 5.1

### Adoption and Presence
- Used in cinema sound systems
- Integrated into DVD and Blu-ray formats
- Found in digital television broadcasts
- Available on streaming media platforms
- Has 40 Wikipedia sitelinks across multiple languages

### Identifiers and References
- Freebase ID: /m/0l7sr
- MobyGames attribute ID: 274
- IPTC news code: audiocodec/c001
- LC and MARC vocabularies ID: mspecplayback/dolbydig
- Fandom article ID: 21072 (title: "Dolby Digital | Logopedia | Fandom")

### Official Resources
- Official website: https://professional.dolby.com/tv/dolby-digital/
- Logo available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Dolby-Digital-Logo.svg
- Image available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Dolby_Digital_track_reader.jpg

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora
3. [Dolby Digital | Logopedia | Fandom](https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Dolby_Digital)