The Dolby Range
Dolby E: Encoding & Decoding
Dolby E technology allows broadcasters to fit up to 8 audio channels into the space of a single PCM stereo pair. Thus when they need to add surround sound, or multiple languages, these can be carried within the existing infrastructure, making for a cost-effective upgrade. Engines Dolby E Encoding & Decoding modules allows the user to decode and listen to their Dolby E files, or create a Dolby E deliverable from scratch.
Dolby Digital: Encoding
Dolby Digital is engineered for consumer devices like televisions and home theatre systems. It enables decoding and playback of multi-channel audio, introducing surround sound capabilities to average consumers. Dolby Digital's widespread adoption, compatibility, and efficient encoding make it a standard choice for delivering audio content to consumers. Broadcasters worldwide rely on Engines' Dolby Digital Encode module within their software infrastructure, leveraging its capabilities to streamline file delivery for playout.
Dolby Digital Plus: Encoding
Dolby Digital Plus marks an advancement in Dolby audio technology. Unlike its predecessor, it accommodates an expanded range of channel configurations, up to 7.1 channels, enhancing the immersive audio experience for viewers. Its utilisation of more efficient compression algorithms enables higher-quality audio at lower bitrates compared to Dolby Digital. Additionally, Dolby Digital Plus supports adaptive bitrate streaming, allowing audio quality to adapt dynamically to available bandwidth. Broadcasters globally rely on Engines' Dolby Digital Plus Encode module for streamlined file delivery and playout.
Dolby® E Applications
Dolby® E is a fantastic technology, but was originally designed around hardware/real time solutions. Engine has modules available for Dolby E encoding, Dolby E decoding, and for Dolby E guard band correction, as well as for achieving Loudness compliance for Dolby E encoded tracks, and these are designed for full functionality within file-based workflows and overcome many of the challenges inherent in working with files. Full access to Dolby Digital Plus metadata is provided, and you can also obtain comprehensive XML reports of all metadata. Engine is the perfect tool for your file-based Dolby E needs, covering all essential requirements. Summary of Dolby E Options available –
- Loudness compliance of Dolby E encoded tracks.
- Dolby E decode, either embedded the results in the source media file, or to a newly created WAV file.
- Dolby E encode, either taking the source PCM from a media file, or from a separate AIFF/WAV file.
- Dolby E Guard band correction – for media files that contain video and audio, where the Dolby E frames do not correctly align with the video frames.
- Dolby E metadata reporting in XML format.
Why not download our short Ebook on how Engine can help with Dolby E applications – Click on the image below
Loudness Compliance with Dolby E
Engine can handle Loudness Compliance requirements for files. In conjunction with Dolby, one or more audio tracks in a source file can be processed for loudness compliance including when some or all of the source tracks contain Dolby E encoded audio. Engine internally decodes the Dolby tracks, processes them using our industry standard Loudness Compliance module, then seamlessly recodes back to Dolby E, whilst maintaining all necessary metadata, and correctly setting the dialnorm value for the newly created file.
Dolby E Encode Solutions
Engine can be used as a powerful Dolby E encoder. It can be used to encode audio within your media files, writing the encoded data to a stereo track within the media file, or it can create a new stereo wav file containing just the encoded audio. When encoding Dolby, you can program all of the metadata that is available for Dolby, as well as choosing the start timecode and framerate. You can also specify settings for the Dolby Guard band. Engine has very flexible options for Dolby E encoding
Dolby E Decode Solutions
Engine also makes an excellent and flexible Dolby E decoder. As a decode tool, Engine can either place the decoded data back into a copy of the source file, or can create new WAV files containing the data. When creating WAV files, you have complete flexibility over the format. For example, a source Dolby track containing 5.1 could be decoded to six mono WAV files, three stereo WAV files, or a single WAV file containing the complete 5.1
Download some Dolby E Decode examples hereWatch this short video for a brief run through of Dolby E solutions for Engine
Details on Dolby E Support
If you have questions, please contact us at or alternatively download and install the evaluation software, using the link at the bottom of this page.
We have been asked a number of times if it is possible to automatically write data into the Dolby Program Description metadata. We have implemented a feature that lets you do this, by taking a regular expression from the source file name, and also incorporating free text, and Dolby Channel configuration information. The following screenshot gives an example of how this is configured.
