# Dolby

> American company specializing in audio noise reduction and audio encoding/compression

**Wikidata**: [Q261288](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q261288)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dolby

## Summary
Dolby is an American public company specializing in audio noise reduction and audio encoding/compression technologies. Founded in 1965 by Ray Dolby, the company is headquartered in San Francisco and is known for developing industry-standard audio solutions that have revolutionized sound quality in entertainment, film, and broadcasting.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1965 by Ray Dolby, who invented the Dolby noise reduction system.
- Headquartered in San Francisco, California.
- Publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
- Specializes in audio noise reduction, encoding, and compression technologies.
- Employed approximately 1,667 people worldwide.
- Known for technologies like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic.
- Official website: [www.dolby.com](https://www.dolby.com/).
- Classified as a business, enterprise, and organization.
- Involved in audio signal processing and related technologies.
- Has developed multiple surround sound technologies for home cinema and cinema applications.
- Named after its founder, Ray Dolby.

## FAQs
### What is Dolby known for?
Dolby is known for developing audio noise reduction systems, encoding, and compression technologies that have become industry standards in entertainment, film, and broadcasting.

### Who founded Dolby and when?
Dolby was founded in 1965 by Ray Dolby, who invented the Dolby noise reduction system.

### Where is Dolby headquartered?
Dolby is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

### What technologies has Dolby developed?
Dolby has developed technologies such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic, which are widely used in home cinema, cinema sound systems, and broadcasting.

### Is Dolby a public company?
Yes, Dolby is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

### What is the official website of Dolby?
The official website of Dolby is [www.dolby.com](https://www.dolby.com/).

### How many employees does Dolby have?
Dolby employs approximately 1,667 people worldwide.

### What is the Dolby noise reduction system?
The Dolby noise reduction system is a technology developed by Dolby to reduce tape hiss in audio recordings, significantly improving sound quality.

### What is Dolby Atmos used for?
Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology used for home cinema and cinema applications, providing a three-dimensional audio experience with ceiling speakers or ceiling-directed speakers.

### What is Dolby Digital?
Dolby Digital is an audio compression technology and sound format developed by Dolby for multi-channel audio systems, used in cinema, DVDs, Blu-rays, and television broadcasts.

## Why It Matters
Dolby has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing audio technology, particularly in noise reduction and encoding/compression. The company's innovations, such as the Dolby noise reduction system, have fundamentally transformed how audio is recorded, processed, and reproduced across the entertainment industry. Technologies like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital have set new standards for immersive sound experiences in home cinema and cinema settings, enhancing the viewing experience by placing sound sources anywhere in the room. Dolby's technologies are widely adopted worldwide, making them essential for professional recording studios, film production companies, broadcasters, and consumer electronics manufacturers. The company's impact extends to virtually every recording studio, cinema, and consumer audio device, making its influence on modern audio technology both profound and pervasive.

## Notable For
- Inventor of the Dolby noise reduction system (1965).
- Founder of Dolby Laboratories, a major American company specializing in audio technologies.
- Development of Dolby Atmos, a surround sound technology for home cinema and cinema applications.
- Creation of Dolby Digital, an audio compression technology for multi-channel audio systems.
- Dolby Pro Logic, a surround sound processing technology for analog surround decoding.
- Recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Academy Award, Emmy Award, and National Medal of Technology.
- Industry standard setter for audio encoding and compression.
- Pioneered technologies used in over 35 Wikipedia language versions.
- Company employs approximately 1,667 people worldwide.

## Body

### Overview
Dolby is an American public company specializing in audio noise reduction and audio encoding/compression technologies. Founded in 1965 by Ray Dolby, the company is headquartered in San Francisco and is known for developing industry-standard audio solutions that have revolutionized sound quality in entertainment, film, and broadcasting.

### History and Founding
Dolby was founded in 1965 by Ray Dolby, an American engineer and inventor. Dolby's most significant contribution was the invention of the Dolby noise reduction system, which became the industry standard for reducing tape hiss in audio recordings. This system used a form of dynamic range compression during recording and complementary expansion during playback, effectively suppressing background noise without degrading the original sound quality. The company grew from this founding invention to become a global leader in audio technologies, developing numerous audio encoding and compression technologies that became foundational standards in the entertainment industry.

### Technologies and Innovations
Dolby has developed a range of technologies that have significantly impacted the audio industry. Key technologies include:
- **Dolby Atmos**: A surround sound technology introduced in 2012, designed for home cinema and cinema settings. It uses a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup with additional ceiling speakers or ceiling-directed speakers to create a three-dimensional audio experience.
- **Dolby Digital**: An audio compression technology and sound format for multi-channel audio systems, widely used in cinema, DVDs, Blu-rays, and television broadcasts.
- **Dolby Pro Logic**: A surround sound processing technology for analog surround decoding, used to create immersive audio environments in home theater setups.

### Company Structure and Operations
Dolby is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and employs approximately 1,667 people worldwide. It is classified as a business, enterprise, and organization, and is involved in audio signal processing and related technologies.

### Impact and Recognition
Dolby's technologies have been widely adopted worldwide, making them essential for professional recording studios, film production companies, broadcasters, and consumer electronics manufacturers. The company's impact extends to virtually every recording studio, cinema, and consumer audio device, making its influence on modern audio technology both profound and pervasive. Dolby has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Academy Award, Emmy Award, and National Medal of Technology, reflecting the significant impact of its contributions to audio technology.

### Global Presence and Language Support
Dolby's technologies are available in multiple languages, including Chinese (杜比全景声) and Korean (돌비 애트모스), making them accessible to a global audience. The company's official website, [www.dolby.com](https://www.dolby.com/), provides detailed information about its technologies, applications, and how they enhance audio experiences.

### Related Entities and Connections
Dolby is connected to various related entities, including:
- **Ray Dolby**: The founder and inventor of the Dolby noise reduction system.
- **Dolby Atmos**: A surround sound technology for home cinema and cinema applications.
- **Dolby Digital**: An audio compression technology for multi-channel audio systems.
- **Dolby Pro Logic**: A surround sound processing technology for analog surround decoding.
- **New York Stock Exchange**: The stock exchange where Dolby is publicly traded.
- **San Francisco**: The city where Dolby is headquartered.
- **United States**: The country where Dolby is located and operates.

### Official Resources
More information about Dolby and its technologies can be found on the official website: [www.dolby.com](https://www.dolby.com/). The website provides detailed information about the company's technologies, applications, and how they enhance audio experiences.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/dolby-laboratories-inc?rid=221501246133-04)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. [Source](http://investor.dolby.com/investor-faqs)
4. ROR release v1.19
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Global LEI Index
7. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
8. GRID Release 2016-12-06
9. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
10. [Source](https://academic.microsoft.com/institution/116121188)
11. Wikirate