In this example, we are using the middle portion of the filename to be an identifier to go into the metadata. We are also adding some free text that we have entered in to the configuration, plus using ’51’ and ’20’ to represent a 5.1 encoding, and a stereo encoding respectively. The final string is then written into the Dolby metadata during the encode process. If you don’t have tools to check the Dolby metadata in existing files, this is accessible with our Dolby Decode and ‘Examine‘ options.
Engine with problem files containing Dolby E
Customers often come to us because they have files containing Dolby E that cannot be read by some of their tools. For this reason, we have gone to great lengths to allow Engine to work with a wide variety of “problem” files. In some instances, for example when there are several seconds (or even minutes) of PCM audio before the Dolby starts, Engine is still able to detect and correctly process the audio. Occasionally an error during real time encoding might mean that you have a file containing Dolby E that is corrupted in a few placed. If you play this audio you might hear clicks at these points. Normally files like this would be rejected. However when there is no way of re-encoding the Dolby, then Engine can still decode this audio, putting in a silence at each point of corruption which at least lets you access the audio rather than losing it.
Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital is engineered for consumer devices like televisions and home theatre systems. It enables decoding and playback of multi-channel audio, introducing surround sound capabilities to average consumers. Dolby Digital's widespread adoption, compatibility, and efficient encoding make it a standard choice for delivering audio content to consumers. Broadcasters worldwide rely on Engines' Dolby Digital Encode module within their software infrastructure, leveraging its capabilities to streamline file delivery for playout.
Dolby Digial Plus
Dolby Digital Plus marks an advancement in Dolby audio technology. Unlike its predecessor, it accommodates an expanded range of channel configurations, up to 7.1 channels, enhancing the immersive audio experience for viewers. Its utilisation of more efficient compression algorithms enables higher-quality audio at lower bitrates compared to Dolby Digital. Additionally, Dolby Digital Plus supports adaptive bitrate streaming, allowing audio quality to adapt dynamically to available bandwidth. Broadcasters globally rely on Engines' Dolby Digital Plus Encode module for streamlined file delivery and playout.
Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus Encoding Solutions
Engine provides robust encoding solutions for Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus, enabling broadcasters and content creators to deliver surround and immersive audio experiences across various distribution platforms. Our software's advanced encoding algorithms provide all Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus program configurations resulting in a dynamic soundscapes for viewers. Engines Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus encode module also has support for Dialnorm measurements in conjunction with our Loudness module.
Dolby Guard Band Correction
Engine's innovative software features a specialised module for Dolby guard band intelligence, offering precise correction capabilities to ensure placement on the correct line. This module is designed to integrate with existing workflows, providing broadcasters and content creators with the tools they need to maintain the integrity of their audio signals. With Engine's guard band correction, users can confidently deliver Dolby-encoded content with accurate guard band placement, enhancing the overall quality of the viewing experience. Whether it's ensuring compliance with industry standards or optimising audio for various distribution platforms, Engine's guard band correction module offers unparalleled reliability and performance.
If the guard band is completely out of specification, Engine provides detailed analysis of the file contents, helping you to resolve the problem. If you need to Dolby E encode your media, Engine provides access to all Dolby Digital Plus metadata, so gives you the tools you need to meet your delivery specifications. It is a frequent requirement to need Dolby E encoding in conjunction with Loudness Compliance, and with Engine, this can be carried out in a single workflow, providing unparalleled ease of use and efficiency. Another common requirement is to upmix stereo to 5.1, then to Dolby E encode both the original stereo, and the upmixed 5.1, and this can also be done in a single workflow.
Support for S-ADM and MGA
As the industry evolves toward more immersive audio delivery formats, Engine supports Serial Audio Definition Model (S-ADM) and Metadata-Guided Audio (MGA) to help future-proof your workflows. S-ADM is an XML-based standard that allows the definition of complex audio scenes, including object and scene-based audio.
Engine supports embedding and preserving S-ADM metadata within MGA files, which combine PCM audio and frame-accurate metadata in a structured format. This is particularly useful in workflows where Dolby E or AC-3 metadata needs to be retained for accurate downstream processing or playout. For example, some broadcasters are using MGA to store 5.1 surround audio and Dolby metadata in a form suitable for both live transmission and file-based delivery. Engine enables users to decode, loudness-correct, and rewrap files with the appropriate MGA structure, preserving all required Dolby and S-ADM metadata.
While Engine does not encode Dolby Atmos, it prepares and packages audio and metadata in formats suitable for further processing by compatible encoders and transcoders.
